Who doesn’t like to snack on some dried out shrivelled meat treats? You sure do, or else, why would you be wondering how to smoke beef jerky? What would be even better is if you could make it tender and smoky at home! This article covers everything you need to know about smoking beef jerky.
Irresistible Reasons To Smoke Beef Jerky
Beef jerky can be the perfect snack when you’re too busy to spend time coming up with a snack idea and bringing it to life. Smoking it can help achieve a depth of flavour that your taste buds will thank you for. Even the rest of your body will be grateful if you resort to this healthy snack instead of other conventional, high-sugar or high saturated fat snacks. Even your dog will want to gobble up a whole packet, and it is convenient and safe for them as it is for us.
You’re in the perfect place if your favourite way of consuming meat is after smoking it. But first, you need to get yourself and your family some high-quality jerky from https://jerkybrands.com/ to get started.
Are There Different Ways You Can Smoke Beef Jerky?
Not having fancy or expensive equipment will no longer stand in your way of smoking the most tender beef jerky of your life because we will discuss the two most common ways to smoke beef jerky.
Using A Smoker
Do you already have a smoker or are planning to buy one? We have something for you no matter which one you are. From choosing the right smoker for beef jerky to using it to smoke, we’ll help you every step of the way.
What Kind of Smoker Would Be The Best?
Smoking jerky in a smoker will give a distinct smokey flavour that is difficult to replicate otherwise. To achieve the best results, you need the ideal smoker for smoking beef jerky. An electric smoker will lock in the juices of the meat while enhancing the depth of its smokiness.
Try looking for Porcelain-enamelled cast-iron or steel and stainless steel cooking grates. Another essential is wood and water trays. If this is your first time buying a smoker, an electric or gas one with digital controls might be the most appropriate choice.
How You Should Prepare Your Smoker
The amount of charcoal needed is less than you’d expect. Start the smoker before putting in your meat. You should first soak wood chips in water and add them to the smoker once a temperature of 180 or 200 F is reached. Remember to not use the water pan, or else, there’d be too much moisture.
Is it Possible To Smoke Beef Jerky Without A Smoker?
Not every one of us has already invested in a smoker or have enough space in our homes. We’ve got you covered. Cover your oven with foil and place the strips of beef on the oven rack. Set your oven at its lowest temperature, vent it using wooden smoke(CAUTION: Plastic may melt).
You’ll have to wait around two to six hours before snacking on the meat treats. To find out if your jerky is done, you should try bending it. If it’s still juicy and bends easily, leave it for an extra while. Once it stretches or tears, it’s ready to be in your tummy. You could also use a dehydrator or even lay your beef slices in the sun to make beef jerky.
Things To Keep In Mind While Smoking Beef Jerky
Smoking beef jerky may feel tedious at first, but with the tips, we have listed for you, you will face no trouble at all. You need care and patience to achieve the ideal smokiness; here are the aspects you need to consider throughout the process.
Which Cut is Best For Smoked Jerky?
First of all, you need to make sure that your meat has no fat or bones. Sinew and fat can hugely affect your beef jerky’s shelf life, so be cautious. In general, top round, flank, and roast cuts are top picks among people smoking beef jerky in their homes.
The Perfect Temperature to Smoke Beef Jerky
It varies from smoker to smoker, so you might try looking up your model to find out an ideal range. That being said, low temperature(under 65 C or 150 F) and low smoke is what we usually aim for. We would also advise you to not use extra smoking chips.
To Flip or Not To Flip The Jerky While Smoking It
If your dehydrator has a vertical airflow, you will need to rotate the trays every 2 hours, switching it from maximum to minimum heat. After about three hours, start checking your jerky to ensure it doesn’t dry up excessively.
How Long Do You Have to Leave The Jerky In A Smoker?
It is extremely important to make sure that your jerky is not left in the smoker for too long; this mistake could ruin all your hard work. Most people prefer to leave the jerky for half an hour to an hour at most. Once all the wood has burned, you should open the door of the wood tray halfway so that air can enter and help prepare your jerky better.
In Conclusion
Smoking beef jerky can be a tricky process for many. It might be the reason you are here reading this article. However, you just found out all the little ways you can overcome the obstacles in your path towards ideal jerky smoking. No matter where you are or what you’re doing, this lightweight snack can fill up your tummy in the most convenient way possible. If you follow all of the steps we have mentioned and have the right jerky, to begin with, you will achieve the most tender and moist results for your next barbeque party.
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