How to Make Beef Jerky

Despite the new preservation methods used today, a lot of people still prefer the convenience and flavor of jerky. Beef jerky is quite popular because it is a surefire source of protein. If you’re wondering how to make beef jerky, read on.

Select a meat cut – you can pick the top round, sirloin, eye round, and other cuts. This can save you a lot of time.

Remove all the fats that you can see in the meat because this is the primary cause of spoilage. Slice the meat into less than 1/8 inches thick. If you want, you can also ask the butcher to slice the meat for you but if you prefer to do it on your own, freeze the meat first for thirty minutes and start slicing.

Marinate the sliced meat in sea salt and cider vinegar, or according to a beef jerky recipe that you’re following. For the meat to absorb flavor, you will need to refrigerate it for 4 to 24 hours. Now, this is optional but if you want to make a stickier beef jerky, you can refrigerate the meat.

Gather your choice of seasonings and coat the meat with it. Dehydrate the coated meat and make sure that there is space between each slice. This is one way for air to freely circulate. You can also use a dehydrator but spray the racks first with non-stick cooking spray.

Preheat the oven. The temperature should be set at 150 degrees Fahrenheit or 65 degrees Celsius. Place the sliced meat on the rack with a cookie sheet. Just wait and look at the beef jerky. Check if the color has turned burgundy or deep brown.

When the slices are cooked, you can now place them inside plastic bags and put them inside the freezer. Take it out when you want to eat the yummy beef jerky.