Beef jerky is a widely loved snack, and what’s better than a snack being healthy? Not only is beef jerky high in protein and has abundant minerals and vitamins, but dehydrated beef jerky lasts longer too.
Jerky is already dehydrated, but you can dehydrate it twice as well. Once you dehydrate jerky, its shelf life increases. You might be wondering, how can you dehydrate jerky? Dehydrate your jerky and build muscle with this amazing protein source right now. Let’s get into it!
Yes! You can actually dehydrate jerky twice. Health guidelines don’t recommend dehydrating jerky twice, but it’s not dangerous. It might become harder, but it stays fresh and does not go bad. People even dehydrate jerky multiple times and have had no complaints so far.
A lot of times, the moisture in the meat tends to speed up the spoilage process. For our fellow fitness gurus, you can dehydrate your jerky and use it for a longer time. Now you know whether or not you can dehydrate jerky.
How to dehydrate jerky?
You can quickly dehydrate jerky at home using simple steps. As the jerky is already dehydrated, it won’t take a big chunk out of your time either.
- Take your jerky and clean off any wet marinade. This is because the marinade will dry off the jerky faster than the time jerky takes to dehydrate. The taste won’t be good this way.
- Then, slice the jerky into thin pieces. Make sure the pieces are somewhat equal in size.
- The quickest way to dehydrate is to use a dehydrator, so that’s what we’ll talk about. If you don’t have a dehydrator, you can sun-dry the jerky or use an oven as well.
- Set the dehydrator temperature to 160 degrees F. Keep this temperature until the heat penetrates through the jerky. After that, reduce the temperature to 130 degrees F.
- To check if your jerky has dehydrated, take a piece out and cool it for a few minutes. Then, try bending the piece at a 90 degrees angle. If moisture comes out when you bend it, then the jerky needs more dehydration.
How to rehydrate jerky?
Use a liquid, like Soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce, and brush it lightly on your jerky. After that, let the jerky soak the liquid in a sealed environment for up to 24 hours. You can also rehydrate jerky in hot broth or water. Submerge the jerky fully and let it soak the liquid up for 10 to 15 minutes.
How long does dehydrated jerky last?
Dehydrated jerky will last you for two weeks if kept in an airtight container. If you want it to last even longer, then keep it in the refrigerator or freezer. The duration depends on how you store the jerky.
How do you know when jerky is done dehydrating?
To test if your jerky has dehydrated, bend it at a 90 degrees angle to test for moisture. If you see moisture, then keep it in the dehydrator for a bit longer. Be sure to let it cool for a few minutes before you touch the jerky. You can also chew jerky to test it. If it’s chewy, then it’s done.
Do you need to bake jerky after dehydrating?
It is better to bake your jerky before you dehydrate it. Dehydrating it after will not kill all the bacteria. This is because the jerky becomes more heat resistant after the dehydration process. Bake it at 160 Fahrenheit.
Related FAQs to dehydrating beef jerky!
Is dehydrated jerky safe to eat?
No, dehydrated jerky is not safe to eat unless you bake it first. This is because the dehydrator temperatures are not sufficiently high to kill bacteria completely. Additional heat treatment is the best way to go, even if the dehydrated jerky seems done.
Do you have to cook jerky before dehydrating?
Make sure to cook jerky before dehydrating it. It is best if the beef is cooked prior to becoming a jerky. The best cooking temperature for beef is 160 Fahrenheit. Cooking it prior to the dehydration process makes it completely safe to eat. Don’t cook the jerky after dehydrating it because by that time, it has already become heat resistant.
Can I dehydrate raw beef?
Raw beef and all other kinds of meat can be dehydrated. Although, keep in mind that each meat has a unique pre-treatment process. Moreover, the dehydration temperature also varies from meat to meat.
Concluding our thoughts on dehydrating jerky!
Dehydrating jerky is easy and doesn’t require any extra equipment! We have mentioned everything you need to know about dehydrated jerky and the safest ways to enjoy it. The quickest way to dehydrate jerky is by using a dehydrator. If you store it using the tips we discussed, you can snack on your dried jerky for a long time!
Here is an interesting read on making dry olives!