Venison Jerky

Venison Jerky – Make venison jerky right at home with this step-by-step guide. Such a great way to use up extra venison and make a delicious snack.

Venison Jerky

Jerky is such an awesome snack to make.  Whether you are going to bring it camping, hunting, on the trail, or just munching on it around the house, it is so versatile and delicious.  Now if you haven’t had venison jerky before, then you are in for a real treat.  It is very similar to beef jerky but just a little leaner.  Just about any cut of venison works so if you have an leftover for making a different recipe than this is a great way to use it up.

Common Questions About Making Jerky

What is the best jerky seasoning?

There are so many different great jerky seasonings to use but the one I chose to go with for this recipe was soy sauce, worchestershire sauce, brown sugar, garlic, onion powder, red pepper flakes, beer, and black pepper.

What is the best way to make jerky?

Some of the most popular ways to make jerky are using a dehydrator, smoker, oven, or grill.  Each makes a great piece of jerky and really just depends on preference and which appliances you have available.

How long should I marinate jerky?

I would say that 8-24 hours is ideal for how long you should marinate the jerky.  This length of time really gives it a deep and strong flavor.

Do you need curing salt for jerky?

Curing salt is not necessary for making homemade venison jerky.  It can help extend the shelf life of the jerky but if you plan on eating it within a few days, you don’t have to worry about it.

Do I need to refrigerate homemade jerky?

Refrigerating jerky will help extend the shelf life a bit for a few weeks.  Alternatively, you can store it in a cold, dark space like a pantry for storage.

How long do I dehydrate jerky?

Between 4-6 hours is ideal depending on how crisp you want your jerky to be.  I’ve found 5 hours to be about the right balance of crispy and chewy for me but you can always pull it out of the dehydrator and feel it to see what seems best for you.

How do I know when deer jerky is done dehydrating?

A good rule of thumb to use is that if you fold a piece of jerky in half, it should have some cracking instead of breaking in half.

What deer meat is best for venison jerky?

Just about any cut of venison can be made into venison jerky.

Looking for more venison recipes? Check out these recipes!

• Venison Stew
• Venison Breakfast Sausage
• Venison Barley Soup
• Venison Chili

Venison Jerky

Yield: 4 cups

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 3 hours

Additional Time: 8 hours

Total Time: 11 hours 10 minutes

Venison Jerky - Make venison jerky right at home with this step-by-step guide. Such a great way to use up extra venison and make a delicious snack.

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Ingredients

• 2 pounds venison
• 3/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup worchestershire sauce
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons black pepper
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
• 1 cup beer (or beef stock)

Instructions

1. Slice venison thinly against the grain.
2. In a large ziploc bag or plastic container, combine all ingredients for the marinade and stir until well combined.
3. Add in sliced venison and close the bag/bin. Place in the refrigerator for 8-24 hours.
4. Preheat oven/dehydrator/smoker to 170 degrees fahrenheit.
5. Remove jerky for the refrigerator and pat each piece dry.
6. Lay venison down on the cooling rack/jerky rack/grill grates. Cook for 3-5 hours, checking every hour after it hits 2 hours as the time can vary a bit depending on the cooking method. To check if the jerky is done, fold a piece of jerky in half, it should have some cracking instead of breaking in half.
7. Once cooked, remove from oven/dehydrator/smoker. Transfer straight to a plastic ziploc bag to cool, leaving it partially open. This helps keep the jerky a little moister. Once fully cooled, transfer ziploc filled with jerky to the refrigerator.

Notes

Adapted from Hey Grill Hey