15 Jerky Recipes To Get Your Chew On (2024)

Are you looking for tasty jerky recipes to snack on? Look no further because we’ve got you covered! If you think a jerky is boring and tastes the same in every recipe, think twice! This roundup of jerky recipes will change the way you think about jerky.These are chewy and savory jerky recipes to satisfy your salty cravings! Guaranteed worth the chew!

Flavorful Jerky Recipes To Make At Home

1. Hot and Spicy Homemade Beef Jerky

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This hot and spicy beef jerky recipe is a classic and has just the right flavor to turn this one-time snack into a lifetime obsession.Still not spicy enough for you? Add a few cayenne pepper and ground black pepper for the perfect kick of spiciness! Plus a few minced garlic too, for extra flavor.

2. Spicy Teriyaki Beef Jerky

If you like your meaty treat a bit sweeter and spicier, this is the jerky recipe for you! The secret to amoist, tender, and not too tough to chew on texture is in the teriyaki sauce marinade. While we love ripping apart strips of jerky, our jaws don’t, so this recipe provides a nice little break for it. You can opt to add red pepper flakes to make it even spicier.

3. Salmon Jerky

We love seeing unusual proteins get turned into jerky strips and salmon is one of them! This recipe turns a classic snack into one packed with omega-3s, protein, and essential amino acids. You can even add crunchy minced garlic for an extra flavor. So, now you can snack guilt-free and to your heart’s content!

4. Bak Kwa (Chinese Pork Jerky)

Instead of beef, this jerky recipe uses pork.Bak Kwa or dried meat is a Malaysian/Chinese-style jerky made of pork. It has a moist texture and is grilled to perfection by a charcoal fire. Bak Kwa is usually pricey, so the homemade version is definitely the best way to enjoy this delectable delicacy.

5. Duck or Goose Jerky

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Not many people know about this but duck or goose meat is a great alternative to beef! Duck meat has a very distinct taste and texture allowing it to easily absorb whatever spices and herbs you choose. To make this recipe, be sure to get the ratio of salt right. Marinate the meat for at least 24 hours to ensure your jerky is the best it can be!

6. Spicy Sriracha Tofu Jerky

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How about making jerky for vegetarians? While most vegan jerky recipes are made with wheat gluten, this recipe switches it up a bit by making it with tofu strips! The mixture of sriracha with soy sauce and garlic seasoning in this homemade recipe gives this tofu jerky the perfect ratio of sweet, spicy, and sexy all over.

7. Venison Jerky

Want to learn how to make venison jerky? Sweet – let’s get to it then! Deer meat tastes a lot like beef except it is leaner. This deer jerky recipe tastes just like the beef jerky you buy at the store except healthier, tastier, and without all those weird preservatives. Isn’t home cooking fun?

8. Korean Beef Jerky

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If you’ve ever tried Korean BBQ, you know how ridiculously delicious it is. That’s why Korean BBQ beef jerky is a must on our list. If your taste buds are looking for something new and exciting, then switch it up a bit and try this Korean BBQ beef jerky recipe.

9.Candied Bacon Jerky

A bacon jerky recipe packed with sweet, crunchy, bacon goodness. This candied bacon jerky recipe yields crispsalty-sweet baconstrips with a kick of cayenne pepper. It has a nice balance of sweet and salty thanks to brown sugar. Compare to other jerky recipes, this one is relatively easy to put together.

10. Old-Fashioned Deer Jerky

Make your favorite jerky recipe the old-fashioned way without a meat grinder, dehydrator, or jerky press. This authentic jerky recipeis a classic mixture of soy sauce and various seasoning. It’s delicious and will remind you of all the reasons you love jerky.

11. Teriyaki Chicken Jerky

Beef is great but sometimes poultry is even better. Be warned though, because this recipe is one of the best chicken recipes ever! These sweet, spicy, and chewy jerky strips will make you forget about beef or any other kind of jerky.

12. Cauliflower Jerky

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Cauliflower is actually a great meat substitute and can be used in recipes for buffalo chicken, pizza crust, and steak. In this recipe, cauliflower is drenched in a rich tahini and other flavors. This jerky treat is a brilliant way to enjoy veggies and will leave you happy and satisfied.

13.Sweet and Spicy Beef Jerky for Purim

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Purim is a Jewish festival held in spring and this is a recipe made specifically for it. This beef jerky uses three kinds of sweeteners – honey, maple syrup, and brown sugar! If you’re not into sweets, this recipe also packs some heat from cayenne and red pepper flakes. Have a bite and we bet you won’t be able to stop at just one.

14.Eggplant Jerky

This jerky is made with eggplant and acorn squash and tastes so similar to the real thing! Think of bacon and beef but in a wholesome form. If you’re looking for a healthier meat alternative for jerky, then this may just be the recipe for you.

15.Kentucky Bourbon Beef Jerky

Excite your taste buds with this unique beef jerky recipe packed with flavor plus a mild punch from whiskey. This is such a manly snack perfect for aget-together,picnics, Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day, or even just for an ordinary day.

Watch this video tutorial from Allrecipes to learn the basic in making homemade beef jerky:

You don’t have to splurge on tasty beef jerky because you can actually make your own even without the fancy equipmentlike ajerky pressor food dehydrator. Jerky making at home does not need to be over the top. In fact,you can use an oven which can actually handle a larger amount of meat at once than an average dehydrator.We’re pretty sure you’ll find a favorite on this list and we would be delighted to hear from you!

Which of the jerky recipes on this list do you plan to try? Share your experience with us in the comments section below!

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Editor’s Note – This post was originally published on January 2017 and has been updated for quality and relevancy.

15 Jerky Recipes To Get Your Chew On (2024)

FAQs

How to make beef jerky 101? ›

Place meat slices directly on oven racks in a single layer and bake at 200°F with the oven door slightly ajar. Bake for 60 minutes or until desired doneness. Check and taste the jerky often. TIP: You can also use a dehydrator—follow the manufacturer's directions for drying jerky.

What is the best meat for homemade jerky? ›

The best meat for jerky are Top Round, Bottom Round, Lifter and Pectoral, but a variety of cuts can be used such as Flank Steak and Skirt Steak. These cuts of beef check all the boxes for beef jerky—economical, lean, and full of flavor.

What is the best method for making jerky? ›

For an authentic smoky flavor, we recommend making your jerky inside a smoker. The beef should be smoked over low heat for 6-8 hours. Smoked jerky maintains more moisture and flavor. Some of the most authentic jerky brands use a smoker to make their jerky.

Why is my homemade jerky chewy? ›

The short answer is that your jerky is so tough because it's too dehydrated. For some people, this is a great thing and the tougher the jerky, the better! But maybe toughness isn't what you (or your teeth) want in a jerky.

How thick should homemade jerky be? ›

"If it is too thick it will be chewy, and if it is too thin, it will become very tough," Thomas explains. So what's the right size? He says you should aim for your slices to be about one-quarter-inch thick. There's only one rule when it comes to making a marinade for jerky.

How do you make beef jerky not tough? ›

Lightly brush the jerky with a liquid and let it sit for a few hours and up to 24 hours in a sealed environment. You can use any liquid. Soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, vegetable, beef, or chicken broth, liquid smoke, and water all work wonders.

How to make meat jerky fast? ›

Making jerky in the oven also speeds up the drying process--expect 2-3 hours in an oven and 4-6 in the dehydrator. Prop the oven door open about 1" for the first hour to improve ventilation & reduce drying time. Bake for 1 hour, then turn strips over. Turn every 30 minutes until done.

How many pounds of meat does it take to make 1 lb of beef jerky? ›

YIELD OF DRIED MEAT

Four pounds of fresh, trimmed meat will yield 1 pound of jerky, a lightweight dried meat product. Suggested cuts include lean beef round, flank, chuck, rump, or brisket.

Is it cheaper to make your own beef jerky? ›

Making your own beef jerky at home is not only incredibly simple, but it is also cheaper than buying quality store-bought jerky. Plus, you'll be able to control all the ingredients that go into making it; no weird stabilizers or unpronounceable additives.

What is the toughest meat for jerky? ›

Bottom round

If you want to make beef jerky with a rough and rugged texture, bottom round is the cut of meat you should select. Compared to the previously mentioned top round, this cut is quite a bit tougher but it's even more flavorful.

What is the most tender meat for beef jerky? ›

There are a variety of cuts of beef that you can use to make tender, delicious beef jerky. While top round, bottom round, pectoral, and lifter are typically the best cuts, others like flank and skirt steak can also make great jerky. These cuts of beef are all lean, economical, and full of flavor.

Why add vinegar to jerky? ›

35ml apple cider vinegar: Acids are essential for food safety since they inhibit the growth of microbes. This ingredient will not just add a distinct taste but help ensure your jerky is safe for consumption.

How long to cure meat before making jerky? ›

How long did you let it cure for? Recommended curing time is 24 hours for stripped meat and 12 hours for ground meat. Letting it cure too long will make it too salty as well. If done correctly, you can cut the cure down by ½ tsp per pound of meat.

What is the best salt for making jerky? ›

Curing Salt #1 (with sodium nitrite) is intended for any product where the processing time is less than 30 days such as jerky, sausage, and corned beef. Curing Salt #2 (with sodium nitrate) is used for any product where the processing time is more than 30 days such as salami and prosciutto.

Is homemade beef jerky safe to eat? ›

The temperatures of dehydrators and oven dehydrating are not high enough to destroy harmful microorganisms that are typically present in raw meat. Even though fully dried jerky may appear done, it is not safe to eat unless it goes through an additional heat treatment. This can be done before or after the meat is dried.

Is homemade jerky a healthy snack? ›

In short, though beef jerky is a healthy snack, its best consumed in moderation. Most of your diet should come from whole, unprocessed foods. Though beef jerky is healthy, avoid eating too much of it, as it's high in sodium and may come with the same health risks that are linked to eating processed meats.

Can you shred beef jerky in a blender? ›

Shredding jerky is perfect for salad toppings, and for a quick and easy meal. If you do not have a food processor on hand, reach for your tried-and-true blender. Start by blending the jerky at a low setting, then dial up the speed until the desired consistency is reached.

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