Jerky is seasoned meat that has been dried. It’s a great source of protein and a staple for campers, hikers, hunters and travelers. Making homemade jerky costs a fraction of store-bought variety prices, but it does take a little time.
Beef
Beef jerky is made from very lean beef cut into thin strips and marinated. Allow 4 to 12 hours drying time at 145 degrees Fahrenheit or above. The meat will darken as it dries.
Poultry
Poultry must be cooked before drying into jerky. Dry at 145 F or above. Turkey jerky will be ready in about 3 hours, but chicken takes 6 to 8 hours.
Fish
Fish can also be marinated and dried into jerky. The thin, marinated strips of fish take 8 to 12 hours to dry at 145 F.
References
- "Dehydrator Bible"; Jenifer Mackenzie; 2009
- "Mary Bell's Complete Dehydrator Cookbook"; Mary Bell; 1994
- lets-make-sausage.com: How to Make Beef Jerky
- Everything Kitchens: Jerky Recipes
Writer Bio
Elizabeth McNelis has been writing gardening, cooking, parenting and homeschooling articles from her St. Petersburg urban homestead since 2006. She is the editor of “The Perspective,” a homeschooling newsletter distributed in Pinellas County, Fla. and writes a blog entitled Little Farm in the Big City. McNelis holds a Bachelor of Arts in professional and technical writing from the University of South Florida.