Beef jerky in dehydrator

[Hungry Caterpillar]

What cuts of meat work best? Does sirloin work? Do you marinate or rub it? Any tips?

I have a Nesco round dehydrator with ten trays that my husband got me for the holidays. And extra sirloin! Is this a good match!

[Foxsma]

I've been drying for years and I had a nesco before I decided on gettin an Excalibur type. But i dehydrate a lot. My suggestion would be to first start off doing a ground beef jerky. It's cheap and easy, marninates really well and may come out better than you think.

Don't get be wrong sirloin works well and if you won't be upset if it doesn't come out perfect, go for it!

You marinate it by soaking it. For a general marinade I generally use soy sauce, Worcestershire, pepper, and some liquid smoke. You can add spices or whatever you wish to it.

When I had a round type dryer I made sure to rotate the trays and pat the fat off the meat otherwise the fat makes it go rancid in storage.

For sirloin marinate it overnight and make sure to slice it thin and uniform. Are you using a seasoning pack or your own seasoning?

That type of dehydrator works well if you don't dry much or you are just starting out. After a few years you may want a Excalibur type. I absolutely love mine! Good luck and welcome to the addiction LOL

[MelandMack]

My favorite cut for beef jerky is eye of round. Sirloin should be okay just make sure you cut it against the grain of the meat to make it more tender. If you just with the grain it will be very tough.

For marinade I just use a combo of 1/2 soy sauce 1/2 worcheshire sauce then I add seasonings of garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. I like to let mine marinade overnight but I would marinade at least 4 hours for good flavor.

I have a nesco and use it weekly in the summer, not as much in winter. Usually about 6-8 hours in the dehudrator.

[Lifeisjoy]

Hi, just came here to ask a similar Q!!
Hubby also got me the nesco dryer, and beef jerky kit.
I was wondering if I have to use the cure packets that it came with?? The ingredients have MSG and Sodium nitrates... yuck.
Anyone have a different way to do jerky?

[kocho]

DH always liked to use beef brisket cut thin. He got his spices from High Mountain jerky. I like the kind with ground beef as well.