There’s just something about a new kitchen appliance that inspires me. It is a little bit like having a new hammer—everything starts to look like a nail. In this case, it is a new dehydrator. There is nothing exotic about it, just a simple Nesco American Harvest 4-tray model with one knob for temperature control. On-sale fruits, vegetables, herbs, grains, and meats take on new meaning when you own a dehydrator and you know how to use it.
Nuts, sprouted grain, and fruit all turned out successfully, so it was time to try my hand at beef jerky. Jerky was more intimidating—the cut of meat, marinade or dry rub, safety considerations, flavors—but it was the next challenge on the list. It was difficult to find a straight-forward recipe for a first-timer like me, so I collected meat advice from a local butcher at Ranch Foods Direct, combined directions in the dehydrator booklet with some I found on-line, and used a recipe by Alton Brown that looked promising.
It was easier than expected and turned out GREAT savory, sweet, mildly peppery jerky we all liked. For jerky enthusiasts looking for step-by-step instructions and a basic recipe, here’s what I did:
Beef Jerky
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
Nutrition
For more info about jerky, check out these sites:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/factsheets/jerky_and_food_safety/index.asp
http://www.jerkyfaq.com/
http://www.fabulousfoods.com/index.php?option=com_resource&controller=article&category_id=16&article=18430
http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/docs-best-beef-jerky/Detail.aspx
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/how-to-make-your-own-jerky/
Jim says
Made this a couple times now, so good!
Susan says
This is like the dehydrator my grandparents used to use to make dried fruit. Wish they had done this with beef jerky now though, haha. I’m sure it would have been delicious. Thanks for sharing this recipe. Will have to try it out!
Judy Purcell says
Oh, I hope you come back and let me know how you like it when you do try it. Thanks for taking the time to say hi!
Mary Schoenecker says
Judy,
Do you think I sould lower the temp in our oven to 160 and use it as a dehydrator? Thanks for your feedback,
Mary
Judy says
Yes, you can! I cannot get mine to go below 170° so I had to go with the dehydrator, but I have heard from several people with older ovens that will allow them to do so. Let me know how it goes for you.