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!

UP NEXT:12 Healthy Chips Recipes

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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 chewy should jerky be? ›

It should be dry to the touch, leather-like in appearance, and chewy but still somewhat tender. Store the jerky inside an airtight plastic container, Ziploc bag, or airtight glass jars. Properly dried jerky will keep at room temperature for about one week.

What makes the best jerky? ›

The best cuts of meat for beef 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. Selecting a lean cut of meat that has very little fat is key.

Why add vinegar to jerky? ›

The acidic properties of vinegar work to weaken the meat's collagen tissue, making it less tough. Collagen is what gives meat its structure, but it's also responsible for making it chewy. By breaking down some of this connective tissue, vinegar makes your jerky easier to bite into.

How do you make jerky not chewy? ›

Add additional sugar

Adding sugar to your standard recipe will help maintain more moisture in the meat and improve the tenderness of the finished jerky. The sugar will envelop the water molecules and limit the growth of bacteria. The sugar will also prevent the moisture from cooking out of the meat.

Why is it so hard to chew jerky? ›

But when you neglect beef jerky, it becomes hard and loses flavor. It can also get too dry if you leave it to dehydrate for just a little too long. As a result, it loses its chew. Want to know how to make beef jerky softer so you can still enjoy it?

Can you overcook jerky in a dehydrator? ›

Over-dehydrated jerky loses its chewy and palatable texture. Instead of that enjoyable tug and pull, you might find yourself dealing with a brittle, crumbly piece that lacks moisture and feels like biting into a piece of hard bark. Flavor, too, takes a hit with over-dehydration.

How many hours should you dehydrate jerky? ›

While most beef jerky recipes call for around 4 to 6 hours of dehydration, it's crucial to check intermittently. Over-dehydrating can result in a brittle, less appetizing jerky, whereas under-dehydrating can risk bacterial growth, reducing the jerky's safety and shelf life.

What is the best method for making jerky? ›

One of the most popular ways to make beef jerky is by using a dehydrator. Dehydrators can range in price from $80-$400. We recommend using a high powered dehydrator for beef. Typically beef jerky can dehydrate for 3 hours at 165 degrees.

What salt is best for 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.

How long to marinate jerky? ›

The ideal time to marinate jerky is 16 hours, but an acceptable range is 8 to 24 hours. This time frame allows the marinade to saturate the outside of the meat and the salt to penetrate beyond the surface, seasoning the entire piece of meat.

What are the best cuts of meat for homemade jerky? ›

Top round and bottom round are lean, flavorful and – in our opinion – the best cuts of beef for jerky. Sirloin tip is extremely lean, but not as tender, and a bit more expensive. Flank steak is also lean (though you may need to trim some fat) and flavorful, but can be tough if its sliced with the grain.

How thick to cut meat for jerky? ›

Slicing your jerky evenly will ensure that each piece cooks and dries at the same rate. This prevents over-drying and under-drying. We recommend slicing meat for jerky at a thickness between 1/8" and 1/4" with the perfect thickness at 3/16”.

What is the most popular type of jerky? ›

Beef Jerky

The most popular type of jerky comes from beef or cattle. Jerky was originally made to preserve beef by using salt to cure it, but became popular because of it's salty, savory umami flavor. Solid thick strips of beef are marinated and dried into a high protein snack with a leathery texture.

Why is my homemade jerky so tough? ›

Sometimes jerky can get a little too dry. Maybe you accidentally over-dried your homemade jerky, or forgot to seal that bag of your favorite store-bought jerky. Left with jerky that's tough, stale, and crumbly, you might be wondering, can you rehydrate jerky, and the answer is yes.

How do you make safe jerky in a home dehydrator? ›

Lay the strips of meat on the mesh dehydrator trays. Make sure not to overlap the meat. Place in the dehydrator and cook for 3 to 6 hours at 165°F. Start checking the jerky at the 3-hour mark.

Is beef jerky supposed to be hard to chew? ›

Many people I have talked to think that jerky is tough and difficult to chew. They liken it to dried out shoe leather. Unfortunately, many even believe that all jerky has a similar flavor and texture. However, the truth is that all jerky is not the same!

What is the best cut of meat for homemade beef jerky? ›

Top round is considered to be one of the best cuts of meat to use for jerky. In fact, this is the cut that many commercial jerkies are made from. This is a good cut because it comes in large pieces, is a lean cut of meat, and is economical. Top round can also be referred to as London Broil or inside round steak.

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