Category: From the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

Bacon Bits on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

I recently picked up a dehydrator and boy, have I been having a fun time with it. I’ve made beef jerky. Ground beef jerky. Ground turkey jerky. Dried fruits. And now? Bacon bits on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro. Fantastic, dried, crunchy, not-fatty-yucky bacon bits. 100% bacon, 100% flavor. And so easy, just like everything else I’ve made on my dehydrator.

Bacon Bits on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

The Secret To Great Bacon Bits

The key to making perfect bacon bits on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro is: pat. Pat with paper towels every chance you get and then pat some more. The less fat left in the end the crispier your bacon bits. Also, fat goes rancid much quicker than meat, so reducing it will increase the shelf-life of your bits. Although, I have to say, the bacon bits I made didn’t last very long around here at all.

Storing Your Bits

I stored my bacon bits in an air-tight container in the fridge. I made extra and frozen them for later use. And, nice thing is, I don’t really have to fully defrost them for very long to use them in a recipe. For salads, I just set them out for 10-15 minutes ahead of time to let them defrost.

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 chipotles in adobo, using your Nesco dehydrator. Just like these homemade bacon bits, they’re much better than store-bought!

Bacon Bits on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Bacon Bits on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

Bacon bits on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro. Fantastic, dried, crunchy, not-fatty-yucky bacon bits. 100% bacon, 100% flavor. And so easy, just like everything else I’ve made on my dehydrator.
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword bacon, dehydrator, nesco snackmaster pro
Cook Time 12 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 12 hours 30 minutes
Servings 1 pound
Calories 3783kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds bacon thin-sliced, smoked

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 400 F.
  • Line a baking sheet (or sheets, depending on how much bacon you’re making at a time) with foil.
  • Add bacon, but do not overlap.
  • Bake for 20 minutes. Flip and continue baking until crispy. NOTE: I normally like my bacon less than super crispy. This is not the time to do that. You want the bacon crispy with no soft fatty ends.
  • Remove to a paper towel-lined plate and pat dry. Be thorough. You want to get as much fat off the bacon as possible.
  • Crumble bacon. Pat again with paper towels. Remember, your goal is to get as much fat off as possible.
  • Cut parchment paper to the same size as the mesh trays. Fold in half, making a half moon, then in half again, forming what looks like a piece of pizza and cut about an inch rectangle off the sharp corner. When you unfold it the parchment paper should have a square hole in the middle about the size of the hole in the center of the Snackmaster Pro trays. This will make sure that the air circulates well.
  • Line Snackmaster Pro trays with parchment paper and add the screen trays.
  • Add the crumbled bacon, spreading it out as much as possible so it doesn’t touch.
  • Place trays into the Snackmaster Pro on the highest temperature.
  • Dry for 12-20 hours. Every two hours take the bottom two trays and move them to the top of the stack so that the bacon dries evenly. Also pat the bacon with paper towels again.
  • When the bacon is dried remove to paper towel and let cool.
  • Keep in the fridge until ready to use.

Notes

You’ll need 2 screen trays and two trays per pound of bacon. Remember to always have at least 4 trays in the Nesco Snackmaster Pro when using it.

Nutrition

Calories: 3783kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 114g | Fat: 360g | Saturated Fat: 121g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 599mg | Sodium: 6006mg | Potassium: 1796mg | Vitamin A: 336IU | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 4mg

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)

Sweet and Spicy Jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

I love loading up my Nesco Snackmaster Pro with freshly-ground lean ground beef and making a big batch of jerky. I have 12 trays so that I can make a good amount of jerky at once. Hi Mountain makes it super easy to make sweet and spicy jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro.

Though I tend to be more a spicy jerky guy, I love a great balance between the heat and sweet, and this mix nails it perfectly. Not so spicy that it’ll scare off those that fear a little kick. And not so sweet that it tastes like candy. Really a great balance and very addicting to eat, that’s for sure.

Sweet and Spicy Jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

Remember To Rotate Your Trays

Make sure you rotate your trays every 2 hours or so. The bottom trays in the Nesco Snackmaster Pro will not dry the sweet and spicy jerky as quickly as those on top. Rotating the trays will give you nice, even drying and perfect jerky on every level. To help keep track of the tracks, I write numbers or letters on them using blue painter’s tape. The tape can be removed easily.

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

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
Sweet and Spicy Jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Sweet and Spicy Jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

Though I tend to be more a spicy jerky guy, I love a great balance between the heat and sweet, and this mix nails it perfectly. Not so spicy that it’ll scare off those that fear a little kick. And not so sweet that it tastes like candy. Really a great balance and very addicting to eat, that’s for sure.
Course Dehydrator
Cuisine Jerky
Keyword dehydrator, jerky, nesco snackmaster pro, spicy, sweet
Prep Time 8 hours
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 14 hours
Servings 8 ounces
Calories 144kcal
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 a personal preference as to how you like your jerky. Soft, chewy, crunchy. There’s no wrong here.
  • Let cool before serving.

Notes

Store in an air-tight container.

Nutrition

Calories: 144kcal | Protein: 10g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 38mg | Potassium: 153mg | Calcium: 10mg | 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)

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

A Few Notes

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.

Notes

Make sure your tomatoes are nice and ripe. All of them.

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)

Sous Vide Pepper and Garlic Jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

I’m a big fan of beef jerky, I’ve made it for years. And as good as it always was, I was always searching for a way to perfect my technique. More flavor. More tender, but still with a slight tug. Sous vide has done that for me and more. It’s the only way I make jerky now, drying it on my Nesco Snackmaster Pro. Sometimes I make my own flavors and sometimes, I order packages seasonings, like this Pepper and Garlic flavor from Wilton’s. This is great peppery jerky. It has a hint of garlic, but the main flavor is wonderful pepper and lots of it. I loved it!

Sous Vide Pepper and Garlic Jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

Always Great, Time After Time

This approach to jerky is simple and highly repeatable so it’s not like you have to stress over the next batch being just as good as the last. Just mix up the seasoning with a bit of cure and add to thinly-sliced beef. A few hours in sous vide then onto the Nesco Snackmaster Pro dehydrator until perfectly dried. Not too tender, not too tough. Each and every time. Sous vide Pepper and Garlic Jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro is easy and fantastic!

I like my jerky to be pretty flavorful so I usually end up adding a bit more seasoning than the manufacturer recommends. The Pepper and Garlic flavored seasoning definitely packs the pepper punch. But a little more punch is… better!

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

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
Sous Vide Pepper and Garlic Jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Sous Vide Pepper and Garlic Jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

I like my jerky to be pretty flavorful so I usually end up adding a bit more seasoning than the manufacturer recommends. The Pepper and Garlic flavored seasoning definitely packs the pepper punch. But a little more punch is… better!
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword dehydrator, jerky, nesco snackmaster pro, spicy
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 9 hours
Servings 1 pound
Calories 2304kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Set up your immersion circulator for 108 F sous vide.
  • Combine the jerky seasoning and salt cure per package instructions. Wilbur's has an excellent conversion chart if you need to adjust your quantities for the amount of beef being used. For the cure, visit this link here. For converting the sure cure quantity, visit this link.
  • Place the meat into a large bowl and sprinkle with the seasoning/cure mixture. DO NOT ADD WATER. Using your hands, mix the seasonings and meat well.
  • Transfer the meat to a sealable bag and vacuum seal. Make sure there are no leaks.
  • Transfer bag to sous vide setup and heat for 2 hours.
  • Increase temperature to 130 F and heat for an additional 4 hours.
  • Turn on your dehydrator and heat it to 160 F.
  • Remove the meat from the bag and transfer to the dehydrator. Do not overlap the pieces.
  • Dry for 2-3 hours. Let cool before storing.

Notes

Use more of the seasoning for more flavor.

Nutrition

Calories: 2304kcal | Protein: 156g | Fat: 181g | Saturated Fat: 70g | Trans Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 644mg | Sodium: 608mg | Potassium: 2449mg | Calcium: 163mg | 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)

Sous Vide Honey Jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

I’m a big fan of beef jerky, I’ve made it for years. And as good as it always was, I was always searching for a way to perfect my technique. More flavor. More tender, but still with a slight tug. Sous vide has done that for me and more. It’s the only way I make jerky now, drying it on my Nesco Snackmaster Pro. Sometimes I make my own flavors and sometimes, I order packages seasonings, like this Honey flavor from Wilton’s. This sous vide Honey Jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro is a great slightly sweet jerky. Almost a dessert jerky!

Sous Vide Honey Jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

Easy Results Every Time

This approach to jerky is simple and highly repeatable so it’s not like you have to stress over the next batch being just as good as the last. Just mix up the seasoning with a bit of cure and add to thinly-sliced beef. A few hours in sous vide then onto the Nesco Snackmaster Pro dehydrator until perfectly dried. Not too tender, not too tough. Each and every time.

I like my jerky to be pretty flavorful so I usually end up adding a bit more seasoning than the manufacturer recommends. The Honey seasoning is great as is, but a little more is… better. I liked the additional sweetness I got by adding more.

Always make sure you have plenty of trays for your dehydrator so you can make maximum use of the drying time!

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 sweet BBQ jerky and my sous vide pepper and garlic jerky.

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

Sous Vide Honey Jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Sous Vide Honey Jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

I like my jerky to be pretty flavorful so I usually end up adding a bit more seasoning than the manufacturer recommends. The Honey seasoning is great as is, but a little more is… better.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Appetizer
Keyword jerky, nesco snackmaster pro, sous vide
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 9 hours
Servings 1 pound
Calories 2304kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Set up your immersion circulator for 108 F sous vide.
  • Combine the jerky seasoning and salt cure per package instructions. Wilbur's has an excellent conversion chart if you need to adjust your quantities for the amount of beef being used. For the cure, visit this link here. For converting the sure cure quantity, visit this link.
  • Place the meat into a large bowl and sprinkle with the seasoning/cure mixture. DO NOT ADD WATER. Using your hands, mix the seasonings and meat well.
  • Transfer the meat to a sealable bag and vacuum seal. Make sure there are no leaks.
  • Transfer bag to sous vide setup and heat for 2 hours.
  • Increase temperature to 130 F and heat for an additional 4 hours.
  • Turn on your dehydrator and heat it to 160 F.
  • Remove the meat from the bag and transfer to the dehydrator. Do not overlap the pieces.
  • Dry for 2-3 hours. Let cool before storing.

Notes

Use more of the seasoning for more flavor.

Nutrition

Calories: 2304kcal | Protein: 156g | Fat: 181g | Saturated Fat: 70g | Trans Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 644mg | Sodium: 608mg | Potassium: 2449mg | Calcium: 163mg | 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)

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

This Was A Big Success

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.

Get A Few Extra Trays

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.

Notes

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)

Poblano Pepper Powder on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

After making a big ole batch of bell pepper powder using my dehydrator I decided I need to kick things up a bit. Not crazy over-the-top kicked up, but something a bit spicier. I’m a big fan of poblano peppers. They aren’t super hot and they have such great pepper flavor. I love them stuffed, roasted, sliced on a sandwich, however. And now, I love them dried. Poblano pepper powder on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro is perfect for seasoning my favorite dishes.

Poblano Pepper Powder on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

Spicier Than You Might Think

Dried poblanos can still pack a punch, so when you go to cutting them up make sure you wash your hands good (or use rubber gloves) when you’re done. And when you grind the dried peppers, watch out for that dust. It’ll wake you up and wake you up quick. Also if you’re really super-sensitive to it you might want to wear eye goggles. I just kept my face back from the grinder. Just be careful when you make Poblano Pepper Powder on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro!

I keep my dried powders in Mason jars that I vacuum seal using an attachment for my sealer. They keep forever. You just need to remember to re-seal the jars after removing the powder to use in a dish.

You can also make bell pepper powder.

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
Poblano Pepper Powder on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Poblano Pepper Powder on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

I’m a big fan of poblano peppers. They aren’t super hot and they have such great pepper flavor. I love them stuffed, roasted, sliced on a sandwich, however. And now, I love them dried. 
Course Spice Mix
Cuisine American
Keyword dehydrator, nesco snackmaster pro, peppers
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 16 hours
Total Time 16 hours 15 minutes
Servings 12 peppers
Calories 24kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 12 Poblano peppers I used a mix of 4 each of green, yellow, orange and red. 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 12-16 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.

Notes

I place the powder in a Mason jar, cover it, then use a vacuum-sealer attachment specifically for jars to remove all of the air.

Nutrition

Calories: 24kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 208mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 440IU | Vitamin C: 96mg | 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)

Pepperoni Jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

By golly, this Pepperoni Jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro tastes EXACTLY like pepperoni. I didn’t need a pizza to get that great cured sausage flavor. I just needed my Nesco Snackmaster Pro, some ground beef (I used top round that I ground myself after first trimming off any fat), and a package of seasoning from Hi Mountain.

Pepperoni Jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

You Need A Jerky Canon

A jerky cannon is absolutely a necessity if you plan on making your jerky into sticks. Its not expensive. And quite honestly, it’s kinda fun to use too!

Make sure you rotate your trays every 2 hours or so when making Pepperoni Jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro. Or when making any jerky for that matter. 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 Hi Mountain cracked pepper ‘n garlic jerky.

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

Pepperoni Jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Pepperoni Jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

By golly, this pepperoni jerky tastes EXACTLY like pepperoni.
Course Dehydrator
Cuisine Jerky
Keyword dehydrator, jerky, nesco snackmaster pro, pepperoni
Prep Time 8 hours
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 14 hours
Servings 1 pound
Calories 2304kcal
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 a 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

Add more seasoning for more flavor!

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)

Peppered Jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

This peppered jerky was my second (very successful) attempt at making jerky on my newly-acquired Nesco Snackmaster Pro dehydrator. I (and my neighbors) were very pleased with the first batch which was Cajun-flavored. I followed the same simple process and in 14 hours we were all enjoying peppered jerky. The jerky had a nice light pepper flavor with just a bit of spicy kick. The pepper was not overwhelming at all, but it was there just enough to be very enjoyable. You can leave out the heat, but I always prefer a bit of kick to my jerky.

Peppered Jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

The Keys To Success

If this is your first time using your Snackmaster Pro to make jerky, here are a few things I’ve learned along the way so far. First, start with lean beef (I prefer top round). Place the beef into the freeze for about 90 minutes then slice it thin (1/4″ or slightly thinner) using a meat slicer.

Second, follow the recipe below. No shortcuts. The marinade may have a strong odor at first, but that’s normal. Last, don’t over-dry the meat. Check it after 5 hours, or sooner if you cut your meat thinner than 3/16″ thick. Bend the jerky in the middle. If it just starts to tear it’s done. If it just bends, you need to dry it longer. Once you do a batch you’ll have the process down to an art and you’ll be enjoying peppered jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro in no time!

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 ground beef peppered jerky.

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

Peppered Jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Peppered Jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

This jerky had a nice light pepper flavor with just a bit of spicy kick. The pepper was not overwhelming at all, but it was there just enough to be very enjoyable. 
Course Dehydrator
Cuisine Jerky
Keyword dehydrator, jerky, nesco snackmaster pro
Prep Time 8 hours
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 14 hours
Servings 1 /2 pound
Calories 646kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place beef in a resealable bag or container.
  • In a small bowl whisk together the seasoning, red pepper flake if using, 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 place flat onto Nesco trays. Do not overlap meat.
  • Add the dehydrator top, set to maximum temperature setting and dehydrate for 5 hours, rotating the trays from 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.
  • Let cool before storing in an airtight container.

Notes

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: 646kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 103g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 286mg | Sodium: 327mg | Potassium: 1675mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1186IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 106mg | Iron: 10mg

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)

Peppered Ground Beef Jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

I love making jerky on my dehydrator. It’s so easy to do and everyone has really enjoyed the end results. Any lean ground meat will work, but I prefer grinding my own top round. This peppered ground beef jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro has a nice mellow pepper flavor that is definitely not overwhelming. The meat has the perfect ‘bite’, just a little tug

Peppered Ground Beef Jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

Everyone Needs A Jerky Cannon

I use a jerky cannon to make ground beef jerky. It’s essentially a huge caulk gun that, when loaded with seasoned ground meat, shoots out the perfectly-shaped jerky every time.

Make sure you rotate your trays every 2 hours or so when making peppered 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 sliced peppered jerky.

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

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

Peppered Ground Beef Jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro

I love making jerky on my dehydrator. It’s so easy to do and everyone has really enjoyed the end results. Any lean ground meat will work, but I prefer grinding my own top round. 
Course Dehydrator
Cuisine Jerky
Keyword beef, dehydrator, jerky, nesco snackmaster pro
Prep Time 8 hours
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 14 hours
Servings 0.5 pounds
Calories 1265kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place beef in a resealable bag or container.
  • In a small bowl whisk together the seasoning, red pepper flake if using, 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 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: 1265kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 195g | Fat: 47g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Trans Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 562mg | Sodium: 736mg | Potassium: 3295mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 2372IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 112mg | Iron: 23mg

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)