Tired of big brand jerky, Shawn Scott set out to do something about it. In October 2019, Local Jerky Plus was launched. I had the opportunity to visit their storefront/plant where the jerky is manufactured. Things are going well with Local Jerky Plus being sold in over 700 stores with designs to expand. Plans are in the works to sell Local Jerky Plus in different provinces. This Local Jerky Plus jerky brand name is located in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, and is distributed under the same name as Local Jerky Plus.
The next review for Local Jerky Plus will focus on a 2.8 ounce/80 gram bag of their Cracked Pepper & Garlic flavoured beef jerky. This jerky was graciously submitted by president Shawn Scott.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Salt, Sugar, Spices, Sodium Nitrite, Sodium Carbonate, Cure: Sodium Bicarbonate and Glycerol (As a Curing Aid), Flavor.
The beef used is not guaranteed to be free of growth hormones or additional antibiotics. Also, the beef is not guaranteed to have at least partial free range access to graze on grass. As a result, the highest ingredient rating that can be awarded is a Good (8/10) rating.
There is no liquid marinade used here. Some people would call this old fashioned jerky or a jerky rub.
The sugar level is acceptable at 7 grams of sugar per 80 grams of sugar. The salt level is adequate at 710mg of salt per 80 grams of jerky.
This jerky does not qualify to have any sodium nitrite added as sodium nitrite is used outright to lose a rating. Commendably, there is no MSG added.
Decent (7/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
LOCAL JERKY PLUS – CRACKED PEPPER & GARLIC BEEF JERKY
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I immediately smell soy. The review consists of one large strip, which is large, medium in thickness, dry and chewy, and leaves no oily residue on your fingers.
When I bite into the piece of jerky, the first flavours that jump out at me is the intense flavour of salt. To a lesser degree is the pepper, although it is a strong flavour as well. There is very little sweet flavour, which is a good thing. I also detect light garlic, soy, and onion.
While my first inclination is to deduct a point due to the heavy salt content, I am hesitant because the high salt content enhances the overall flavour.
This jerky is by no means blowing me away, but it is still a very enjoyable snack. An 8 or 9/10 would be the most appropriate grade for this flavour. Let’s go with an 8/10. Gentlemen?
Written by guest jerky reviewer Stéphane Leclerc
The Local Jerky Plus Traditional Beef Jerky tastes good. The aroma is faint, and the texture is dry and leathery, as is usually the case with more traditional jerky. The flavour is all about the soy sauce/marinade and the saltiness. The bite is clean, and the quality of the product is on display.
I enjoyed this Local Jerky Plus Traditional Beef Jerky, and I wish the flavor profile would be a little more complex and richer. This jerky would benefit from having more of an edge or bite and having a little more personality and character. I’d rate this jerky 8/10 Taste Rating.
Here is what Mark had to say about this Cracked Pepper & Garlic beef jerky flavor from Local Jerky Plus: “Thanks Stéphane and Paul for the authentic taste reviews. Hard to disagree with anything, except that soy is not a listed ingredient. Naming this flavour Traditional as opposed to Original is apt as this is pretty much as traditional as you can get. Original flavors tend to have more leeway in how they taste while keeping the natural beef flavour in the forefront.”
“The salt level for me was good without going overboard, where usually it is me commenting about excessive saltiness. Agreed in that this flavour lacks a ‘wow’ factor. It is very good and hard to nitpick on anything here. The texture is quite dry and chewy, which gives your teeth a good workout. One possible suggestion is to use fresh garlic and onion, which gives the jerky more personality and character. As with Paul, I too am wavering between a 8 or 9 taste rating, likely a 9. Not that it matters, because the majority will rule here, and a Good (8/10) taste rating will be awarded.”
This 2.8 ounce/80 gram bag of beef jerky sells for $10.99. That works out to $3.93 an ounce, which rates as an expensive price.
Bag Review
This resealable silver coloured bag has a label attached to the front and nothing on the back.
There are no slogans printed on this bag. The only facts displayed are “Gluten-Free” and “Ontario Made”.
Some missing bag categories are a blurb printed about this jerky, a best before date, and French translations as per Canadian law. A batch number is provided, which could likely translate to a best before date.
Check out their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LocalJerkyPlus
The texture of the Jerky was good. My issue is that within the last 2 weeks I’ve tried every flavor, and they all tasted the same overly salty with no other flavors to be mentioned! Bbq, teriyaki, traditional… all the same.