Lee’s Market was founded in 1962 on the premise of providing quality products at a convenience to customers in the Newport, Michigan area. Since then, they have grown to a staple in Southeastern Michigan for jerky, as what many of their customers believe to be “The Best Jerky Around”. All their artisan jerky is 100% USDA approved, hand sliced, house-brined, and wood smoked.
Currently, Lee’s Market is owned by husband and wife Danny and Carrie Bergmoser. The jerky choices are beef, poultry, elk, or venison, with about a dozen flavors available. Lee’s Market is one of Southeastern Michigan’s best kept secrets. This Lee’s Market jerky brand is distributed under the same name as Lee’s Market, and it is located in Newport, Michigan, USA.
The next review on Lee’s Market will focus on a 8 ounce/226.8 gram bag of Pepper Garlic flavored beef jerky. This flavor is described as using a spice blend that is tasty without going overboard on the garlic. The jerky was graciously submitted for review by the co-owner, Carrie Bergmoser.
Ingredient Review
Beef, Water, Distilled Vinegar, Corn Syrup, Molasses, Spices, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Natural Flavors, Soybean Oil, Less Than 2% Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Tamarind Extract. Allergen Warnings: Soy, Anchovies
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 liquid marinade is comprised of water, healthy distilled vinegar, and soybean oil.
Some healthy ingredients are added, such as anchovies and spices, which include black pepper.
The sugar level is perfect at 0 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky. The salt level is high at 510mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky to lose a rating. Our preference is 350mg of salt or less per 28 grams of jerky.
This jerky does not qualify to have no sodium nitrite added as similar preservatives potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate are used to lose a rating. This jerky does not qualify to have no MSG added as the highly processed, cheap flavor enhancer hydrolyzed soy protein is used to lose another rating.
Average (5/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
LEE’S MARKET – PEPPER GARLIC BEEF JERKY
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I smell what I believe to be soy and/or vinegar.
The pieces are very large, almost like a flatter version of pepperettes.
The jerky is soft and easy to chew.
When I bite into the strips, I immediately detect strong salt, pepper, and garlic flavors, and they explode out of the jerky. The jerky is coming through in spades as far as the pepper and garlic are concerned, but it is also quite salty, which I like. The sweetness is quite light, which is necessary for the best taste experience. There is no shortage of succulent flavors emanating from this jerky. It is a most enjoyable treat. A well deserved 10/10. Gentlemen?
Written by guest jerky reviewer Stéphane Leclerc
Lee’s Market – Pepper Garlic Beef Jerky has good flavor, but the saltiness is rather distracting and too high. This level would be acceptable as a preservation method, and I take exception when a maker disrespects the animal with too much salt or soya.
As experts would agree, the seasoning should be in the background and complement the flavor profile. The flavor of the beef should speak for itself instead of relying on so many flavor enhancers.
The pepper and garlic are at a good level. The texture is very enjoyable, and the aroma is fine. I’d rate this jerky 9\10 Taste Rating.
Here is what Mark had to say about this Pepper Garlic beef jerky flavor from Lee’s Market: “Thanks Paul and Stéphane for the candid taste reviews. I more or less agree with both of you here. Yes, true, the garlic flavor is present. True, the saltiness is at a high level but is not overwhelming. My minor issue with this flavor is that the garlic level is not high enough. With garlic being one of my favorite flavors, my bias would like to see the garlic at a higher level to justify the Pepper Garlic name.”
” As for the peppered flavor, it is at a good to a very good level. Again the texture is fantastic, which you could term as steak strips. Also agree that the sweetness is at a minimum, a major plus in our books. This flavor mostly delivers on the black pepper and garlic, but no doubt it is salty tasting. With Paul at a 10 rating and Stéphane and I at a 9 rating, a Very Good (9/10) taste rating will be awarded.”
This 8 ounce/226.8 gram bag of beef jerky sells for $16.79. That works out to $2.10 an ounce, which rates as a cheap price.
Very Good (9/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This clear nonresealable plastic bag has a label affixed to the front and nothing on the back except a batch number sticker. There is an illustration of a pig holding two knives on the front. The bag is vacuum sealed, the best way to keep jerky fresh tasting.
A slogan printed is “Hand Crafted And Michigan Made”. There are no facts printed on this bag.
Some missing bag categories are a blurb about this jerky or flavor, slits to easily open the bag, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) stamp, and a best before date, although there is a batch number provided. To the credit of Lee’s Market, a phone number is provided for customer inquiries.
Order their jerky online: https://leesmarketjerky.com
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