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.
Avalon Meat Candy uses 100% Angus beef and offers custom flavors, catering to customer preferences. The company also 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 1 ounce/28 gram bag of their Chili Lime flavored crispy Angus beef chips. This flavor is described as being made in small batches, this potato chip thin jerky practically melts in your mouth. The jerky was kindly submitted for review by Master Chef/Owner Christian Petersen.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Angus Beef Sliced Thin, Aloha Ponzu Sauce (Soy Sauce [Water, Wheat Gluten, Salt, Fermented Soybeans, Caramel Coloring, Potassium Sorbate and Sodium Benzoate as preservatives], Rice Vinegar, Sugar, Yuzu Citrus Juice, Katsuo-Bushi [Dried Saved Bonito Flakes], Potassium Sorbate and Sodium Benzoate as preservatives), Water, Lime Juice, Sriracha (Chili, Sugar, Garlic, Acetic Acid, Potassium Sorbate and Sodium Bisulfite as Preservatives, Xanthan Gum), Tabasco Sauce (Distilled Vinegar, Red Pepper, Salt). Allergen Warnings: Soy, Wheat, and Bonito Extract (Fish)
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 a fair brand of aloha ponzu sauce, which includes an average brand of soy sauce, healthy rice vinegar, healthy yuzu citrus juice, water, and added is healthy lime juice, an alright sriracha sauce, and a well-respected brand of Tabasco sauce.
There are no healthy ingredients added, as the entire recipe is
liquid marinade based.
The sugar content is acceptable at 3 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky. The salt level is somewhat high at 390mg 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 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.
Good (8/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
AVALON MEAT CANDY – CHILI LIME BEEF CHIPS
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I don’t smell much. Possibly slight vinegar. The jerky ‘strips’ are paper thin, brittle, and very dry. Not sure our forefathers would approve of this either. However, I personally love this paper thin crunchy version of jerky.
When I bite into the ‘chips’, I immediately taste immense salt and decent pepper, along with decent garlic and onion, with minimal sweetness, and the chili lime is coming through in spades.
I am personally a huge fan of this flavor, it is chili lime to perfection, and I am very confident in giving this particular flavor a resounding 10/10. Gentlemen?
Written by guest jerky reviewer Stéphane Leclerc
I am somewhat confused and on the fence with this Avalon Meat Candy – Angus Beef Jerky Chips – Chili Lime Jerky. Although it is not traditional, I do enjoy the crispy and thin texture of this jerky. It feels like a different experience.
The flavor is perplexing, characterized by a pronounced acidity and a hint of spiciness. The taste of the meat, with its smokiness and saltiness, is rather light. I do enjoy vinegar straight out of the bottle or savoring a few packets with French fries, as much as the next guy. Unfortunately, the flavor imbalance between the acidity, spiciness, and smokiness is palpable, and it doesn’t do much for the product. I believe a little sweetness would bring a better balance of flavor and more of the characterized clean and fresh taste of these beautiful limes.
I’d rate this Avalon Meat Candy – Angus Beef Jerky Chips – Chili Lime Jerky 7/10, it is not a complete disaster, and this jerky would ikely shine if the flavor profile got the attention it deserves.
Here is what Mark had to say about this Chili Lime Angus beef jerky flavor from Avalon Meat Candy: “Thanks Paul and Stéphane for the interesting reviews. As with Paul, I thought the lime flavor came across in spades also. I also agree with Stéphane that there is only a hint of heat from the chili pepper. We all agree that the thin, crispy texture of these jerky chips is awesome.”
“I agree with Stéphane that the acidity is at a high level, which I happen to love, but the acidity does distort the overall taste profile. I am on the fence about Stéphane’s suggestion that more sweetness would balance the overall flavor better. Paul and I are not big fans of sweetness and would rarely, if ever, recommend added sweetness, even if it meant improving the overall taste profile. With Paul at a 10, Stéphane at a 7, and myself at a 9, a Good (8/10) taste rating will be awarded.”
A 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.
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.
Some slogans printed could be “Real Hickory Smoked” and “Crispy Angus Jerky Chips”. Some facts printed are “Spicy N’ Tangy’ and “Nevada Veteran Owned”.
Some missing bag categories are the jerky weight not stated in grams, and a blurb printed about this jerky or flavor. Admirably, a phone number is provided for customer inquiries to the credit of Avalon Meat Candy.
Order their jerky online: www.avalonmeatcandy.com
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