Making Delicious Homemade Jerky

Beef jerky is dried, smoked meat that is made from cuts of beef. Typically, jerky is always lean trimmed meat that has already been cleaned and salted prior to the drying process. Typically, this jerky dehydrating includes the addition of salt for bacteria prevention prior to the meet`s final drying process. The term “jerky” is derived from the Quechua native word is`area which means “salted, dried meat”.

There are many different types of beef jerky. Most strips, and most forms of cut meats come in three basic cuts. The most popular of these three cuts is the strip roast. This is cut from the top of the shoulder into six or eight strips depending on the size of the beef. Usually this jerky is soaked in water to add moisture to the meat and then held at a high temperature for around an hour.

Another common type of beef jerky is the vacuum dried cut. In this form the meat is not immersed in water but instead is placed in a sealed bag which slowly releases the water from the bag into a slow drip pan. Once this process has completed the bag is left to dry overnight. This type can take up to four days to dry completely. This jerky has a very mild-flavored taste.

The type of cuts of meat used for making jerky might also determine how much or how little protein is included. Some cuts of meat such as the tenderloin are considered the low fat cut and therefore might contain less protein than cuts of prime beef. Other cuts of meat such as the round steak or ribeye might contain more protein and could be considered a good choice for vegetarians or vegans. When looking for the best jerky, check to see if it contains some type of filler. Often this is found in the form of corn or peanut but this is not necessary.

Beef jerky can be made from all different types of cuts of meat and could include any number of natural flavors. However, it`s most popular in having the beef jerky made with buffalo or Native American meat. The fact that these meats don`t come from endangered species is often cited as one of the main reasons why people choose this rather than other meat types. A popular misconception is that buffalo or native American meat is some sort of miracle meat that provides superior protein and vitamins to non-native animals. While there are certainly some benefits to meat from these sources, the truth is that most meats from these locations are far from perfect. Most contain a fair amount of fat and calories.

A great way to use beef jerky to make beef jerky snacks is to add them to a snack mix. This makes the jerky even more appealing as a healthy snack without having to worry about unhealthy fillers or fats. Even better, you can mix up your own mix by combining beef, chicken, vegetables, and fruits and using different spices to create your own personal flavor. These snack mix options allow you to enjoy the healthy benefits of jerky while still getting a delicious snack that your family will love. Also, if you make different mixes, or even making your own jerky gift baskets, jerky makes great jerky gifts for the holiday giving season.