Review: Perky Jerky & Butter on Cold Sandwiches…Nosh or Not?
Junk Food Nation, I want to take a poll of everyone out there: Will you add butter to cold sandwiches? Or does butter ONLY belong on hot things, like toast?
I ask because Monday on The Nosh Show we were discussing the Buttery Jack Burger from Jack in the Box (a burger that has garlic herb butter on the meat), and got into a discussion about butter on sandwiches. And I, for one, WAS ALL FOR IT. I mean, I enjoy the Filet at Ruth Chris becomes it comes in a pool of sizzling butter. I liked my mashed potatoes covered in butter, and I like butter on vegetables. When hot dinner rolls come before a meal at a restaurant, there is nothing I like more than adding so much butter to the bread until it is YELLOW, and taking a big ol bite.
But then, at the 45:00 mark of the episode, we got into a debate about butter on COLD things. Marvo was shocked, while Dubba and I were on board. I mean, when I was a little kid out to dinner with my parents at fancy restaurants, I used to crack into those tiny cellophane wrapped breadstick packages, and munch on them after dipping them into a gob of butter. I’ve already said I’d put butter on hot bread products at restaurants, but let’s be honest, the bread ain’t always hot! I’m still slathering that piece of artisan seed bread with a gob of butter and jamming it into my gullet. And while I don’t do it all the time, I see no problem with putting butter on a cold sandwich. Ham, cheese, lettuce tomato BUTTER mayo and pumpernickel bread? Yum yum yum.
I remain convinced that I am NOT the only one who does this. So I ask you to comment below, Junk Food Nation – butter. Can you put it on cold things? Have you put it on cold things? Sandwiches, in particular? Or are you part of the population that thinks cold butter is gross, or only belongs on things that melt it? Comment below, and also, if you could, tell me where in the world you’re commenting from. Maybe it’s a regional thing?
(Seriously, I wanna go get a sleeve of Ritz crackers, butter them up, and eat them right now just to gross Marvo out.)
Today’s junk food: Perky Jerky!
Perky Jerky: The Money Shot
Perky Jerky is one of those products I’ve seen EVERYWHERE – Target, Giant, Safeway, etc. I always pass by it, and NEVER BUY IT. Why? It’s really nothing personal – I have an issue with jerky. And the issue is: If I buy jerky, I WILL EAT THE ENTIRE BAG/CAN/BOX. I can’t NOT stuff jerky into my mouth. Dried, cured, salted meat with added smoke/spice/flavor? As a recovering Slim Jim addict, there’s a reason I’ve only reviewed jerky 2-3 times on this blog.
SO, I’ve admitted I have a problem. So what do I do when Perky Jerky said they wanted to send me some stuff to review? I said YES and hit reply without hesitation. Sigh.
Ok, here’s the deal with Perky Jerky – they make both turkey or beef jerky. Low cal, fat free, high protein, low sodium – all good stuff. No added preservatives or MSG, and the Black label line is also gluten free. MADE IN THE USA! USA! USA! #EndCommercial.
PJ sent me a whole slew of goods – Turkey Original, Beef Original, Sweet & Spicy Turkey, Jamaican Style Turkey…
…and Hot & Bothered Turkey Perky Jerky.
I only took one picture of the Perky Jerky nutritional label, since almost all of them were the same – 1 oz is a serving, and each serving is 70 calories.
I decided to just review two flavors, and led off with the Sweet & Spicy Turkey Perky Jerky first. When I opened the bag, the first aroma I got was soy sauce – and, being a lover of soy sauce, it smelled great. Popping some of this Perky Jerky into my mouth, I chewed – this was GOOD STUFF.
The flavor was definitely sweet and soy – it, to me, leaned Asian in flavor. VERY soft meat – you won’t break your teeth trying to tear through this jerky. The flavor was sweet and smoky, like a nice BBQ sauce, but without the tomato-y flavor – this was just sweet smoke. The meat was cured and had a flavor sort of like a Slim Jim but milder. Overall, the taste was nice and meaty… well balanced. One small critique – not spicy. I got a HINT (a tiny tiny tiny) hint of burn, but certainly not enough to call it “spicy.” But it was full of flavor.
I next tried the Jamaican Style Turkey Perky Jerky. Opening the package, this definitely had a deeper smell – it smelled almost like beef, to be honest, despite it being turkey. Placing some in my mouth, this Perky jerky was equally soft – the texture of all these jerkies was really pleasant. With no added preservatives, I really appreciated how soft this meat was.
The flavor of this definitely leaned more Jamaican – I could taste the all spice and the garlic flavor. In a lot of ways, I thought I was also tasting Vietnamese beef pho soup – good onion and beef-y flavor. There was more of a burn than the Sweet & Spicy – I could actually feel the tingle here.
FULL of flavor. Was it as bold as typical Jerk seasoning? No – I’ve had jerk chicken that made my eyes water before. This did not. But as a jerky, this was really tasty.
Lastly (no pics), I tried the Hot & Bothered with some folks in my office – probably my favorite of the bunch. Basically tasted like turkey jerky soaked in soy and Tabasco! I loved it – good burn, and great flavor. Again, LOTS of flavor.
Overall? I really really liked this jerky. I’ve had lots of jerky where the flavor is painted on the outside and the meat itself, after a few chews, is sort of bland. This jerky was really flavorful, soft, and easy to eat. If I had one complaint, it’d be that I’d like Perky Jerky to go even BOLDER with the flavor. SUPER spicy, SUPER jerk spice, just DO IT UP. Otherwise, this is definitely something I’d buy again.
PURCHASED AT: sent to me, but like I said, I see it everywhere. Find where you can buy it here.
COST: 2.2 oz for $4.99, 5 ox for $9.99 on the PJ website
Thoughts? Please comment below or hit me up on Twitter @junkfoodguy or LIKE my Facebook Page and message me there. I also have Google+!! Let’s hang out.
Sincerely,
Junk Food Guy
Discuss - 49 Comments
I generally prefer olive oil dip for fancy breads and peanut butter if it’s just bread, but when you’re someone like me (pretty high calorie diet and frequently comes home at midnight for dinner), I don’t bother to toast bread. As long as it’s soft butter that will actually spread, I’m good with cold butter.
@Jessica – yeah, it needs to spread. Although I’ve eaten it, pat-of-butter-caked-on-style before
I LOVE jerky. No lie, it’s what I got for Valentine’s Day last year. Clearly my husband understands that lame roses and chocolate will not do if jerky is in existence. Perky Jerky sounds incredible – I’m definitely picking this up.
Butter on cold sammies? Never heard of it except on fancy cucumber sandwiches. But it was pretty funny hearing you and Dubba gang up on Marvo. If Ryan’s mom hadn’t put him to bed early I’d have been interested in his take.
@Jeni – jerky for V Day?? THAT’S LOVE!
I only put butter on rolls – hot or cold or garlic bread. I grew up eating old fashioned peanut butter (the oily salty kind) with cold butter as well as salami & cheese, and cold Swedish meatball sandwiches with cold butter & ketchup. So f-ing gross. Never again. No butter on a cold sandwich or in any sandwich.
I don’t spread butter on my toast – cream cheese instead. Technically you can make grilled cheese with mayo or bacon grease instead of butter.
Midwestern, grew up with old parents who put butter on everything. Butter doesn’t do much for me. I’ll pick mayo or cheese over butter.
@MP: Maybe the problem was not the butter but the cold Swedish meatballs and ketchup! yikes.
My mother used to put butter on the bread for cold sandwiches when I was growing up. I think it’s a British thing because my mom’s parents are from there and when I was traveling to England a lot for work a few years ago I noticed deli-type sandwiches would often come with buttered bread, even if there were other condiments like mayo or mustard. I also ran into it when I was on vacation in Australia. Something about the butter keeping the bread from getting soggy from the sandwich fixings? I guess, but I personally don’t like it AT ALL.
@Melanie: BUTTER BLOCKADE!
Yup, it is British and delicious. Took me ages to figure out what that divine flavor on everything from cucumber to egg salad sandwiches was. Thick slab of cold butter.
It grossed me out only after I figured it out. I crave it still..
I’ve buttered a sandwich or two in my day. I tend to go more for mustard or spicy pepper spread, though.
@Lindemann – well that settles it. We need to look for a spicy pepper butter.
I remember having ham, cheese, and butter sandwiches for lunch while I was on study abroad in Paris. I liked that so much that I went back to my college in the fall, I’d make the same sandwiches in the deli area in the dining hall. Yummy!
@Elisa: YES! You often find butter on cold French sandwiches! Thanks for the reminder!
I pray you are joking. Butter can go on anything my friend: hot sandwiches, cold sandwiches, knishes, jelly beans… If only butter spray was real 🙂
Regarding the jerky, I am a huge jerky fan but didn’t really love this brand. There was another new brand “Krave” that so far is batting 1.000 for me.
Which brand of butter?
@MarcP: I like Krave too – better variety. Butter on knishes is AWESOME
When I listened to the show I was shocked that Marvo basically never even heard of cold butter on cold sandwiches! I am polish, if it is food, put butter on it! I think most polish people would agree when I say a hard roll with giant pats of cold butter is probably the best thing on earth!…..some of us may even add salt to the pats of butter!
@Sarah: Ah, so the Polish are on my side! Nice.
Eeeewww!! No butter on my sandwiches!! I don’t mind butter on unheated rolls but not on plain ‘ole lunch sandwiches. It’s like a layer of fat – give me ketchup or mustard.
@MKC: But, MKC…IT’S A DELICIOUS LAYER OF FAT!
Uh… Of course I butter cold sandwiches. I used to eat salami/cheese/pepper on a cold buttered roll for lunch as a kid practically everyday. And what about a cold turkey leftover sAndwich? Un buttered? Apostasy.
Oh, and I live in WA state. It’s definitely not exclusively an East Coast thing.
@CannedWalrus – MMMMM that sounds good
Born, raised, and live in Southern CA and I’m with Marvo on this one. I’ve never heard of or seen anyone buttering a sandwich with cold cuts. The only thing I put butter on is toast or bread by itself. I do however put either hot sauce, salsa, or avocado on tons of stuff I eat. I attribute that to where I live and being part hispanic
@JohnnyP: Hmmmm so maybe California is out on this claim…… Interesting.
I’m actually that one weird person that doesn’t really like butter on hot food or cold food. Butter doesn’t really taste like much of anything to me. I’m okay with honey butter, but even then I can take it or leave it. I should add that I’m from the South, which is like the butter capital of the world. I’m surprised they haven’t sent me packing! As for jerky though, I’m with you. I never buy it because I know I’ll just eat it ALL!!!!! Same goes for peanut butter. I know if I buy JIF, I’ll end up sitting on the sofa with a spoon and half a jar left wondering what just happened. 😉
@Heather: Honey butter…..drool
I almost always put butter on cold sandwiches. I’m not a mayo fan and I’m not always in the mood for mustard, so butter is my spread of choice. I grew up in the Midwest.
@Steph: YES MIDWEST!
Butter belongs on bologna sandwiches for me.. Cheese, not so much. Just bread and bologna? Gross. Will be adding butter to the next sandwich I eat though..
I’ve always eaten those little hard breadsticks and saltines with butter. Breadsticks are so dry otherwise. Need some straight up creamy, salty buttery goodness. God I need some breadsticks and a stick of butter right now.
@Pimousse: Hard breadsticks and butter are my childhood
Caffeinated jerky!?! Not what this world needs. I do love me some jerky, though. And I have the same problem as you, JFG, if I buy a bag of Jack Links Teryaki jerky (my fav) I wind up eating the whole thing. And it’s all I can do to keep from eating the desiccant packet as well.
@Mike N: “it’s all I can do to keep from eating the desiccant packet as well” LOL
My most guilty late night food is a butter+peanut butter+jelly sandwich. PB&J I love you – but some cow fat makes it…. NAUGHTY
@Ruckus: WHAT. I need to try this
My Grandma was from the midwest, she put butter on all cold sandwiches, even if they had mayo, a thin spread of butter went down first. I asked her why a few times, and she always said “for taste”
Sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t, I will say this though, it keeps the tomato juice from sogging up the bread
@BigBelly: Nice! Another person who says it keeps the bread from getting soggy
I’m a little confused. The back of the package says serving size 1 oz, with 2 servings per bag. But the front say .5 oz. Are my eyes going bad?
thought the same thing.
There’s 2 bags. 1 small sample and 1 big. Pics of nutrition are for the bigger one and he ate the sample
@Ibagoalie and CannedWalrus – yep, @JohnnyP has it correct
I used to put butter on bread that wasn’t toasted. I could make a meal out of fresh Italian or French bread (must be soft on the inside!) and room temp butter.
@Sophia: Italian sandwiches with butter and salami are awesome
Growing up in California we put mustard, mayo, Miracle Whip or sandwich spread (think thick thousand island) on our sandwiches. However, as a young adult working in Michigan, an older woman brought in simple turkey and cheese sandwiches that tasted special somehow. I asked her secret and she said she always buttered the bread first. Before that, I’d never heard of such a thing, so maybe it is one of those regional things like soda, pop and coke.
Anyways, for awhile I laid down a layer of butter on all cold sandwiches, but now, living in the Southwest, I only do it when I’m entertaining or if the sandwiches are being packed to travel (helps keep the bread from getting soggy).
@Gio: Score another point for sog prevention!
Very European, I think. Years ago while on a summer exchange in Germany my host mom would pack sandwiches consisting of what I thought were hard rolls with some sliced meat and cheese.
Not so much. What I thought was a thick slice of cheese was a thick slab of cold butter.
It was tasty, but I don’t ever crave it now or anything like that.
@Dana: You should go back and try it – it’s not bad 😉
Growing up my mom always put butter on my cold sandwiches. I always hated it, and I was treated as an outcast from the family when I would request no butter on my sandwiches.