Recipes for Beef Jerky

Beef jerky recipe

2009-09-07T06:40:00.000-07:00

Any beef jerky recipe for making jerky at home with ease all include a good marinade. There is no doubt that the best marinade to use is the one with the flavors you like. There are so many different ones available as well as the ones you can create on your own that there is absolutely no doubt that you will have to try many flavors before you find the best one for you. There is also no doubt that you can make better jerky that any store bought branded products. There will be more nutrition, your food will be healthier, lower in fat and with less salt (sodium chloride on the package) and sugar.

If you are planning to make your own jerky, and it is pretty quick and easy, I trust you are aware that there is no need to only use beef. You can use any other meat you like as long as it isn't one of those processed meats such as pressed ham, chicken nuggets or similar. If you check the above recipes for beef jerky marinades you'll find that they are all quick and easy to make.

When you have made up your marinade to taste you need to select the piece of meat you are planning to dry and slice it into strips of meat about 1" x 1" and whatever length the meat is or cut it to limit it to about 6". You'll find it easier to slice evenly if it is part frozen when you slice. Makes you hand cold though.

Put these slices in a bowl with the marinade and mix it in well. Get as even a cover of the marinade on the meat as you can and then leave it the refrigerator over night. Patience is the key to making good jerky.

Next day put the strips in your dehydrator and turn it on. You did read the manual for your jerky maker didn't you? You should, the manufacturer knows how to get the best out if their model and they know all about the making of beef jerky. The instructions will tell you to operate the dehydrator on a low heat. The idea is to make jerky to chew, not to char Of all the different flavors available I think I have decided that I like teriyaki jerky.

Damn good beef jerky

2009-09-05T06:39:00.000-07:00

Can you make damn good beef jerky at home? Most certainly you can and with the tools and ingredients you have in your own home or kitchen. So what does it take to make damn good beef jerky? I could say a steady hand and years of practice but that would be BS. No, all it takes is choosing good meat, good ingredients for the marinade, follow the process carefully and with good attention to cleanliness. You will need to have a controlled slow drying environment but most ovens can handle that. Oh yes, you will also need a good beef jerky recipie.

Make your own beef jerky

2009-09-03T06:38:00.000-07:00

Make your own beef jerky, what's the process? If you want the freshest and best beef jerky all you need to do is get some good meat, have it partially frozen for easy slicing, marinade it for 24 hours, place on the drying racks of your dehydrator and dry for about 6 hours carefully making sure the drying is even. Seriously this is all you need to do to make your own beef jerky. A word of warning, your first batch might not be quite as good as you expect but, with a little practice, you will make some damn good beef jerky.

King B beef jerky

2009-09-01T06:36:00.000-07:00

The King B beef jerky website offers nothing for any consumer looking to buy beef jerky. The link to King B beef jerky products just tells the visitor to look for the products on Amazon but fails to provide even a link to Amazon. This is very poor by any standards as even this site has a link to Amazon and if you type in the search box the terms referring to this product you will get as many results thet Amazon has. It almost has to be easier to make your own beef jerky.

Home made beef jerky

2009-08-30T06:33:00.000-07:00

Home made beef jerky is usually much better than the store bought product because it is much fresher and you can be certain that your home made jerky has the freshest ingredients you can supply. If getting a quality product is important to you then you will have to shop very carefully online or in the normal retail outlets to make sure that you do get what you want. One of the many sites I have found in my searches is the one for king b beef jerky. Unfortunately this site hasn't been updated since 2004 and wasn't completed even then.

Jerky seasonings

2009-08-28T06:30:00.000-07:00

Jerky seasonings are an integral part of making your own jerky unless you are wanting to make a traditional salt or sugar cured product. There are an almost unlimited number of ways you can make or modify jerky seasonings depending on what you prefer as the main flavor. Do you like hot? More chili, Tabasco or jalapeño. Do you like sweet? More brown sugar, molasses etc. There are many other flavors you can include such as liquid smoke for that authentic smoked flavor. You get the idea of what the possible options could be for customizing the end result of your home made beef jerky.

Jerky Hut

2009-08-26T06:29:00.000-07:00

The Jerky Hut website has an interesting selection of beef jerky in a myriad of flavours but I could not find in the catalogue from the Jerky Hut any reference to packets of marinades or mixes to make your own marinade. Actually there wasn't even any reference to making your own jerky at all, no sign of recipes, recipe books, dehydrators or smokers. Apparently they do have “the best jerky in the known universe”, according to their own website. Pretty impressive, unfortunately self praise is no recommendation and outladish claims seem to abound on the internet. It would be nice if they did have some packets of their jerky seasonings as they would probably sell well.

Pork jerky

2009-08-24T06:27:00.000-07:00

Pork jerky is yet another of the smoked meat products made from the meat of that 'magical animal', as Homer Simpson calls it, the pig. Pork jerky is probably the least know as the market is much larger for the other smoked products, bacon and ham. I have had a good look around the online market place for supplies of jerky of all varieties and even though I looked at the Jerky Hut I was unable to find any pork jerky as mostly they seemed to only offer beef jerky in a variety of flavors.

Beef jerky smoker

2009-08-22T06:22:00.000-07:00

You can make an excellent beef jerky smoker from a number of different materials. You can even make a wooden beef jerky smoker because what you are trying to achieve is a cool fire or heat source not a hot one so the wood isn't at risk of bursting into flame. The smoker box is effectively a chimney and draws the dry, smokey aire from your fire through the hanging meat strips. One of the more popular meats to put in the smoker is one which is traditionally smoke cured in different forms. You will know them as bacon or ham, yes I'm talking about pork jerky.

Beef jerky meat

2009-08-20T06:21:00.000-07:00

Beef jerky meat is lean trimmed and sliced into strips about 1” wide, 6” long and about 1/4” thick. Often beef jerky meat comes from the better cuts of beef but this isn't a requirement as the cheaper cuts can also make excellent beef jerky meats although you may need to tenderise it first. Once you have sliced the meat you will need to marinate the meat strips in the refrigerator overnight or longer. It is your choice to use a dehydrator, your oven or a beef jerky smoker to cure your beef jerky.

Jerky marinade

2009-08-18T06:17:00.000-07:00

The jerky marinade is the core to the making a good jerky. Apart from making sure there is and even drying process the bulk of the flavor in the jerky comes from the jerky marinade itself. Of course the meat itself contributes to the flavor but without the marinade it would be fairly bland and just chewy. Some of the more authentic jerkies are salt or sugar cured and sun or air dried but often, if these are the main curatives, they would be called pickled meats rather than beef jerky meat.

Spicy jerky

2009-08-16T06:16:00.000-07:00

Spicy jerky or sweet jerky are not the only choices when it comes to picking the jerky flavour you like. Some people prefer the sweet flavour and others much prefer the spicy jerky taste. These are not the only flavours available and, if you make your own, you can make whatever adjustments and fine tuning to the marianade to create exactly the flavour you like. Flavours are always a personal choice and change over time as well so it is really important to make sure that you choose or make a great jerky marinade for your jerky which suits your taste.

How to make jerky?

2009-08-14T06:14:00.000-07:00

Can you learn how to make jerky? Absolutely. There is absolutely no reason whatsoever to think that you couldn't learn how to make jerky. Can you follow simple instructions? Do you have access to an oven? Then you really can learn how to make jerky. It's easy, you get the meat, trim the fat off and slice into strips or make ground or minced meat, you mix up your marinade mix the meat with it and let stand at least overnight. Set your oven to it's lowest setting and lay the meat on trays or hang on racks. Keep an eye on it to make sure you get even drying and your done. Your marinade determines if you make sweet or spicy jerky.

Make jerky

2009-08-12T06:12:00.000-07:00

Do you want to learn to make jerky? You are not alone, many many people have similar desires and want to make jerky for themselves at the homes. The jerky making process has been around for centuries and was originally discovered and then used to preserve the excess meat from a successful hunting expedition. Ultimately jerky was used as a food source that could be carried and enabled mankind to begin exploring further than just local hunting expeditions or following the herds. As you can see, learning how to make jerky is part of your culture regardless of what your nationality is or was.

Making deer jerky

2009-08-10T06:10:00.000-07:00

Making deer jerky is as easy as making any other type of jerky. If you have never made any jerky before you will find that the biggest obstacle to making deer jerky is actually sourcing the deer meat or venison. Everything else you need is easily available and almost certainly you will have most of it in your kitchen already. All you need is an oven, spices for the mariande and of course the meat an you can find directions on this site or others to make the process easy. In no time at all you are able to make jerky that is as good or better than the retail product.

Is beef jerky healthy?

2009-08-08T06:06:00.000-07:00

Is beef jerky healthy? This is a good question to ask and the answer is not always. So if the question being asked is is beef jerky healthy the answer should cover what constitutes healthy jerky. To make jerky properly you should trim all the fat off the meat before dehydrating it. The protein in the meat is a requirement for a healthy diet and the spices used in the mariande is also good for your metabolism. Some meats require less trimming than others. Typically beef, pork, lamb have more fat on them that wild game so if you want a naturally healthy jerky you should be making deer jerky.

Goose jerky

2009-08-06T06:04:00.000-07:00

Goose jerky is an excellent low fat jerky but difficult to get commercially. Even if you manage to get hold of wild goose or farmed goos most people would be more inclined to have a delicious roasted goose than make goose jerky. I personally think this is completely acceptable and I know many others would agree with this thinking. It is unfortunate that this type of thinking prevails because the qualities of goose meat are so good for you. So the next question you would probably ask is that, if goose makes such good jerky, is beef jerky healthy?

Wild game jerky

2009-08-04T06:03:00.000-07:00

Wild game jerky is the name given to the jerky made from hunted meat as opposed to the farmed variety. Often wild game jerky has to be treated a litle differently to the farmed jerky because the meat can be a little tougher. What this means is that you will need to tenderise the wild game meat before you make it into jerky. Many times this will mean making it into ground or mince meat so that it becomes a softer chew. Some examples of meats which can be either farmed or wild are deer, duck and goose jerky.

Beef jerky gun

2009-08-02T05:59:00.000-07:00

A good beef jerky gun is an extremely useful accessory when you are making ground jerky because you need to be able to create an even strip or stick so the drying process is nice and even. You can do this without a beef jerky gun by using one of the icing bags which you can buy at your local supermarket very cheaply. You will need to use the biggest nozzle and refill it regularly but it will worked for you. Mostly people use a grinder when they make wild game jerky because the meat is often tougher than farmed meats.

Hi Mountain Jerky

2009-07-31T05:57:00.000-07:00

Hi Mountain Jerky is a company who, according to their website, have continued the traditions of the old west when it comes to making the seasonings for making the marinades for beef jerky and all the additional accessories you may need. Hi Mountain Jerky have a full service website delivering spices and recipes for you to make your own jerky. They also have retail outlets in 51 states and some countries outside the USA. Their online store has products ranging from cans of smoke to the beef jerky gun and the spares parts you may need.

Jerky mix

2009-07-29T05:56:00.000-07:00

Jerky mix is a phrase used to describe a dry mixture of spices which can be used to make up your marinade. These can be bought at specialist shops, supermarkets or online or you can make your own by preparing your jerky mix in advance. When you use your mix you will need to be sure that you have blended the liquid and the mix well to a slightly runny paste. You also need to make sure you fully cover the meat strips and let it marinade over night. One company who make a reasonable commercial product is Hi Mountain Jerky.

Oven beef jerky

2009-07-27T05:55:00.000-07:00

Oven beef jerky is relatively easy to make if you are careful to keep the temperature as low as possible. The reason you need to keep the temperature low for oven beef jerky is that what you are trying to do is dry the meat not cook it. This is one of the reasons that making jerky in a microwave oven is much more difficult as they tend to cook the meat. Cooking meat until it dries out hard is not making jerky in an oven. The other thing you need to work on is getting a good jerky mix for your marinade.

Buy jerky

2009-07-25T05:53:00.000-07:00

Should you buy jerky online? This is a question that many people ask themselves and they search many site to find an answer for themselves. I ask why would you buy jerky when it is so simple to make your own? I think that, for most people, the thought of making jerky is just too difficult or messy. They think that they will need an expensive dehydrator before they can even start but that isn't true. While it is true that a good dehydrator will help you make better jerky you can make oven beef jerky in your own oven at home.

Making venison jerky

2009-07-23T05:51:00.000-07:00

Making venison jerky is a pretty simple process once you have all the required ingredients and a good dehydrator. You can make a dehydrator to use when making venison jerky as long as you follow some simple rules. Some simple steps are mix the marinade well, partly freeze the meat, slice across the grain, soak in the marinade over night, keep the dehydrator temperature down, check the process regularly and move the strips around to keep the drying even. Follow these simple rules and you'll produce such a good quality product you may never buy jerky again.

Deer jerky marinade

2009-07-21T05:50:00.000-07:00

A good deer jerky marinade will take into account the different flavour of the deer meat compared with good quality beef, white meat or fish jerky. You can find a good deer jerky marinade by searching online or browsing your local library for a good recipe book. Typically they will include spices and sugar or salt. The sugar and salt are the curative products which are necessary to the dehydration and long term storage process. The dehydrating process on it's own usually isn't sufficient for the jerky to keep. Getting a good marinade is an important step to making venison jerky.

Jerky marinades

2009-07-19T05:45:00.000-07:00

Jerky marinades are every where online and in books but you don't have to follow any of them. You can create your own jerky marinades but I would suggest that you begin your adventure into the wonderful world of homemade jerky by following the established jerky marinades recipes first and then determining what you would like to change. Mostly the things people generally like to change is to make the marinade more or less sweet or more or less hot. Whatever you do, if you like to hunt you will be able to develop your own deer jerky marinade.

Ground jerky

2009-07-17T05:43:00.000-07:00

Ground jerky is a softer chew than jerky strips but takes longer to make. It is often easier to at least partially freeze the meat before you put it through the grinder as it grinds better. It is important to thoroughly mix the marinade with the ground jerky and it's best to do it by hand. You will freeze your hands though so you have to mix it until you can't feel your fingers to get a thorough mix. Once it is mixed through with one of your favorite jerky marinades you will have to grind it again but finer this time.

Venison jerky marinade

2009-07-15T05:41:00.000-07:00

Venison jerky marinade is essentially the same as any other jerky marinade but venison requires a bit more tenderizing before the marinade process. A good marinade will include spices, and sufficient liquid to make a runny paste. Venison jerky marinade should be made to match the stronger taste of the venison, it has been suggested that red wine can substitute for water or vinegar in the spice mix to add a special flavor. There have been suggestions that you could use liquid smoke to give a smoked flavor to your jerky. This works for those who don't have a smoker but like that flavor. Some people prefer the easier chewing of ground jerky rather than the strips of meat.

Online jerky

2009-07-13T05:40:00.000-07:00

Online jerky sales have been increasing over the last 5 years as more people discover the ease and convenience of buying jerky online. One of the problems with online jerky purchases is that you just don't know what the quality is going to be before you buy. Most of the companies who sell jerky online are reputable and really do want you to become a regular customer. They understand that this will not happen if the quality is poor or the delivery is slow. If you are bothered by the slight risk of buying jerky online then you possibly should look into making your own. All you need is the meat and a good venison jerky marinade.

Vension jerky

2009-07-11T05:35:00.000-07:00

Venison jerky is made from the meat of a deer. Deer are farmed animals in many parts of the world but are also wild and are hunted for their meat. Often venison jerky, because deer can be tough, is tenderized before dehydrating. This is different to the jerky made from farmed animals. Tenderizing can be done by pounding the cuts with a rolling pin or a tenderizing mallet. Almost any of the marinades used for other meats can be used with venison and the results will be just as succulent. Online, jerky of almost any type can be purchased with a simple search.

Biltong jerky

2009-07-09T05:25:00.000-07:00

Biltong jerky is the name given to the jerky made in South Africa. Biltong jerky is made in a similar fashion to beef jerky but is usually cured with vinegar, salt and other spices. Biltong jerky is also usually air dried and is often thicker than other types of jerky. Biltong does not have to be made from beef, although it usually is, other game or fish can be used as well. This is the type of dried meat that the original European settlers made so they could travel further into the interior away from Cape Town. Sausage jerky is another unusual type of jerky.

Biltong Jerky Recipe.

Makes 4 servings

Salting mixture:
1 lb salt.
2 oz sugar.
1 oz saltpeter.
pepper and chili spices to taste.

Cut strips of meat following the grain of muscle.
Make strips 2 inches wide and 1 inch thick.
Best made during cool dry weather if possible.

Salt the meat by rubbing the mixture in well and leave in the basin of salt mixture overnight. Dip a cloth in vinegar, wring dry and wipe the meat well.

Hang the strips of meat in a cool, dry, well ventilated place until dry.

You can also hang the meat on an oven rack placed in the top slot of the oven.

Dry the meat on low heat.

Sausage jerky

2009-07-07T05:32:00.000-07:00

Sausage jerky is really a traditional sausage which has been put through a drying process. Sausage jerky is, in reality, jerkified sausage. Since jerky is dehydrated meat it stands to reason that sausage jerky is dehydrated sausage. Like with jerky this would enable you to keep your sausages much longer with no refrigeration than would be the case of with a normal sausage. I haven't tried one but I am sure I would like dried sausage almost as much as I like cold cooked sausage. Jerky made from deer meat is usually called venison jerky.

Beef Jerky: Healthy Snacks You Can Make at Home

2009-06-28T07:21:00.000-07:00

Author: Angie Goeser

Most people don’t think of beef jerky when they are trying to come up with a healthy, filling, low calorie snack. Beef jerky is also high in protein and low in fat. Best of all, you can make your own in 5 simple steps.

STEP 1: Select Meat Choosing a lean cut of beef is best for ease of preparation and flavor. You can’t go wrong with sirloin, top round or eye round. But don’t forget! Although jerky is traditionally made using beef--turkey, chicken, deer and fish make a delicious jerky snack you won’t want to pass up!

STEP 2:
Slice Meat Cut the meat into slices approximately 1/8” thick, trimming off all of the fat as you go. You can cut with or against the grain of the meat…some say cutting strips against the grain make a jerky that easier to chew. And here’s a trick of the trade! Freeze the meat for 20-30 minutes before slicing to make this step a breeze!

STEP 3:
Marinate Meat This is my favorite step…get creative! Place the meat in a container and coat it with whatever you want! Try a mixture of soy sauce, brown sugar, fresh ground pepper and water for a sweet jerky or kick it up a little with your favorite bottle of spicy marinade, some
cayenne pepper flakes and a good 20 shakes of Louisiana Hot Sauce! Place in the refrigerator for 4 to 12 hours to allow the meat to absorb the flavor. Check out http://www.good-oil.com/index.php?search=Recipes for Beef Jerky for some great flavor ideas.

Step 4: Dehydrate Meat Preheat your oven to 150 degrees. Place strips of meat on a wire rack over a foil-lined cookie sheet and place in the oven.
Keep the oven door cracked a bit while drying to let out any extra moisture. If you are making your jerky in a dehydrator, place meat evenly on racks, making sure the strips are not touching. Now remember…this step takes time. The perfect jerky can take anywhere from 6 to 12 hours to complete…but trust me--it’s worth the wait!! Begin to check the jerky frequently after 6 to 7 hours. Your jerky will be done when it appears firm and dry. It should bend so it cracks a bit, but should not snap in half.

STEP 5: Store Meat If you are anything like me and will eat up your jerky in a matter of days, you can store it in a sealed container or Ziploc baggie
at room temperature. Also, placing jerky in plastic bags and storing it in your refrigerator or freezer will ensure freshness for several months!

STEP 6: ENJOY!! I know, I know! I said “Five Easy Steps” and I actually have six! But this one doesn’t require any work at all! Enjoy your jerky…whatever kind you make! And don’t forget that it’s healthy! High in protein and low in fat. So whether it’s a for an afternoon snack, a munchie to pack with the camping gear or an ‘extra’ in the kids’
lunchbox...after you make your own jerky, all you have to do is enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!!

About the Author:

Angie has her Doctorate in Pharmacy and writes for several pharmacy-related journals. She is a beef jerky enthusiast and in her free time, writes articles and blogs for http://www.jerky.com/

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com
- Beef Jerky: Healthy Snacks You Can Make at Home

Beef Jerky Recipes

2009-06-26T07:08:00.000-07:00

Author: Robin Wood

Jerky recipes include, but are not limited to:

• Beef jerky recipes

• Alligator and Crocodile jerky recipes

• Kangaroo fillet steak jerky recipe

• Emu steak jerky

• Deer and Venison jerky recipes

• Duck, Goose, and Turkey jerky recipes

• Turtle soup recipe

• Jerky sweet n’ sour

• Jerky hot n’ spicy

• Cured jerky

• Teriyaki jerky

Use the following list whenever you are making your favourite jerky related dish to ensure a favourable result every time:

• Always dry your jerky at a temperature between 140 and 150 degrees. Do this for at least four hours to keep it from spoiling over the long term.

• Ensure that your jerky has consistent thickness. The size of each strip is very important; the slices should be 5 inches long by 2 inches wide. The thickness should be a ¼ of an inch.

• Always cut slices against the grain. This helps to ensure for lean cuts of meat. Otherwise the overall consistency of your jerky batch will be too variable.

• Marinate the meat for up to 8 hrs. Do so in the refrigerator, while consistently poking it well with a fork. After you have done this, partially freeze the jerky. Remember, you don't have to marinate the meat before drying.

• Always flip the slices in the marinade to ensure even distribution.

• If you think that you have over dried your jerky, then keep it in a plastic bag and add a few slices of bread to the bag. The moister from the bread should increase the moisture content in the jerky.

• Jerky can be stored for over two years if it is kept in zip-lock bags or other some other airtight container.

You also have a lot of other ways of relishing jerky. Find a variety of flavours available for beef jerky. You can order it and relish the different flavours.

About the Author:

Author is a renowned chef in Australia. He has authored many cook books and starred in food network television programs.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com
- Beef Jerky Recipes

Beef Jerky - A Healthy Snack For an Active Lifestyle

2009-06-26T06:50:00.000-07:00

Author:
Warren Ransom

For a healthy, portable snack, one needs to look no further than the nutrient dense, low calorie, and filling treat, beef jerky. Jerky has been an important part of many people's lives for centuries, but with the advent of modern agriculture and food distribution, it has been relegated to a small niche on a supermarket shelf. While most people associate beef jerky with the old west, this healthy food is readily available, and makes an excellent snack anytime, especially with our busy modern lifestyle. It is a perfect on-the-go food for outdoor activities, and is easily carried in a bag or pocket for an anytime snack.

Beef jerky is an excellent source of lean protein, which promotes a feeling of fullness, and is a perfect choice to help sustain a person through the day. The low fat content helps keep calories down, and means it is healthier than many other snack options. For those on low carbohydrate diets, beef jerky is a perfect treat to help satisfy your craving for food without the accompanying carbohydrates. A celery stick doesn't seem an exciting option for many of us, and a savory snack such as beef jerky is satisfying without being a dieter's nightmare. It should come as no surprise to hear that supermodels have been known to nibble jerky throughout the day to help them feel satisfied and avoid the cravings that can come from dieting.

A 1 ounce serving of beef jerky can have as little as one gram of fat and, supplying the body with much needed nutrients without the sugar, fat, and preservatives that seem prevalent in every snack food these days. The ultimate portable food, beef jerky is easy to carry, store, enjoy, and share. While some commercial beef jerky products may be high in sodium, low salt options are readily available. If you can't find it at the grocery store, beef jerky is amazingly easy to make at home, without the need for special equipment. While dehydrators are not expensive, beef jerky can easily be made in a conventional oven with little effort. And jerky is not limited to beef, just about any meat can be made into jerky, and just about any flavor may be added to a variety of meats, with surprisingly good results.

Real beef jerky comes as strips of dried meat, firm yet pliant and ready for the road. It can be stored for indefinite periods of time, and is both pocket and shelf stable. Certain mass produced jerky sticks are not the beef jerky of yore, and often contain many other things that meat (fillers and preservatives). Many faux-jerky products come in special packaging, and leave behind a oily wrapper that must be disposed of. Real jerky is easy to carry, dry, so there is no transfer of oil or moisture, and a convenient way to take a small meal with you without having to worry about any preparation. There truly is no better food for an easy snack away from home.

If you are looking for beef jerky recipes for dehydrator, jerky making tips, and easy how-to instructions, The Jerky FAQ at http://www.jerkyfaq.com is a complete guide to making jerky at home, or finding beef jerky online. Making your own favorite jerky is easier than you think, and this satisfying snack has been hiding in plain sight for too long.

About the Author:

Warren Ransom is a personal chef and manages a number of websites devoted to food and dining.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com
- Beef Jerky - A Healthy Snack For an Active Lifestyle

Making Beef Jerky at Home - Simple, Inexpensive, & Delicious!

2009-06-22T06:35:00.000-07:00

Author: Warren Ransom

Beef jerky is nothing more than
dried meat, a shelf stable and nutritious, tasty treat. As moisture is
removed, flavors concentrate, and any additional seasonings added to
the meat take on a life of their own. Making beef jerky at home is an
incredibly simple process, and requires no special equipment. Beef
jerky can be stored for long periods of time without going bad, and
makes for a healthy, tasty snack any time. Most people think beef jerky
is only found in hermetically sealed bags in the grocery store, however
making jerky at home, out of any meat, is accomplished with just a few
steps and may be tailored to any taste you prefer, from smoky, to
sweet, to spicy.

Before modern food processing, man made jerky out of any
available meat, with no more than the sun or a campfire. As long as the
meat is lean and prepared properly, it can easily be made into jerky.
These days, a person can better tailor the results to any taste
preference, and making jerky at home is as easy as preparing the meat,
marinating it and setting it out to dry. These days, jerky is
surprisingly popular, and every grocery store seems to carry some. It
can be found in convenience stores, and in some areas it is even sold
by the side of the road. Store bough jerky can be an expensive item,
however, and often the meat has been treated with additives. Also, any
time you buy a prepared item at the store, you should expect to pay a
premium over home made items. An easy way to keep costs down, and
ensure your jerky is just the way you want it, is to make it yourself.
Jerky is also an easy way to preserve game meat such as venison or elk,
which many people may hunt and find themselves with an abundance of
meat.

Making jerky at home is easy.
There are a few simple rules of which you should be aware to ensure
both a safe and tasty product.

Most importantly, the meat should be lean. Fatty meat will go
rancid and will not dry properly. Fat in the meat will result in a
subpar product that won't last very long out of the refrigerator (or
even in it). Commonly, beef is used for jerky, in which case the best
cuts to use are flank steak or round steak. Various game meats such as
buffalo, elk, venison, caribou, and many others can also be used as
long as lean cuts are chosen.

Some people swear by a dehydrator, which is a multi-tasker
than can be used for much more than just drying meat. While a
dehydrator can make excellent jerky, it is by no means necessary and an
oven will easily suffice. A smoker can also make excellent jerky, while
imparting a stronger smoky taste, which many people appreciate. Sun
drying is possible, but risky if proper safety measures are not taken,
and can also take a much longer time to dry your meat effectively.

The easiest way to prepare the meat is by freezing it to the
point of firmness but while it is not yet fully frozen. Cut the meat
into strips no more than a quarter of an inch thick, half to three
quarters of an inch wide, and six to eight inches long for the perfect
working size. You should cut the meat across the grain to ensure a
proper finished texture, and again, make sure than all visible fat and
gristle has been removed.

Seasonings are multiple and varied. In the olden days, beef
was merely treated with salt and pepper and dried, which actually
results in quite a satisfying end product. Meat is more commonly
marinated these days, however, but there are still many dry rubs and
other methods used that can make great beef jerky. Some folks engage in
what is called a 'quick cook' method to start the process, whereby the
meat strips are dropped in a pot of boiling water for a minute or two,
which may kill any bacteria that may be on the meat and prepares the
meat for a dry rub. While this is one method, often simply marinating
the meat for a period of time results in more depth of flavor and is
just as safe; however both choices produce tasty beef jerky.

Making Beef Jerky

Most dehydrators will come with instructions for drying jerky,
and they usually vary from machine to machine. For most people, the
oven is a convenient way of making jerky at home, and is simple and
readily available. For this, you will need a wire rack for the meat to
dry on and a cookie sheet or low pan underneath to catch the drippings.
Generally speaking, set your oven to 140 degrees and let it get to
temperature. Prepare and marinate the meat according to your
instructions (a great, simple beef jerky recipe will follow this
article). Place the strips of meat on the wire rack and place in the
oven above the sheet or pan and leave the door of the oven open a
crack. The beef jerky should be ready in six to eight hours, and you
will know when it is done when it has turned very dark, and when it is
bent, it will slightly crack but not break.

If you happen to have a smoker, this is a good option as well
since the additional smoke flavor from the smoker will enhance the
taste of the jerky in a way that liquid smoke just can't. Only a small
handful of coals should be fine or eight bricks of charcoal if you
don't have any wood handy. Remember to keep the heat down to about 140
degrees as you are not trying to cook the beef, just dry it out. You
may have to add some coals as time goes on, as it should take six to
eight hours for the beef jerky to be ready.

Storing your jerky

When your jerky has dried, let it cool completely before
removing from the rack. Then place it in zip-lock bags or air tight
jars. It will keep many weeks in the refrigerator, and will last years
in the freezer. Just grab a piece for an anytime snack, or put it in a
pocket or bag for an on-the-go treat. Beef jerky is simple and
inexpensive to make at home, and a highly nutritious treat for anyone,
anywhere.

Easy Basic Beef Jerky Marinade:

1 1/2 lb Lean Boneless Beef

1/4 Cup Soy Sauce

1 ts Worcestershire Sauce

1/2 ts Onion Powder

1/4 ts Ground Black Pepper

1/4 ts Garlic Powder

1/4 ts Liquid Smoke

Vegetable oil cooking spray for rack

In a medium-size glass, stoneware, plastic or stainless steel
bowl, combine soy sauce, Worcestershire, onion powder, pepper, garlic
powder, and liquid smoke. Stir to dissolve seasonings. Add meat and mix
until all surfaces are thoroughly coated. Cover tightly and refrigerate
for at least 6 hours or until next day, stirring occasionally; recover
tightly after stirring. Dehydrate according to instructions above.

If you are looking for beef jerky recipes, jerky making
tips, and easy how-to instructions, The Jerky FAQ at
http://www.jerkyfaq.com
is a complete guide to making jerky at home, or finding beef jerky
online.

About the Author:

Warren Ransom is a personal chef and manages a number of
websites devoted to food and dining.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com
- Making Beef Jerky at Home - Simple, Inexpensive, & Delicious!

Beef Jerky Recipe - Organic Beef Jerky

2009-06-20T06:21:00.000-07:00

Organic Beef Jerky

Author:
Robin Wood

What is organic beef jerky?

Organic beef jerky is one of the healthiest options for a tasty, any-time snack. It is easy to store and does not go bad easily as it is resistant to bacteria-related contamination.

How does organic beef jerky differ from regular jerky?

While regular jerky is made from regular beef, organic beef jerky is made from high-grade organic beef. Organic beef comes from cattle that are fed only natural foods, such as grains and grasses. Additionally, the cattle that are used to make organic beef are not given any growth hormones or antibiotics.

In fact, there are various stringent criteria that must be met in order for beef to be certified as ‘organic’. Normally, the standards used to differentiate organic beef from other kinds of beef are:

• Organic beef must be procured from cattle that are born and raised on a farm that has a certified organic pasture.

• Organic beef must be procured from cattle that have not been administered with antibiotic medication.

• Organic beef must be procured from cattle that have not received any form of growth hormones or growth hormone-related products.

• Organic beef must be procured from cattle that have been fed using only organic grains and grasses.

• Organic beef must be procured from cattle that have unrestricted outdoor access.

• Organic beef must be procured from a facility that upholds standards pertaining to the ethical treatment of animals.
So there you have it! Now you are aware of the time and effort that goes into ensuring that a product is certified ‘organic’. Perhaps this has given you an insight into why organic products often cost more then their non-organic counterparts. Ensure that brands that advertise themselves as ‘natural or semi-organic’ do not fool you. Make sure you read the labelling fully in order to determine whether a product is in fact, organic.

Beef Jerky Recipes

About the Author:

Author is a renowned chef in Australia. He has authored many cook books and starred in food network television programs. www.mrspalmersjerky.com

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Organic Beef Jerky

Privacy Policy

2009-06-20T06:20:00.001-07:00

Privacy

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