For How Long Is Beef Jerky Good
When it comes to long-term storage, jerky is i of the trickiest foods. The shelf life of jerky can vary drastically depending on factors like the blazon of meat used, moisture levels, pretreatment methods, additives and storage methods.
If you want to store jerky long-term, here is what you need to know.
Does Beef Hasty Go Bad?
Yeah, hasty can go bad. If the beefiness jerky gets too moist, mold growth tin occur. The fats in jerky will go rancid over time, specially in high temperatures. In some cases, bacteria tin can abound on jerky and crusade food poisoning.
Shelf Life of Jerky
Store-bought jerky typically contains preservatives and usually will last at least a yr without whatever special storage. By contrast, homemade jerky may only concluding a few weeks before information technology starts to go bad. However, even homemade hasty can terminal for over a year if stored properly.
Jerky Long-Term Storage Methods
Beneath are the best methods for storing jerky long-term. For more particular, read this How Long Does Dehydrated Food Last?.
1. Airtight Container with Oxygen Absorbers
When stored in an airtight container similar a Mylar purse with an oxygen absorber, homemade jerky can last for over 12 months. The airtight container ensures that moisture doesn't reabsorb into the jerky and the oxygen cushion inhibits microbial growth and rancidity.
Read:
- Instructions for storing food in Mylar numberless
- How to use oxygen absorbers for food storage
ii. Freezer
If your jerky is very moist or you don't accept anywhere cool to go along it, then the freezer is the best storage method.
Jerky volition last indefinitely in the freezer.
There is no need to use oxygen absorbers when storing in the freezer but you do want to make sure it is in closed packaging. Otherwise, it could absorb bad smells from the freezer.
iii. Fridge
Heat volition make the fats in hasty get bad fairly quickly. So, storing hasty in the refrigerator is a good idea if yous live somewhere warm.
Homemade jerky will typically last 4 months in the fridge. However, moisture levels in the refrigerator can actually be very high. To keep this moisture from getting into the jerky and causing spoilage, the hasty should exist kept in airtight containers. Put a desiccant in the container to aid command moisture.
4. Vacuum Sealing
Homemade hasty will last 1-2 months if vacuum sealed. Commercial jerky in vacuum-sealed packaging will normally terminal 12+ months.
Vacuum sealing isn't a expert option for long-term storage in humid climates though because the containers will eventually allow air through.
It is better to use containers that are truly closed, such as mason jars or Mylar bags.
Read: Vacuum Sealing vs. Mylar Bags for Food Storage
How to Brand Homemade Jerky Final Years
In addition to the storage methods, the way you lot make jerky will touch the shelf life. If you lot are making jerky with the intention of storing it long-term, then follow these guidelines.
- Choose beef or lamb: The fatty acids in poultry and pork go rancid faster than those in beef or lamb. I couldn't find info on where deer or wild game meat falls in terms of wiggle shelf life.
- But use very lean meat: Fat will kickoff to become rancid fairly quickly, so you should only utilize very lean cuts of meat for making jerky which you lot want to store for a long fourth dimension.
- Pretreat the meat: Information technology is skilful practice to pretreat meat earlier making jerky anyhow, but it is absolutely necessary if y'all desire to store information technology long-term. The easiest treatment method is to eddy meat in the marinade earlier dehydrating.
- Utilise acids: The hasty recipe should include an acid-similar vinegar. This improves shelf life by inhibiting microbe growth.
- Cut into very thin, uniform slices: This helps ensure that no moisture pockets are left in the stale meat.
- Dehydrate until VERY dry out: It should be so dry that the jerky snaps easily when bent. Any moisture left within can support mold growth!
Also read:
- Best Dehydrators for Jerky
How to Tell If Jerky Is Bad?
When hasty goes bad, it is ordinarily considering of mold growth or considering the fats take gone rancid. Moldy hasty will accept fuzz on it. Rancid jerky will get a gross sour aroma and sense of taste. If the jerky looks off or has whatsoever strange odors or tastes, don't risk it – throw information technology abroad.
Note that jerky volition change in appearance over fourth dimension. Information technology is natural for the salts and fats in jerky to migrate outwards. This creates a whitish layer on the exterior which may await similar mold fifty-fifty though the jerky is notwithstanding rubber to eat.
Not sure if hasty is bad? Use these guidelines:
- Salt: The white film will look like crystals. It volition usually create an even picture on the jerky and not have a spider web-similar appearance.
- Fats: Fat deposits will be shiny and easily wipe away.
- Mold: Mold on hasty is fuzzy and has a spider web-like appearance.
Source: https://www.primalsurvivor.net/jerky-storage/
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