You don’t have to search far for protein sources these days; you can find just about everything with a protein-infused option. However, there might be a time when you crave simplicity — not necessarily even protein — in the form of a salty meat stick. Kind of like when Slim Jims were the peak gas station food. Aldi has a surprising amount of meaty options via its private label brand Simms. I was a little intrigued to find such variety, given how small the meat stick section is; they’re all just kind of crammed in there, waiting for you to discover.
無論你現在想吃牛肉、火雞，或是想要一點辣度或煙燻感，這裡都提供多種選項以滿足你的渴望。我試吃了九款 Simms 產品，試圖找出最佳之作。為了確立排名，我在尋找能帶來最具說服力、最愉悅、最平衡風味的選擇；另外，口感也很重要，因此不能太乾硬或像牛肉乾那樣嚼不動。Aldi 的肉條有時候會出現成敗參半的情況，這一次也不例外。我嘗試了來自不同品牌的眾多肉條，因此在這些排名上具有豐富經驗。請跟著我，你會發現幾款新的 Aldi 推薦選擇。
9. Beef and Pork Sausage Snack Sticks
The Meat Beef and Pork Sausage Snack Sticks come in a 7-ounce pack with petite sticks. The beef sticks are one of my favorite protein snacks, but unfortunately, this beef-and-pork blend cannot compete with the beef-only version (which I didn’t see at Aldi during my run) or anything else on this list. First off, the flavor is so-so. It’s salty but muddled with the combination of pork and beef. I can’t really discern any part of its flavor profile.
這款 7 盎司裝的小條狀肉條，混合牛肉與豬肉。牛肉條一直是我最喜歡的蛋白質小吃之一，但遺憾的是，這款牛肉豬肉混合版本無法與單一牛肉版本相比較（我在安迪時並未看到單一牛肉版本）或本清單中的其他選項。首先，風味平平。既鹹又因豬肉與牛肉的混合而顯得有些混亂。我真的無法辨識出它的風味輪廓。
But the worst and most egregious part is the texture. It’s the type of stick that is supposed to be a little easier to gnaw on — not exactly soft and pillowy, but it’s certainly not dry and chewy like you might associate with a Slim Jim.
但最糟糕、最令人遺憾的部分是質地。這種肉條本該更容易咬動——不是說很柔軟蓬鬆，但絕對也不會像 Slim Jim 那樣乾燥而嚼不動。
However, this stick was kind of lumpy as I bit into it. Not only that, but I got a hard piece of what I assume is cartilage that was almost as wide as the stick itself. It really disrupted my experience and gave me the heebie-jeebies for the rest of the meat stick. The flavor and texture of this are subpar compared to the rest of the options on this list.
然而，咬下去時這條肉條有些顆粒感。不僅如此，我還咬到一塊我猜是軟骨的硬塊，其寬度幾乎等同於整條肉條。這真的打斷了我的吃法，讓我在接下來的咬嚼過程中覺得不舒服。與本清單其他選項相比，這條的風味與口感都偏低。
8. Zero Sugar Spicy Jalapeño Smoked Sausages
The 9.5-ounce bag of beef and pork sausage is smoked and is supposed to have a jalapeño flavor, but that part seemed quite lacking — at least compared to another on this list that better delivered some heat. I’m also not sure why these are specifically called out as zero sugar when others on this list also have no sugar. It seems kind of like a marketing tactic rather than anything.
這包 9.5 盎司的牛肉與豬肉香腸是煙燻的，理應帶有墨西哥辣椒的香氣，但這部分似乎相當欠缺——至少與清單上另一款在辣度上更有表現的相比。 我也不太理解為什麼特別標註為零糖，因為清單上其他同樣沒有糖分的產品也有零糖。這看起來像是行銷策略而非實質特性。
This stick isn’t particularly bad-tasting and didn’t suffer from the same problems as the previous option. Still, it also didn’t really deliver what it said it would, and ultimately it doesn’t taste as enjoyable as some of the other upcoming flavors. The jalapeño is very light, and that is the most disappointing for me. I expected a kick of heat, and this simply didn’t deliver.
這條香腸並非難吃，也不像前一款那樣有同樣的問題。然而，它也沒有真正交付其所承諾的風味，最終亦不如接下來幾種風味那般美味。墨西哥辣椒的辣度非常淡，這點讓我感到相當失望。我原本期待有明顯的辣感，但這款完全沒有。
Another Tasting Table writer had a similar experience when they ranked spicy snacks at Aldi, noting that the spiciness was a little delayed, if not somewhat artificial. These aren’t bad, but I wouldn’t purchase them again when other options are genuinely delicious. This is just something I would grab if I genuinely couldn’t find anything else to eat but needed something in my stomach.
另一位 Tasting Table 的作者在評比 Aldi 的辣味小零食時也有類似經驗，指出辣度略有延遲，甚至有點人工感。這些並非難吃，但如果有其他選項真正美味的情況下，我不會再購買。若你真的找不到其他東西填肚子，這款你可能只會在別無選擇時才會拿來吃。
7. Zero Sugar Original Smoked Sausages
Admittedly, this Simms option is very similar to the previous one, except it doesn’t tout being jalapeño-flavored; it has a mild, smoky beef and pork blend. It’s fine, and there’s nothing particularly disastrous about it. I think if I ate it alone, I wouldn’t know any better and would think it tasted fine. However, in the context of this article, and when trying actual things side by side within seconds, this is simply not as flavorful or enticing as other options: basically, it has a salty, smoky flavor, but not enough to carry it to the top of the list.
這款 Simms 零糖原味香腸與前一款非常相似，只是它沒有標榜哈拉培諾辣味；它是溫和的煙燻牛豬混合香腸。味道尚可，並沒有什麼特別的災難性缺陷。若我單吃它，或許不會覺得差，但在本文的比較中，與其他選項相比，它的風味不夠突出，無法讓它成為榜首：基本上是鹹香與煙燻的味道，但不足以讓它成為首選。
Though it has caraway seed, garlic, and even “flavorings,” it comes across as somewhat plain, if not slightly sweet. Again, it touts being zero sugar, and it has a somewhat drier, chewier mouthfeel that makes it harder to bite into. The mediocre flavor is the main factor keeping this on the lower end of the ranking, though. The smaller stick size makes it easy to snack on since they are both petite and not individually packaged. This Simms zero sugar option is fine, but there are better ones that are more enjoyable to eat.
儘管它含有香籽、蒜頭，甚至所謂的“風味添加物”，整體吃起來仍有些平淡，甚至略帶甜味。它再次標榜零糖，口感偏乾、咬嚼感較強，讓人更難咬下。平庸的風味是使它在排名中落至較低位置的主要因素。較小的條長也讓它更易於當作零食吃，因為它們尺寸都很小且不單獨包裝。這款 Simms 的零糖選項尚可，但有更好、吃起來更愉快的選擇。
6. Original Grass Fed Beef Sticks
These are clearly meant to emulate Chomps meat sticks, which I am a big fan of. Simms Original Grass-Fed Beef Sticks come in a pack of eight and offer a lot of information on the package about protein and sugar, even identifying them as gluten-free and Whole30 approved. While price is not a factor in the actual ranking, these are a higher-end Aldi meat stick. The packaging says they’re grass-fed and finished, if that is a deciding factor for you. With all that in mind, I was hoping these would taste really scrumptious, but they fall a bit flat.
這些顯然是模仿 Chomps 肉條，而我本人非常喜歡 Chomps。Simms 的原味草飼牛肉條八條裝，包裝上提供了豐富的蛋白質與糖分資訊，甚至標示為無麩質與 Whole30 認證。雖然價格在實際排名中不是決定因素，但這是 Aldi 的較高檔肉條。包裝上標示它們是草飼並以完成加工的牛肉條，如果這是你在意的因素。綜合以上，我原本期望它們會非常美味，但結果稍嫌平淡。
These are meant to be simpler products where the meat speaks for itself, and I appreciate that, but they left me wanting a little more. These sticks certainly taste the best out of everything else I’ve talked about thus far, but I wouldn’t be inspired to select them over my top-ranking ones. They need a kick of salt or some sort of flavor enhancer. That said, I absolutely know there’s a market for these, and people who are more cognizant of their meat and beef may be inclined to purchase this type of product. Chomps still takes the reins on this one.
這些被設計為讓肉本身說話的較簡單產品，我很欣賞這點，但仍讓我感到還可以再多一點。就目前我討論的所有選項而言，這些肉條確實味道最好，但我不會因而把它們選為最高等的選項。它們需要再加一點鹽分或某種風味增強。話說回來，我完全知道這類產品有市場，對肉與牛肉更為講究的人可能會願意購買這類產品。Chomps 在這方面仍是領先。
5. Turkey Sausage Snack Sticks
I have purchased the 8-ounce package of Simms Turkey Sausage Snack Sticks multiple times, and they hold up here. They are one of the softer meat sticks out there — not that they’re mushy or anything, but the exterior offers a nice pop as I sink my teeth into it. However, it then yields to a soft, chewy core. The texture is really interesting and helps it stand out. It is one of the softer, plumper types of meat sticks, but much of this comes down to personal preference.
我多次購買 Simms 的 8 盎司裝火雞香腸零食條，這款在這裡的表現還不錯。它們是市場上較柔軟的肉條之一——不是說軟爛，而是在咬下時外皮有一個美妙的爆裂感；但之後裡層會變成柔軟、嚼勁十足的核心。口感非常有趣，讓它在眾多肉條中脫穎而出。這是較柔軟、較豐厚的肉條之一，但這很大程度上取決於個人偏好。
These turkey sticks feel a little more moist and fresher just because of the consistency. It is salty, providing a baseline of flavor. I can catch some turkey flavor, but it isn’t as straightforward as eating ground turkey. It’s well seasoned with various spices, garlic, and salt to help give it a lift. I like that this also offers an option for those who don’t want to consume beef or pork. I will continue purchasing this in that context because of its taste and affordability. Additionally, this is one of the better meat sticks I tried based on flavor intrigue and texture compared to others on this list.
這些火雞條因為一致性而感覺更濕潤、更新鮮。它們帶有鹹味，提供了基本的風味。我能感受到一些火雞的香氣，但不像吃絞碎火雞那樣直接。香料、蒜與鹽的調味相當到位，讓它更有提味。我也喜歡它為那些不想吃牛肉或豬肉的人提供了選項。基於風味的吸引力與口感，若以此情境購買，我會繼續選擇這款，因為它的味道與價格都相當友善。此外，就風味的吸引力與與本清單其他肉條相比的口感而言，這是我嘗過的較佳肉條之一。
4. Original Smoked Snack Sticks
The Original Smoked Snack Sticks feature meat sticks made from beef, pork, and chicken. The smoke flavoring isn’t extremely obvious, but it contributes to a more interesting flavor profile. Though there are 14 sticks, the pack weighs 3.92 ounces. That means these are quite small, which makes them handy to take as a grab-and-go snack. I think these make a good option for class, baseball practice, or anywhere you don’t want to think about packaging; you can just tear off three and take them with you. But more importantly, the flavor is delicious compared to the other meat sticks.
原味煙燻零食條以牛肉、豬肉與雞肉製成。煙燻風味並不非常明顯，但確實為風味輪廓增添了更多層次。雖然包裝內共有 14 支，重量卻只有 3.92 盎司，這意味著它們相當小巧，方便作為隨手可得的點心。我認為這在課堂、棒球訓練或任何不想為包裝煩惱的情境中都是不錯的選擇；你只要撕開三支帶走即可。更重要的是，相較於其他肉條，它的風味更美味。
These are a classic, tried-and-true type of stick with a drier and chewier texture. I can feel the casing pop as I bite into it. This makes it especially interesting and compelling against some of the softer varieties without as dynamic a mouthfeel. I probably would not have purchased this without doing this review, but I’m happy I did. This could be a useful product for snack time. Even so, the flavor alone isn’t enough to boost it any higher, so it remains my fourth-place pick.
這些是經典、經過實證的肉條，質地較乾、嚼感較韌。咬下時可以感受到外皮的撐開，與一些較軟的變體相比，這讓它在口感上更具吸引力與層次。若不是為了這次評測，我可能不會購買，但現在很高興自己有這個經驗。就算如此，光靠風味仍不足以讓它升至更高的位置，因此仍然是第四名的選擇。
3. Mild Smoked Snack Sticks
I’ll be honest, I don’t have much to say about this that I didn’t already say about the previous Original Smoked Snack Sticks. They are very similar products with the same chewy, dry texture and poppable exterior. In fact, I couldn’t really figure out a difference at all. I chewed them side by side, and it left me stumped. If anything, the mild sausage was somehow spicier than the original — which seems odd based on the name alone. For that reason, it ranks a little higher because it’s more flavorful and interesting to sink my teeth into.
老實說，我對這款與前一款原味燻香零食條沒有太多新話可說。它們是非常相似的產品，具有相同的咀嚼感與乾燥的口感，外表也相似。事實上，我並不太能分辨出差異。我將它們並排咀嚼，結果讓我有些摸不著頭緒。若有什麼不同的話，這款溫和版的香腸好像比原版稍微辣一些——這在僅以名稱而言似乎有些反常。因為風味更具層次，讓人更想咬下去，因此排名略高一點。
They are wonderfully salted, which just makes you want to rip into one. Although this is my third-place pick, it isn’t especially interesting; I wouldn’t go out of my way to purchase it, but it makes a favorable pantry option, particularly because of its toughness. The next two Aldi meat sticks are excellent, though.
它們鹽味恰到好處，讓人忍不住想立刻撕開吃。雖然這是我的第三名，但它並非特別有趣；我也不會特地去購買，但作為常備零食選項相當不錯，尤其因為口感較韌。接下來的另外兩款 Aldi 肉條也都很出色。
2. Jalapeño Grass Fed Beef Sticks
Alright, now we’re getting somewhere. While the Original Grass Fed Beef Sticks felt underseasoned, the Jalapeño version is much better. The packaging advertises a medium heat level, and I feel that’s quite accurate. Even though it’s medium, it is much more powerful than the zero-sugar jalapeño stick I mentioned previously. This is an all-around flavorful, scrumptious beef stick with enough heat and beef flavor to give it a lead over the seven below it.
好了，情況開始有點著落。原味草飼牛肉條的調味感覺略顯不足，而辣椒版本更好得多。包裝標示中等辣度，我認為相當準確。即使是中等辣度，它的辣度仍比先前提到的零糖辣椒牛肉條更有力。這是一款全方位風味十足、非常美味的牛肉條，辣味與牛肉風味足以讓它在下方的七款中領先。
This has a moist feel and, overall, yields really flavorful, delicious products with an authentic jalapeño heat (thanks to actual jalapeño peppers) that envelops the tongue the more bites you take. There’s also dimension from things like black and red pepper, cherry powder, and even coriander.
它口感濕潤，整體呈現出非常有風味且美味的特性，因為真實的墨西哥辣椒提供了地道的辣度，咬得越多越能感受到包覆整個舌頭的辣感。此外，黑胡椒、白胡椒、櫻桃粉，甚至香菜等香料也增添了層次感。
It has the same grass-fed and finished beef base as the original version, but it’s leagues better thanks to the spicy intrigue. I would be happy to pick these up at Aldi. The texture straddles the line between being chewy and offering some resistance when you bite into it, but it’s nowhere near as dry or chewy as my No. 3 and 4 pics.
它與原版有相同的草飼牛肉底子，但因為辣味的引人入勝，整體要好上許多。我很樂意在 Aldi 買這款。質地介於有嚼勁與 bite 时有些阻力之間，但遠不如第 3、4 名那樣乾燥或硬韌。
1. American Wagyu Beef Sticks
I was a bit surprised to find Wagyu in beef-stick form, but Aldi has just about anything. Wagyu is typically very expensive beef, and that is reflected in this being the priciest option on this list per ounce, even more than the grass-fed and finished beef sticks. This type of meat is known for its fattiness, and I wondered how it would turn out in stick form. Well, the answer is that the American Wagyu Beef Sticks are blissful.
我有點驚訝竟然能在牛肉條中找到和牛，但 Aldi 的產品幾乎什麼都賣得到。和牛通常非常昂貴，這也反映在這款每盎司價格成為本清單中最高的選項，甚至超過草飼完成牛肉條。這種肉以脂肪含量高著稱，我也在想看成條狀時會是怎樣的表現。答案是：American Wagyu 牛肉條讓人感到非常滿足。
It still delivers a fatty, flavorful punch with a snappy exterior that gives way to a chewy yet moist interior. In fact, when I bit into it, it was practically wet with oil. On one hand, that was a little disruptive to my sensory experience, but once I became aware of it while biting into it, it was truly scrumptious — the rest of the bites didn’t seem as oily, either. This bag comes with 4 ounces of beautifully seasoned meat, including dehydrated onion, bell pepper, garlic, and other spices. It tastes scrumptious and rich and truly sets itself apart from the rest of Aldi’s meat stick selection. I didn’t set out to find a fancy, elevated stick, but hey, that’s what I discovered. This type of product seems like it’d come from an expensive brand, so I’m pleased to find it at Aldi.
它仍然帶來脂肪濃郁且風味濃厚的衝擊感，外皮很脆，內裡咬起來則是嚼勁十足且保持濕潤。實際咬下時，幾乎可以感覺到油脂在表面滑動。這在感官體驗上有點干擾，但一旦你在咬下時覺得它，它確實十分美味——其餘的咬合也不再感到油膩。這包裝裡有 4 盎司的美味肉塊，含有脫水洋蔥、甜椒、大蒜與其他香料。口感豐厚、風味濃郁，確實讓它在 Aldi 的肉條系列中脫穎而出。我本來並非要尋找昂貴的高檔肉條，但結果是我在 Aldi 找到了這款令人驚喜的產品。
Methodology
I went to Aldi and picked up everything in one go. The sticks are all piled on top of each other or hidden in the same boxes with similar packaging, so you truly have to go through them to locate certain flavors. I explain this because you might have only seen half the selection and not realized that the packaging is so similar across a couple of flavors.
我一次性去了 Aldi，將所有肉條一次買齊。它們往往堆在一起，或者藏在相似包裝的同一箱裡，你真的需要逐一翻檢才能找到特定口味。我之所以說這點，是因為你可能只看到了其中一半的選擇，卻沒意識到某些口味的包裝實在太相似。
As for the taste test, I tried bites of each one multiple times over the course of a couple of days. I have had a range of these meat sticks before, but never side by side, so this is a great way to understand which is the best one to stock up on. Though they have protein, this wasn’t a factor I wanted to prioritize; I wanted to find the most enjoyable regardless of any micronutrients, ingredients, or even pricing.
至於口味測試，我在幾天的時間裡多次咬過每一款。我之前也嘗過不同品牌的肉條，但從未讓它們並排比較，因此這是了解該囤多少的最佳方式。雖然它們都含有蛋白質，但這並不是我優先考慮的因素；我想找出無論成分、營養成分、甚至價格如何，最讓人喜歡的那一款。
Therefore, these rankings are based on flavor, execution of flavor, and texture balance. I was looking for something that fully executed its advertised flavor profile and was not only delicious enough to finish the stick but also wanted to repurchase. Texture was a secondary factor, but I mainly wanted something that was not too chewy (this is a meat stick, not dried jerky). Where applicable, I mention general details like package weight, how many sticks are in the package, and ingredients to give you insight into what differentiates the meat sticks.
因此，這些排名是以風味、風味的落實程度與口感平衡為基礎。我在尋找能完整呈現其廣告風味形象的產品，不僅要好吃到吃完整條，還希望能再次回購。口感是次要因素，但我主要想找的是不會過於嚼勁十足（這是肉條，不是乾燥牛肉乾）。在適用的情況下，我也會提及包裝重量、包裝中含有多少條，以及成分等一般細節，讓你了解肉條之間的差異所在。
