I really 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 sweet BBQ ground beef jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro has a nice mellow smoky BBQ flavor that is definitely not overwhelming. It has a bit of sweetness, but it’s definitely not candy-like. The meat has the perfect ‘bite’, just a little tug.
Remember To Rotate Your Trays
Make sure you rotate your trays every 2 hours or so when making sweet BBQ ground beef jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro. The bottom trays will not dry quite as quickly as those on top will. Rotating the trays will give you nice, even drying and perfect jerky on every level. I actually write numbers on my trays (using blue painter’s tape) so I can keep up with them as I rotate them. The numbers make it much easier to remember which tray needs to move to the top next. Without them… well, it’d be mayhem!
Try these other great jerky flavors from Eastman Outdoors: spicy jalapeno, Cajun, whiskey pepper, mesquite, sweet habanero and hickory. My sous vide honey jerky is also amazing.
- 15.5″ DIAMETER TRAYS: This Add-A-Tray 2-pack…
- BPA FREE: Made of high-quality food grade plastic…
- Compatible with 15½” diameter trays. This Fruit…
- BPA FREE: Made of high-quality food grade plastic…
- IDEAL FOR SMALL AND STICKY FOODS: Removable mesh…
- BPA FREE: Made of high-quality food grade plastic…
Paranoia Rules
I admit, I’m paranoid about my jerky. Even if I use pink curing salt. The sodium nitrites in the salt kill harmful bacteria as long as you’ve dried the meat properly and store it in air-tight containers away from sunlight. I keep mine in the fridge even though it’s not required. Even though I’ve made my share of jerky I still consider myself a newbie. And it’s not like I don’t have the room in the fridge. So in it goes!
Check out my guide to using the Nesco Snackmaster Pro. You will be making fantastic jerky at home in no time at all!
Sweet BBQ Ground Beef Jerky on the Nesco Snackmaster Pro
Equipment
- Jerky Cannon optional
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon Eastman Outdoors Sweet BBQ Jerky Seasoning see my note below
- 1 teaspoon pink curing salt Comes with the seasoning. Optional if you’re going to refrigerate the finished product
- ¼ cup water
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
Nutrition
- Compatible with 15½” diameter trays. This Fruit…
- BPA FREE: Made of high-quality food grade plastic…
