Mesquite Lime Meatless Vegan Jerky - 24 Pack

I think it's pretty obvious that I must love Primal Strips, or i wouldn't have bought a 24 pack of the Mesquite Lime! These strips are my go-to for low calorie on the go protein during the workday. I like all of the soy flavors (this one, Texas Barbecue, and Hickory Smoke), and though the other kinds (the seitan and mushroom kinds) are palatable, they just aren't my thing. I like these for their meaty texture and the smoky, tangy flavor of the sauce. I like the Mesquite Lime ones in particular because they have 74 calories per strip vs 81 (Texas Barbecue) or 99 (Hickory Smoke). Sure that isn't going to matter to most people, but if you're the sort who tries to eat a low calorie, high protein vegan diet, I'd opt for these over the other flavors. The very best part is the price - when I was buying these individually at Whole Foods, I paid about 25 cents more per strip! This is a great deal for a great snack!

I ordered a box of the Mesquite Lime after finding the Texas BBQ at my local organic grocery store. I love both flavors but am glad I got a bulk of the lime. It's delicious! I love that its only 75 calories and yet so high in protein. It's hard for me (as a vegetarian) to get enough protein while still keeping my carbs low. The standard protein bar usually has way too much sugar for my liking. These are a great afternoon snack and perfect after an intense workout.

I can't convey how much I disliked the flavor of these. I've tried most of the flavors they make except one that contains an ingredient I'm allergic too, so I felt confident in ordering a new flavor in quantity even though I had never smoked it in any of the variety packs. It tasted so bad, I literally could not force myself to finish the one I had opened. I missed the return window, so I'm stuck with a case of inedible vegan jerky that I paid through the nose for because I live in a rural area where you can't get anything healthy let alone vegan at the grocery store except in the produce section. (And the produce is all questionably sourced, so whether that's healthy is a matter of debate.) The closest I can come to describing the taste is that it reminded me of tomato mixed with ... Windex? I've never tasted Windex, but that's my best guess. And for three scientifically minded reader, let me just note, I don't know if there's cilantro in these, but even if so, I'm not a soap taster with cilantro and that was even confirmed in my genetic testing. So there's no excuse for these to taste like a cleaning product. Yuck! I do, however, want to emphasize that I will continue buying other flavors from this brand. The hickory smoked is lovely, the thai is just a little spicy (if you have acid reflux, ulcers, esophageal or duodenal spasm, gastroparesis, or other sensitive tummy issues: beware). It's possible I just got a bad batch, but you couldn't pay me to try these again.

SO GOOD. Just in case anyone was wondering. I know every vegan/vegetarian says this, but even my carnivorous brother liked it. He's the crazy outdoors type though- savage all the way, carving things out of wood, building shelters in the woods, survival stuff. So I trust his meat-comparison ratings. Most veggie people, when it comes to fake meat, tend to say "it's all about the sauce". While this is true, this also has the texture. It's more of the soft slim-jim texture I remember (though we can argue- is that really meat? hah)- moist and moderately chewy. I'm curious if sticking these in a dehydrator will make them more jerky like. Anyway I like the mesquite lime. It's not too sweet, tangy and just delicious. I recommend!

delicious

The initial flavor was good, but on the back end the "LIME" had an unpleasant "imitation" citrusy flavor that lingered while chewing. Didn't are for this particular flavor. I'm sticking with Hickory.

Security pulled my bag aside and dug out the jerky. I packed the entire case, so it probably looked weird on the scanner. Security chuckled and let it pass. Even though each package is packed in thick, vacuum packed, packaging, you can still pick up a faint smell of the delicious jerky inside. The scent did not make anything in my luggage smell like jerky. The jerky is a bit difficult to open, as the packaging is pretty sturdy. There are two pre-cut tear areas that are meant for the consumer to pull down vertically to open, but if you have weak hands or recovering from shoulder surgery or something, or are a little kid, you might want scissors or a helpful friend. Good source of protein, especially if you are not wanting a sweet energy bar. And no worries about it 'melting' in the heat like some energy bars with coatings.

I already liked jerky a lot. I was eating so much jerky that I wanted a healthy alternative. I tried several brands. This brand is the best. I love the flavoring. I love the taste. The "marinade" is excellent!