- Easy jerky!
I stole this recipe and method from Mark’s Daily Apple, so feel free to hop over there for the details.
The reason that I embarked upon this endeavor was to have one of my tasty protein snacks handy but without added sugars. Yes, it’s true, since I lost my taste buds in the beginning of June, I accidentally did a ‘sugar detox’ and have been pretty much sugar-free ever since. I am telling you the truth when I say that I still don’t crave it. I do have some treats that I make with stevia, and these days berries taste like candy to me. Honestly, I never thought that I would live to see this day.
Back to the jerky: I used stevia instead of honey that he suggested. I also didn’t measure a whole lot of anything. It was just ridiculously easy.
- Mix ingredients
Cut your meat (either very lean flank or London broil) across the grain into 1/4-inch strips. I would have even preferred thinner than this. I used flank steak. If you are concerned with such thing, choose grass-fed over conventional. This happened to be straight-up Ralph’s own.
- Soak jerky for several minutes or hours
- Set your oven to 150 or 160 (you can also use a dehydrator)
Incidentally, the USDA recommends an internal temperature of 145 for beef food safety.
- Lay strips across racks
(Lay foil underneath to catch any drippings- I had one drop only!)
- I decided to give this smoked salmon a try- it was already sliced thinly!
- Make sure that salmon is inspected carefully, by you or your cat. For something.
- Place in oven
- Set your timer on phone (because you’ve forgotten how to use old-school timers)
- Set timer for 6-8 hours
Jerky is done when dark and cracks a little bit when you bend it. It will shrink a bit in size.
This turned out better than I expected. It was not rubbery or difficult to chew like some store-bought versions.
- Once again, inspect the salmon jerky (for what, I don’t know)
This came out crispy!
Q: Have you ever made jerky of any kind? Any tips or great recipes or ideas for future experiments?
Wow, that is pretty darn easy! I love jerky, but they’re so expensive I never buy them. nice to know I can make them at home.
I have this on my to-do list, because another blogger recently posted about it. I was going to surprise my husband–he will be so excited. Good to know that an oven will definitely work, because the other person did use a dehydrator (and I don’t have one of those). Thanks!
btw, I love your header–is that new? So colorful and cute!
Glad to know there’s another nutty do-it-yourselfer out in the blog world
I gave away my dehydrator so the oven did the job just fine.
Hehe…I’m pretty sure if we let our fur balls “inspect” that salmon, it would NOT make it into the oven. Salmon is their favorite thing EVER.
Ever since you gave me that pack of TJ’s jerky in March, I ALWAYS carry a pack in the car now. It has saved me many, many times during pregnancy hunger freak outs! Thank you!
Oh, that looks really good. I always want to buy jerky but try my best to only eat pasture raised/grass fed meats and I haven’t found any jerky like that. (I imagine the price would be insane anyway.)
Also… completely off topic from this post, but I wanted to add, I’ve been making your muffin recipes and adding a tiny bit of xantham gum (which I bought on your recommendation
). I don’t know if you’ve tried this but I find it adds a smoother, breadier texture to the coconut flour.
That’s great! I knew that xanthan was used for gluten free baking, but never thought to put it in MY baked goods! Will try it!
damn me for going to the store before reading this! i NEED to try this – i wonder if i can try it with turkey breast? for turkey jerky? hmm i’m heading over to mark’s right now to check out the full DEETS! WOO HOO
Fo Sho. Good thinking girl.
thank goodness! my pockets are slowly emptying due to my jerky habit – esp. since i refuse to buy the less expensive stuff that’s filled w/ sweeteners & preservatives!
i’m trying this out asap!
I’m gonna have to start inspecting more things.
Brent and I have made jerky a few times in our dehydrator and you’re right it’s SO EASY. I’ve never made it in the micorwave though! That would be even easier!!! Dehydrator trays are a b to clean. xoxo
Yay! I love beef jerky! (And all other types of jerky- like the ELK we got in Colorado. YUM.)
I got a food dehydrator as a bridal shower gift and made jerky a few times. My husband LOVED it. I don’t know why we didn’t keep up with that…
I love salmon and turkey jerky! Great idea to use the smoked salmon. I’m going to give it a try!
Ha, not ‘great idea’ but rather the fact that I was lazy and it was already thinly sliced- win!