When preparing for the 2012 Chickens in the Road Retreat dehydrating classes, Kellyb and I emailed the attendees in advance to see what they were looking for, in particular, from the class. One of the most common answers – jerky! I was not surprised, since jerky was the number one reason that many people purchased dehydrators for years – and was the first dehydrated food that I prepared in my Ronco dehydrator over 25 years ago. In my case, it was deer jerky.
Well, we couldn’t dehydrate wild game in a public venue, even if we could obtain some, and beef has taken a tremendous hike in price this summer due to drought and grain shortages. What to do?
Why pork, of course!
Whole pork loin has remained stable for years at around $2.00 per pound. At least half of each loin is very lean – perfect for jerky. I had the butcher cut the best end of the loin into 1 1/2″ chops which I froze, then partially thawed for classes. Partially frozen meat is definitely the easiest to slice up for jerky. Attendees sliced the pork about 1/8″ thick after all fat was trimmed away, then soaked the meat briefly in a marinade that they mixed up. The marinated meat strips were stretched out nice and flat on the mesh screens of an Excalibur dehydrator and the machine set to 155 degrees. Most of the jerky was ready to eat in 5 hours – and it was DELICIOUS! It was left in the dehydrator overnight to ensure that it was all ready to eat or store. Here’s the recipe if you’d like to try what we accomplished – it’s a keeper!
Pork Jerky
1/3 lb. brown sugar
3 cups soy sauce
½ cup liquid smoke
½ tsp. lemon pepper
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/8 tsp. ground cayenne pepper
Lean pork loin, sliced 1/8” thick x 1” to 2” wide, all fat removed
Mix ingredients in bowl and let stand while you are cutting the meat. Slice pork loin. (Partially frozen is easiest to thinly slice.) Place meat into the bowl of marinade and let stand about 10 minutes after stirring well to cover all pieces equally. Drain briefly in sieve or colander. Place on mesh trays and dehydrate at 155 to 160 degrees. Drying time is about 5 to 8 hours with a motorized-fan dehydrator. Jerky is finished dehydrating when it nearly snaps when bent.
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kellyb says:
Dede,
You are absolutely right that this is a keeper. I made jerky last weekend and had to hide it from Earnie or there would have been none left. My son-in-law came to visit yesterday and tried some. I was surprised when I couldn’t find the bag later in the evening but then it dawned on me, he had taken it with him. I guess I know what to give him for a Christmas present!
Good stuff.
On October 8, 2012 at 9:21 am
Debbie says:
Can’t wait to try this! I’ve never made jerky before but I tried it at the retreat and it was awesome! Anyone ever made it before using beef tongue? Talk about LEAN! I have a couple in the freezer…think I might try it!
-Deb
On October 8, 2012 at 10:11 am
kellyb says:
Debbie,
Let us know how that works for you if you try it. Maybe that’s one cut of beef we could afford.
On October 8, 2012 at 10:18 am
grammieearth says:
dede
I make jerky often, usually beef but sometimes I get lucky and am gifted with a cut of deer or moose. I usually soak my meat in my marinade for 24 hours before dehydrating. It’s delicious but now I wonder if it would be just as good if I only soak it for ten minutes. Have you tried soaking for a longer time? Does it make a difference? Does pork soak up faster? I guess I’m wondering if I can do this in one of those last minute situations, and expect the same delicious outcome 🙂
I will try the pork jerky as soon as I can get my dehydrator back from my DIL! She’s on a kraizy apple dehydrating mission…except the kids eat them faster than she can dry them!!!
Thanks, Pam
On October 10, 2012 at 6:32 pm
Dede ~ wvhomecanner says:
Pam, I have done it all ways LOL. Short marinade and 2 day marinade. It’s all good. Stronger, saltier flavor with the long version. The short marinade on the pork is terific! Haven’t tried long marinating time for it though. My jerky has been primarily venison for years or beef from the freezer that needs a flavor boost.
dede
On October 10, 2012 at 10:53 pm