QA

How To Smoke Venison Jerky

How long does it take to smoke venison jerky in a smoker?

Smoke the venison for 3 to 4 hours. It should be fully dry but still pliable. If your smoker cannot get below 180 degrees, you can opt to smoke for 1 hour to impart flavor, then switch to a traditional dehydrator set at 145 to finish. This will prevent the jerky from becoming bitter or too brittle.

What temperature do you smoke venison jerky at?

Smoking Venison Jerky If possible, keep your smoker temperature between 160 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. The thin pieces of meat will absorb smoke easily, so be careful not to over smoke. It will take from two to six hours, and maybe more, for the venison jerky to finish.

How long do you smoke jerky?

Prepare an outdoor smoker for low heat and lightly oil grate. Lay meat strips out on grill so that they do not overlap. Smoke over low heat. Jerky will be done when the edges appear dry with just a slight hint of moisture in the center of the slices, about 6 to 8 hours.

What temperature and how long do you smoke venison jerky?

Drying and Smoking the Jerky Dry at 140°F (60°C) with no smoke until the surface is dry. This will require at least one hour. If the strips are on wire mesh, turn them over after 30 to 45 minutes to prevent sticking. Raise temperature to 160°F (71°C), and smoke for 2 or 3 hours.

Can you smoke jerky at 225 degrees?

Yes, you can smoke jerky at 225 degrees Fahrenheit, especially if you’re aiming to dry out the meat. In fact, it will make your cooking time faster. However, you need to be careful not to overdry the meat. Typically, experts would recommend keeping the heat low, around 160 to 200 degrees.

Do you use water pan when smoking jerky?

Start up your smoker with an indirect heat of 90°C (194F). The temperature has to be this low otherwise the beef gets cooked instead of dried. Also don’t use the water pan, because you don’t want the extra moisture in the smoker.

How long do you smoke deer meat?

Smoke the meat for approximately 1.5 hours per pound, or until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 140F. Once the meat has reached the desired temperature, remove it from the smoker and allow it to rest for about 20 minutes before cutting it.

Can you smoke jerky at 180 degrees?

Set the smoker to smoke at 180 degrees, and place each slice of meat directly on the grill grates. You want to let the jerky continue to smoke until the meat just barely bends when you shake it. It usually only takes 2 to 2 and a half hours until jerky is done on my smoker, but it can vary.

How do you know when deer jerky is done?

The finished product should bend when you apply light pressure, without tearing or cracking. If you think the jerky is nearly done based on its appearance, take a bite. It should be pleasantly chewy, not overly tough. The jerky is overcooked if it crumbles when you take a bite.

Is jerky better in a smoker or dehydrator?

While dehydrating meat is the easiest way to make jerky, it doesn’t result in the best beef jerky. It’s a matter of quantity over quality. Smoking jerky, however, seals in the meat’s juices while providing just the right amount of hickory-smoked flavor.

What is the best temperature to make jerky?

The USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline’s current recommendation for making jerky safely is to heat meat to 160 °F and poultry to 165 °F before the dehydrating process. This step assures that any bacteria present will be destroyed by wet heat.

Can you over smoke jerky?

Too much smoke will also ruin the jerky; 30 minutes to an hour of smoke is just perfect in my opinion. Leaving the wood tray door halfway open (after all the wood has finished burning) to allow airflow through the smoker also helps dry the jerky faster.

How long should you dehydrate deer jerky?

Place meat strips on a rack so that they do not touch each other, and dehydrate for 6 to 8 hours in the oven, or until desired consistency is achieved.

Can you smoke venison?

For venison, you want to smoke it until it reaches a minimum internal temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Most venison cuts, like loin (aka backstrap), are best enjoyed medium-rare. Keep in mind that once you remove it from the smoker, you will have a brief residual increase in temperature.

What temperature do you smoke jerky in an electric smoker?

Set your smoker to 165°F. When your smoker reaches 165°F, add meat slices. You can skewer the meat and hang the skewers from a rack or lay them flat. When placing the meat in your smoker, don’t overlap the meat.

Can you make jerky at 250 degrees?

If you want to bake your jerky, put the meat in the oven at a low temperature of about 250 degrees. Place the meat in a single layer on a wire rack sitting on a baking sheet. Wait until the meat is dry and firm, which usually takes about four hours. It should take about four to five hours to cook jerky on the grill.

How long does homemade beef jerky last?

Homemade beef jerky, on the other hand, should last one to two months if you store it in an airtight container after making it. If you store beef jerky in a Ziplock bag in your pantry, it’ll last about a week. And, if you store your beef jerky in the fridge, you can expect it to last one to two weeks.

Can you smoke meat at 200 degrees?

Meat smoking is best in the range of 200 to 220 degrees Fahrenheit. To be safe, most meats need to be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees and poultry to 165 degrees. However, to get real tender barbecue you want a higher final temperature, say around 180 degrees.