Recipes

Beef Jerky: Healthy Snacks You Can Make at Home

Most people donтЂ™t think of beef jerky when they are trying to come up with a healthy, filling, low calorie snack. Beef jerky is also high in protein and low in fat. Best of all, you can make your own in 5 simple steps. STEP 1: Select Meat Choosing a lean cut of beef is best for ease of preparation and flavor. You canтЂ™t go wrong with sirloin, top round or eye round. But donтЂ™t forget! Although jerky is traditionally made using beef-- turkey, chicken, deer and fish make a delicious jerky snack you wonтЂ™t want to pass up! STEP 2: Slice Meat Cut the meat into slices approximately 1/8тЂќ thick, trimming off all of the fat as you go. You can cut with or against the grain of the meatтЂ¦some say cutting strips against the grain make a jerky that easier to chew. And hereтЂ™s a trick of the trade! Freeze the meat for 20-30 minutes before slicing to make this step a breeze! STEP 3: Marinate Meat This is my favorite stepтЂ¦get creative! Place the meat in a container and coat it with whatever you want! Try a mixture of soy sauce, brown sugar, fresh ground pepper and water for a sweet jerky or kick it up a little with your favorite bottle of spicy marinade, some cayenne pepper flakes and a good 20 shakes of Louisiana Hot Sauce! Place in the refrigerator for 4 to 12 hours to allow the meat to absorb the flavor. Check out http://www.jerky.com/Beef-Jerky-Recipes.html for some great flavor ideas.Т  StepТ 4: Dehydrate Meat Preheat your oven to 150 degrees. Place strips of meat on a wire rack over a foil-lined cookie sheet and place in the oven. Keep the oven door cracked a bit while drying to let out any extra moisture. If you are making your jerky in a dehydrator, place meat evenly on racks, making sure the strips are not touching. Now rememberтЂ¦this step takes time. The perfect jerky can take anywhere from 6 to 12 hours to completeтЂ¦but trust me--itтЂ™s worth the wait!! Begin to check the jerky frequently after 6 to 7 hours. Your jerky will be done when it appears firm and dry. It should bend so it cracks a bit, but should not snap in half. STEP 5: Store Meat If you are anything like me and will eat up your jerky in a matter of days, you can store it in a sealed container or Ziploc baggie at room temperature. Also, placing jerky in plastic bags and storing it in your refrigerator or freezer will ensure freshness for several months! STEP 6: ENJOY!! I know, I know! I said тЂњFive Easy StepsтЂќ and I actually have six! But this one doesnтЂ™t require any work at all! Enjoy your jerkyтЂ¦whatever kind you make! And donтЂ™t forget that itтЂ™s healthy! High in protein and low in fat. So whether itтЂ™s a for an afternoon snack, a munchie to pack with the camping gear or an тЂ˜extraтЂ™ in the kidsтЂ™ lunchbox...after you make your own jerky, all you have to do is enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!!

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