Can I Use My Pellet Smoker To Make Jerky?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Pellet smokers are extremely versatile, and their low temperature settings and constant airflow allow them to function just like dehydrators. That means

they are perfect for jerky

, with natural smoke flavor from pellets being an added bonus.

How long does it take to smoke beef jerky?

Prepare an outdoor smoker for low heat and lightly oil grate. Lay meat strips out on grill so that they do not overlap. Smoke over low heat. Jerky will be done when the edges appear dry with just a slight hint of moisture in the center of the slices, about

6 to 8 hours

.

How do you smoke jerky in a pellet grill?

Startup your Traeger grill and put it on the smoke setting. If you don’t have a smoke setting, 180-190° is ideal. Layout your meat on the grill with at least a half-inch space between all the pieces. Leave on the grill 4-5 hours turning once after 2 – 2 1/2 hours.

Can you smoke jerky at 200 degrees?


If using a pellet smoker / pellet grill, simply turn the smoker to 200°F and lay the strips on the grill grates. Smoke for 3-5 hours until finished

. Beef jerky will finish a lot faster in a pellet smoker than an electric smoker. Start checking around the 3 hour mark.

What temperature should you smoke jerky at?

When smoking jerky, you need a low temperature and little smoke; do not use extra smoking chips in your smoker when making jerky. Ideally, the temperature should be

just under 150 F/65 C

. An electric smoker will introduce a small amount of smoke, but a charcoal or hardwood fire will generate plenty of smoke.

Can you make deer jerky in a pellet smoker?

Preheat your pellet smoker to about 180°F (we suggest hickory pellets). Remove the roast from the marinade and wipe off the excess. Arrange the meat in a single layer directly on the grill grate. Smoke for about 3-4 hours (check the meat after 2 hours).

What meat is used for 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.

How do you make beef jerky with an offset smoker?

How long do you marinate jerky?

Bathe That Jerky

Place the whole bag into the fridge to thoroughly marinate for

up to 24 hours, but no fewer than 4 hours

. The longer you marinate, the deeper your flavor and tenderizing action.

How do you know when jerky is done in a smoker?

You can use any type of smoker for your jerky. It will take a couple of hours for it to be properly cooked. The cooking temperature should be between 170°F to 180°F to get the proper texture. When it is done, you will notice that

the meat is tender and chewier

.

Can you smoke beef jerky at 225?


Yes, you can smoke jerky at 225 degrees Fahrenheit

, especially if you’re aiming to dry out the meat. In fact, it will make your cooking time faster. However, you need to be careful not to overdry the meat. Typically, experts would recommend keeping the heat low, around 160 to 200 degrees.

How long does it take to smoke jerky at 150 degrees?

Place the meat on your smoker and let it smoke at 150 to 180 degrees for

2 hours

.

How do you know when jerky is done?

Beef jerky is done

when the meat has a dry, leathery appearance

. The finished product should bend when you apply light pressure, without tearing or cracking. If you think the jerky is nearly done based on its appearance, take a bite. It should be pleasantly chewy, not overly tough.

How do you make outdoor beef jerky?

How long does homemade beef jerky last?

Homemade beef jerky, on the other hand, should last

one to two months if you store it in an airtight container after making it

. If you store beef jerky in a Ziplock bag in your pantry, it’ll last about a week. And, if you store your beef jerky in the fridge, you can expect it to last one to two weeks.

What is the best wood to smoke beef jerky with?

The best smoking wood for jerky is

hickory

. Some barbecue fans like the mild and sweet notes that both apple and cherry add to smoke meats, but hickory complements beef perfectly. It’s why we recommend pairing it with other beef cuts like brisket or tri-tip, and it’s no different for these strips of dried beef.

How long does jerky take to dehydrate?

Step 8 – Beef jerky takes around

4-5 hours

to dry when dehydrating. Turn the dehydrator to 165° and let it run for about 4 hours until the internal temperature of the jerky reaches a safe 160° as per guidelines from the USDA.

Can you over smoke jerky?

The ideal temperature to smoke beef jerky at is between 160-180°F. This allows the beef to dehydrate, without being cooked.

You can go up to 200°F and you should be OK but much hotter and you run the risk of drying out your jerky

.

Does smoked jerky need to be refrigerated?

Jerky is a lightweight, dried meat product that is a handy food for backpackers, campers and outdoor sports enthusiasts.

It requires no refrigeration

. Jerky can be made from almost any lean meat, including beef, pork, venison or smoked turkey breast.

How do you burn off the pit boss grill?

How do you make deer jerky on pit boss pellet grill?

What temperature do you smoke deer jerky at?

Smoking Venison Jerky

If possible, keep your smoker temperature between

160 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit

. The thin pieces of meat will absorb smoke easily, so be careful not to over smoke. What is this? It will take from two to six hours, and maybe more, for the venison jerky to finish.

How much jerky does 1lb of meat make?

This means, that for one pound of beef jerky, you would need either

two or three pounds of beef

. Being that most recipes employ five pounds of beef at the onset, this would produce anywhere from one and a half to two and a half pounds of beef jerky.

Is brisket good for jerky?

Brisket is a premium, lean cut that gives off a good beefy flavor, and tough texture that’s

ideal for making beef jerky

. It often chews like a succulent steak, making it a popular choice with many small-batch beef jerky makers.

How thin should beef be sliced for jerky?

Since the strips are the exact same size, they dry evenly. This means no more pulling several pieces of jerky off the dehydrator and leaving other pieces on to keep drying because they are a little thicker. To use the Westin Slicer, cut the roast in

1 1⁄4”

slabs and feed it through the machine.

Rebecca Patel
Author
Rebecca Patel
Rebecca is a beauty and style expert with over 10 years of experience in the industry. She is a licensed esthetician and has worked with top brands in the beauty industry. Rebecca is passionate about helping people feel confident and beautiful in their own skin, and she uses her expertise to create informative and helpful content that educates readers on the latest trends and techniques in the beauty world.