Backpacking Recipe #1: Beef Jerky

Okkies,

So here it is, the infamous beef jerky recipe everyone has been waiting for.

Supplies

Some type of sealable container that can flip: I have a tupperware marinating tray, but you could use a bowl with seran wrap if you wish, you will just have to flip the pieces in the marinate a few times.

I use a recipe but I modify it slightly.

You will need about 2 lb of meat: I like to use inside round marinating steak. Try to find a marinating steak that has the least amount of fat around it or on it. more meat = better product.
Soy Sauce (1/2 cups worth)
4 tablespoons of brown sugar
1/4 tablespoon of salt
1/4 tablespoon of pepper
4-6 teaspoons of crushed or minced garlic

1. In your marinating tray combine: 1/4 tsp. salt, 1/4 tsp. pepper, 1/4 cup Soy Sauce, 2 tb. Brown sugar and 3 heaping tsp. crushed/minced garlic and mix together.
2. Cut the meat into 1/4 inch thick strips (that's about 6-8mm). Be careful. a strip that is too wide won't dehydrate evenly.
3. place the meat strips in the container. (neatly in rows, one row horizontal, next row vertical etc.
4. spread other 1/4 of soy sauce on top of the meat, sprinkle 2 remaining tb. of brown sugar on the top. (you may also add the rest of the garlic if you wish)
5. Cover tightly and marinate for at least 6 hours but no more than 12. If you have a marinating tray flip the container twice. If you don't uncover and flip over some pieces once or twice during the marination process to insure an even marinate.
6. Place evenly on the food dehydrator. Set dehydrator to 160F and let dry for about 12-14 hours.
7. Dehydration is done when you can snap without breaking the dehydrated meat. Let cool, store in baggies.

Please note that because this recipe includes nothing for preservation besides salt, I recommend you store the meats in the freezer until use. If not you have about 14 days before the stuff goes completely rock hard. We are talking pemmican style here people.

Hope that works for you. Any questions?

PS. If you don't have a dehydrator, you can make it all the same in an oven, but make sure the oven door is open a crack. And be sure you can set your oven to 160F. But to be honest the dehydrator is the way to go. You can pick one up these days for about $75, and that includes the bonus food trays and purchasing a few more shelves.

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