Once your jerky is fully dried, it should be free from harmful bacteria and safe to eat. If you plan to consume all your jerky within a week, you can store it in a sealed container in a cool, dry place. Find a spot in a cupboard or pantry away from sinks, stoves and other sources of heat and moisture.
For longer-term storage, freezing is the best option. Beef jerky will keep for up to six months in a sealed container in the freezer. As with raw meat, just make sure to thaw it in the fridge not on the counter!
How to Make Beef Jerky Safely. Table of Contents show. Clean Your Kitchen and Tools. Store or Freeze Your Jerky Appropriately. QUOTE: "You might be a redneck if you think that beef jerky and moon pies are two of the major food groups. Related Posts. About The Author.
Charles Joseph In , a good friend introduced me to the most amazing beef jerky I had ever tasted. So the simplest answer is yes, as beef jerky is not raw. Our beef jerky is smoked. Answering this question allows the opportunity to explain the process and attention to detail that is needed to make world-class jerky. The beef jerky process begins by thinly slicing beef strips and trimming almost all of the fat off.
Only top and bottom beef rounds are used in our beef jerky so the fat content is minimal anyway. Next, the beef strips are marinated or rubbed in spices, depending on the flavor. To complete the process, our beef is placed on racks inside a large smoker for a few hours.
The low, slow cook and added hint of salt and brown sugar effectively kills bacteria. Quality jerky is finished when the smoking process has reached the appropriate moisture content required by the USDA. When in doubt, don't be afraid to contact our customer service team who is always happy to help.
Doesn't matter if it's our jerky or someone else's! All beef jerky made in the USA must have a best-by date printed on the package. This is a great place to start to determine if beef jerky is still at peak freshness. If the package has been compromised in any way—rips, tears, pinholes, an incorrect seal—it can be an indicator that oxygen and moisture has entered the bag, potentially causing issues.
How does it look? Notice the color. Pay attention to any imperfections. Does it have white spots? What about the smell? It should have a clean, savory meat aroma. How does it feel? It should be firm and pliable but not too soft or mushy. Does the jerky have signs of mold? The clear signs of mold are furry, powdery, or fuzzy foreign substances that are white, green, or grey in color.
Mold typically has a spider-web pattern. Not sure what the white stuff on your jerky is? Read our guide for identifying mold on beef jerky. Does the jerky smell? In rare occasions, when there is slightly more fat in beef jerky, it can lead to the fat going rancid.
The telltale sign that beef jerky has gone rancid is the smell. It will often have a spoiled, off smell. If you encounter beef jerky that has either mold or shows signs of rancidity, discard and do not eat. If the beef jerky passes these three steps and shows no signs of mold or rancidity, it should be safe to eat. As always, however, if you have any concerns or doubts, consult a professional.
You can contact our customer service team with any questions. By removing all of the moisture, beef jerky is a shelf-stable product. It can be stored without refrigeration. Combine the lack of moisture with air-sealed packaging and you have a recipe for long-term shelf life.
When jerky is properly made, packaged, and stored, it does not expire. Beef jerky does best in ambient, room temperatures—not too hot, not too cold. You could call it the goldilocks of snacks. The back of the pantry or in a cupboard are great locations. Keep it away from the stove or other appliances. Even though beef jerky is completely packaged and sealed, there is still a microtransfer of oxygen through the barrier.
Regions with strong humidity can cause the bag to sweat, which can lead to issues. For even longer storage, you can freeze your beef jerky until ready to use. We do not recommend freezing beef jerky as it greatly diminishes the flavor, texture, and nutritional properties.
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