Minced beef jerky

I have finally settled on a basic jerky recipe that I like enough to make weekly, and doesn't take hours of preparation and overnight marinating etc etc etc. Lets face it when it takes 8hrs to cook I don't want to have to think about it 2 days before I want to eat it. 8 hours is long enough!!

For making jerky it is really important that you get the lowest fat content meat possible, not only does it make for jerky that doesn't go off, it actually means the jerky goes snap instead of perpetually being a bit soggy and covered in a not so attractive later of grease.

This recipe made enough jerky to fill half of my dehydrator, I'll be doubling it next time and probably adding extra spices so treat this is a base recipe for minced beef jerky and alter it as you wish!

Ingredients (makes 200g of jerky) 

500g Lean beef mince
8 tsp of course black pepper (or a lot of grinding)
1 tsp of salt

You will also need: a bowl for mixing, a flat surface for rolling, baking paper, a rolling pin, a sharp knife and either a dehydrator or the ability to leave your oven door open at 65 C for 8 hours.

1. Add the mince, salt and pepper to a bowl.
2. Get stuck in and mix those spices through with your hands until fully worked in.
3. Take a fist size chunk of the mince at a time, roll it flat onto baking paper. Do not try without baking paper it's a pain in the arse to scrape of a chopping board.
4. When the meat has been rolled to about 1mm thick slice it into long strips.
5. Remove each strip from the baking paper and put it on the dehydrator sheets.
6. Repeat 3-5 until all the meat has been used up.
7. Dehydrator on maximum for your dehydrator or 70 C in the oven with the door ajar to allow air to flow for about 8hrs until the meat has started to snap when bent.
8. When the jerky snaps turn the dehydrator/oven off and allow the jerky to cool completely before portioning or storing.

Tip:  Portion into 20g bags for a quick snack to grab as you rush out of the door.

Nutritional Information (per 20g)

Calories 98 kcal

Fat 5.9g

Carbs 1.2g

Protein 10.4g