You will never buy jerky again. We can promise you that.
So, let me explain this to you, in a way that you will understand, without saying too many words, about how my boys have been bragging about the “jerky that my mom made” to anyone willing to listen. Also, I became the cool mom in Mesivta and in camp. I think it might be all connected.
I have a household of boys, in the sense that, even my girls, are not scared to have fleishigs for breakfast. Beef is and will always be better than anything, especially dairy. Staying milchig is not a thing. I’m the only one that does that in this family.
So, when I went to visit my friend Shifra one Friday and her house smelled so amazing, I naturally inquired. She showed me her dehydrator, on her counter, and showed me its contents. I knew right then and there that I needed to learn how to make my own jerky too, just because seeing such magic and not acting upon it would have been…cruel.
Shifra kept saying things like “it’s so easy” and “my kids are obsessed with it.” I listened and took notes.
Ever since that Amazon box with the dehydrator arrived (about a month ago) I believe that I have been through roughly 22 lbs of meat and there is none to show for it since it all got eaten right away. Even my youngest, who is 3, loves it. It’s chewy in a satisfying way, not hard.
It’s delicious because it’s fresh and also, because you can customize it to your liking.
And yes, the dehydrator costs about $85 but think of it, you make your money right back. One batch, and you made your money back. Jerky isn’t cheap, that we know. But when you make it yourself, it becomes affordable. And tasty.
Oh, another cool feature: you can add trays to the dehydrator! True, you will need to add “drying time” but it’s worth it if you’re planning to do big batches.
When making jerky, you need time. Plan time to marinate the meat (overnight and up to 24 hours) and then, the dehydrating part itself can take between 2 ½ to 4 hours depending on the size of the meat.
Also, when you order the dehydrator make sure to order this meat tenderizer as well. And if you can’t find it in your local grocery, get this liquid smoke (but any type or flavor will work).
Start by combining all the marinade ingredients in a resealable bag,
but not the meat just yet.
Combine all ingredients well, making sure it’s all smooth and that the brown sugar is melted.
Add the meat. Don’t worry about mixing sizes. You will divide the meat on the trays by size.
After you try this once you will learn if your family prefers small bites (like candy!) or bigger pieces you bite into.
Seal the bag and make sure marinade covers all of the meat. Use your hands to make sure it gets everywhere.
Place in a bowl or tin to catch any eventual spills and refrigerate at least overnight but preferably for a 24 hour period. This will make sure the meat has a chance to tenderize and absorb taste.
Start from the bottom. Place the tray to catch splatters (the one that looks like a plate). (Note: You don’t need the trays that look like a mesh. Those are for other recipes like dried fruit etc.)
Place the pieces of meat on one layer.
Try to divide the sizes on trays. This way, when the smaller pieces are ready before the bigger pieces you will remove that tray and let the rest cook for longer.
Fill up all the trays and plug in the machine. Set the knob on “jerky,” the highest setting.
Set your timer for 2 ½ – 3 hours and check if done. The jerky won’t change while “chilling,” so taste a piece and decide if it’s dried enough to your liking.
Remove the tray/pieces that are ready and replace the lid to continue drying.
As you can see, this dehydrator can be used even if you are drying only one tray.
Store your jerky in a resealable container for a few days in your fridge, or, vaacum pack for longer shelf life.
We haven’t tested out how long it actually lasts due to the fact that it never survived too long. Sorry about that. If you figure that one out, let us know in comments.
Also, place all the trays in the dishwasher! They come out super clean. (Obviously, do not put the top part, the motor, in the dishwasher. Just wipe it clean. It usually doesn’t get dirty anyway.)
When storing, place a piece of paper towel between layers. (It’s hard to dry it well.)
For our oven beef jerky recipe (softer texture), see this original version and this teriyaki version.
For more beef jerky tips, see this post.
Beef Jerky
Ingredients
- 2-3 lbs thinly sliced shoulder meat, like pepper steak
- 1½ cups dark brown sugar
- 1 cup honey
- ½ cup teriyaki sauce
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsp liquid smoke
- 2 tbsp meat tenderizer
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
Instructions
- In a Ziploc bag, combine all marinade ingredients and mix well until brown sugar is dissolved. Add meat and seal bag, making sure marinade covers all parts of the meat. Refrigerate overnight or, preferably, for 24 hours.
- Remove meat and place on dehydrator trays. Group similar sized pieces of meat together. This way, when the smaller pieces are ready before the bigger pieces you will remove that tray and let the rest cook for longer.
- Plug in the machine. Set the knob on “jerky,” the highest setting. Dehydrate for 2 ½ – 3 hours. Remove the tray/pieces that are ready and replace the lid to continue drying.
- Store your jerky in a resealable container for a few days in your fridge, or, vaacum pack for longer shelf life. Jerky can be frozen for months (in a Ziploc bag, any bag or container)
Back in 2019, ChantzyW taught us how to make oven baked jerky. It is good! Read 5 tips for better jerky from JerkyJoy.
Over the years we still had kids that liked the sticky ones that you get from store bought…
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Tf says
We’ve been using the oven method from an earlier post very successfully until now.
Nechama says
My oven has a dehydrate mode. Do u know how long I wud need with that?
Renee Muller says
We never tried, but must be similar timing. Try it. The jerky is done when dry to touch
Nechama says
What temperature is the jerky level? I have an air fryer that also dehydrates.
Tobie Weisz says
Hi, thank you for all your amazing content. I’ve been making jerky at home for about 6 months, since I bought my own machine on amazon. I just wanted to post about it here since the one I bought is half the price then the one you posted. It works great (needs about 3-4 hours depending on the thickness) and you can also buy extra trays to it. I am posting the name if you want to check it out.
NESCO JerkyXpress Food dehydrator
ShaG says
This is great! We are new at dehydrating in my house. I want to add an awesome tip my son had because yes it’s hard to dry the trays… turn the dehydrator back on with the clean trays and it will dry out all the water perfectly!!
Leah Schapira says
Love this tip! Thanks for sharing.
Dee says
Would the dehydrator become fleishigs or remain parve.
Renee Muller says
I would say it becomes fleishig, but ask your LOR
Sarah says
Do you ask the butcher to make the pepper steak thinner ? Or can you use regular pepper steak ?
Renee Muller says
Both work. Thicker pieces need more time in the oven tho
M says
Once vaccine packed, can it be stored out of the fridge? Or must be frozen or refrigerated?
Renee Muller says
In the fridge it lasts at least a week. And in freezer much longer.
But, do realize that it will get eaten, way faster than that
Anonymous says
This is the best jerky I have ever had. Thanks so so much!!!
Nechama Levin says
Can I freeze the meat in the marinade to dehydrate at a different time?
Renee Muller says
Never tried. Not sure if its safe, but it might be.
Rachel says
Has anyone ever tried replacing meat tenderizer with baking soda? Online it says to do 1/4 tsp BS per 1 tip tenderizer
Miriam says
Anyone know how to do it in an air fryer
chanala zarum says
what temp would you recommend on the oven, don’t have a dehydrator
Estie says
I don’t like smoked flavors so I made this and add some extra honey and leave out the liquid smoke. It’s soooo good that when we had guests on shabbos they both asked me to send them the link to the dehydrator and the recipe !
Oh. And my kids won’t eat beef jerky from any takeout after eating mine ….
Leah says
Has anyone used the leftover marinade to make another batch righter after removing the meat to dehydrate?
rivkie reichmann says
IHow does the dehydrator mode on a Wolf oven compare to the machine that you recommend?