Instead of resting on 'allergen free' laurels, LK expanded its beef stick horizons for a tender, tasty snack.
Lorissa's Kitchen has a simple mission; beef sticks and jerky that pretty much anyone can eat. Well, not vegans or vegetarians. Its LK line of meats range from turkey to chicken to beef, all in idealized snacking form.
The hook isand an easy protein pick-me-up for just about anyone. Granted, most beef sticks are diary, tree nut, egg or fish-free to begin with, but it's a nice enough hook in a crowded landscape. Protein snacks are having a moment in America. There are worse ways to market yourself than pointing out all the potentially bad stuff that *isn't* in the product.
Of course, that all means nothing if these allergen-free meats wind up tasting like the health food alternative to a Slim Jim. A cleaner stick makes sense; a heathier one? Original Smoke Show: A-Let's start with the basics. LK promises a "seasoned & smoked" stick that will deliver all the savory flavor we've come to expect.
The casing gives way with a chewy, soft snap. You have to bite in with a little more effort than, say, a Slim Jim. The meat underneath is soft and tender. It almost melts in your mouth.
The seasoning around it is gentle but effective. You get some crisp salt to level off that softness, a little garlic and enough pepper to state its presence but not make things spicy. That's about all there is to it. It's a simple beef stick -- I'd prefer just a little more spice and snap to the casing -- but one that's handled with care.
The tenderness of the meat inside is the headline, as it's just about perfect texturally. In strip form, it's about what you'd expect. Slightly tougher, with a more rigid structure that eventually gives way under your teeth. The seasoning comes through a bit stronger thanks to the added surface area, letting those spices shine without being overbearing.
That's a great start, proof of concept that LK knows what it's doing with dried meat and an exciting harbinger of things to come. Hopefully. Most "spicy" beef sticks fall short of the mark. LK is no exception, opting for lighter jalapeno spice instead of something bolder.
Still, the heat here is nicely handled, building over time after a satisfying first bite. Again you get tender beef with a soft texture that isn't off putting but also not chewy. There's a good balance between savory meat and bold-ish spice. While I'd like it to go harder, it's another quality stick that offers a nice, if underwhelming, twist on the original formula.
The snap here is less pronounced than other LK sticks, giving way to a softer, more savory interior. There's a little bit of spicy stuffing feel to it as the meat gives way in a soft, stringy but satisfying way. The chicken itself is wonderfully seasoned. It's got a solid balanced spice that bounces that minor -- but lasting -- heat against rosemary and mustard and a deep roster of softer spices and flavors.
It's one of the more complex beef sticks I've had, unleashing a wave of big flavors and that spice that builds just a bit with each bite. It's really quite nice. It goes above and beyond the standard stick to bring new flavors into the fold and deliver something more elaborate than just "hot.
"I'm a little wary here. I'm fine with turkey as a healthier substitute for ground beef , but as a wise man once said "turkey can never beat cow.
" In stick form, it tends to be a little more crumbly, a little less savory and generally a little underwhelming. The texture remains a bit less satisfying on first bite.
However, the herbs and spices here are handled very nicely. That rosemary, garlic, thyme and oregano bring complex flavors to a pretty basic protein. They're balanced in a way where nothing overpowers you, instead coming together in harmony against the plain backdrop of the poultry. Would I eat it instead of a Hamm's?
This a pass/fail mechanism where I compare whatever I’m drinking to my baseline cheap beer. That’s the standby from the land of sky-blue waters, Hamm’s. So the question to answer is: on a typical day, would I eat LK jerkies over a cold can of Hamm’s? Give me a bag of the Smoke Show, a couple Herb-a-Licious sticks, a six-pack of Hamm's and a dock from which I can watch a sunset.
There, I have just described my personal Valhalla. This is part of FTW’s Beverage of the Week series. Here, we mostly chronicle and review beers, but happily expand that scope to any beverage that pairs well with sports. Yes, even cookie dough whiskey
Beef Sticks Tender Beef Beef Stick Spice
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