experiment - beef jerky attempt #1

[wabi]

Well I finally did it - beef instead of venison.

Camping season is here for me and my 10 year old son and we're trying new things this year. Went to hammocks instead of a tent, bought backpacks so we wouldn't be tied to the truck, experimenting with lightweight equipment since we plan to pack in our camp.
We are trying a few new items to eat, and sticking with some of the old items we have enjoyed for years such a jerky. I was pleasantly surprised how good the freeze-dried meals are, but buying prepared and packaged food can add up quickly. Haven't figured out an alternative for freeze-dried, but after buying a few packs of beef jerky I soon decided since I already own a slicer & dehydrator it might just be cheaper to make my own jerky.
Went to the local grocery and picked up 3# of lean beef (London Broil Roast) and sliced it thin. Added the recommended amount of "High Mountain" jerky seasoning & cure, and it's marinating in the fridge right now. The total cost so far is about what 6 oz of packaged jerky costs, so I'm expecting to save a few $$$ by doing my own. If it turns out good I'll be watching for more beef at sale prices.

Guess next fall I need to get an extra deer for jerky making.
Ended up canning a lot of the deer I got last year, and while it makes for good eating and easy storage it isn't very portable.

[Grizzly Adam]

Jerky making is a rewarding hobby indeed, Wabi! You'll love it.

Hey, Bob ... what's your blood sodium level?

They won't have to bury you when you croak.

You're mummified already!

[R.J.]

mmmmmmmmmmmmmm , jerky ! getting hungry just thinkin about it !

Camping with the young lad ... lots of adventures to write about ! Cool !

[wabi]

Pulled the experimental batch from the dehydrator a few minutes ago.

jerky.JPG

5 bags full which contain 19.2 oz of jerky.
I know, there's only 4 in the pic, but Michael took off with the first bag while I was packaging/weighing the rest.

According to my math this is the way to go.
3# good lean beef - $9.
Jerky seasoning/cure - $1.
2.4 KWH electricity for the dehydrator - $0.29
total for 19 oz jerky - $10.29 or 54¢/oz.

WalMart beef jerky in the big bag is around $10. for 6 oz or $1.67/oz.

My savings on this batch was about $21. at those prices, plus I know it was good beef and processed properly.



As for sodium levels Grizz, I have no fear.
I use lots of salt on my food and recently had a problem with my heart skipping beats. The doctor did the EKG & a full line of blood tests - and the blood tests showed all the important things they look at (including sodium) was well within the range they want it to be in.
I finally figured out the source of the problem on my own. Some Ginseng tea I had purchased and tried. That's one of the side-effects of ginseng.

[Limbs and Sticks]

The good thing is you can change your recipe to suit your taste bud's, we use to have a little contest to see who made the best, sure looks good.

Wes

[raydaughety]

It's just a treat as I tell my friends because I give a lot of it away to the locals.

That's great to hear Bob cause we're moving in just down the street. I'll stop by and pick up my cut tomorow .

[Grizzly Adam]

Once you start the whole bag will get consumed. It better be a tiny bag!

Indeed. That has been my modus operandi when consuming jerky for many years.

I make mine from ground meat and dry spices ... I extrude it in lassos so I can just hang a coil on my shoulder and have a continuous feed.

[wabi]

I know, there's only 4 in the pic, but Michael took off with the first bag while I was packaging/weighing the rest.

Because it'll give you the trotts, bigtime if you eat too much of it.

Not sure about the trots, but when I came home a couple hours after Michael took off with that bag full I found the empty bag on the table. Asked him if he ate it all, and he told me, "NO, I gave mom one piece."
I'm not sure if he had the trots, but yesterday he had more gas than the Hindenburg.
Hopefully we can go camping later this week, if the rain stops for a night.
I'm planning on taking another bag of jerky along to supplement our rations. I'll be sure to hang his hammock downwind of mine - and downwind of the campfire.

[huntone]

Never had the trots from eating jerky and I've eaten a heck of a lot at a time, but I do agree that the young deer I take for meat are better tasting than the older bucks. I put almost the whole deer, young doe, in jerky this year instead of using the 3 year old buck and WOW what a difference in texture and flavor. Everyone liked it better. I use a packaged mix for jerky as I like it better then other recipes I've used.

Makin me hungry Wabi !

I'm making some deer jerky and chile next week.