Description
Learn how to make delicious, healthy homemade deer jerky that lasts longer with proper preparation techniques. Perfect for hunters looking to preserve venison.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds of deer meat (preferably from hindquarter)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon pink curing salt (optional)
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke (if using oven method)
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for spicy version)
Instructions
- Freeze meat partially (about 1-2 hours) to make it easier to slice thinly.
- Trim all visible fat from the meat, as fat can cause jerky to spoil faster.
- Slice meat against the grain into 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick strips.
- In a large bowl, combine all marinade ingredients (soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and spices).
- Add meat strips to marinade, ensure all pieces are coated. Cover and refrigerate for 24 hours, stirring occasionally.
- If not using curing salt, heat meat to 160°F in oven before dehydrating to ensure safety.
- Place marinated strips on dehydrator trays, ensuring pieces don’t touch.
- Dehydrate at 160°F for 4-6 hours, checking periodically until the jerky bends but doesn’t break.
- Allow jerky to cool completely before storing in airtight containers.
Notes
- Store jerky in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
- For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 3 months or freeze for up to 6 months.
- Add different spices to create your own flavor variations.
- If using an oven instead of a dehydrator, place strips on a wire rack over a baking sheet and cook at the lowest setting with the door slightly ajar.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Snack
- Method: Dehydration
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 oz
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 240mg
- Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: deer jerky, venison jerky, homemade jerky, wild game, hunting recipes, dehydrated meat, preservation
