Dried beef jerky is a popular snack and culinary ingredient made from strips of marinated beef that have been dehydrated to removemost of the moisture. It is a popular choice for backpackers, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts because it is lightweight, nutritious, and takes up less space in luggage compared to fresh meat.
Ingredients: beef chunks or slices, soy sauce, brown sugar, baking soda, garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, onion powder, and various spices. The exact ingredients and their proportions can vary depending on the recipe and the desired flavor profile.
Instructions:
- Prepare the meat: Choose a lean cut of beef, such as eye of round or top sirloin, and remove any fat or silver skin. Freeze the meat for an hour or two to make it easier to slice.
- Create the marinade: In a medium bowl, combine soy sauce, brown sugar, baking soda, garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, onion powder, and any other desired spices. Mix until wellcombined.
- Marinate the beef: Add the frozen beef chunks or slices to the marinade and toss until all pieces are evenly coated. Cover or transfer to a large ziplock bag and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours or overnight.
- Dehydrate the beef: Preheat an oven or dehydrator to the recommended temperature for your specific recipe (usually around 145-160°F for beef jerky). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or aluminum foil and place a wire rack over each sheet. Place the beef on the rack in a single layer and dry until the meat is firm to the touch, leathery, and chewy, which typically takes 4-8 hours.
- Test for doneness: After the dried beef has dried, test it for doneness by bending it in half. It should bend and crack, but not break, when bent. The internal temperature should be around 160°F (71°C).
- Package and store: Allow the dried beef to cool completely before storing in an airtight container or vacuum-sealed plastic bags. Properly dried and stored jerky will typically keep for up to one week at room temperature.
Nutritional Information (per 1-ounce serving):
- Calories: 163
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated fat: 2g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
- Sodium: 733mg
- Potassium: 209mg
- Sugar: 1g
- Vitamin C: 0.2mg
- Calcium: 8mg
- Iron: 2.2mg
Dried beef jerky is a versatile snack that can be enjoyed as is, or it can be used as an ingredient in recipes such as soups, stews, or as a coating for chicken or fish. It is also a popular addition to trail mix or other snack mixes.由于其便携性和长时间的保质期， dried beef jerky是在户外活动中备受欢迎的选择。
