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 to make beef jerky easier to chew? ›

Always cut your jerky meat against the grain. What I mean by this is that if you look at a piece of beef, you will notice the strands of meat all run together in the same direction. This is called the grain of the meat. The reason we cut against the grain of the meat is to make it much easier to chew.

What is the secret to good jerky? ›

Top tips for making jerky

use the freshest meat possible. use lean cuts like top or eye of round. pat the jerky dry from any marinade before dehydrating to accelerate the process. freeze meat before slicing to make it easier to cut.

What is the best meat for homemade jerky? ›

The best meat for 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.

How to make the most tender beef jerky? ›

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).

What is the best thickness for homemade 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 to make jerky not so tough? ›

Add a small bowl or cup of water inside the container with the jerky. As an alternative, you can add a moist towel to the container. Make sure the towel is completely moist as a dry towel can burn.

Why is my homemade jerky chewy? ›

The short answer is that your jerky is so tough because it's too dehydrated. For some people, this is a great thing and the tougher the jerky, the better! But maybe toughness isn't what you (or your teeth) want in a jerky.

How do you make jerky that's not tough? ›

Here are the top ten tips on how to make jerky more tender.
  1. Select cuts of meat with more internal marbling. ...
  2. Slice against the grain. ...
  3. Slice the meat a little thicker. ...
  4. Add additional sugar. ...
  5. Test acidic ingredients and other meat tenderizers. ...
  6. Vacuum seal the meat during marination. ...
  7. Massage the meat during the marination process.
Mar 8, 2023

What to avoid in beef jerky? ›

Lean cuts of meat not only assure a cleaner and more consistent taste but also contribute positively to the texture and shelf-life of the final jerky product. This means you should avoid overly fatty meat.

Why add vinegar to beef 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 long does it take to cure meat for jerky? ›

How long did you let it cure for? Recommended curing time is 24 hours for stripped meat and 12 hours for ground meat. Letting it cure too long will make it too salty as well. If done correctly, you can cut the cure down by ½ tsp per pound of meat.

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 to make jerky more chewy? ›

Here are the top ten tips on how to make jerky more tender.
  1. Select cuts of meat with more internal marbling. ...
  2. Slice against the grain. ...
  3. Slice the meat a little thicker. ...
  4. Add additional sugar. ...
  5. Test acidic ingredients and other meat tenderizers. ...
  6. Vacuum seal the meat during marination. ...
  7. Massage the meat during the marination process.
Mar 8, 2023

Is homemade beef jerky safe to eat? ›

Jerky can be considered “done” and safe to eat only when it has been heated sufficiently to destroy any pathogens present and is dry enough to be shelf-stable. Shelf-stable means the jerky can be stored at room temperature and will not support microbial growth.

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