Jerky?

[Rom]

I don't have an answer for you because I have never made it before, but can u make it from anything apart from beef? Do you need to have a dehydrator or can u use the oven?

[Katie E]

Originally Posted by Rom

I don't have an answer for you because I have never made it before, but can u make it from anything apart from beef? Do you need to have a dehydrator or can u use the oven?

Yes, Rom, it can be made in the oven and I would imagine other types of meat would work. Actually, one of our sons, who is an avid hunter, makes venison jerky.

[GB]

I use flank. Make sure whatever cut you get cut it WITH the grain.

[CharlieD]

GB explain please.

Also Katie, how firm are we talking here? If it's firm then it is hard, how can yopu cut it?

[GB]

My plane is about to take off so I will try to be quick. Again the grain makes it tender and fall apart. This I'd good when you are cooking flank for something like fajitas. For jerky you want with the grain so it does not crumble into little pieces.

[Rom]

thanks!
What about lamb? My bf doesn't eat beef or pork. Would Kangaroo meat do it as well?
Never seen lamb jerky lol

[Alix]

Thanks all! I'm going to go look for a chuck roast. GB, thanks for that tip! Its a good thing you mentioned that or I would have gone cross grain. Shopping tomorrow, jerky late in the evening maybe, or at the latest the day after. I'll keep you all posted on my results.

[Alix]

Well I found some rouladen sliced beef at the store. Being a basically lazy sort, I decided to try this out. I brined it (just sugar and salt) and its out in the smoker now. I put in about 1/2 hickory and 1/2 alder. It smells pretty fine and I want some now! However, I don't think I want a faceful of smoke, so I guess I'd better wait. Sigh. I'll keep y'all posted on how it goes.

[mikki]

Just about any meat will work to make jerky. We use mostly venison, but I have wild turkey brest I'm going to try. I also make jerky out of ground venion.

[GB]

Originally Posted by mikki

Just about any meat will work to make jerky.

Not any cut though. You do not want to make jerky with anything that has a lot of fat. The fat will go rancid and ruin the jerky. Any lean cuts of meat of fish will work though.