When making jerky from wild game, the meat needs to be treated to kill trichinella parasite before it can be sliced and marinated. To kill the trichinella parasite, freeze a portion of meat that is six inches or less in thickness at 0 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 30 days .
How long should you freeze deer meat before eating?
Store ground venison in a freezer at 0°F or colder for 3 months for best quality. Venison roasts and steaks can be stored 6 to 9 months at this temperature. Meat quality and flavor will deteriorate in the freezer over time.
Can you use frozen meat for jerky?
Partially freeze meat to be made into jerky so it will be easier to slice. Cut partially frozen meat into long slices no more than 1⁄4-inch thick. For tender jerky, cut the meat at right angles to the long muscles of the meat (across the grain). Remove as much visible fat as possible to help prevent off flavors.
Does freezing deer meat kill parasites?
Parasites and tapeworms are common in venison. Freezing for 24-48 hours prior or cooking to internal temperature of 160 F will destroy parasites . If you are planning to pressure process the meat, both raw pack and hot pack methods will safely destroy parasites.
How long does it take to dehydrate deer meat into jerky?
Place meat strips on a rack so that they do not touch each other, and dehydrate for 6 to 8 hours in the oven, or until desired consistency is achieved.
Is it OK to freeze deer jerky?
If wanting to keep jerky for longer than 1-2 months, you can freeze it for up to 6 months . Freezing can alter the taste of jerky and I personally don’t recommend it. A better practice is to make smaller batches and eat within a month or two, rather than making a big batch and having to much jerky at once.
Should I soak deer meat before making jerky?
How long do I need to marinate jerky? Marinating deer meat in a covered bowl or plastic zip bag should take about 24 hours for the fullest flavor. If you are vacuum sealing, 12 hours in the fridge is enough. However, marinating longer than 48 hours can turn your meat to mush as the marinade breaks it down.
Can you eat deer meat right after you kill it?
How to eat venison safely: Eating fresh venison is not recommended . Freeze wild game down to -4 degrees for a minimum of four days before eating or processing it into jerky or sausage to help kill parasites or tapeworms. Cooking venison to 160 degrees will also help to kill parasites and tapeworms.
Can you get worms from deer meat?
Deer carry immature tapeworms in their liver and lungs, but the parasites cannot be passed to humans. A dog or other flesh-eating animals must play the middleman and eat the raw infected deer entrails to perpetuate the echinococcus’ life cycle.
Can you get parasites from deer meat?
How to avoid toxoplasmosis , a parasite found in venison, beef, pork and sheep. Toxoplasmosis, a one-celled parasite found in many meats, can occur in South Carolina deer, but venison is not the only source of the disease, according to a South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) deer biologist.
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.
How long should I leave my jerky in the dehydrator?
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. Depending on how thick your slices are will determine how long it will take to finish dehydrating, this beef jerky took 5 hours to dry.
How do you know when deer 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.
Can you get sick from deer jerky?
The most common bacteria growths in poorly made jerky are Salmonella and E. Coli . These can be deadly, making food safety extremely important when making jerky.
Should I freeze my venison before making jerky?
When making jerky from wild game, the meat needs to be treated to kill trichinella parasite before it can be sliced and marinated. ... Freezing does NOT kill nor eliminate bacteria from meat.
How do you store homemade deer jerky?
Properly dried jerky will keep at room temperature two weeks in a sealed container. For best results, to increase shelf life and maintain best flavor and quality, refrigerate or freeze jerky .
