This Simms brand of jerky is distributed by Aldi Inc., and it is based out of Batavia, Illinois. Aldi is a very large company with grocery stores located in at least 18 countries around the world. The Simms is known for offering a variety of food products, including snacks and convenience foods. This jerky is believed to be manufactured by the private label company Marfood USA, located in Taylor, Michigan.
The next review on the Simms will be on a 10 ounce/283 gram bag of their Cracked Pepper flavored beef jerky. This bag was purchased at an Aldi store in North Tonawanda, New York.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Flank Steak, Brown Sugar, Water, Vinegar, Salt, Beef Stock, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Spices, Garlic Powder, Sugar, Onion Powder, Cultured Celery Powder, Sea Salt.
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 beef stock, and healthy vinegar.
Some healthy ingredients added are spices, garlic powder, and onion powder.
The sugar level is a little high at 4 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky to lose a rating. Our preference is 3 grams of sugar or less per 28 grams of jerky. The salt level is high at 500mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky to lose another rating. Our preference is 350mg of salt or less per 28 grams of jerky.
This jerky does qualify to have no sodium nitrite. Instead, salt is the main preservative, and to a lesser degree, healthy vinegar. This jerky does not qualify to have no MSG added as the highly processed, cheap flavor enhancer hydrolyzed corn protein is used to lose a rating.
Average (5/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
SIMMS – CRACKED PEPPER BEEF JERKY
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I smell soy, and nothing else. The jerky varies in both size and shape. Some strips are long and thin, while others are bigger and wider. The texture of the jerky is dry and chewy, and by “chewy” I mean it has some rigidity to it, e.g., it is not soft. There is no oily residue left on your fingers.
When I bite into the jerky I am met with a few flavors, of which salt and pepper are the most prevalent. I also taste light sweet and light onion, along with the soy and natural beef. I am detecting a bit of a kick, which could be nothing more than the cracked peppers, but I think somewhere in there, they sprinkled a little heat of some sort.
This jerky is definitely as advertised. I am tasting copious amounts of pepper. It is by far and away the flavor that massages the palate the most.
I have to admit when I heard I was going to be doing a taste review on a Simms product, I was fully expecting to be very disappointed, what with a big brand and the likely processed beef flavor I expected, but I am truly and pleasantly surprised at the tasty and delectable flavor of this cracked pepper jerky.
It is coming across exactly as advertised, and therefore I am quite comfortable in assessing this flavor as a 9/10. Gentlemen?
Written by guest jerky reviewer Stéphane Leclerc
Simms Premium Cracked Pepper Steak Strips …and here’s something I thought would never come out of my mouth: this jerky is quite good. I am amazed, as this jerky doesn’t feel or taste like something you’d experience with a big jerky maker.
This jerky is fragrant, and it is firm without being leathery. I find this jerky has a visual appearance and texture similar to what I would call “shaggy”. I am certain bakers and other folks with a background in baking will understand this reference to what is a “shaggy dough”. These strips are not smooth, but they are somewhat rough and raggedy. I would even go as far as saying this texture does well with this type of jerky. It is a great medium, and it successfully adheres to and carries the cracked black pepper and its flavor.
I am impressed with this Simms Premium Cracked Pepper Steak Strips, the cracked black pepper is floral, well balanced with reasonable sweetness, and the smokiness brings a depth of flavor. The texture of this little gem may be a game changer going forward. It delivers maximum flavor and improved consistency and results. I am between 9 and 10 taste rating and closer to the latter.
Here is what Mark had to say about this black pepper beef jerky flavor from Simms: “Thanks Paul and Stéphane, for providing us with detailed taste reviews. I largely concur with your assessments. The cracked pepper flavor is well-presented, and the jerky strips have a thick texture, reminiscent of steak strips. However, I did come across the occasional piece of tough, unchewable tissue, although this was not a widespread issue. The natural beef flavor, while slightly processed tasting, is still enjoyable.”
“In terms of my critique, I find the sweetness in this flavor to be unnecessary and mildly to moderately pronounced. I agree with Paul that there is a subtle spiciness, although I suspect it doesn’t solely derive from the cracked pepper. Additionally, there is a light but ever-present smokiness that enhances the overall taste profile. Taking into account Paul’s rating of 9, Stéphane’s rating of 9 or 10, and my own rating of 8, I believe a Very Good (9/10) taste rating is well-deserved.”
This 10 ounce/283 gram bag costs $10.39. That works out to a very cheap price of $1.04 an ounce.
Very Good (9/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This resealable plastic bag has everything imprinted onto the bag itself, both on the front and back. No labels are affixed to this bag. There is a bar code on the back that extends the length of the bag.
There is no slogan printed on this bag. Some facts printed are “Premium”, “Naturally Smoked Beef jerky”, “Steak Strips”, “10g Protein Per Serving”, No Artificial Ingredients”, “Good Source of Protein”, “No Added Nitrates”, “No Preservatives”, “No MSG Added”, “100 Calories”, “1.5g Sat Fat”, “500mg Salt”, 4g Total Sugars”, and “No Preservatives”.
All bag categories are covered. There is a small blurb printed on the back about this jerky. Admirably, Aldi Inc. offers a “Twice as Nice Guarantee”, where they will both replace your product and refund your money if you are not satisfied.
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