Tasty Jerky-a-long ...it's really easy and fun

[the Ferret]

OK it's Saturday, it's gun season, and I need something to do, so how about a jerky-a-long?

I know this belongs in the recipes section but ask for the mods indulgence for a couple of days before moving it. I did one of these last year but with all the new members thought it beneficial to do another.

One of the nicest gifts Dianne ever got me was a jerky shooter. She got it at Bass Pro, but I'm sure they carry them at other retail outlets. I had always made jerky the old fashioned way, cut meat into strips, marinade in liquid smoke and sprinkle on my spices, let sit overnight, then cook in a dehydrater for 12 or 13 hours.

The Jerky Shooter is different. It is like a caulk gun for meat.It uses ground venison or elk, buffalo, whatever ..(not bear or pork...it doesn't get hot enough to avoid trichinosis). You cook it in the oven on low heat and it takes less than 2 hours to make a batch.

I originally thought how can ground possibly hold together and be chewy like jerky is supposed to be but I have to tell you it's magic. The jerky turns out GREAT!

[the Ferret]

Here's what you'll need. 4# of ground venison, a jerky shooter, a measuring cup, a packet of spices and cure (we use the Backwoods seasonings from Brass Pro..this one is the hot..our favorite) a large glass mixing bowl, a couple drying racks and a small knife

 

[the Ferret]

In the large glass bowl mix your 4# of ground burger (you can use lean beef BTW if you don't happen to get a deer..luckily my son provided the burger for this one with the 10 point he got last week), your packet of jerky mix, the packet of cure, and 4 oz of water and knead with your hands mixing everything well for a couple of minutes.

 

[the Ferret]

Pre heat the oven to 200 degrees

   

While it is heating up, get your hands wet (keeps the burger from sticking to them) and open your jerky shooter, then grab some burger and roll it into logs big enough to fit into the shooter tube

   

Load them into the shooter and put in the plunger

 

[the Ferret]

Then using the shooter just like a caulk gun squeeze the trigger and the burger will flow onto the rack in strips. When you come to the end of a row use a little knife to cut it clean then start another strip
   

if you empty the gun simply roll some more logs and refill then continue where you let off. The speed at which you lay down the strips determines their thickness. Once you lay your first strip you'll be able to judge how fast you want to go for the rest.

In a few minutes, you'll cover both your racks

   

[the Ferret]

Load your racks into your pre heated oven

 

and set the timer for 55 minutes (sorry for the blurry photo

 

[KyleAllen]

Ill have to give that a try. Thanks mickey.
kyle

[the Ferret]

while you are waiting for that to cook, cover the left over burger with saran wrap and stick in the fridge

 

[the Ferret]

Talk about timing while I was typing this the oven buzzer went off. When the buzzer goes off pull the jerky from the oven and blot any oil dry that may be on the surface. The leaner the meat, the less oil you'll have to blot. We ask our deer butcher not to mix any pork or beef fat into our burger when he grinds it, but I think his normal mix is 25% fat added to venison.

   

flip the strips, put back in the oven, and set the timer for 55 minutes

[the Ferret]

Be back in 50:11 to finish this up!

Jerky made this way is so easy to make, convient and good tasting that I have considered having an entire deer ground for nothing but jerky. Whenever we make a batch of this stuff and take it to work it is gone quickly. People who would never consider eating deer meat gobble it up after their first hesitant taste.

besides the hot mix there are several other mixes you can get including Hickory, Original and Mesquite or you can make your own. I would think you would need some of the cure though if making your own.

I am making 8 pounds of jerky today. 4# of hot and 4# of original. Dianne doesn't care for the hot,so I'm making up a batch of original for her.

Besides general snacking this stuff is great for throwing a little baggie into your pocket or fanny pack for munching on while sitting in your blind or stand trying to fill a second deer tag.

[the Ferret]

If Momma or the kids are wondering what you want for Christmas, I can't think of a better gift for a hunter than a jerky shooter, a couple drying racks and a couple packs of jerky mix.

[Lewis Brookshire III]

Thhis is great. I have made jerky with venison using strips of meat and a de-hydrator but it takes about 15 hours with my dehydrator. This is a very quick and simple method.

 Man my mouth is watering for jerky now. I will have to go to the local wal-mart and pick one of those up. I think they sell those in the sprting goods section along with the jerky seasoning. Thanks for taking the time to do this!

[the Ferret]

http://www.jerkyshooter.com/jerkymain.html

 http://www.lemproducts.com/cat06/cat06_sausageseasonings.pdf

[Huntrdfk]

I can tell right now that when I try this I'm going to be in trouble.....this is going to be another of those addicting things you've made me try.....did I say I love jerky?    

Thanks Mickey!

David

[Roy from Pa]

Mickey ya need my mailing address? lol..

[the Ferret]

Well second buzzer went off. Pull the racks from the oven, lay out a couple paper towels, grab some scizzors..sciszors..dang it, shears,  and cut into strips

   

or bite size pieces

   

the result:

 

BTW some is already gone, you have to taste it while cutting it up and Brian smelled it and wandered by to eat a few pieces. Now the rest goes into zip lock baggies for munching later

I'm off to make another batch.    

[BamBooBender]

thanks for jerkin us along.  

[IB]

Mickey........2 cans of CHILI....2 Packages of Queen City Extra HOT  and 3 Bags of JERKEY to go please        

You do DELIVER don't you        

Thanks that was great

[RB]

The central question here is: Did Dianne have to get the broom-handle out to make you clean up the kitchen mess?  :p   :D  
Mickey, it's no wonder why you're everybody's hero....always 'stirring the pot' here with some cool project. You're sumpin' else buddy. - Roy

[the Ferret]

LOL

Well, the next batch is in the oven...


   

I mean how easy is this? Ya know what? You could even get your kids to do this for ya!(or at least have fun helping ya)

Hey Vance.. I could be enticed to deliver come antelope season!        

RB I need to talk to you, I'll email ya.