Beef jerky in dehydrator - Cloth Diapers & Parenting Community

Hungry Caterpillar · 01-06-2013, 01:25 AM

What cuts of meat work best? Does sirloin work? Do you marinate or rub it? Any tips?

I have a Nesco round dehydrator with ten trays that my husband got me for the holidays. And extra sirloin! Is this a good match!

Foxsma · 01-06-2013, 04:25 AM

I've been drying for years and I had a nesco before I decided on gettin an Excalibur type. But i dehydrate a lot. My suggestion would be to first start off doing a ground beef jerky. It's cheap and easy, marninates really well and may come out better than you think.

Don't get be wrong sirloin works well and if you won't be upset if it doesn't come out perfect, go for it!

You marinate it by soaking it. For a general marinade I generally use soy sauce, Worcestershire, pepper, and some liquid smoke. You can add spices or whatever you wish to it.

When I had a round type dryer I made sure to rotate the trays and pat the fat off the meat otherwise the fat makes it go rancid in storage.

For sirloin marinate it overnight and make sure to slice it thin and uniform. Are you using a seasoning pack or your own seasoning?

That type of dehydrator works well if you don't dry much or you are just starting out. After a few years you may want a Excalibur type. I absolutely love mine! Good luck and welcome to the addiction LOL

MelandMack · 01-06-2013, 08:28 AM

My favorite cut for beef jerky is eye of round. Sirloin should be okay just make sure you cut it against the grain of the meat to make it more tender. If you just with the grain it will be very tough.

For marinade I just use a combo of 1/2 soy sauce 1/2 worcheshire sauce then I add seasonings of garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. I like to let mine marinade overnight but I would marinade at least 4 hours for good flavor.

I have a nesco and use it weekly in the summer, not as much in winter. Usually about 6-8 hours in the dehudrator.

Lifeisjoy · 01-09-2013, 02:09 PM

Hi, just came here to ask a similar Q!!
Hubby also got me the nesco dryer, and beef jerky kit.
I was wondering if I have to use the cure packets that it came with?? The ingredients have MSG and Sodium nitrates... yuck.
Anyone have a different way to do jerky?

kocho · 01-13-2013, 09:35 AM

DH always liked to use beef brisket cut thin. He got his spices from High Mountain jerky. I like the kind with ground beef as well.

01-06-2013, 01:25 AM	#1
Hungry Caterpillar Registered Users Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,955 Ratings: 11 Feedback: 100%	Beef jerky in dehydrator What cuts of meat work best? Does sirloin work? Do you marinate or rub it? Any tips? I have a Nesco round dehydrator with ten trays that my husband got me for the holidays. And extra sirloin! Is this a good match! __________________ Andrea Wife of E, Mom of B (10/11) "More Baby" coming May 2014 ISO - Curious George Twin Pottery Barn bedding... will pay with PP.

01-06-2013, 04:25 AM	#2
Foxsma Registered Users Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 48	Re: Beef jerky in dehydrator I've been drying for years and I had a nesco before I decided on gettin an Excalibur type. But i dehydrate a lot. My suggestion would be to first start off doing a ground beef jerky. It's cheap and easy, marninates really well and may come out better than you think. Don't get be wrong sirloin works well and if you won't be upset if it doesn't come out perfect, go for it! You marinate it by soaking it. For a general marinade I generally use soy sauce, Worcestershire, pepper, and some liquid smoke. You can add spices or whatever you wish to it. When I had a round type dryer I made sure to rotate the trays and pat the fat off the meat otherwise the fat makes it go rancid in storage. For sirloin marinate it overnight and make sure to slice it thin and uniform. Are you using a seasoning pack or your own seasoning? That type of dehydrator works well if you don't dry much or you are just starting out. After a few years you may want a Excalibur type. I absolutely love mine! Good luck and welcome to the addiction LOL

01-06-2013, 08:28 AM	#3
MelandMack Registered Users Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 1,015 Ratings: 141 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Re: Beef jerky in dehydrator My favorite cut for beef jerky is eye of round. Sirloin should be okay just make sure you cut it against the grain of the meat to make it more tender. If you just with the grain it will be very tough. For marinade I just use a combo of 1/2 soy sauce 1/2 worcheshire sauce then I add seasonings of garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. I like to let mine marinade overnight but I would marinade at least 4 hours for good flavor. I have a nesco and use it weekly in the summer, not as much in winter. Usually about 6-8 hours in the dehudrator. __________________ Melissa Mackenzie (8), Carter (6) Fleece Diapering Items- www.wildchildforbabies.etsy.com - Final Stocking 11/26/13 - All reminaing fleece is being sewn up and sold off at great discounts. Use Coupon Code GOODBYE to save an extra 10%

01-09-2013, 02:09 PM	#4
Lifeisjoy Registered Users Formerly: Chatt-townmommy Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mississippi Posts: 1,621 Ratings: 35 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Hi, just came here to ask a similar Q!! Hubby also got me the nesco dryer, and beef jerky kit. I was wondering if I have to use the cure packets that it came with?? The ingredients have MSG and Sodium nitrates... yuck. Anyone have a different way to do jerky? __________________ Hallie~Daughter of God Wife to Marques Mama to Malachi(12/31/08) and Micah(8/13/11) and with #3!

01-13-2013, 09:35 AM	#5
kocho Registered Users Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 11,485 Ratings: 60 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Re: Beef jerky in dehydrator DH always liked to use beef brisket cut thin. He got his spices from High Mountain jerky. I like the kind with ground beef as well. __________________ I am a WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor!! My Avon Earn giftcards with Swagbucks My Blog - Change Jar Blog