Beef Jerky

Well, we've made our first ever batch of beef jerky and it is delicious!!!

We pulled a 2.24 pound beef round steak from the chest freezer and let it thaw out about half way before beginning to cut it into about 1/4 inch slices (partially frozen meat is much easier to cut).

Then we divvied up all our slices into three separate bags.  Into bag #1 we poured some teriyaki sauce, bag #2 got worchestershire sauce and bag #3 was simply sprinkled with some salt and pepper.

The bags were then placed in the refrigerator overnight.

The next day around noon, we pulled them out and placed the meat from each bag onto one dehydrator tray.  We set the dehydrator to medium and left it alone all day.  When we checked on them at bed time, they still weren't quite done.  So, we turned the setting down to low and left them to fully dehydrate overnight.

The next morning we officially had beef jerky!  And yes, it is delicious!

So, what does 2.24 pounds of beef dehydrate down into?
12 ounces!  Yep!  No wonder this stuff is so expensive at the grocery store!  And, again, making our own means we know exactly what's gone into it :-)

Now, just to be safe, we are storing our jerky in plastic baggies in the fridge.  Anyone care to share any experience with storing their jerky?  I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Linking up to Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways #22