Dehydrating meat is a classic method of preserving meat. It is light in weight and protein-rich which makes dried meat enthusiastic for hikers, paddlers and others in their food packs. It plays an important role in the metabolism process, provides us with energy, help repair body tissues and enhance the immune system. Some of the dehydrated meats are beef, venison, buffalo, chicken, and turkey.

  1. Strip Method

You need to cut the meat into small inches strips which makes it easier to dehydrate. You should go for trimming away all the possible fat. Strips need to be consolidated with the soy sauce, salt, pepper and garlic in a big bowl.

  • You should cover it with plastic wrap if the bowl does not accompany with cover and marinate the meat in the cooler for 1 to 2 hours.
  • This time in the cooler will allows the flavors to enter the meat.
  • Spot the meat and marinade into the pot, and turn the burner on high and heat till boiling.
  • Boil it up for next 3 to 5 minutes to disinfect the meat before dehydrating.
  • You need to remove the strips of meat with a couple of tongs and let them soak on paper towels.

  1. Using Oven

You need to cut down the meat into small pieces so that they can be in contact with heat uniformly. Should on your oven and manually make it to its lowest setting.

  • You have to place those small pieces of meat or strips, whatever you prefer, onto the racks of the oven.
  • Should place strips at a certain distance to each other to pass the air.
  • Air out the oven door 1 to 2 inches to additionally energize air flow.
  • Dry the meat from about 8 to 12 hours.
  • The meat is got dried out when it breaks. There should not be any presence of moisture as it will allow bacteria to grow.

  1. Cooler

You should keep that in mind that you have to cool down the meat before storing. Otherwise, meat might get rotten because of the freeze-drying.

  • You need to keep the strips of meat on the cooling racks of the refrigerator.
  • Place the strips of meat into the airtight holders.
  • You should store the dehydrate meat at room temperature for 1 to 2 months or stop the got dried out meat for a longer shelf life.

  1. Microwave Drying

You can use a microwave to dehydrate your meat.

  • You have to layer your meat with some wax paper first.
  • In the microwave, you have to cook the pieces of meat for some time until all of the moisture does not draw out.
  • In case you want to make your meat little crispy, you should give it some more time inside the microwave.
  • It is one of the fast methods of dehydrating meat.

  1. Off-Grid Drying Racks

This method doesn’t involve any kind of artificial heat to dehydrate the meat.

  • It is totally based on natural methods of dehydration.
  • Its design consists of meshes on the sides which prevents the meat from the bugs and unwanted material away from the meat.
  • It is consumer-friendly as it does not require any kind of energy source other than natural sources like wind, sun.
  • Because of its dependence on natural sources, weather plays an important role in this method. Non-humid sunny days are ideal for this method of dehydration.
  • This procedure has a slower rate but it is easy and inexpensive.

  1. Electric Dehydrator

This one is the most convenient method of dehydrating meat.

  • You just need to put your pieces of meat into the electric dehydrator and indulge yourself in other works.
  • It doesn’t depend upon any natural sources, so no weather issues.
  • It has its own environment which will help you to not worry about the bugs or any kind of physical problem.
  • Is a safe and reliable method.

  1. Air Drying

Air drying is the traditional method of drying meat and other foods.

  • It includes a simple process of the strap up the meat strips, and places it somewhere to dry it out from air circulation.
  • This method isn’t suitable for humid regions.
  • It is better to tie a paper bag around the strips of meat in order to prevent it from dust and insects.

TIPS

  • You should keep the meat in the cooler for at least 30 minutes before cutting which will make it easier to cut it down into strips.
  • Utilize lean bits of meat for getting dried out otherwise fat will go rotten and ruin the meat faster.
  • Meat can be dried out utilizing a food dehydrator. You should follow up all the instructions for handling the appliance.
  • You should put your meat into airtight containers or pack with no air as moisture will ruin the dehydrated meat.

Meat should be precooked before drying out so as to make it bacteria free.

Can I dehydrate raw meat?

You can dry any raw meat (beef, poultry,game) or canned. However, each type of meat requires different pre-treatment.

How long does dehydrated meat last?

Storage Areas

Keep dehydrated meats in an unrefrigerated area for no more than two weeks, the National Center for Home Food Preservation recommends. After that, place the jars in the freezer or refrigerator for use up to one year after dehydrating.

Do you cook meat before dehydrating?

If you choose to heat the meat prior to drying to decrease the risk of foodborne illness, do so at the end of the marination time. To heat, bring strips and marinade to a boil and boil for 5 minutes before draining and drying. If strips are more than a ¼-inch thick, the length of time may need to be increased.

What does it mean to dehydrate meat?

Well, drying meats is a way of preserving used years and years ago by the Indians and other ancient peoples. Indians would cut the meat into long strips and hang it up to dry in the wind and sun. They called it charqui (pronounced “sharky”).

Can you leave a food dehydrator on overnight?

Yes, you can leave a good dehydrator on overnight. Some things, like rosemary, can take 8 to 10 hours to dry. I’ll set it up in the dehydrator before I go to bed, and it is usually done when I get up in the morning.

Does a food dehydrator use a lot of electricity?

Food dehydrators tend to be much more energy efficient than ovens. When you consider the difference between running a 1000W dehydrator for 12 hours versus a 5000W to 38,000W convection oven for the same time period, the dehydrator wins out on energy use alone.

What happens if you dehydrate food too long?

Dehydration temperatures

Too low of a temperature, and you could be leaving the food in the “danger zone” for too long and risk bacterial growth. Too high of a temperature, and you risk case hardening.

Can a food dehydrator start a fire?

While any electrical appliance is a fire hazard to some degree dehydrator are no more dangerous than a fridge, freezer or computer etc. The fire hazard is significantly reduced as a result of the low temperatures that dehydrators run at when compared to other cooking appliances such as a toaster oven or kettle.

Can you burn food in a dehydrator?

While yes, you can burn your food in your dehydrator, the best way you can avoid this is by learning proper cooking techniques when using your food dehydrator. Below, you will find some of the best tips and tricks to prevent yourself from over-drying your food.

How long can I run a food dehydrator?

Spread everything out thinly and evenly, stirring on the trays every so often to ensure thorough drying. Most meals can be dried at 135°F for 8–10 hours. Just make sure there’s no remaining moisture and break up clumps of food as it dries.

Can you over dry food in a dehydrator?

Essentially, the answer is no, you cannot overdry your dehydrated foods. The nuanced answer is this; You cannot overdry foods you plan on putting into storage. You might over dry fruit leather or jerky a little more than your taste preference is, but you cannot overdry food meant for food storage.

What are the disadvantages of drying food?

Dried food does not taste the same as fresh food does. Moisture can cause dried foods left in the food in the drying process or allowed in during storage can cause mold on food. Overly dried fruits, vegetables and meats can be exceptionally hard, often to the point where they do not soften.

How do you know when food is fully dehydrated?

With food dehydration, you check for doneness simply by testing the food. With most fruits and vegetables, they will feel completely dry to the touch. When your food feels dry it’s ready to store for a few weeks or for months in a FoodSaver bag or container.

How should you prepare food before dehydrating?

A general rule of thumb for dehydrating– if you eat it raw then there is no need to pre–cook the food before the drying. Vegetables like corn, broccoli and celery require blanching before dehydrating. Blanching is cooking the food item in boiling water then putting it in cold water.

What foods make you dehydrated?

Top 7 most Dehydrating Foods
  1. SALTY SNACKS. It’s no secret that salt causes dehydration due to the impact that sodium has on the body.
  2. PROTEIN.
  3. PARSLEY AND ASPARAGUS.
  4. SOY SAUCE.
  5. SUGARY TREATS.
  6. FRIED FOOD AND READY MEALS.
  7. ALCOHOL.

Is dehydrated food good for you?

Dehydrated foods have a higher calorie content by weight and can be high in sodium and sugars, depending on the food. In excess, these nutrients can cause weight gain and increase your risk of obesity, heart problems, and diabetes.