How Long Does It Take To Make Jerky Without A Dehydrator?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

Jerky typically takes

5-6 hours

once it’s in the oven to dry (time may vary depending on thickness), so plan on making it on a day when you can stay home.

Can I make beef jerky without a dehydrator?


Beef jerky can be made at home without needing any fancy equipment

such as a dehydrator. With minimal adjustments a home oven can be used, which can actually dehydrate a greater amount of food at once than most store bought dehydrators.

How long does it take to make dehydrated jerky?

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.

How long does it take to make jerky naturally?

There is no set time as to how long this process will take. Typically it is somewhere

between 8 and 12 hours

. To see if the jerky is done, first squeeze a piece between your thumb and finger. If it squishes like the interior is still a bit soft, then it is not done.

How do you make beef jerky without a dryer?


Turn the oven on to the lowest setting

it will go (mine is 170 degrees, but if yours goes to 160 or 150 that’s great, too) and stick a wooden or metal utensil in the oven door to keep it cracked and promote air circulation. Depending on the thickness of your jerky pieces, they should take 5-6 hours to fully dry out.

Do you flip jerky in a dehydrator?


You would have to constantly rotate and flip the jerky to dry completely

. The drying rack allows air flow on each side during the complete drying process.

Is homemade jerky healthy?

Beef jerky is a

good source of protein and high in many vitamins and minerals

, including zinc, iron, vitamin B12, phosphorus, and folate. It also has a long shelf life and is portable, making it a great on-the-go option.

What can I use if I don’t have a dehydrator?

  • Lemon juice (for fruits)
  • Mandolin slicer or knife.
  • Wax paper.
  • Cookie sheets (or any flat pan)
  • Spatula.

Can you make jerky from raw meat?

Jerky can be made from

almost any lean meat

, including beef, pork, venison or smoked turkey breast. (Raw poultry is generally not recommended for use in making jerky because of the texture and flavor of the finished product.) Raw meats can be contaminated with microorganisms that cause disease.

Is it better to smoke or dehydrate jerky?

While

dehydrating meat

is the easiest way to make jerky, it doesn’t result in the best beef jerky. It’s a matter of quantity over quality. … Smoking jerky, however, seals in the meat’s juices while providing just the right amount of hickory-smoked flavor.

What temperature do you cook beef jerky in a dehydrator?

After heating to 160 °F or 165 °F, maintaining a constant dehydrator temperature of

130 to 140 °F

during the drying process is important because: the process must be fast enough to dry food before it spoils; and. it must remove enough water that microorganisms are unable to grow.

What temperature do you dehydrate beef jerky at?

This can allow you to keep more heat in or let more heat escape, as a way to adjust temperature. The dehydrator must reach a

minimum of 145 degrees Fahrenheit

to safely be used for making jerky.

How do you know when jerky is done dehydrating?

To finish dehydrating the meat,

lower the temperature to 130-150 degrees

. The jerky should be finished cooking anywhere between 4 to 12 hours after you reduce the temperature, depending on how large your pieces are. Note that after 12 hours, most cuts will begin to overcook.

What cut of meat is best for jerky?

The best cuts of meat for beef jerky are

Top Round, Bottom Round

What part of the deer is best for jerky?

Those preferred cuts of venison, such as roasts, steaks, ribs or the filet, can be used for prepared meals, while meat from the leg muscle or neck can be utilized for jerky, though the best jerky comes from

ham and shoulder cuts

.

Sophia Kim
Author
Sophia Kim
Sophia Kim is a food writer with a passion for cooking and entertaining. She has worked in various restaurants and catering companies, and has written for several food publications. Sophia's expertise in cooking and entertaining will help you create memorable meals and events.