Jerky Seasoning

[Chump]

I have been trying to perfect a new flavor I have going for venison jerky and wanted to try to find out other ingredients people use to flavor their jerky meat. What all do you use?

[jason]

It really depends. Sometimes I go for just a simple salt and pepper combo. I've used Lawry's tequila lime before and it came out great. The store bought pre-made seasoning does not taste good to me at all.

Alton Brown (Good Eats) has a good recipe:
Ingredients

• 1 1/2 to 2 pounds flank steak
• 2/3 cup Worcestershire sauce
• 2/3 cup soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Place the strips of meat along with all of the remaining ingredients into a large, 1-gallon plastic zip-top bag and move around to evenly distribute all of the ingredients. Place the bag into the refrigerator for 3 to 6 hours.

[greengrass]

I like Worcestershire sauce in our recipe too. It adds a great flavor.

Have you tried Liquid Smoke in place of the W. sauce? A little bit of it goes a LONG way but it's really good too.

[Chump]

That recipe is basically what I use. I use the Worcestershire sauce in combination with the Liquid Smoke and add some Hickory flavoring as well. I don't normally use honey unless I am making Teriyaki though.

[Reese]

I have never made any type of jerky before. How exactly do you do it? Is it difficult to do? It sounds like it tastes great!

[jason]

Originally Posted by Reese

I have never made any type of jerky before. How exactly do you do it? Is it difficult to do? It sounds like it tastes great!

I do not find it hard, just time consuming. It really depends on how much work you want to put into it. There are kits out there where you can use your dehydrator, buy some ground up meat and seasoning and call it a day. You mix the ground up meat with the seasoning, put it in a "gun" and squirt out strips on the dehydrator. I personally tried these kits, and not sure if it is the seasoning, or using the dehydrator, but I found it only slightly better then store bought. Other people love it.

I still take some corners, but the best way I have found is with the smoker. I cut corners on the slicing of the meat. I go to the store, and buy some fairly thin "steaks" or "sandwich steaks". I'm not good at evenly cutting my own, so I do this. Then sometimes I cheat and use a store bought marinade, or seasoning. Otherwise I make my own seasoning. Put it on the smoker, never letting it get over 200 degrees. Keep it going for a few hours and then enjoy.

[looey]

What brand are you using for the sandwich steaks? I am kind of wondering if my spouse could get away with that or not (we are both not that coordinated either).

[Chump]

If you don't like to cut your own meat then you can ask your local store's butcher to slice some jerky meat for you. It is inexpensive and perfect. I like to use my dehydrator however you can just use your oven on the very lowest setting.