For over 130 years, McCormick has grown to be one of the biggest companies selling spices, among other food products. Located in Hunt Valley, Maryland, McCormick created a Grill Mates product line for their meats. McCormick teamed up with Red Truck Beef Jerky to launch this Grill Mates jerky line. Ten percent of the online proceeds go to the Wounded Warrior Project.
This Grill Mates brand name is distributed by Red Truck Beef Jerky LLC, and it is located in St. Petersburg, Florida.
The first review for Grill Mates will focus on a 3 ounce/85.05 gram bag of their smokehouse maple beef jerky. This flavor is described as being perfectly seasoned with a sweet, smoky blend of coarsely ground spices, and a hint of sweet. The jerky was kindly submitted for review by CRO of Red Truck Beef Jerky, Tyler.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Brown Sugar, Beef Broth, Salt, Smokehouse Maple Seasoning (Sugar, Brown Sugar, Salt, Spices, Orange Peel, Molasses Solids, Paprika, Corn Maltodextrin, Sunflower Oil, Safflower Oil, Natural Flavors). Contains 2% or Less of Natural Flavors, Vinegar, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Sodium Erythorbate, Citric Acid, Paprika Oleoresin, Sodium Nitrite Allergen Warnings: Soy.
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 healthy beef broth, sunflower oil, very healthy safflower oil, and healthy vinegar.
The sugar level is acceptable at 4 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky for a sweet based flavor as we have here. The salt level is somewhat low at 220mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky.
This jerky does not qualify to have no sodium nitrite as sodium nitrite is used outright, including sodium erythorbate as preservatives to lose a rating. This jerky does not qualify to have no MSG added as the highly processed flavor enhancer hydrolyzed soy protein is used to lose another rating.
Alright (6/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
GRILL MATES – MONTREAL STEAK BEEF STEAK BITES
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag, I smell soy. The jerky is medium in size, and is medium in thickness. The jerky is soft(ish) and dry(ish), and there is no oily residue on your fingers handing these jerky strips.
The first flavours I encounter are salt, pepper, garlic and natural beef.
This jerky is quite tasty, and while I can’t exactly pinpoint what explicitly it is, it is supremely alluring.
This jerky is very succulent, and it is making me pine for more.
I am supremely enjoying this jerky, and while I am not really picking up on the smoke or the maple, I am still a disciple of this particular jerky. A 9/10 in my opinion gentlemen.
Here is what Mark had to say about this Smokehouse Maple flavor from Grill Mates: “Thanks Paul for the honest taste review. I pretty much agree with everything you said except for the taste of smoke. The taste of smoke is certainly present and accentuates the overall flavor. The maple flavor on the other hand is not that prevalent at all. Otherwise, this is a very tasty and addictive jerky leaving me wanting more. A Very Good (9/10) taste rating seems warranted.”
Red Truck Beef Jerky sells two 3 ounce/85.05 gram bags of Grill Mates jerky for $17.35. That equates to $2.89 an ounce, which just barely rates at an average price.
Very Good (9/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This resealable professional-looking plastic bag has everything imprinted on to the bag itself, both on the front and back. On the front, there is a high-resolution picture of jerky strips.
Some slogans printed on this bag are “Made With McCormick Spices” and “Gourmet Beef Jerky. Enjoy It Anywhere.” Some facts printed on this bag are “Made in USA” and “Beef Jerky Is A Good Source Of Protein”.
All bag categories are covered here except a transparent window to view the jerky. There is a good blurb printed on the back of the bag about Grill Mates.
Order their jerky online: www.redtruckbeefjerky.com
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