If you are a chilly head, well then you need earmuffs or a neck gaiter or a scarf. But if you are a chili head then read on, because Jack Link’s (yes, the jerky company) and Walmart have just bestowed upon us chili lovers the most intriguing gift. What is that gift you ask? None other than five different types of canned chili, all looking fine as hell, and all available at Walmart as we speak. Now you may be thinking, as I was, “Okay…but why?” But as is often the case in the packaged food world, there doesn’t always need to be a “why” as long as there is an “Okay, but I’m intrigued enough to try this at least once.” That said, we’re pumped to see if this jerky company knows how to make chili or doesn’t know jack.
Will the meat in Jack Link’s chili be dried? What is the Jack Link between jerky and chili?
First of all, it would seem that the only (Jack) link between Jack Link’s usual realm of all things jerky and their new play of canned stewy meals is the beef. No need to ask where the beef is, we found it—Jack Link’s has it. And I can only assume, for appetizing-ness’s sake, that that beef will be ground and not dried (also the images on the can make it look ground).
That said, they aren’t just giving us a plain ol’ beef chili and calling it a day. Nope. Jack Link’s chili will come in five different flavors, all inspired by existing varieties of Jack Link’s beef jerky—and all of them pack a huge amount of protein. Here’s what they have in store: Original flavor (available both with and without beans for you chili non-bean-lievers), Jalapeño flavor (with beans), Peppered (with beans), and Hickory (with beans).
These all seem pretty straightforward to me, my only question is what “Original” means. Will that one taste like classic chili or will it have the distinct spice mix of Original Jack Link’s jerky? I can’t say for sure, but here’s a colorful excerpt from the product description on Walmart’s website:
“This ain’t campfire cookin’, it’s a full-on flavor assault. Jack Link’s Original Chili is packed with protein 37 grams per can. Ditch the beans, ditch the fuss, this is chili for real men. Forget babysitting a pot or chopping veggies like some kitchen rookie. This bad boy is ready to conquer your hunger in seconds. Just pop the top, heat it up, and unleash the beast.”
Okay, so as that masculine bit of prose indicates, this chili has a lot of protein. If you are trying to get those chili-based gains, know that they all clock in at around 35g to 40g of protein per can. So if these turn out to be good, you might consider stocking up on chili rather than jerky as your emergency sustenance of choice. All that’s left to do now is hop on over to Walmart to see if Jack Link’s chili is going to be a beefy hit or a jerky flop. It’s in stores now!
