Avalon Meat Candy is a veteran-owned, USDA-certified jerky company renowned for its innovative take on traditional beef jerky. Founded by Christian Petersen in April 2016, the brand emerged from his quest to create the perfect jerky after experiencing frequent shortages at his favorite store in Huntington Beach, California. Leveraging his background in the Coast Guard and his experience in the electrical business, Christian began crafting jerky as gifts for clients, eventually developing it into a full-fledged enterprise. Avalon Meat Candy distinguishes itself with its signature “crispy jerky chips,” offering a light, crunchy texture that deviates from the traditional chewy jerky. These chips are hand-cut, wafer-thin, and slow-cooked to perfection, providing a unique snacking experience.
The company uses 100% Angus beef, ensuring every bite has a rich, robust flavor. Flavors range from bold options like Ponzu Sriracha and Kalbi to classics like Original and Honey Garlic. Petersen emphasizes sourcing top-quality meats and local ingredients, such as honey and spices, to create their jerky. The company goes through approximately 400 pounds of top sirloin each week.
Avalon Meat Candy also offers custom flavors, catering to customer preferences, and extends discounts to veterans and police officers as a token of appreciation. Beyond their crispy jerky chips, Avalon Meat Candy’s product line includes traditional jerky cuts, snacks, dog treats, sauces, and fruit rolls. I had the pleasure of meeting Christian at his storefront, where I was given an educational tour of this United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved plant and its impressive setup. This Avalon Meat Candy brand is distributed under the same name as Avalon Meat Candy, and it is located in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The next review on Avalon Meat Candy will focus on a 2.5 ounce/71 gram bag of their The Original flavored Angus beef jerky. This flavor is described as being an all-American tradition, Worcestershire sauce, soy, and hickory that will take you back to the basics. The jerky was kindly submitted for review by Master Chef/Owner Christian Petersen.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Angus Beef, Kalbi Sauce ([Soy Sauce (Water, Wheat Gluten, Salt, Sugar, Soybeans, Caramel Color, Sodium Benzoate), Brown Sugar, Garlic, Sesame Oil, Red Chili, Potassium Sorbate as Preservative], Garlic, Pepper, Salt, Tabasco Sauce (Distilled Vinegar, Red Pepper, Salt), Real Hickory Smoke. Allergen Warnings: Soy, Wheat, and Sesame Oil
The Angus beef used is ethically raised, meaning it is guaranteed to be free of growth hormones and additional antibiotics. The cattle have partial free range access to roam about and graze on grass as nature intended. As a result, the highest ingredient rating that can be awarded is a Very Good (9/10) rating.
The liquid marinade used here is comprised of an alright brand of kalbi sauce, which includes an average brand of soy sauce, healthy water, and a reputable brand of Tabasco sauce.
Some healthy ingredients added are black pepper and garlic.
The sugar content is high at 7 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 sugar. The salt level is somewhat high at 490mg 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 or any other similar unhealthy preservatives. Instead, the main preservative used is salt. Admirably, there is no MSG added.
Decent (7/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
AVALON MEAT CANDY – THE ORIGINAL BEEF JERKY
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I smell very little. The strips are medium in size and sliced rather thin. The jerky is dry and rigid, exactly as our forefathers intended. There is no oily residue left on your fingers.
When I bite into the jerky I am met with a delectable level of salt, minimal sweetness, decent pepper, mild garlic and onion, and copious amounts of natural beef. I am very much enjoying this flavor of jerky, it is hitting all the notes. A well deserved 10/10. Gentlemen?
Here is what Mark had to say about this The Original Angus beef jerky flavor from Avalon Meat Candy: “Thanks Paul for the positive taste review. I agree with everything except the sweetness being at a minimal level. The sweetness is at a mild level and does mask the natural beef flavor to some extent. There is no sign of this Angus beef tasting processed.”
” This is my first time trying kalbi sauce, piquing my interest in purchasing a bottle with its garlic and sesame oil qualities. The taste profile is well-balanced with no single taste standing out. I cannot say that I am picking up on the hickory smoke. Otherwise, this is an enjoyable snack with a certain amount of addictiveness. With Paul at a 10 and myself at a 9, an Excellent (10/10) taste rating will be awarded.”
This 2.5 ounce/71 gram bag of jerky sells online for $12.00. That works out to $4.80 an ounce, which rates as an expensive price.
Excellent (10/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This resealable plastic bag has things imprinted on the front and back, and there is a label affixed to the back. The logo of the Avalon Meat Candy has a bull’s head in the center. There is an illustration of some cows on a farm on the back.
A slogan printed could be “Thin Cut Gourmet Jerky”. Some facts printed on this bag are “Real Hardwood Smoked”, “Made in Las Vegas”, “Made with Aloha Shoyu”, “Gourmet Beef Jerky”, and “Veteran Owned”.
Some missing bag categories are the jerky weight not stated in grams, and no transparent window to view the jerky. A phone number is provided for customer inquiries to the credit of Avalon Meat Candy. A great blurb is printed on the back about this jerky.
Order their jerky online: www.avalonmeatcandy.com
Leave a Comment