Tips on Making Deer Jerky
If you are an avid hunter and outdoorsman, you may find yourself in a position where you need to preserve massive quantities of venison or another type of wild game. If you don't have the fortitude to stomach 50 pounds of venison steak and want to branch out, try dehydrating strips of venison into jerky, which remains preserved for several months to a year or more. Does this Spark an idea?
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Making Even Slices
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If your slices are not even in their thickness, then some pieces will be over- or under-dehydrated. According to Free Deer Hunting Tips, freezing your solid muscle tissue prior to slicing helps to keep the slices uniform and easier to cut as long as the knife is adequately sharpened. Make slices no more than 1/4 inch. Cut off all the fat, otherwise the fat and the meat become rancid. Slice the meat along the grain for chewy jerky, and against the grain of the meat for tender jerky.
Spices and Marinades
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Although there are several variations of spices and flavorings for jerky, you need to mix them all together and dip the venison strips in the spice and marinade mix, covering every part of the slice. Allow the strips to soak in a zippered plastic bag with the marinade for the next 24 hours. Press and mash the meat two to four times while its inside the bags during the soaking process, to ensure proper absorption of the marinade and spices. Store the meat in the refrigerator while marinading to prevent contamination of the meat by bacteria. Spice mixtures include ground black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, soy sauce, onion powder, quick cure and salt. Drain the meat on absorbent towels after finishing the marination process.
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Pressed Jerky
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As an alternative to a jerky gun, you can also use a rolling pin to form jerky strips from ground venison. Recommendations for using a rolling pin include pressing the ground venison between two pieces of waxed paper until the venison is 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick. You still want to freeze the venison for 60 minutes prior to cutting it into 1-inch wide strips.
Storing Finished Jerky
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Only store dehydrated jerky strips in zip-tight bags or plastic containers if you put them into a freezer. This is because condensation sealed within the bag condenses, freezes and ruins the jerky, potentially causing mold growth. If you have a vacuum sealer, use that as a way to store your jerky for longer periods of time. If you are only storing the jerky for a few months before eating it or giving it away, place it in a clear glass jar in the refrigerator.
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References
Resources
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