Tired of big brand jerky, Shawn Scott set out to do something about it. In October 2019, Shawn launched Local Jerky Plus. I had the opportunity to visit the 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 Teriyaki flavoured beef jerky. This jerky was kindly submitted by president Shawn Scott.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Salt, Sugar, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Spices, Sodium Nitrite, Sodium Carbonate, Cure: Sodium Bicarbonate and Glycerol (As a Curing Aid), Flavor Allergen Warnings: Soy
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. This jerky does not qualify to have no MSG added because the highly processed cheap flavour enhancer hydrolyzed soy protein is used to lose a rating.
Decent (7/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
LOCAL JERKY PLUS – TERIYAKI BEEF JERKY
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I smell faint teriyaki, but mostly nothing. The pieces are uniform in size and thickness. As advertised, they are nothing more than just jerky “bites”.
When I bite into the jerky, I am immediately met with a few flavours, salt being one of them. I don’t taste much, if any sweetness, which to me is a good thing, but the sweetness is usually very prevalent in teriyaki flavours. I also taste pepper, light garlic, and maybe natural beef. I don’t really detect any teriyaki flavour whatsoever.
Don’t get me wrong here, I am quite enjoying this flavour, but it is more of an original flavour than a teriyaki flavour, which suits me fine personally, but it is not coming across as advertised, which is problematic, because if consumers purchase a bag, they will be expecting a teriyaki flavour, which this jerky certainly does not provide. With that in mind, I am inclined to rate this flavour no higher than a 9/10. Good flavour, but not an “as advertised” flavour. Gentlemen?
Written by guest jerky reviewer Stéphane Leclerc
I believe there may be an issue with this recipe/batch, or perhaps, this jerky is mislabeled. This Local Plus Teriyaki beef jerky is lacking in sweetness, Teriyaki flavor, or any Asian flair. The aroma and texture are uneventful and mundane.
This jerky would be okay as an Original, and it is sadly disappointing as anything else. I rate it 7/10 Taste Rating.
Here is what Mark had to say about this Teriyaki beef jerky flavor from Local Jerky Plus: “Thanks Stéphane and Paul for the candid taste reviews. Both of you are correct in that this flavour barely resembles a teriyaki flavour. In general, some sort of sweetness should be present. Absent is the taste of soy, an Asian flare such as ginger, or in some cases pineapple juice. Garlic, salt, and a little soy/sugar are the only recognizable ingredients used. In fairness, a dry rub is used as opposed to being marinated in something that for example, contains soy or teriyaki sauce.”
“There is a nice flavor present but it is subtle tasting as opposed to being bold from being deeply marinated. There is not much of a natural tear present in these jerky bites but still retain a good level of natural beef flavor. With Paul at a 9 rating, Stéphane at a 7 rating, and I wavering between a 7 or 8 rating, a Good (8/10) taste 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
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