Deer Jerky From Ground Deer Food

PEMMICAN-STYLE GROUND MEAT JERKY

Steps:

• Grind the venison, bacon and dried cranberries through the fine die of your grinder. If you are using pre-ground venison, chop the dried cranberries well and add them to the ground meat. Put the meat and cranberries in a large bowl and add all the remaining ingredients. Mix well with your (very clean) hands until everything comes together and starts to stick to itself.
• If you have a vacuum sealer, seal the mixture and set in the fridge for 24 to 48 hours. If you don't, pack the meat mixture into a lidded container and press some plastic wrap directly onto the surface and let it sit that way.
• The next day, separate the mixture into two or three chunks, depending on how big your jerky gun is. Pack it in and squeeze out lengths of jerky onto your dehydrator trays. Make sure they are separated from each other. Dehydrate at 150°F until the meat is mostly dry, but still chewy. If you don't have a dehydrator, you can smoke-dry it in your smoker, or in an oven set to "warm," with the door slightly ajar. In both of these cases, you want to keep the temperature as close to 150°F as you can.
• This sort of jerky doesn't keep as long as traditional jerky because of the fat content. But it will keep for several weeks in the fridge, and it freezes well.

VENISON JERKY

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine ground venison, salt, MSG, hot sauce, curing mixture, barbeque seasoning, water, liquid smoke, garlic powder, and pepper; mix thoroughly. Cover, and refrigerate for 2 hours.
• Line food dehydrator trays with plastic wrap. Pat meat mixture into a very thin layer on the trays. Place in dehydrator set according to manufacturers directions. Once the meat has firmed up, after about the first 2 hours, remove it from the plastic, cut into strips, and replace onto the racks. Continue until the meat is done drying, about 5 to 10 hours total depending on machine.
• When finished, blot off any grease with a paper towel. Store in the refrigerator in a jar with a tight fitting lid.

DEER JERKY

Steps:

• Slice meat into long strips, 1 inch wide and 1/8 inch thick. In a large releasable plastic bag, combine soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, ketchup, pepper, garlic powder, onion salt and salt. Place meat in, and close bag. Refrigerate overnight. Knead occasionally, to evenly distribute marinade.
• Preheat oven to 160 degrees F (70 degrees C). Place a pan on the bottom of oven to catch drips, or line with aluminum foil.
• Place meat strips on a rack so that they do not touch each other, and dehydrate for 6 to 8 hours in the oven, or until desired consistency is achieved.

DEER (VENISON) JERKY

Steps:

• Take your meat to the local butcher and have it cut thin.
• You can do this yourself by semi-freezing your meat then cut it into 1/4-inch strips.
• Note: meat cut with the grain will be chewy, and against the grain will be tender.
• Combine everything but the meat in a large bowl and stir well.
• Marinate meat over night in the refrigerator, then drain.
• To use a dehydrator place meat on racks, do not overlap, and let dry for 24-36 hours.
• To use an oven, preheat to 150-degrees then place meat on cookie sheets without overlapping for 8-10 hours.
• Turn at least once during drying.
• They are ready when the jerky bends without breaking.
• Let cool, seal tight, and refrigerate for long-term storage.

DEER (VENISON) JERKY

Steps:

• In a gallon sized ziplock bag, combine all ingredients. Allow mixture to marinate for at least 24 hours in the refrigerator (for best results allow 48 hours).
• Preheat oven to 150. Drain venison and pat dry with paper towel. Lay pieces across oven rack, small grill plates, or cookie rack (the idea is to not use a baking sheet, as the meat will take much longer to dry that way). Cook meat for 1-4 hours, checking every half hour or so to see if meat is dried. Feel free to use a dehydrator following manufacturer instructions.