Friday, September 04, 2009

Calling All Beef Jerky Makers: HELP ME, Please

We didn't butcher our jersey cow, but we did take our Black Angus cow to be slaughtered. I could have used her picture, but I am funny about looking at pictures of animals that we are eating so I deleted them all. I don't feel so bad about looking at pictures of our jersey cows that are still very much alive and well here on our farm. Now that you know one of my little quirks, I am asking for your help. No, I don't need help with my mental state, but I do need help in learning how to make beef jerky. My kids love beef jerky. Over the years, I am sure I have used up our potential retirement account keeping these kids in beef jerky. Our local Mennonite store sells wonderful beef jerky with a very large price tag. I was appalled to see two of my boys down $10 worth of jerky before we even got back home! I am on a quest to create our own wonderful jerky. I have the dehydrator for the job and the cow, but that is as far as I have gotten. Please post comments or direct me to some great tried and true websites for making this manly snack. I don't even like jerky, but my men and daughter sure do!!!! Missy,the English Mastiff, also wants me to let you know that she loves jerky almost as much as shoes!!!!! Thanks in advance!!!!

grace and peace,
julie



10 comments:

Carmen S. said...

Julie,I don't have a specific recipe to share but my son makes deer jerky just with ground venison and he buys the seasoning at tractor Supply. He just mixes in the seasoning then loads it into a jerky press thingee and it makes strips. He puts the strips onto jerky racks in the oven, I think the seasoning packages come with instructions,and you can get different kinds and flavors. hope I've been a TINY help to you:)

Faith said...

I love homemade jerky.

I cut the meat when it is half thawed, about 1/4 inch thick. Sprinkle it with seasoned pepper.

I put it all into a zip lock bag and pour teriaki sauce in there.

Close the bag and push out all the air so there is only meat and marinade in it. Put it in the fridge for a day, rotating it a few times if you think about it.

Then dehydrate till you like the texture.

It never lasts longer than an hour unless I lock it up.

~Faith

Paige said...

Hi Sister Julie!

I've never made it, but I really like this website for in-general home preservation. Here's their link for just the jerky! You'll have to post and let us know how it worked out!

http://www.uga.edu/nchfp/how/dry/jerky.html

Paige

Paige said...

Oh, and here's another link of theirs!

http://www.uga.edu/nchfp/how/dry/csu_leathers_jerkies.pdf

bsadams said...

Here is a recipe from my mother-in-law, haven't tried it but she said it's good and by using ground meat it's not as tough, which I like the thought of, :)she also makes it from deer meat on occasion

2 lbs. ground meat
1/4 c. liquid smoke
1/4 c. soy sauce
2 t. coarse black pepper
1 t. crushed red pepper
1 - 1/2 t. worcestershire sauce
1 t. tender quick salt
1/2 t. minced garlic
1 t. minced onion

Mix all ingredients thoroughly. Set in refrigerator over night (12 to 24 hours).
Divide meat and roll out very thin (1/8" to 1/4" using saran wrap or wax paper on top to keep from sticking to rolling pin).
Cut into strips & lift very carefully and put in dehydrator till dry. Drying time depends on thickness of meat. If using a dehydrator it takes about 25 - 30 min. with 7 full trays.
sharon

Anonymous said...

we usually got the mixes and just followed directions on it... but also sometimes used just brown gravy mix with just enough water added to get it to cover the meat well. not quite as good as the specific mixes... but good, and easier and more likely to be in the cabinet already.

regina said...

Hi Julie, I enjoy your site and always find interesting things to read. I was just reading your sourdough bread post and was wondering where you buy your wheat berries? I haven't found a place close enough to me to get wheat berries but would love to grind my own. Thanks,
Regina

Kristin said...

Hi! I make mine the same way Faith told you above :)

I LOVE LOVE LOVE your picture at the top! Was that taken at your place? It's gorgeous!!

TnFullQuiver said...

THANK YOU ALL for the great jerky ideas. I had no idea you could use ground meat to make jerky, but that sounds like a plan. I knew I could count on you.

Regina,
I buy my wheat berries at a local mennonite store. I have known of people ordering them and having them shipped, but I have no idea how much that would add to the cost. Thanks for the compliment. It is always nice to hear when people enjoy the blog!! Have a great day.

Kristen,
The picture at the top was taken at The Smokey Mountains by my dad. We live about an hour away from there. This picture is one of my favorites too. Thanks for asking!!!

kat said...

IF anyone is interested.. Hell's Kitchen in Minneapolis is hosting their first Annual Beef Jerky Competition. If you have a bomb recipe, submit for a chance to win some cool prizes. Being present during the competition is not necessary. Send submission by March 25th. Below is the link.

http://www.hellskitcheninc.com/Special-Events.html