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.
Rotate Your Trays
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.
Get Extra Trays
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.
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
Equipment
- Jerky Cannon optional
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 2 tablespoons Eastman Outdoors Mesquite Jerky Seasoning see my note below
- 2 teaspoons pink curing salt Comes with the seasoning. Optional if you’re going to refrigerate the finished product
- ½ cup water
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
Nutrition
Nutritional values are approximate.