Category: From the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

Chipotles in Adobo

I go thru a lot of chipotles in adobo sauce. I have an entire section of one of my pantry shelves devoted to cans of them. So it occurred to me that I should try my hand at making them at home. These chiptoles in adobo came out fantastically. Great smoky flavor and a bit of heat. They do take a bit of time to prepare, but they are oh so worth the trouble.

Chipotles in Adobo

I dried my smoked jalapenos in my Nesco Snackmaster Pro dehydrator. If you don’t have a dehydrator you can place the jalapenos on a baking sheet and place in the oven at the lowest temperature setting. Rotate the jalapenos every few hours until dried. The chipotles were the star ingredient my Texas chipotle burgers and on my adobo Buffalo chicken wings!

You can also skip the smoking and drying of the jalapenos and buy dried chipotles at your marketplace. In our grocery store the dried peppers can be found by the produce section.

I like to load up my dehydrator. To do that I picked up a handful of extra trays. They really add a whole lot more drying space! Since I have to rotate my trays, I write a number on each one on a piece of blue painter’s tape so I can keep track of them.

NESCO TR-2 White Plastic Round 15 1/2" Add-A-Trays, to fit 1000 Series Food Dehydrators, 2 Pack
NESCO TR-2 White Plastic Round 15 1/2″ Add-A-Trays, to fit 1000 Series Food Dehydrators, 2 Pack

You can also make bacon bits using your Nesco Snackmaster Pro.

Chipotles in Adobo
Print Pin
4 from 1 vote

Chipotles in Adobo

These chiptoles in adobo came out fantastically. Great smoky flavor and a bit of heat. They do take a bit of time to prepare, but they are oh so worth the trouble.
Course Sauce
Cuisine American
Keyword chipotle, sauce
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 2 days 8 hours
Total Time 2 days 8 hours 10 minutes
Servings 12 chipotles
Calories 22kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Fire up a smoker for smoking at 250 F. Use a strong wood such as hickory.
  • Add the jalapenos to the smoker and smoke until browned and shriveled, at least 4 hours.
  • Remove and let cool slightly then transfer to a dehydrator and dry at 135 F for 24-48 hours or until completely dried.
  • Remove the stems (and seeds, if desired) and transfer to a large bowl.
  • Cover with hot water. Cover with a plate to weigh the peppers down into the water and let soak for 20 minutes.
  • Remove 4 of the peppers and transfer to a blender.
  • Add the tomato puree and honey and 1/2 cup of the soaking water.
  • Blend until you have a paste.
  • Take the remaining peppers and the soaking liquid and transfer to a pot. Add in the paste.
  • Add the onion, garlic, vinegar, salt and peppercorns.
  • Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer and simmer for 1-2 hours until thick. If the sauce gets too thick add a bit of water.
  • Store in the freezer or use within a month.

Nutrition

Calories: 22kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 105mg | Potassium: 161mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 265IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

NESCO LM-2-6 Round Plastic Mesh 13 1/2" Clean-A-Screens, for Dehydrators, (Pack of 2)
NESCO LM-2-6 Round Plastic Mesh 13 1/2″ Clean-A-Screens, for Dehydrators, (Pack of 2)
NESCO LT-2SG Plastic 13 1/2" Add-A-Trays, accessory, Gray
NESCO LT-2SG Plastic 13 1/2″ Add-A-Trays, accessory, Gray
NESCO FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator, For Snacks, Fruit, Beef Jerky, Gray
NESCO FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator, For Snacks, Fruit, Beef Jerky, Gray

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Sun-Dried Tomatoes on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

Wow! I was so happy with sun-dried tomatoes on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro. The process was about as easy as you can possibly get. You end up with pliable but not leathery tomatoes that can be used anywhere jarred sun-dried tomatoes are called for. Like sun-dried tomato hummus, which I made immediately after the tomatoes were ready. I used Roma tomatoes because they are cheap and don’t require me to remove the seeds. If you use bigger tomatoes you’ll have to seed them after removing the skins.

Sun-Dried Tomatoes on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

These sun-dried tomatoes on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro aren’t packed in oil like those in jars. And I opted to not season them at all, though you can surely add basil or thyme or whatever flavors you want. It takes a lot of tomatoes to make a batch of sun-dried tomatoes. I made a big batch, and froze the leftovers in vacuum-sealed bags in the freezer.

I like to load up my dehydrator. To do that I picked up a handful of extra trays. They really add a whole lot more drying space! Since I have to rotate my trays, I write a number on each one on a piece of blue painter’s tape so I can keep track of them.

NESCO TR-2 White Plastic Round 15 1/2" Add-A-Trays, to fit 1000 Series Food Dehydrators, 2 Pack
NESCO TR-2 White Plastic Round 15 1/2″ Add-A-Trays, to fit 1000 Series Food Dehydrators, 2 Pack

Also try my mushroom jerky using the Nesco Snackmaster Pro.

Sun-Dried Tomatoes on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Sun-Dried Tomatoes on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

Wow! I was so happy with sun-dried tomatoes on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro. The process was about as easy as you can possibly get. 
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword dehydrator, nesco snackmaster pro, sun-dried tomato
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 hours
Total Time 12 hours 15 minutes
Servings 2 cups
Calories 204kcal
Author Based on a post from Pick Your Own

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 5 pounds Roma tomatoes ripe

Instructions

  • Fill a large bowl with ice and add water to create an ice bath.
  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
  • Working in small batches (4-5 tomatoes at a time), add tomatoes to boiling water and boil for 45 second to 1 minute at the most. If your tomatoes are small, 45 seconds should be enough. You aren’t trying to cook the tomatoes, only loosening the skin.
  • Remove tomatoes to ice bath and let cool for 5 minutes before removing and peeling the skin. Most of my tomatoes peeled easily, but for some I had to use (gently) a vegetable peeler.
  • Cut the tomatoes into quarters lengthwise and remove and tough green parts along with any stems.
  • Add tomatoes to the dehydrator. I used screens, but you don’t need them.
  • Turn dehydrator to 145 F and dry until the tomatoes are leathery, but not crispy. There should be no visible signs of water and no water should escape when you squeeze the tomatoes. Rotate the trays every hour to ensure consistent drying. Larger pieces may require longer drying times.
  • Let tomatoes cool before using, or freeze and vacuum pack for later use.

Nutrition

Calories: 204kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 57mg | Potassium: 2688mg | Fiber: 14g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 9446IU | Vitamin C: 155mg | Calcium: 113mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

NESCO LM-2-6 Round Plastic Mesh 13 1/2" Clean-A-Screens, for Dehydrators, (Pack of 2)
NESCO LM-2-6 Round Plastic Mesh 13 1/2″ Clean-A-Screens, for Dehydrators, (Pack of 2)
NESCO LT-2SG Plastic 13 1/2" Add-A-Trays, accessory, Gray
NESCO LT-2SG Plastic 13 1/2″ Add-A-Trays, accessory, Gray
NESCO FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator, For Snacks, Fruit, Beef Jerky, Gray
NESCO FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator, For Snacks, Fruit, Beef Jerky, Gray

Whiskey Pepper Ground Beef Jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

I have been loving making jerky. Like this whiskey pepper ground beef jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro. I’ve been using ground top round for my ground beef jerky, but any lean ground meat will work. This whiskey pepper ground beef jerky has a really great peppery flavor, with a hint of whiskey. For me, the peppery flavor was a big hit. I could eat this jerky all day long (and did).

Whiskey Pepper Ground Beef Jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

Make sure you rotate your trays every 2 hours or so when you make whiskey pepper ground beef jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro. The bottom trays will not dry as quickly as those on top. Rotating the trays will give you nice, even drying and perfect jerky on every level.

I like to load up my dehydrator. To do that I picked up a handful of extra trays. They really add a whole lot more drying space! Since I have to rotate my trays, I write a number on each one on a piece of blue painter’s tape so I can keep track of them.

NESCO TR-2 White Plastic Round 15 1/2" Add-A-Trays, to fit 1000 Series Food Dehydrators, 2 Pack
NESCO TR-2 White Plastic Round 15 1/2″ Add-A-Trays, to fit 1000 Series Food Dehydrators, 2 Pack

Try these other great jerky flavors from Eastman Outdoors: spicy jalapeno, Cajun, mesquite, sweet habanero, and hickory.

Check out my guide to using the Nesco Snackmaster Pro. You will be making fantastic jerky at home in no time at all!

Whiskey Pepper Ground Beef Jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Whiskey Pepper Ground Beef Jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

This whiskey pepper ground beef jerky has a really great peppery flavor, with a hint of whiskey. For me, the peppery flavor was a big hit. I could eat this jerky all day long (and did).
Course Dehydrator
Cuisine Jerky
Keyword beef, dehydrator, jerky, nesco snackmaster pro, sweet
Prep Time 8 hours
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 14 hours
Servings 1 pound
Calories 1243kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place beef in a resealable bag or container.
  • In a small bowl whisk together the seasoning, curing salt and water. Pour over the meat and seal. Shake to coat.
  • Refrigerate the meat for up to 8 hours, shaking or massaging every hour or so to get the marinade distributed and absorbed evenly.
  • Remove meat from the marinade and add to a jerky gun. Squeeze out onto Nesco trays. Do not overlap meat.
  • Add the dehydrator top, set to maximum temperature setting and dehydrate for 5 hours, rotating the trays (bottom to top) every 2 hours or so.
  • To test for doneness remove a piece and let cool slightly. Try to bend the meat. If it gives and starts to tear at the bend it is done. If it bends without tearing return to the dehydrator and let it run another 15 minutes and test again. If the meat is crunchy it is overdone but still good. It’s really personal preference as to how you like your jerky. Soft, chewy, crunchy. There’s no wrong here.
  • Let cool before storing in an airtight container.

Notes

The package for the Eastman Outdoors jerky seasoning states that it makes up to 5 pounds of jerky. I personally feel that the flavor is too mellow, so I use just about an entire package for 1 pound of jerky. I end up with a little left over seasoning, which I store in a labelled air-tight container. I’ll eventually mix it with more seasoning. I think I can get 3 pounds of well-seasoning jerky out of two packages of Eastman Outdoors mix.
This recipe is for starting with 1 pound of meat. You’ll end up with about 1/2 pound in the end. You can easily double/triple/etc this recipe for large quantities of meat, however 5-6 pounds is about all you can fit onto a Nesco Snackmaster Pro fitted with 12 trays (the unit comes with 5).

Nutrition

Calories: 1243kcal | Protein: 194g | Fat: 45g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 20g | Trans Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 562mg | Sodium: 605mg | Potassium: 3139mg | Calcium: 85mg | Iron: 22mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

NESCO LM-2-6 Round Plastic Mesh 13 1/2" Clean-A-Screens, for Dehydrators, (Pack of 2)
NESCO LM-2-6 Round Plastic Mesh 13 1/2″ Clean-A-Screens, for Dehydrators, (Pack of 2)
NESCO LT-2SG Plastic 13 1/2" Add-A-Trays, accessory, Gray
NESCO LT-2SG Plastic 13 1/2″ Add-A-Trays, accessory, Gray
NESCO FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator, For Snacks, Fruit, Beef Jerky, Gray
NESCO FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator, For Snacks, Fruit, Beef Jerky, Gray

Fig Newtons on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

Oh my goodness! It worked! Fig newtons on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro came out absolutely fantastically! Moist, tender, and packed with fig flavor. I could not have been happier. I haven’t had a fig newton in what seems like a hundred years. Now I can make them at home, and easily.

Fig Newtons on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

The steps for making your own fig newtons using your Nesco Snackmaster Pro are pretty straightforward. You form a dough, first, and then roll it out so that’s 6″ deep and it-doesn’t-matter how long.

fig-newtons-on-the-nesco-snackmaster-pro-1

Then you form a paste of the figs and just a bit of water using your food processor. Spread the paste down the center 2″ of the dough rectangle. Try not to eat all of the figs while you’re doing this.

fig-newtons-on-the-nesco-snackmaster-pro-2

Fold the sides over to form a big log of figgy goodness. Cut into 2″ (or so) sections and transfer to the dehydrator. Dry at 115 F for about 48 hours then devour!

fig-newtons-on-the-nesco-snackmaster-pro-3

I like to load up my dehydrator. To do that I picked up a handful of extra trays. They really add a whole lot more drying space! Since I have to rotate my trays, I write a number on each one on a piece of blue painter’s tape so I can keep track of them.

NESCO TR-2 White Plastic Round 15 1/2" Add-A-Trays, to fit 1000 Series Food Dehydrators, 2 Pack
NESCO TR-2 White Plastic Round 15 1/2″ Add-A-Trays, to fit 1000 Series Food Dehydrators, 2 Pack

You can also dehydrate grapes to make delicious raisins!

Fig Newtons on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Fig Newtons on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

Oh my goodness! It worked! These fig newtons came out absolutely fantastica! Moist, tender, and packed with figgy flavor. I could not have been happier.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword dehydrator, nesco snackmaster pro, snacks
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 2 days
Total Time 2 days 20 minutes
Servings 24 servings
Calories 114kcal
Author Based on a recipe from Weston Products

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place the flour, milk and vanilla extract in a large bowl. Mix with your hands until it forms a dough. The dough will be slightly dry but will still hold its form when pressed.
  • Place the figs into a food process.
  • Add 1/4 cup of water and pulse a few times. If the figs form a paste you are done. If not, add a bit more water and pulse again. Continue until you get a firm paste, but do not add too much water that it becomes runny.
  • Roll the dough out on a flat surface. Form a rectangle that is 6″ deep and about 1/4″ thick. Don’t worry about the width of the dough.
  • Spread the fig paste down the center 2″ of the dough, leaving 2″ above and below to the edges of the dough.
  • Fold the edges over the fig filling. The dough might split a bit along the edges. Use your fingers to pinch it back together.
  • Use a pastry or pizza cutter or sharp knife to cut the dough into 2″ pieces.
  • Transfer cookies to the Nesco Snackmaster Pro trays. Note: Our fig newtons were pretty thick so they they did like to stick to the tray above them. Don’t fret that, they’ll come out fine. I do recommend that you do not place any cookies on the top rack, the one closest to the dehydrator motor as they may stick to it.
  • Set the temperature to 115 F and dry for up to 48 hours or until the dough is soft but dry.

Nutrition

Calories: 114kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 7mg | Potassium: 22mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 13IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

NESCO LM-2-6 Round Plastic Mesh 13 1/2" Clean-A-Screens, for Dehydrators, (Pack of 2)
NESCO LM-2-6 Round Plastic Mesh 13 1/2″ Clean-A-Screens, for Dehydrators, (Pack of 2)
NESCO LT-2SG Plastic 13 1/2" Add-A-Trays, accessory, Gray
NESCO LT-2SG Plastic 13 1/2″ Add-A-Trays, accessory, Gray
NESCO FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator, For Snacks, Fruit, Beef Jerky, Gray
NESCO FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator, For Snacks, Fruit, Beef Jerky, Gray

Mesquite Ground Beef Jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

I have been loving making jerky like this mesquite ground beef jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro. I’ve been using ground top round for my ground beef jerky, but any lean ground meat will work. This mesquite ground beef jerky has a really great smoky flavor to it, but it’s not overwhelming. The flavor is a bit stronger than the hickory-flavored seasoning that Eastman Outdoors sells. Not strong bad but strong good! The meat has the perfect ‘bite’, just a little tug.

Mesquite Ground Beef Jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

Make sure you rotate your trays every 2 hours or so when you make mesquite ground beef jerky on your Nesco Snackmaster Pro. The bottom trays in the will not dry as quickly as those on top. Rotating the trays will give you nice, even drying and perfect jerky on every level.

I like to load up my dehydrator. To do that I picked up a handful of extra trays. They really add a whole lot more drying space! Since I have to rotate my trays, I write a number on each one on a piece of blue painter’s tape so I can keep track of them.

NESCO TR-2 White Plastic Round 15 1/2" Add-A-Trays, to fit 1000 Series Food Dehydrators, 2 Pack
NESCO TR-2 White Plastic Round 15 1/2″ Add-A-Trays, to fit 1000 Series Food Dehydrators, 2 Pack

Try these other great jerky flavors from Eastman Outdoors: spicy jalapeno, Cajun, whiskey pepper, sweet habanero, and hickory.

Check out my guide to using the Nesco Snackmaster Pro. You will be making fantastic jerky at home in no time at all!

Mesquite Ground Beef Jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Mesquite Ground Beef Jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

 This mesquite ground beef jerky has a really great smoky flavor to it, but it’s not overwhelming. 
Course Dehydrator
Cuisine Jerky
Keyword BBQ, beef, dehydrator, jerky, nesco snackmaster pro, sweet
Prep Time 8 hours
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 14 hours
Servings 1 pound
Calories 1243kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place beef in a resealable bag or container.
  • In a small bowl whisk together the seasoning, curing salt and water. Pour over the meat and seal. Shake to coat.
  • Refrigerate the meat for up to 8 hours, shaking or massaging every hour or so to get the marinade distributed and absorbed evenly.
  • Remove meat from the marinade and add to a jerky gun. Squeeze out onto Nesco trays. Do not overlap meat.
  • Add the dehydrator top, set to maximum temperature setting and dehydrate for 5 hours, rotating the trays (bottom to top) every 2 hours or so.
  • To test for doneness remove a piece and let cool slightly. Try to bend the meat. If it gives and starts to tear at the bend it is done. If it bends without tearing return to the dehydrator and let it run another 15 minutes and test again. If the meat is crunchy it is overdone but still good. It’s really personal preference as to how you like your jerky. Soft, chewy, crunchy. There’s no wrong here.
  • Let cool before storing in an airtight container.

Notes

The package for the Eastman Outdoors jerky seasoning states that it makes up to 5 pounds of jerky. I personally feel that the flavor is too mellow, so I use just about an entire package for 1 pound of jerky. I end up with a little left over seasoning, which I store in a labelled air-tight container. I’ll eventually mix it with more seasoning. I think I can get 3 pounds of well-seasoning jerky out of two packages of Eastman Outdoors mix.
This recipe is for starting with 2 pounds of meat. You’ll end up with about 1 pound in the end. You can easily double/triple/etc this recipe for large quantities of meat, however 5-6 pounds is about all you can fit onto a Nesco Snackmaster Pro fitted with 12 trays (the unit comes with 5).

Nutrition

Calories: 1243kcal | Protein: 194g | Fat: 45g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Trans Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 562mg | Sodium: 605mg | Potassium: 3139mg | Calcium: 85mg | Iron: 22mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

NESCO LM-2-6 Round Plastic Mesh 13 1/2" Clean-A-Screens, for Dehydrators, (Pack of 2)
NESCO LM-2-6 Round Plastic Mesh 13 1/2″ Clean-A-Screens, for Dehydrators, (Pack of 2)
NESCO LT-2SG Plastic 13 1/2" Add-A-Trays, accessory, Gray
NESCO LT-2SG Plastic 13 1/2″ Add-A-Trays, accessory, Gray
NESCO FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator, For Snacks, Fruit, Beef Jerky, Gray
NESCO FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator, For Snacks, Fruit, Beef Jerky, Gray

Red Pepper Flake on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

Ever since I bought my dehydrator I have been looking forward to drying chile peppers. I wanted to make my own red pepper flake on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro. I use a ton of red pepper flake in the many dishes I cook, and I thought it’d be awesome to grown my own peppers and dry them. So, that’s what I did. My pepper harvest wasn’t very bountiful, but fortunately it doesn’t take a lot of peppers to make a good-sized batch of red pepper flake.

Red Pepper Flake on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

Packed with heat and great flavor, I couldn’t have been happier with the end result. I hand-crushed the dried peppers with a mortar and pestle. You could use a blade coffee grinder or even blender, but I think you’ll end up with chile powder (my next project) instead of coarse flake. You get much better control over the end product using the mortar and pestle.

I like to load up my dehydrator. To do that I picked up a handful of extra trays from Nesco. They really add a whole lot more drying space! Since I have to rotate my trays, I write a number on each one on a piece of blue painter’s tape so I can keep track of them.

NESCO TR-2 White Plastic Round 15 1/2" Add-A-Trays, to fit 1000 Series Food Dehydrators, 2 Pack
NESCO TR-2 White Plastic Round 15 1/2″ Add-A-Trays, to fit 1000 Series Food Dehydrators, 2 Pack

Also try my smoked habanero flake.

Red Pepper Flake on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Red Pepper Flake on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

I use a ton of red pepper flake in the many dishes I cook, and I thought it’d be awesome to grown my own peppers and dry them.
Course Spice Mix
Cuisine American
Keyword Big Easy, Char-Broil, peppers
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings 1 cup
Calories 576kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 32 chile peppers ripe

Instructions

  • Cut the stems off of the peppers. Do not remove the seeds.
  • Place peppers on the dehydrator trays. Set the dehydrator temperature to 165 F.
  • Dry for 8 hours or until the peppers are crispy and brittle.
  • Working in batches, place the peppers into a mortar and grind with the pestle until the desired consistency is achieved.
  • Store in an airtight container.

Nutrition

Calories: 576kcal | Carbohydrates: 127g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 130mg | Potassium: 4637mg | Fiber: 22g | Sugar: 76g | Vitamin A: 13709IU | Vitamin C: 2069mg | Calcium: 202mg | Iron: 15mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

NESCO LM-2-6 Round Plastic Mesh 13 1/2" Clean-A-Screens, for Dehydrators, (Pack of 2)
NESCO LM-2-6 Round Plastic Mesh 13 1/2″ Clean-A-Screens, for Dehydrators, (Pack of 2)
NESCO LT-2SG Plastic 13 1/2" Add-A-Trays, accessory, Gray
NESCO LT-2SG Plastic 13 1/2″ Add-A-Trays, accessory, Gray
NESCO FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator, For Snacks, Fruit, Beef Jerky, Gray
NESCO FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator, For Snacks, Fruit, Beef Jerky, Gray

Raisins on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

I’ve been having a blast with my new dehydrator from Nesco. I’ve been making a lot of jerky, so I figured I’d take a break and make something different. And that different is raisins on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro. They take a few days to dehydrate, but boy are they fantastic! Tender and sweet. Soooooo much better than store-bought.

Raisins on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

Raisins on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro are fun to make and eat! You can fit about a pound of grapes per tray (outfitted with screens). You should rotate the trays every few hours to guarantee even drying, but be careful rotating the trays when you first start out. Them lil grapes like to roll around!

After 2 days the smaller grapes may be dried completely, so check through the trays for any that are done.

NESCO TR-2 White Plastic Round 15 1/2" Add-A-Trays, to fit 1000 Series Food Dehydrators, 2 Pack
NESCO TR-2 White Plastic Round 15 1/2″ Add-A-Trays, to fit 1000 Series Food Dehydrators, 2 Pack

Did you know that you can also make Fig Newtons on your Nesco Snackmaster Pro? They take a while, but boy are they ever great!

Raisins on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Raisins on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

They take a few days to dehydrate, but boy are they fantastic! Tender and sweet. Soooooo much better than store-bought.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword dehydrator, grapes, nesco snackmaster pro, raisins
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 3 days
Total Time 3 days 15 minutes
Servings 1 cup
Calories 313kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ripe grapes

Instructions

  • Remove the stems from the grapes.
  • Rinse under cold water.
  • Pat the grapes dry. The drier, the better.
  • Place grapes onto the dehydrator screens. Try to not let them touch.
  • Close the dehydrator and turn onto high.
  • Dehydrate on high for 24 hours, rotating the trays every 2 hours or so. Don’t fret if you don’t rotate the trays at night while you’re sleeping!
  • Turn the dehydrator down to 135 F and continue drying for a total of 3 days, rotating the trays every 2 hours or so. I like to move the grapes around a bit as they are drying to keep them from sticking to the screens.

Notes

You can fit about a pound of grapes per tray in the Nesco Snackmaster Pro. Do not overcrowd the grapes.

Nutrition

Calories: 313kcal | Carbohydrates: 82g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 9mg | Potassium: 866mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 70g | Vitamin A: 299IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

NESCO LM-2-6 Round Plastic Mesh 13 1/2" Clean-A-Screens, for Dehydrators, (Pack of 2)
NESCO LM-2-6 Round Plastic Mesh 13 1/2″ Clean-A-Screens, for Dehydrators, (Pack of 2)
NESCO LT-2SG Plastic 13 1/2" Add-A-Trays, accessory, Gray
NESCO LT-2SG Plastic 13 1/2″ Add-A-Trays, accessory, Gray
NESCO FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator, For Snacks, Fruit, Beef Jerky, Gray
NESCO FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator, For Snacks, Fruit, Beef Jerky, Gray

Fiery Teriyaki Ground Beef Jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

I love making jerky on my dehydrator. I’ve been using ground top round for my ground beef jerky, but any lean ground meat will work. This fiery Teriyaki ground beef jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro combines two of my favorite things: a nice tangy Teriyaki flavor and heat. I love a little kick to my jerky, and this has it. Not overwhelmingly hot, just enjoyable It is definitely one of my favorite jerky seasonings. The meat has the perfect ‘bite’, just a little tug.

Fiery Teriyaki Ground Beef Jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

Make sure you rotate your trays every 2 hours or so when making fiery Teriyaki ground beef jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro. The bottom trays will not dry as quickly as those on top. Rotating the trays will give you nice, even drying and perfect jerky on every level.

I like to load up my dehydrator. To do that I picked up a handful of extra trays. They really add a whole lot more drying space! Since I have to rotate my trays, I write a number on each one on a piece of blue painter’s tape so I can keep track of them.

NESCO TR-2 White Plastic Round 15 1/2" Add-A-Trays, to fit 1000 Series Food Dehydrators, 2 Pack
NESCO TR-2 White Plastic Round 15 1/2″ Add-A-Trays, to fit 1000 Series Food Dehydrators, 2 Pack

Also try my mandarin teriyaki jerky.

Check out my guide to using the Nesco Snackmaster Pro. You will be making fantastic jerky at home in no time at all!

Fiery Teriyaki Ground Beef Jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro
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5 from 1 vote

Fiery Teriyaki Ground Beef Jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

This fiery Teriyaki ground beef jerky combines two of my favorite things: a nice tangy Teriyaki flavor and heat. I love a little kick to my jerky, and this has it. 
Course Dehydrator
Cuisine Jerky
Keyword BBQ, beef, dehydrator, jerky, nesco snackmaster pro, sweet
Prep Time 8 hours
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 14 hours
Servings 1 pound
Calories 2304kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • NOTE: The package for the Eastman Outdoors jerky seasoning states that it makes up to 5 pounds of jerky. I personally feel that the flavor is too mellow, so I use just about an entire package for 1 pound of jerky. I end up with a little left over seasoning, which I store in a labelled air-tight container. I’ll eventually mix it with more seasoning. I think I can get 3 pounds of well-seasoning jerky out of two packages of Eastman Outdoors mix.
  • Place beef in a resealable bag or container.
  • In a small bowl whisk together the seasoning, curing salt and water. Pour over the meat and seal. Shake to coat.
  • Refrigerate the meat for up to 8 hours, shaking or massaging every hour or so to get the marinade distributed and absorbed evenly.
  • Remove meat from the marinade and add to a jerky gun. Squeeze out onto Nesco trays. Do not overlap meat.
  • Add the dehydrator top, set to maximum temperature setting and dehydrate for 5 hours, rotating the trays (bottom to top) every 2 hours or so.
  • To test for doneness remove a piece and let cool slightly. Try to bend the meat. If it gives and starts to tear at the bend it is done. If it bends without tearing return to the dehydrator and let it run another 15 minutes and test again. If the meat is crunchy it is overdone but still good. It’s really personal preference as to how you like your jerky. Soft, chewy, crunchy. There’s no wrong here.
  • Let cool before storing in an airtight container.

Notes

This recipe is for starting with 2 pounds of meat. You’ll end up with about 1 pound in the end. You can easily double/triple/etc this recipe for large quantities of meat, however 5-6 pounds is about all you can fit onto a Nesco Snackmaster Pro fitted with 12 trays (the unit comes with 5).

Nutrition

Calories: 2304kcal | Protein: 156g | Fat: 181g | Saturated Fat: 70g | Trans Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 644mg | Sodium: 614mg | Potassium: 2449mg | Calcium: 167mg | Iron: 18mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

NESCO LM-2-6 Round Plastic Mesh 13 1/2" Clean-A-Screens, for Dehydrators, (Pack of 2)
NESCO LM-2-6 Round Plastic Mesh 13 1/2″ Clean-A-Screens, for Dehydrators, (Pack of 2)
NESCO LT-2SG Plastic 13 1/2" Add-A-Trays, accessory, Gray
NESCO LT-2SG Plastic 13 1/2″ Add-A-Trays, accessory, Gray
NESCO FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator, For Snacks, Fruit, Beef Jerky, Gray
NESCO FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator, For Snacks, Fruit, Beef Jerky, Gray

Onion Powder on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

Onions were on sale here last week. I hate passing up on a deal, so I bought a few nice big onions, and proceeded to make homemade onion powder using my Nesco Snackmaster Pro. The end result has a slightly different texture than store-bought onion powder, but a much more onion-packed flavor.

My first use of my onion powder was in a rub for rotisserie-style chicken. You can definitely tell the difference between onion powder made on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro and the stuff in a jar. Wow!

Onion Powder on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

After drying the onions for 24 hours I ground them using a blade coffee grinder (not the burr grinder). Not all of the onion pieces would go thru the grinder (they were still a bit moist) so I returned them to the dehydrator for just a bit.

The final product went into Mason jars with lids and then vacuum-sealed using a jar attachment for a vacuum sealer. You just have to remember that after you open the jar to remove some of the powder you’ll need to re-seal it. No big deal and well worth the effort.

I like to load up my dehydrator. To do that I picked up a handful of extra trays. They really add a whole lot more drying space! Since I have to rotate my trays, I write a number on each one on a piece of blue painter’s tape so I can keep track of them.

NESCO TR-2 White Plastic Round 15 1/2" Add-A-Trays, to fit 1000 Series Food Dehydrators, 2 Pack
NESCO TR-2 White Plastic Round 15 1/2″ Add-A-Trays, to fit 1000 Series Food Dehydrators, 2 Pack

Bell pepper powder is also great when made on your Nesco Snackmaster Pro.

Onion Powder on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro
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Onion Powder on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

Onions were on sale here last week. I hate passing up on a deal, so bought a few nice big onions, and proceeded to make homemade onion powder using my Nesco Snackmaster Pro. 
Course Spice Mix
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 day
Total Time 1 day 15 minutes
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

  • Onions sliced or chopped thin (try to make the pieces consistent in size)

Instructions

  • Place the onions into the dehydrator. Make sure they do not touch or overlap.
  • Dry at 165 F for 18-24 hours, or until the onions are crispy. Smaller pieces will take less time. I cut mine big, so they took the full 24 hours.
  • Let cool completely then grind using a blender or blade coffee grinder (not a burr grinder).
  • Keep in an air-right container. I place mine in a Mason jar, cover it, then use a vacuum-sealer attachment specifically for jars to remove all of the air.

Nutritional values are approximate.

NESCO LM-2-6 Round Plastic Mesh 13 1/2" Clean-A-Screens, for Dehydrators, (Pack of 2)
NESCO LM-2-6 Round Plastic Mesh 13 1/2″ Clean-A-Screens, for Dehydrators, (Pack of 2)
NESCO LT-2SG Plastic 13 1/2" Add-A-Trays, accessory, Gray
NESCO LT-2SG Plastic 13 1/2″ Add-A-Trays, accessory, Gray
NESCO FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator, For Snacks, Fruit, Beef Jerky, Gray
NESCO FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator, For Snacks, Fruit, Beef Jerky, Gray

Bell Pepper Powder on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

Although I truly do love making jerky on my dehydrator. it’s actually not the main reason I bought it. I got it to dry herbs and vegetables to make my own spice mixes. This bell pepper powder made on my Nesco Snackmaster Pro dehydrator was my first attempt, and boy, is it ever amazing.

Bell Pepper Powder on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro


I cannot wait to use this bell pepper powder on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro in everything from omelets to chili. It has a great peppery sweetness to it. You could easily substitute it for black pepper in a lot of cases.

After drying the chopped peppers for 24 hours I ground them using a blade coffee grinder (not the burr grinder). Not all of the peppers would go thru the grinder (they were still a bit moist) so I returned them to the dehydrator for just a bit.

The final product went into Mason jars with lids and then vacuum-sealed using a jar attachment for a vacuum sealer. You just have to remember that after you open the jar to remove some of the powder you’ll need to re-seal it. No big deal and well worth the effort.

NESCO TR-2 White Plastic Round 15 1/2" Add-A-Trays, to fit 1000 Series Food Dehydrators, 2 Pack
NESCO TR-2 White Plastic Round 15 1/2″ Add-A-Trays, to fit 1000 Series Food Dehydrators, 2 Pack

Also try making poblano pepper powder and onion powder on your Nesco Snackmaster Pro. They’re as easy as easy gets!

Bell Pepper Powder on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro
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5 from 1 vote

Bell Pepper Powder on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

This bell pepper powder was my first attempt, and boy, is it ever amazing.
Course Seasoning
Cuisine American
Keyword bell pepper, dehydrator, nesco snackmaster pro
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 day
Total Time 1 day 15 minutes
Servings 1 cup
Calories 148kcal
Author Based on a technique from Self-Reliant School

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 4 bell peppers I was able to fit approximately 2 peppers per Nesco Snackmaster Pro tray

Instructions

  • Set your dehydrator to 135 F.
  • Rinse the peppers. Remove the stems and seeds and cut into chunks. If you are not using screen trays you’ll want to cut fairly large pieces so they do not fall between the trays.
  • Dehydrate for 18-24 hours. Rotate the trays every 2 hours if possible.
  • Once all the peppers are dry and a bit crisp remove and let cool.
  • Process the peppers in the grinder until they form a fine powder. If some pieces of pepper do not grind return them to the dehydrator for another hour or so until crisp.
  • Keep the powder in an air-tight container. I place mine in a Mason jar, cover it, then use a vacuum-sealer attachment specifically for jars to remove all of the air.

Notes

You’ll need the following. A dehydrator with screen trays (I use a Nesco Snackmaster Pro), a blade coffee grinder (not a burr grinder) air-right containers or vacuum-sealed jars (I use a canning jar attachment on my vacuum sealer) additional trays, if required (my Nesco Snackmaster Pro came with 5, I purchased more so I can have 8 or more trays going at once).

Nutrition

Calories: 148kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 19mg | Potassium: 1004mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 14904IU | Vitamin C: 608mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

NESCO LM-2-6 Round Plastic Mesh 13 1/2" Clean-A-Screens, for Dehydrators, (Pack of 2)
NESCO LM-2-6 Round Plastic Mesh 13 1/2″ Clean-A-Screens, for Dehydrators, (Pack of 2)
NESCO LT-2SG Plastic 13 1/2" Add-A-Trays, accessory, Gray
NESCO LT-2SG Plastic 13 1/2″ Add-A-Trays, accessory, Gray
NESCO FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator, For Snacks, Fruit, Beef Jerky, Gray
NESCO FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator, For Snacks, Fruit, Beef Jerky, Gray