I've thought for years about getting a jerky setup and I think I'm going to Bass Pro and get the grinder, gun, etc this week. When you bone out the meat do you avoid the neck meat and other pieces? I guess getting the fat and silver skin off is the biggest necessity. Other than picking out the mix you like best are there any other tips?

Try to get as little fat as possible in the meat when you grind it. Also, pat the jerky down while in the dehydrator. I usually only have to do this twice. This will be fat coming to the top of the meat. It should have a longer shelf life that way. At least that's what I've read.

Don't waste your money buying a jerky gun or a grinder. Just use hams, backstraps and roast to slice your jerky meat.

It is much easier to slice if you will partially freeze the meat, then slice it the desired thickness. The jerky slicing trays are pretty nice and give you a consistent thickness every time.

Cook more than think you can eat, especially if you have kids around the house. It will be gone before you know it.

I use the gun and grinder all the time now. It let's me use scraps that would have probably been thrown out before. I don't worry much about silver skin but try to remove fat. I freeze it after making it so shelf life isn't a problem. I like the pepper blend from high mountain at bass pro.

*Runs off to Google "Jerky Slicing Trays"*



God Bless,
David B.

I slice mine. Marinate in recipe below for 24-48 hrs. Used to dry it in oven, now have a dehydrator. It is easier

Marinade recipe

1 ½ c water
15 oz Soy Sauce – or sub 4 oz red cider vinegar
(or 10 oz Soy Sauce and 6 oz red cider vinegar)
1 tsp Cumin – or more
1 tsp Onion Powder
½ tsp Red Pepper Powder – increase – see note below – Tbsp!
Also see Chipotle Chile Pepper!
Smoked chili pepper!
1 tsp Black Pepper – increase – to 1 Tbsp
1 tsp Garlic Powder
1 tsp Chili Powder (see above)
Tbsp Liquid Smoke – Hickory (see above)
2 heaping Tbsp Brown Sugar
Tabasco to taste (Hot! – Lottsa!) – sub more Red Pepper Powder instead – see above!
Also see Chipotle Tabasco Sauce!