Homemade Beef Jerky In A Food Dehydrator

BEEF JERKY MADE WITH A DEHYDRATOR RECIPE - (3.9/5)

Steps:

• Remove the fat as desired from the meat and place in freezer for one to two hours. When it is semi-frozen, cut it into 3/8 to 1/4 inch thick strips. (To save time, you can ask a butcher at the grocery store meat counter to slice it very thin for you. This skips the need to freeze the meat for slicing.) Keep in mind, meat cut against the grain will be tender and break easily, meat cut with the grain will be chewy. Mix remaining ingredients together in a bowl to make the marinade. Place meat into a glass container and pour marinade overtop. Cover and place in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour (I have had great success with leaving it overnight.) Drain meat in a colander and place on dehydrator trays. Do not overlap the meat and turn once while drying. Dry at 145°F for 8 to 10 hours. I begin to check progress after 4 hours. It is ready when it bends like a willow without breaking. Store in refrigerator in ziploc bags or Mason jars.

DEHYDRATOR/OVEN BEEF JERKEY

Steps:

• Mix the beef/turkey and all the ingredients in a large glass bowl, then cover it with plastic wrap and left it to refrigerate/marinate for about 4-5 hours.
• Using your Jerky Gun, fill your dehydrator racks, careful not too overlap the slices.
• After all the raw jerky slabs placed onto my trays run the dehydrator for about 8-10 hours at 145 degrees. The last hour periodically check on the consistency of the jerky. The edges will be the first to dry out. When the center still had a tiny bit of "softness" to it seems to be the consistency that is perfect to me. For a tougher jerky, of course, cook longer and just keep checking. Take a piece out and let it cool and see what you think about the consistency. When the jerky is cooled, it tends to stiffen up a bit. So, keep testing until you find your perfect "bite".
• The final count all depends on what length of jerky slabs you make. If you made your pieces about 6-7 inches long, you could get about 70 (give or a take) pieces. If you choose to go for the longer (11 inches), you should end up with about 40ish pieces. That's alot of jerky!
• Note~ Don't have a dehydrator, no prob. Just place jerky on baking sheets and stick in a 150-170 degree oven for 8-12 hours. Flipping over every couple of hours. If you have a cooling rack that will fit on top of your baking sheet, that is even better as this will allow the heat to evenly cook the meat where you would not have to flip the jerky. Place a wooden spoon in the oven door, as to prop it open. This will help the drying process by allowing the moisture to escape. Your house will smell AMAZING too!

DOC'S BEST BEEF JERKY

Steps:

• Place beef strips in the bottom of a large bowl. Pour soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, brown sugar, salt, pepper, meat tenderizer, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika over beef. Mix to assure all the meat is evenly coated. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 8 hours or overnight.
• Remove meat from bowl and place between two pieces of plastic wrap; pound to 1/8-inch thickness.
• Arrange the meat strips on the tray of a dehydrator and dry at your dehydrator's highest setting until done to your liking, at least 4 hours. Store in an airtight container or resealable bags.