Australian Hiker

Rating

Chief Organic Brisket Review

Brisket is very much an American meat dish and if cooked slowly over time ends up being a tender fall-apart meal. While that’s how this products starts out, the drying process which removes half the weight and water means this product is a bit chewy. As such, while it doesn’t look like an overly large bar, you need to take small bites and chew well so each one will last some time.

We recently taste tested the biltong and while the flavours of the brisket are a match, our taste preferences changed between the two products. The biltong is easier to eat than the brisket but if you want a hit of protein then these brisket bars are the way to go.

We opted for the brisket sample pack which comes with four flavours:

• 1 x 40 gram Chipotle and Lime flavour
• 1 x 40 gram Cayenne Chilli flavour
• 1 x 40 gram Traditional flavour
• 1 x 40 gram Smokey BBQ flavour

If you are new to Chief as a company, this is a good way to test out the range so you can work out what suits your individual taste.

The four flavours and our opinions are listed below.

It’s worth noting that I’m (Tim) a spice lover and Gill isn’t which means she probably reflects the average hiker more than I do. This came out in the taste test with both of us ranking the different flavours differently (see below).

As you would expect this dried brisket, because of its manufacturing process, is dearer than typical jerky but dried meat is going to be up there in price anyway. Keep in mind that this brisket uses organic meat (no added hormones) with minimal preservatives, and a high level of animal welfare with the meat used. The product we tested was a sample pack of four but if you really like it, buy the larger packs at a greatly reduced price. So while this isn’t a cheap option, you need to remember you are paying for a premium product!

Apart from taste and texture, the bonus of eating this brisket as a snack is that it helps to keep up your protein intake which is particularly important on long distance hikes at the end of the day to help with muscle recovery. In my case this isn’t going to be a product I will eat on short day hikes but I can see it as an option for my long distance hikes where good nutrition becomes that much more important.

Chief Organic Brisket four pack image. This sample pack includes:

• 1 x 40 gram Chipotle and Lime flavour
• 1 x 40 gram Chilli flavour
• 1 x 40 gram Traditional flavour
• 1 x 40 gram Smokey BBQ flavour

Chief Organic Brisket showing serving sizes and texture

• Top left – Smokey BBQ
• Bottom left – Chipotle and Lime
• Top right – Cayenne Chilli
• Bottom right – Traditional

Chipotle and Lime

He said: As a chipotle base I would have expected hot and spicy but in this case there was good mild taste but little heat. This flavour will suit everyone so don’t be put off by the name. Chief rate this flavour as mild and zesty, and it is. I ranked this as my third choice.

She said: I can taste the lime and the taste stays with you; it’s chewy. Taste wise I rank this as #4

Chief  Organic Brisket Chipotle and Lime flavour nutrition and ingredients panel

Smokey BBQ

He said: Very mild smokey, not strong and no heat. Will suit most hikers. I find the taste of this compared to the biltong option to be better. My #1 choice and one that most people should enjoy

She said: You can taste the smokey BBQ flavour but the texture was a bit weird for me. Taste wise I rank this as #3

Chief Organic Brisket Smokey BBQ flavour nutrition and ingredients panel

Traditional flavour

He said: Flavour wise probably the blandest of the lot given it tastes like traditional dried meat hence the flavour name. My #4 choice out of the flavours tested but if you like your taste mild, then this will probably be your best choice

She said: Has a bit of a peppery taste and the texture more to my liking. The flavour develops with time. Taste wise I rank this as #1

Chief Organic Brisket traditional flavour nutrition and ingredients panel

Cayenne Chilli flavour

He said: Chief class this as ‘deliciously spicy with just the right amount of bite.’ This one does have more heat to it than the others but it isn’t strong. If you don’t like a bit of heat then you may find this one not for you. For me this is a toss up between this option and the spicy BBQ, they’re so close but I would rate this as my #2 option

She said: This one has a spicy/chilli hit for me that gets hotter as you go. Not for people who don’t like chilli. Taste wise I rank this as #2

Chief Organic Brisket Chilli flavour nutrition and ingredients panel

We Like

• Good flavours
• Packaging is very convenient, just like any other protein bar
• The beef is also easy to eat and you don’t have to gnaw at it like you do with some brands
• Organic and no artificial preservatives or additives so it doesn’t taste ‘manufactured’
• Bulk buying brings the price down

We Don't Like

• The only real negative is the expense but the price drops with the larger purchases
• But remember, this product starts with quality meat so the price is expected

Best Uses

Multi day trips where you need the extra protein

Buy One

You can purchase Chief Organic Beef Brisket from outdoor stores as well as purchasing online from Chief Nutrition

Disclosure:  We may earn a small commission, at no additional expense to you, if you click through and make a purchase. Please note that our affiliations do not influence, in any way, the independence of our reviews. If we don’t like a product, you’ll hear about it from us!

Investment

• $24.95 AUD – four pack- 40 gram packs (total of 160 grams of brisket) – great taste testing option
• $65.95 AUD – 12 pack purchase pack – 40 gram packs (total of 480 grams of brisket)
• $71.96 AUD – 12 pack purchase pack – 90 gram packs (total of 540 grams of brisket)
• $263.80 AUD – 48 pack 40 gram packs (total of 1,920 grams of brisket)

Disclaimer

This review was done with product provided by the Australian distributor of Chief

Last updated

28 September 2025

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