Are you jerky curious but too ashamed of asking questions? Here is everything you want to know about beef jerky.

Beef jerky is the ultimate all-American snack. It is truly one of the greatest inventions of all time, food-wise. You can eat it on the go whenever and wherever you feel like snacking. You might be surprised to find that this delicious snack is not just mouth wateringly good but also quite healthy.

You may enjoy chomping down on it regularly, but how much do you really know about beef jerky? For starters, most of us don’t even know how this dried piece of deliciousness is made. Don’t be shy—jerky is a matter of national pride! If you have questions, don’t be ashamed to ask.

Since we encourage curiosity, we have tried to answer every beef jerky question you were too embarrassed to ask. So, sit back and read on to learn more about America’s most craved protein-rich snack, the mighty beef jerky.

What Is the Origin of Beef Jerky?

The idea of jerky was born in the Americas. A prototype item was first created in South America by the Quechua tribe. They produced an initial version that was called Ch’arki, which also happens to be the origin of the work ‘jerky.’ They used a curing process to preserve the meat.

Ch’arki was made with game meat, anything from elk to alpaca, as a way to increase the meat’s shelf life. When hunting for game meat was difficult and game meat was scarce, people would still have preserved meat to feast on.

Jerky spread from there to all over the world with the help of Spanish explorers and became a favorite way of preserving meat in the harsh Wild West of North America. Nowadays, you don’t need to hunt game for jerky. To eat some delicious jerky, just hit the nearest convenience store or visit https://www.fatcatjerky.com/.

How Exactly Does One Make Jerky?

The Quechuan jerky was made through a curing process. At first, salt was applied to strips of tough and durable lean meat, then these strips were dried near an open fire or under the sun.

Later on, people realized that jerky can taste better with some added flavor, hence herbs and spices were added to make an even more palatable version. Some early versions also used huts to smoke the meat and add flavor.

Modern-day jerky came about when people started flavoring the meat first, then curing it. The jerk we eat today is marinated for anywhere from one to twenty-four hours, with a combination of both dry and liquid seasoning. Then it is cooked in smoking chambers, where more flavor is added with the type of wood used for the smoke.

What Kind of Meat Is Used to Make Jerky?

You can use virtually any meat to make jerky. However, lean beef is the most popular choice. Other types of meat include pork, chicken, and turkey, which are gaining in popularity because of their healthy properties.

You can also find jerky made of game meat, which is extremely flavorful and delicious. Some jerky is softer and easier to chew, such as that made from softer cuts of meat such as sirloin steak.

Is Jerky Cooked?

You will not find any jerky that is not cooked! Jerky is preserved meat that lasts for a long time, and if the meat is not thoroughly cooked, it will spoil faster. So don’t worry about whether your jerky is cooked or not the next time you take a snack break.

How Long Does Jerky Last and Where Can You Store It?

Most jerky available in the market has an ”official” shelf life of one year. But jerky, especially made from red meat, can last a long time. It does not necessarily spoil over time. However, its taste and flavor degrade. So even if it doesn’t make you sick, you will probably not enjoy chomping on outdated jerky!

You do not need to refrigerate jerky. It remains unspoiled almost anywhere, especially when the packet is unopened. Try storing opened packets in a dry airtight jar to preserve the taste and flavor. Avoid leaving it out in humid places.

Is Jerky Healthy?

Jerky can be a great source of protein. The meat shrinks during the curing process, hence two and a half pounds of meat is required to make one pound of jerky, with the meat to jerky ratio standing at 2.5:1. This makes its protein content impressively high.

However, whether the jerky you like to snack on is healthy really depends on the ingredients used to marinate the meat. You must check the ingredient list and the nutrition facts to see the jerky’s sugar and sodium content. Finding jerky that isn’t high in salt is difficult, so people who can’t have too much salt should reduce the amount they consume.

Can You Include Jerky in a Low-Carb Diet?

Yes, you can include jerky in a low-carb diet. However, you have to ensure that the ingredients used to flavor and cure the meat did not have added sugar or other high-carb elements. Beef jerky that does not include honey, barbecue sauce, teriyaki sauce, or anything that has sugar in it can easily be enjoyed as a keto-friendly snack!

How Do You Eat Jerky?

The simplest way to eat jerky is straight up, as it is. However, you can eat jerky in numerous ways. You can use it as a replacement for cold cuts. Jerky is so flavorful that sandwiches made out of them taste incredible.

You can use jerky as a homemade pizza topping! These flavorful cuts of meat go incredibly well with cheese. You can add them to stir-fry, stews, soups, etc. Whatever savory food needs a flavorful meaty boost, jerky is a great choice.

Bottomline

Every question you had about jerky but felt too embarrassed to ask has been answered. Now you can enjoy this mouth-watering, meaty snack, informed and guilt-free!