Ground Beef Jerky Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How much jerky does 1lb of ground beef make? ›

You can understand why, since processing jerky takes time, and a pound of meat only produces about 1/4-pound of finished jerky. However, it really is a manageable process that you can do at home.

The leaner the better. 80/20 works well.

The jerky should bend and eventually break, but not snap off. If you're unable to break the jerky into two pieces, and it's still rubbery, that means it needs more time. If the jerky snaps into two pieces with bending, it's most likely over-dried. Pro Tip: Finished jerky should be like a green tree branch.

Ground meat jerky can be a great alternative to whole muscle jerky. Many people prefer ground meat jerky because it is easier to chew, they prefer the texture, it's easy to make, etc... To find out if you like ground meat jerky you have to make some!

Generally, 3 lbs of raw jerky meat will produce 1 lb of dry jerky. Each PS Jerky Kit is measured for 5 lbs of meat, so expect around 2 lbs of dry jerky. As you might expect, beef jerky is the most popular meat for jerky making but other meats can be just as, if not more, delicious.

Using curing salt when making jerky is not essential, however it does have a lot of great benefits. Using curing salt correctly helps to reduce the chance of harmful bacteria growing on meat and ensures a safer curing process. It also improves flavour, colour and extends the shelf life.

A typical jerky loses half of its starting weight in moisture, so 2:1 is the proper ratio. "Low moisture" jerky can actually be 1/3 the starting weight, a 3:1 ratio. So 2-3 pounds of beef will make 1 pound of jerky.

Making your own beef jerky at home is not only incredibly simple, but it is also cheaper than buying quality store-bought jerky. Plus, you'll be able to control all the ingredients that go into making it; no weird stabilizers or unpronounceable additives.

Curing salt is not required to make jerky, but it is an important tool to inhibit the growth of unwanted bacteria. Plus, it has other benefits including color retention and flavor enhancement.

How long after dehydrating jerky can you eat it? ›

Storage. Dried jerky can be stored at room temperature for 1-2 months in a sealed container or frozen for up to 6 months.

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. The meat should still come out pink in the middle when it is finished cooking.

The key, it turns out, is the exact opposite of what you want out of cuts of steak: go as lean as possible for your jerky, which means avoiding meat high in fat content.

Beef jerky is best consumed in moderation. Jerky is high in sodium and is a processed food. Those diagnosed with conditions such as hypertension or heart disease or who require a low-sodium diet should avoid excess consumption of beef jerky as a snack.

Top round is considered to be one of the best cuts of meat to use for jerky. In fact, this is the cut that many commercial jerkies are made from. This is a good cut because it comes in large pieces, is a lean cut of meat, and is economical. Top round can also be referred to as London Broil or inside round steak.

One pound of ground beef can typically make 4 to 6 servings, depending on how much you use per serving. Here are some popular ground beef dishes and how many servings they typically yield: Skillet meals: These one-pan meals are great for busy weeknights. They typically use 1 pound of ground beef and serve 4-5 people.

Try serving 3/4 of a pound per person to factor in the extra weight. If you're dishing up some ground beef for taco night, ¼ of a pound per person should be sufficient. You might want to consider ¾ of a pound for those with heartier appetites. A half a pound might not be enough.

A pound of meat or poultry weighs about four ounces after being made into jerky. Because most of the moisture is removed, it is shelf stable — can be stored without refrigeration — making it a handy food for backpackers and others who don't have access to refrigerators.