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–+ servings
venison jerky on wood
Angi Schneider

Easy Deer Jerky Recipe

4.75 from 92 votes
Making jerky is a great way to preserve some of your venison in ready-to-eat form. Deer jerky makes a great protein-filled snack that filling and lightweight - perfect for camping or hiking trips.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Additional Time 1 day
Total Time 1 day 4 hours 20 minutes
Yield: about 1.5 pounds of finished jerky
Servings: 16 (about)
Course: Preserving Food, Snacks
Cuisine: American
Preservation Method: Dehydrating
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 pounds deer meat
  • ½ cup soy sauce I use a traditionally processed one
  • ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce Lee & Perrin has one that doesn’t have corn syrup
  • 2 tsp. onion powder
  • 1 tsp. course black pepper
  • 1 tsp. garlic powder

Equipment

Method
 

  1. Cut deer meat into thin strips - about 1/4"
  2. Mix the other ingredients together in a large bowl.
  3. Add the venison strips and mix to coat.
  4. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours.
  5. Put the marinated strips in the smoker for another 5-6 hours at 160℉ -180℉ depending on how much smoke flavor you like.
  6. Finish it off in the oven, at 170℉ - leaving the door ajar. OR in in the dehydrator at 160℉ for 4-6 hours.
  7. Store in an sealed bag or jar in the freezer. Once the bag is opened it can be moved to the refrigerator. Use within one year.

Notes

Heat treatments to ensure safety...
  • Heat the strips in the marinade before drying. After marinating, bring marinade and meat strips to a boil and boil for 6 minutes. Test a few strips with a meat thermometer to make sure they are 160F inside. This will also reduce drying time.
  • Heat the finished jerky strips before storing. Preheat oven to 275F. Place strips on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes for strips that were originally cut 1/4-inch or less. Thicker strips may take longer. Use a meat thermometer in thicker pieces to ensure 160F has been reached.
For a hint of sweetness, add brown sugar, honey, maple syrup or pineapple juice to the marinade.
For a spicy marinade, add red pepper flakes or a bit of cayenne powder.
Teriyaki sauce can also be used in the marinade.

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