Kirkland Signature is the private label brand of Costco, a membership-based warehouse club. The brand was named after the city of Kirkland, Washington, where the company’s headquarters were located before they moved to Issaquah, Washington. Kirkland Signature products are known for their high quality and value. The brand offers a wide range of products, including food, beverages, electronics, clothing, household items, jerky, and more.
Many of the products are manufactured by well-known companies and are sold under the Kirkland Signature name at a lower price than the branded version. Overall, Kirkland Signature has become a popular and trusted brand among Costco members, known for its quality and value. The Kirkland Signature jerky brand name is distributed by Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd., and it is located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
The first review on Kirkland Signature will focus on a 12 ounce/340 gram bag of their Original flavoured steak strips. This bag was purchased at a Costco store in Brampton, Ontario, Canada.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Top Round Steak, Sugars (Brown Sugar, Peach Puree Concentrate [Peaches, Ascorbic Acid]), Water, Dried Vinegar, Salt, Spices and Flavourings, Sea Salt, Garlic Powder, Canola Oil, Hickory Smoke Flavour, Onion Powder, Yeast Extract, Sunflower Oil, Sodium Nitrite
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.
The only liquid marinade listed is canola oil, plain old water.
Some healthy ingredients added are spices, peaches, vinegar powder, garlic powder, and onion powder. The vague term flavourings is listed, which may or may not include healthy ingredients.
The sugar level is 5 grams of sugar per 30 grams of jerky to lose a rating. Our preference is 3 grams of sugar or under per 28 grams of jerky. The salt level is at our borderline of 350mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky.
This jerky does not qualify to have no sodium nitrite added as sodium nitrite is used outright as a preservative to lose a rating. Admirably, this jerky does qualify to have no MSG added.
Alright (6/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
KIRKLAND SIGNATURE – STEAK STRIPS
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I smell vinegar or soy, or is it smoke I smell? Either way, I don’t smell much else. The jerky (steak strips) are medium to thick, and they leave no oily residue on your fingers. The jerky is dry and chewy.
When I bite into the strips I immediately taste light salt, too much sweetness (for my liking), slight garlic, soy, and light pepper. While I like the texture of this jerky, I find these steak strips to be too sweet. The flavour is rather non-descript, kind of like most original flavours.
I can’t find anything to rave about. This jerky tastes rather pedestrian to me. Good, but by no means great. This review is writing like a 7/10, but I would be willing to go as high as an 8/10. No, let’s settle on a 7/10. Gentlemen?
Written by guest jerky reviewer Stéphane Leclerc
The Kirkland Signature Steak Strips keep growing on me. I initially thought it was a little too sweet. After a few bites, I grew to appreciate and like it more and more. I detect a fruitiness about this jerky, and the sweetness pairs well with its accentuated black pepper.
The smokiness also works wonders with this jerky. It is rather obvious there was some work and research done while developing the flavor profile of this pleasant little snack.
The aroma and texture are next to none. The texture is dry and almost crispy without being leathery. These strips are sliced slim, long, and thicker, this is a pleasant texture, and it adds to the delivery of flavor.
I do enjoy this jerky; it has kind of an Asian flair, and it is somewhat reminiscent of a Korean Barbecue type of flavor. I’d recommend this jerky, as I feel most people will enjoy it, and I rate it 9/10 Taste Rating.
Here is what Mark had to say about these steak strips from Kirkland Signature: “Thanks Paul and Stéphane for the candid taste reviews. I certainly lean more toward Paul here. The beef has that big brand, slightly processed tasting flavor. My biggest complaint is the sweetness, which seems out of place. It’s not as if you put a steak on the barbecue and slather it with sugar, so I question why it’s done on these dried steak strips. My third complaint is that there is no ‘wow’ factor. Tomorrow I plan to give Stéphane the remainder of my portion as I have little desire to consume myself.”
“There is an omnipresent smoked flavor present, which accentuates the overall taste profile. It is true what Stéphane mentioned in that there is a mild fruitiness present, likely due to the peach puree concentrate, which is unusual for jerky. Agreed that the peppered level is at a decent level. With Stéphane at a 9 rating and Paul and me at a 7 rating, a Good (8/10) taste rating will be awarded.”
This 12 ounce/340 gram bag of jerky cost $15.99. That works out to $1.33 an ounce, which rates at a very cheap price.
Bag Review
This non-resealable clear plastic bag has everything imprinted directly onto the bag, both on the front and back. There is a high resolution picture on the front of their steak strips.
A slogan could be “Extra Thick Cut”. Some facts printed on this bag are “Cured & Dried Beef”, “Product of USA”, “97% Fat Free”, “Low Fat”, “Ready To Eat”, and “Gluten Free”.
The only missing bag category is a transparent window to view the jerky. To the credit of Kirkland Signature, a toll-free phone number is provided for customer inquiries, and a satisfaction guarantee is offered.
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