After seeing all of food being cooked lately, I decided it was my turn to post something. I took a few days off for my daughters spring break and figured now would be the best time to make some venison jerky. I sliced up a ham that I had in the freezer and divided it into two batches. One mild and one spicy… After throwing together my usual marinade consisting of Worstershire, Light Soy Sauce, Liquid Smoke, spices and water… I let the meat sit for 24 hours. Nothing is really measured out so the recipe never comes out the same way twice. I just go by taste… For the spicy marinade I added a bottle of store bought hot sauce along with some of my home made vinegar hot sauce and 3 freshly chopped habanero peppers… The heat was “ok”. It wasn’t as hot as I would have liked it, but it had great flavor and the heat kicked in at the end… Overall I’d call it a slow burn….
Spicy marinade
Ready to go
Finally
Here’s the final product. Spicy on the left and mild on the right… My kids are devouring that mild jerky like it’s their last meal… LoL!!! :chef
Looking good, go ahead and ship that spicy plate over my direction, those kids don't want it...
Looks good. How long did you let it stay in the dehydrator? I always overdue mine and it ends up really dry and chewy. I'm trying to get my timing right.
Looks good. How long did you let it stay in the dehydrator? I always overdue mine and it ends up really dry and chewy. I'm trying to get my timing right.
I let it dry for about 2-2.5 hours and then check it every hour or so... I have to rotate the trays so they dry evenly.
I think that batch took around 6 hours or so. I started it at 10-10:30 P.M. and watched it until 3 and then dozed off on the couch. Woke up around 4:30 and took the last of it off before I went to bed.
The trick to knowing when it's done is texture. Take a piece and find which way the grain is running. Try to pull it apart like you're trying to spread the grain apart. When it spreads apart and their are little fiberous strands, it's done! I'll try to take a picture of what I'm talking about and post it tonight... You'll see what I'm talking about...
Awesome thanks
