Deer jerky. Oven or dehydrator for the best result?!
Answers: I've done it in the oven a few times, but may try the dehydrator. I prefer my meat cooked, but some have said the dehydrator is better. What thickness and what time frame should I shoot for if I use the dehydrator?
I do mine in a dehydrator, I cook mine about 8 hours, depends how thick it is, I have a jerkey press you can get them at walmart meijer etc.
be sure to rotate trays about every hour or so.
I like the dehydrator the best!
I let it run overnight on low.
Slice the meat thin across the grain.Some of the smaller pieces need to be taken out before the larger ones.
Dehydrator all the way...takes out alot of guess work. Quarter inch thick should do it. Send me some!!
dehydrator uses heat to dry...so the food cooks as it dries....
Many many recipies I have found will always say if you have a dehydrator USE IT! But i have also even hear rumors of people using the back of thier cars with the window sun bake method...I dont recomend that.
heres a good one
VENISON OR BEEF JERKY
3 lb. venison or beef
Select lean cuts of meat. Remove any fat around the edges. Flank steak, brisket or round steak can be used. I use both front shoulders from deer. For greatest tenderness slice very thinly, against the grain and cut into strips, no more than 1/4 inch thick. The following recipe is for about 3 pounds of meat. I don't weigh or measure, I approximate.
Marinate for at least 12 hours, the longer the better. After meat has marinated blot dry with paper towels.
MARINATE:
3 tbsp. soy sauce
4 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
Pinch of white pepper
1/8 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
4 tbsp. teriyaki sauce
Hickory liquid smoke (to suit taste)
Hot sauce (to suit taste)
Pork sausage seasoning (to suit taste)
Onion powder (to suit taste)
3 c. juice drained from banana peppers
Do Not use salt!
Combine all ingredients, blend well. Add meat, stir at least twice during marination.
If you have a dehydrator, use it. I use a microwave with dehydration rack.
Outdoor Life says you can turn your oven temperature as low as it will go and leave the door slightly open. I have also read an article that says you can make jerky in your car on a hot day, by rolling up your windows and placing the meat on a rack, where the sun will shine on it.
Actually the best way is with cold air.
Get a box fan and two non-fiberglass filters the same size of the fan. After marinating the jerky place the strips on the inside of one filter and top it with the other filter and bungee these two filters to the fan so the air blows through them. Turn it on and wait 8-12 hours and you will have perfect jerky.
A great source for jerky recipes is http://CookbookDownloads.info
They have over 100 free cookbook downloads after you register. It's time to make some killer recipces!
I prefer the dehydrator for deer jerky. . . .