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 do you make beef jerky easier to chew? ›

In terms of thickness, you want to slice the beef as thin as you can. Perhaps not paper-thin (which is kind of impossible with beef), but somewhere in the ⅛ to ¼ of an inch zone. If the jerky is too thick it will be harder to dehydrate and will end up being much tougher to chew.

Why is it so hard to chew jerky? ›

The reason for the ruggedness is that jerky is dehydrated to remove as much water as possible, which gives it a longer shelf life. But sometimes jerky can go beyond the intended level of dryness and assume a much tougher texture.

What is the best meat for homemade jerky? ›

While top round, bottom round, pectoral, and lifter are typically the best cuts, others like flank and skirt steak can also make great jerky. These cuts of beef are all lean, economical, and full of flavor. Let's look at a few different cuts of meat and learn how to choose the best ones to make beef jerky!

Why is my homemade beef jerky so tough? ›

As it relates to the softness of the jerky—the less moisture, the tougher the jerky. Too much moisture, however, and the jerky can mold. The goal is to strike the perfect balance for your preference. The most important thing when making jerky at home is to make a jerky that is fully-cooked and shelf-stable.

What is meat tenderizer for beef jerky? ›

The marinade contains soy sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, seasoning, and unseasoned meat tenderizer. Meat tenderizer contains bromelain, an enzyme that breaks down meat tissue. You can find it in the spice section of your supermarket (I use McCormick).

How do you make jerky more tender? ›

Main Takeaways for Tender Beef Jerky

Cut against the grain when slicing meat. Use a marinade with at least one acidic ingredient. Marinate the meat strips for about 24 hours. Watch the meat strips closely while cooking/dehydrating to make sure they don't get too tough (that is, lose too much moisture).

How thick should homemade jerky be? ›

When you're slicing meat for jerky, you're walking a very fine line. "If it is too thick it will be chewy, and if it is too thin, it will become very tough," Thomas explains. So what's the right size? He says you should aim for your slices to be about one-quarter-inch thick.

What is the best thickness for homemade beef jerky? ›

Consistent thickness is the name of the game when it comes to jerky slicing. 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”.

How do you make beef jerky not tough? ›

All you're doing is dipping jerky in water (or another liquid) until it softens. When soaking jerky, leave it in the liquid for 15 to 30 minutes. You can use boiling water for quicker results. If you keep the liquid at room temperature, aim for closer to 30 minutes.

Is jerky bad for your gut? ›

Eating too much beef jerky can indeed cause constipation. Although pure beef jerky is high in protein, it's low in fiber. And fiber promotes intestinal health by delaying digestion. So if you eat too much beef jerky, you can get constipated from the lack of fiber.

Why is jerky so addictive? ›

When you enjoy eating sugar it releases dopamine, which is a chemical associated with happiness and pleasure. (source) While our meat sticks don't have sugar (or <1g), our ranch cut beef jerky has an average of 9 grams of sugar per serving.

Is it cheaper to make your own beef jerky? ›

Savings: Is it cheaper to make your own jerky? Making homemade beef jerky allows you to choose the type of meats and spices that goes into the snack. This way, you can source cheaper cuts of meat and use flavourings you have lying around the kitchen (like brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder).

What is the toughest meat for jerky? ›

Bottom round

If you want to make beef jerky with a rough and rugged texture, bottom round is the cut of meat you should select. Compared to the previously mentioned top round, this cut is quite a bit tougher but it's even more flavorful.

What animals make the best jerky? ›

Wild & Bold Delights: Exploring the Best Exotic Jerky Flavors
  • Alligator Jerky - A Fiery Cajun Delight. ...
  • Kangaroo Jerky - Bold & Gamey Flavors. ...
  • Elk Jerky - Robust & Savory Delicacy. ...
  • Bison Jerky - Hearty & Flavorful Bite. ...
  • Camel Jerky - Exotic & Distinctive Taste. ...
  • Venison Jerky - Classic & Wildly Delicious.

How do you soften dry meat? ›

Simmer in liquid. Just like for burnt meat, if your meat gets tough and dry then you can simmer it in a little bit of broth for a couple minutes. Don't allow it to overcook again but just allow the liquid to penetrate the meat.

How do you harden beef jerky? ›

Typically beef jerky is dehydrated between 140°F and 150°F and there is some type of air circulation. So to achieve similar results with your home oven, crack the door open and use a wooden spoon to hold the door open in that position. Continue to dry the jerky for 4 to 8 hours depending on the thickness of the jerky.

How long to marinate beef jerky? ›

Place the whole bag into the fridge to thoroughly marinate for up to 24 hours, but no fewer than 4 hours. The longer you marinate, the deeper your flavor and tenderizing action. The most convenient process is to simply refrigerate overnight and start your next step, the drying process, on the following day.

Is it better to cut jerky with or against the grain? ›

Cutting with the grain yields a jerky with a tougher, more traditional chew. Cutting against the grain creates a jerky that is softer, and easier to chew. Keep reading to learn more about slicing and the grain in meat, plus other insider tips that will help you slice your jerky like the professionals.

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