Founder Ricky Hirsch was astounded by the excessive sugar content in most jerky products, igniting his mission to create a delectable, health-conscious jerky. Collaborating with world-renowned chefs, he committed to reducing sugar and salt while prioritizing premium, wholesome ingredients. This transformative journey elevated jerky from a gas station snack to a healthy choice. Think Jerky exclusively sources sustainably raised 100% grass-fed beef or 100% natural turkey, free from added hormones or antibiotics. Furthermore, all our ingredients are gluten-free and align with paleo dietary principles.
Each Think Jerky flavor is a one-of-a-kind creation meticulously crafted by a different celebrity chef. These recipes incorporate only the finest, restaurant-quality ingredients you’d expect to find in a seasoned chef’s kitchen. Beyond crafting exceptional jerky, Think Jerky is deeply committed to philanthropy. Through their partnership with the David Lynch Foundation, a portion of our profits is dedicated to aiding veterans with PTSD, teaching them natural healing through meditation. This Think Jerky brand is distributed under the name Think Foods, and it is located in Chicago, Illinois.
The next review on Think Jerky will focus on a 2.2 ounce/62.4 gram bag of Sesame Teriyaki flavored grass-fed beef jerky brought to you by Chef Gale Gand. This flavor is described as combining sesame and spices for a distinct East Asian flavor. The bag was purchased at a Meijer store in Port Huron, Michigan.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: 100% Grass-Fed Beef, Sugar, Tamari Sauce (Water, Soybeans, Salt, Alcohol), Water, Ground Ginger, Sesame Oil, Sesame Seeds, Orange Peel Powder, Granulated Garlic, Granulated Onion, Cayenne Pepper. Allergen Warnings: Soy, Sesame
100% grass-fed beef is used here, just the way nature intended. These cattle are raised ethically, meaning they are not fed growth hormones or additional antibiotics. There is also some free range access for the cattle to roam about. As a result, the ingredient rating starts at Excellent (10/10).
The liquid marinade consists of gluten-free tamari sauce, water, and healthy orange juice concentrate.
Some healthy ingredients added are sesame seeds, ginger, orange peel powder, granulated garlic, and granulated onion.
The sugar level is high at 7 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky to lose a rating. Our preference is 5 grams of sugar or less per 28 grams of jerky for a sweet based flavor, as we have here. The salt level is acceptable at 320mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky.
This jerky does qualify to have no sodium nitrite or any other similar unhealthy preservatives. Admirably, this flavor does qualify to have no MSG added.
Very Good (9/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
THINK JERKY – SESAME TERIYAKI GRASS-FED BEEF JERKY
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I smell very little, maybe ever so slight vinegar. You can visually see the sesame seeds on the strips of jerky. The jerky is medium in size, and it is sliced somewhat thin. The jerky is rather soft and easy to chew, not exactly as our forefathers intended.
As I bite into the jerky, I taste mild salt and a lot of sugar, quite common with a teriyaki flavor. I also taste ever so slight pepper and vinegar, and I do also taste the sesame, be it the seeds or the sesame oil. Apparently, this jerky contains both.
While I agree this is a common teriyaki flavor, I am picking up no “Wow!!” factor. I’ll use one of my favorite adjectives, this jerky is coming across as pedestrian, not bad, but certainly not great. Hence an 8/10 is my assessment. Gentlemen?
Written by guest jerky reviewer Stéphane Leclerc
This Think Jerky Grass-Fed Beef Jerky Sesame Teriyaki is top notch. This is one of the best Teriyaki jerky I’ve ever had the pleasure of tasting. All the flavors expected in a good teriyaki are present, and most importantly, these flavors are well balanced. The soya sauce, the sweetness, and a slight acidity are at a perfect level. The garlic, ginger, and sesame boost the flavor profile while respecting the flavor of the meat. The aroma and texture are also very pleasant and add to the experience.
I really enjoyed this Think Jerky Grass-Fed Beef Jerky Sesame Teriyaki. It is flavorful and delicious, with a hint of richness and decadence. Teriyaki is probably one of the most challenging flavors to master as most people have a specific preconceived idea of what it should be, and it leaves little room to maneuver. There are many moving components, and bringing everything together in a cohesive and well-balanced manner is challenging.
I believe Chef Gale Gand and Think Jerky have done a wonderful job bringing this jerky to life. I absolutely love the hint of Cayenne, and I truly appreciate what they have done with this little gem. It’s an easy 10/10 Taste Rating from me. Godspeed!
Here is what Mark had to say about this Sesame Teriyaki grass-fed beef jerky flavor from Think Jerky: “Thanks Paul and Stéphane for the detailed taste reviews. I lean with Stéphane here, where Paul is not a fan of teriyaki or sesame. When typing out the ingredient list, I noted how awesome this jerky ingredient list looked. An ingredient list does not always translate to the taste, but Chef Gale Gand nails this Sesame Teriyaki flavor.”
“A medium to strong level of sweetness is present but within reason for a Teriyaki flavor. The sesame is at a beautiful level, which is the star of the show. Stéphane is correct in that the garlic, onion, and ginger accentuate the sesame. Omnipresent is a perfect amount of gluten-free Tamari sauce.”
“The only complaint I have is this grass-fed beef, which is not Chef Gale’s fault. The beef has a slightly processed flavor. Grass fed beef should have a richer natural beef flavor. The strips were fairly thin, with a number of broken pieces and crumbs at the bottom of the bag. I disagree that this jerky is soft, where it has some dryness. With Paul at an 8, Stéphane at a 10, and myself at a 9, a Very Good (9/10) taste rating will be awarded. Take a bow, Chef Gale Gand, you deserve it.”
This 2.2 ounce/62.4 gram bag of jerky was purchased for $5.99, which equates to $2.72 an ounce. That rates as a cheap price.
Very Good (9/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This elegant looking, resealable plastic bag has everything imprinted on the bag, both on the front and back. The front has a high-resolution picture of tamari sauce sprinkled with sesame seeds, green onions, and chopsticks. The back has a picture of Chef Gale Gand, the creator of this Sesame Teriyaki flavor.
A slogan printed on this bag is “Think Before You Eat”. Some facts printed on this bag are “70 Calories”, “12g Protein”, “Gluten Free”, “Grass-Fed Beef Used”, “Exclusive Recipe by Chef Gale Gand”, “James Beard Award Winner”, “100% Grass-Fed”, “No Added Antibiotics”, “No Added Hormones”, and “No Nitrites or Nitrates”.
The only missing bag category is a transparent window to view the jerky. A good blurb about Chef Gale Gand, who created this Sesame Teriyaki flavor is printed on the back. To the credit of Think Jerky, an email address is provided for customer inquiries.
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