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Jerky Beef is one of the most delicious snacks that we all love, and if you, like me, are a fan of preserving food at home, perhaps the question of how long does homemade beef jerky last? is a question you asked yourself several times.
Today I will answer this question based on my personal experience and not only this. I will take you on a pleasant journey to preserve the Beef Jerky.
During our journey in this post, I will share with you the most important tips and correct storing methods in order to ensure the longest possible time to preserve the Beef Jerky while retaining its wonderful taste of it.
Now we will start directly in answering your question and then begin our journey in preserving homemade Beef Jerky.
How Long Does Homemade Beef Jerky Last?
As a general rule, homemade beef jerky can last for up to two years as long as it is dehydrated properly and stored in vacuum-sealed bags.
Which piece of meat you should choose to make beef jerky at home?
Choosing the cut of meat is important when preparing homemade beef jerky however the target for you is not to choose the expensive one but to choose the cut that works.
for me personally, I always get the top round or the bottom round or the London broil they are a good cut of meat and not expensive at all.
While choosing your beef jerky cut of meat you need to take into account one main point that you can consider a secret for long-time storage for beef jerky which is the fats.
Fats: you need to make sure that the piece of meat that you choose does not have any fats at all if possible or at least try to get the leanest piece of meat because the more fats you have in the meat the sooner it will get rancid.
What is the average yield for beef jerky?
After choosing the right piece of meat, you may now ask what weight should you buy?
You can calculate the weight based on your desire and here is this equation that will help you in how to buy the right amount for you.
3 pounds of raw meat = 1 pound of beef jerky
What is the perfect thickness for the homemade beef jerky?
In order to get the original and correct taste of beef jerky, you must pay attention to some details, the first of which is the thickness of the meat, because the greater the thickness, the greater the time required for dehydrating.
As a general rule, the correct thickness of beef jerky is between a quarter of an inch or less
Should you marinate your homemade beef jerky?
Marinating the beef jerky that you intend to store for a long time is optional but I personally do the marinating only if I was going to eat the beef jerky as a snack, but if you plan to use it for something else then, I don’t recommend marinating it.
Tips for Dehydrating beef Jerky for long storage.
1- Reduce the moisture of the meet.
The second most dangerous enemy for you when preparing beef jerky at home and keeping it for a long time is moisture, so you should try to reduce the humidity as much as possible.
I personally bring a large tray, then spread kitchen tissues on it, then place the meat slices on it, and then put tissues on it from the top until it absorbs most of the liquids in the meat and is ready to be placed in the dehydrator.
2-Place the meat in the dehydrator in a correct way
What is meant by placing the steaks in the dehydrator correctly is to leave a space between each slice and the other because if the meat is attached to each other, you will end up with some places that were not dehydrated well. and therefore will not be suitable for you to stimulate for a long time.
3- Always rotate your dehydrator trays
After you put the steaks in all the hydrator trays, you must change the trays from top to bottom, because the trays at the bottom usually have a higher temperature and thus dry the meat faster, so you must change the tray at least every three hours.
4-What is the right temperature for dehydrating beef jerky.
If you have different temperatures in your dehydrator, you can set it to the highest setting, but the correct temperature is 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
How Long does it take to dehydrate beef jerky for longtime storage?
the way of dehydrating beef jerky for preserving takes longer than the normal way of dehydrating for immediate use.
As a general rule to preserve beef jerky, you need to dehydrate it for a period from 10 to 15 hours.
You can tell that the beef jerky is ready to be saved when you can break it with your hand, but if it is bending in your hands, it means that it is not ready yet.
Note: It is preferable to start dehydrating in the morning due to the long period of time needed by the beef jerky because it is not recommended to leave the dehydrator running and go to sleep.
What is the correct packing for a long-term storage homemade beef jerky?
Once your beef jerky is ready, there is one last step and one packaging that you can use whenever you want.
There are many ways that you can do to save Beef Jerky, but here I will share with you the best ways that have had impressive results with me.
1-Vacuum Sealing.
The use of vacuum sealing ensures that you completely empty the air and prevents any moisture from reaching the beef jerky, and this helps to maintain it for long periods
All you have to do is put the beef jerky in vacuum sealing bags and leave it working, then take the bag and put it on the shelf, but it should be noted here that it is preferable to store it in a dry and dark place to ensure the best results.
2- Use oxygen observers.
If you do not have vacuum sealing, do not worry. You can get the best results by using an oxygen absorber. All you have to do is put the beef jerky in the zip lock bag, then put the oxygen absorber with it and empty the bag from the air and store it in a dry and dark place.
This method is characterized by its cheapest price, unlike the previous method, although I prefer the first method for the best results.
Conclusion
You can preserve homemade beef jerky for a period of one to two years.
When choosing meat, it should be as fat-free as possible. Beef jerky takes about 10 to 15 hours to prepare if you intend to keep it for a long time.
The best way to wrap beef jerky is vacuum sealing.
Useful resources
Top Tips For Successful Food Dehydration For Beginners.
Does Freezing A Brisket Ruin It? (Explained)
Which Home canned meat lasts the longest? (Answered)
External resources.