Preservation is the key to ensuring healthy beef jerky. if you are a beef lover then this blog is for you. If you want to make sure that your best beef jerky lasts as long as possible, there are a few steps you can take.
Dry the meat thoroughly before you bag it.
You want to make sure your jerky is dry before bagging it. The meat should be dry to the touch—not dripping wet, but not super-damp either. If the meat is too wet, it won’t dry thoroughly in the oven and will end up soggy and soft instead of chewy and firm.
Be sure to use the right type of bag.
You will want to use a plastic bag, or a vacuum sealer if you have one. Vacuum sealing is the best way to make sure your meat stays fresh. Once it’s sealed up nice and tight, even if there are holes in the bag (which happens quite often with jerky), air won’t be able to get in and ruin your food.
If you don’t have a vacuum sealer, try using an old mason jar instead! Mason jars work really well for this kind of thing because they’re airtight—the lid keeps out moisture while keeping oxygen out as well—and they last forever too!
Consider the whole package, including the packaging.
When it comes to storage, you want to make sure that your jerky is in an airtight container. You also need to consider the material of the bag. A good bag will be moisture resistant, food-safe and able to withstand heat.
When it comes time to use your beef jerky, a great portion of it has probably been stored in a plastic bag inside its original packaging (if you haven’t eaten most of it). The problem with this method is that if there’s any moisture left behind from cooking or marinating the meat before drying out completely on its own, then mould could begin growing inside those bags—and no one wants mouldy jerky!
Place your jerky in an airtight container and store it at room temperature.
- You’ll want to store your jerky in an airtight container. This will help prevent mould or moisture from getting into the meat, which in turn can cause spoilage and spoilage bacteria growth.
- If you do not plan on eating it immediately (and we recommend that you do), don’t store your jerky in the refrigerator—it will only dry out more. Likewise, avoid storing it in the freezer because this may also cause damage to its texture and flavour. Instead, keep it at room temperature.
- Don’t put your jerky into any kind of microwave or oven either; as mentioned above, this could negatively impact its taste and texture even further than just refrigerating or freezing would have done already!
Read more: The Best Beef Jerky You’ll Ever Eat
Properly storing your jerky will make it last longer.
This will slow down the rate at which your jerky loses moisture and flavour. Cooler temperatures also make it harder for bacteria to grow, keeping your finished product safer to eat. If you want to store your beef jerky in the refrigerator or freezer, make sure that you put it in an airtight container first!
Conclusion
We hope our tips will help you enjoy your best beef jerky for longer. The longer it lasts, the more time you have to savour every delicious bite. And who doesn’t love a tasty treat that keeps on giving?