Venison Jerky

Difficulty - 5/10.

Venison Jerky Made Right!

After a successful hunting season, one of the first things you ask yourself is what to do with all the venison. A good option is to make venison jerky. Jerky is a lightweight, dried meat product that makes an excellent snack for campers, backpackers, or anyone who loves jerky.

Venison meat is full of vitamins and minerals and has 50% less fat and 20% more protein than beef.

Below you’ll find the ingredients and a recipe for making delicious venison jerky. Some of these items can be found and purchased directly on our spice page.

Ingredients:

• 5 pounds Venison
• 1 cup Soy Sauce
• 3/4 cup Sugar
• 1/4 cup Smoked Paprika
• 1 tablespoon Instacure #1
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire
• 3 tablespoons Garlic Powder 
• 3 tablespoons Black Pepper

Steps:

1. Pre-freeze meat so it will be easier to slice.
2. Cut partially thawed meat into long slices about ¼” thick and an inch or two wide for tender jerky, cut at right angles to the long muscles (across the grain). Remove visible fat to help prevent off-flavors.
3. Prepare your chosen marinade in a large saucepan.
4. Pour the marinade over the meat and marinate the jerky for 12 to 24 hours. Overhaul jerky pieces at least once.
5. Dry at 140-150° F (60-66º C) in a food dehydrator, oven, or smoker. You can apply smoke for 30 minutes at this stage. Test for doneness by letting a piece cool. When cool, it should crack but not break when bent.
6. Refrigerate, and then check again for doneness when it is cool. If necessary, dry further.

Enjoy your favorite protein snack!

Homemade venison jerky is one of the most rewarding ways to enjoy your harvest. Not only does it transform lean, nutritious venison into a convenient, protein-packed snack, but it also lets you customize the flavor exactly the way you like it. Whether you're packing it for your next hunting trip, sharing it with friends, or simply stocking up for healthy snacking, this recipe delivers classic smoky, savory jerky that's sure to disappear quickly. Looking for even more flavor? Explore our selection of jerky seasonings, cures, and meat processing supplies to create your next favorite batch.