Cajun Jerky Recipes

CAJUN BEEF JERKY

Steps:

• Trim all visible fat from the beef and place in freezer for an hour or two to partially freeze.
• While the meat is in the freezer, combine the white vinegar, cold water, garlic powder, oregano, thyme, seasoning salt, cayenne pepper, paprika, black pepper, horseradish, and red pepper flakes in a bowl or ziplock bag and mix well.
• Remove the meat from the freezer and slice ¼" strips against the grain for an easy chew. Cut with the grain for more chew. Or skip the freezing phase and use a Jerky Slicer for even sliced strips.
• Add sliced beef to the mixture in a ziplock bag or bowl and marinate for 8-24 hours in the refrigerator.
• After the meat has finished marinating, remove from refrigerator and strain excess marinade and pat dry the beef strips with paper towels
• Dry with either a Dehydrator, Smoker, or Oven. A Dehydrator was used above and the jerky was dried for 5 hours at 160 degrees.
• The jerky is finished when it bends and cracks, but does not break in half.

CAJUN JERKY

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine all ingredients except meat. Stir to mix well.
• Place meat in a single layer keep in a glass container, spooning mixture over each layer. Cover tightly. Marinate 6 to 12 hours in the refrigerator.
• Dry in an electric dehydrator at 145 degrees F. until pliable. Package in home canning jars, food grade plastic bags or seal by heat food storage bags. For long term storage keep in freezer.

TOMS OVEN MADE CAJUN CHICKEN JERKY

Steps:

• Mix the salts, Cajun seasoning, cayenne pepper, garlic powder and onion powder together and put into a salt shaker; set aside.
• Preheat oven to 150°F.
• Cut chicken into 1/8th inch strips or 1/8th inch cubes (thickness doesn't have to be exact, can be a little thicker).
• On a cutting board, sprinkle each strip evenly and heavily then with a meat mallet, rolling pin or pan, pound mixture into chicken. Turn chicken over and repeat.
• Place strips in single layer on a oven-safe metal cookie cooling rack (fine mesh or closely spaced bars work best).
• Cook chicken until dry but not brittle, 4 to 5 hours, rearranging once.

VENISON JERKY

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine ground venison, salt, MSG, hot sauce, curing mixture, barbeque seasoning, water, liquid smoke, garlic powder, and pepper; mix thoroughly. Cover, and refrigerate for 2 hours.
• Line food dehydrator trays with plastic wrap. Pat meat mixture into a very thin layer on the trays. Place in dehydrator set according to manufacturers directions. Once the meat has firmed up, after about the first 2 hours, remove it from the plastic, cut into strips, and replace onto the racks. Continue until the meat is done drying, about 5 to 10 hours total depending on machine.
• When finished, blot off any grease with a paper towel. Store in the refrigerator in a jar with a tight fitting lid.

SPICY BEEF JERKY

Steps:

• Whisk together soy sauce, hot water, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, Creole seasoning, and Cajun seasoning in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for about 1 minute; stir well. Add beef and toss to evenly coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap; marinate in the refrigerator, 8 hours or overnight. Remove meat from marinade and rinse with hot water.
• Preheat oven to 160 degrees F (70 degrees C). Place a pan on the bottom of oven to catch drips.
• Place meat strips on a rack about 1 inch apart from each other; dehydrate in the oven for 5 to 6 hours, or until desired consistency is achieved.