This pork jerky recipe is great because it only needs six ingredients, including the pork. It tastes great and is easy to make in the winter.
Not only hunters eat jerky, though I must admit that I first tried traditional deer jerky, as I’m sure many of you did too!
You can easily buy beef that works well with the deer jerky marinade. You can also make a lot of different kinds of jerky with different types of meat.
Pork jerky can be an incredibly tasty snack. This salty, chewy meat is packed with protein and makes an ideal on-the-go snack for hikers, road trippers, and more.
But when it comes to cured meats like jerky safety concerns may arise. With the right precautions pork jerky can be totally safe, and even healthy, to eat.
Is It Safe to Make Pork Jerky at Home?
Many people choose to make their own jerky at home. This allows you to control the ingredients and quality of the meat. However, when working with raw pork, safety has to be a top priority.
To make safe DIY pork jerky
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Start with quality meat. Choose fresh, whole muscle cuts of meat like pork loin. Avoid lower-quality ground pork.
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Prep safely. Thoroughly wash hands, utensils, and surfaces before and after contact with raw meat. Prevent cross-contamination.
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Freeze first. Freezing pork at 0°F for 30 days before making jerky kills any potential parasites.
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Monitor temperature. Use a food dehydrator or oven to safely dry meat at 160-165°F. Check internal temp.
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Store properly. Keep finished jerky in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.
Following food safety guidelines carefully reduces the risk of bacterial growth or contamination when making homemade jerky.
Can Store-Bought Pork Jerky Make You Sick?
Commercially made pork jerky from trusted brands is generally considered safe. Reputable companies have systems in place to select quality ingredients, follow safety protocols, and properly dry and cure the meat.
However, as with many foods, pork jerky risks include:
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Bacterial contamination from improper handling, storage, or curing. Signs include foul odors, slime, or colors.
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Mold growth from moisture if improperly dried and stored. Visually check for furry spots.
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Nitrates/nitrites used as preservatives can form carcinogens when exposed to high heat.
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Foodborne illness if made from contaminated meat. Watch for recalls.
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Allergies as jerky often contains potential allergens like soy.
To enjoy store-bought jerky safely:
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Inspect packaging before purchasing. Avoid open, damaged, or expired products.
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Refrigerate after opening and consume within 1 week. Discard if moldy or smells bad.
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Microwave jerky for 15-20 seconds before eating to reduce nitrates.
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Check labels for allergens and nutritional info.
Choosing reputable brands from known facilities is the best way to mitigate risks with store-bought pork jerky.
Can Eating Undercooked Pork Make You Sick?
Consuming raw or undercooked pork can potentially be unsafe. Pork can harbor harmful bacteria, parasites, and viruses if not cooked thoroughly to an internal temperature of at least 145°F.
Potential illnesses from raw pork include:
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Salmonella – Causes diarrhea, vomiting, and fever.
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E. coli – Also leads to severe stomach cramps and bloody diarrhea.
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Trichinosis – Caused by worms/larvae in undercooked meat.
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Toxoplasmosis – A parasite that can infect the brain and cause flu-like symptoms.
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Hepatitis E – A virus that attacks the liver and can cause liver failure.
Thankfully, safety standards throughout the pork supply chain have greatly reduced risks today. The prevalence of these illnesses has declined dramatically over the past few decades.
Still, fully cooking pork to a safe internal temperature kills potential pathogens. Pork jerky reaches a minimum of 160°F during the drying process, eliminating safety concerns.
Does Pork Jerky Need to Be Refrigerated?
Properly dried pork jerky is shelf-stable and does not require refrigeration. Jerky is preserved through the process of removing moisture and curing with salt, both of which prevent bacterial growth.
As long as the internal temperature reached 160°F during drying, and the moisture levels are below 10%, pork jerky can safely be stored at room temperature.
However, for maximum freshness and quality, refrigeration is recommended. Here are some jerky storage tips:
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Store opened jerky in the refrigerator in a sealed container. It will maintain quality for 2+ months.
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Unopened jerky can be stored in a cool, dark pantry for 1-2 months.
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For long-term storage up to 6 months, freeze jerky in an airtight bag.
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If mold appears, discard the jerky. It can indicate improper drying or storage.
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Consume refrigerated jerky within 1 week after opening.
Bottom line – while not strictly required, refrigerating opened pork jerky is best to maximize shelf life.
Can Pregnant Women Eat Pork Jerky?
Pork jerky may not be the best choice for pregnant women due to the risk of Listeria contamination. Listeria is a harmful bacteria that can contaminate deli meats, hot dogs, smoked seafood, soft cheeses, and other ready-to-eat foods.
According to the CDC, pregnant women are 10-20 times more likely to get listeriosis, the illness caused by Listeria. Symptoms are usually mild in healthy adults but can be very dangerous for unborn babies.
Instead of pork jerky, pregnant women should focus on eating freshly prepared, fully cooked meats. Thoroughly heating deli-style meats like jerky to 165°F kills Listeria, but kontamination can still occur after heating.
If you are pregnant and still want to indulge in an occasional piece of jerky, follow these precautions:
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Only purchase jerky from trusted retailers with high food safety standards.
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Check the label and avoid jerky with deli meat or other risky ingredients.
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Heat jerky in the microwave for 15-20 seconds before eating.
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Consume jerky immediately after heating – do not eat any leftovers.
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Limit intake to no more than 1-2 pieces per week.
With careful selection and handling, an occasional piece of fully cooked jerky should be safe for pregnant women to enjoy. But for everyday snacking, fresh and thoroughly cooked options are best.
Ready to Enjoy Safe Pork Jerky?
When crafted using proper food safety techniques, both homemade and store-bought pork jerky can be totally safe (and delicious!) to eat. Just be diligent in your prep methods, storage guidelines, and inspection of all meat products.
Choosing high-quality ingredients from reputable sources goes a long way in minimizing risks. With a few easy precautions, you can savor the smoky bliss of jerky without worry.
Why Make Homemade Pork Jerky?
It’s always nice to have some variety. plus, so often, pork is much cheaper than beef and easier to come by than deer.
And if you raise your own meat, you may have had too much of one type of protein at a time.
I grew up eating mostly wild game, which is why I know what venison jerky is. However, my husband and I have been raising pastured hogs since we got married, so we know just as much about pork. And usually? Well, when we have pork, we often don’t have beef, and vice versa. We typically process one animal at a time. And yes, ideally, they overlap, but in real life, that doesn’t always happen.
What Does Pork Jerky Taste Like?
The ingredients in our marinade make the jerky taste slightly sweet and salty with savory teriyaki flavors. I love the subtle flavor of onion and maple that comes through.
It will depend a lot on the cut of pork you use how tender and chewy the finished product is.
I like to use loin, which has a fine grain and is fairly tender. If you use a tender cut, the jerky will be easier to chew, and the pork will soak up the flavors of the marinade better.
Secrets of making Pork Jerky from Pork loin in your dehydrator. From start to finish. #jerky
FAQ
Is it safe to use pork for jerky?
Is it safe to dehydrate raw pork?
Is pork jerky better than beef jerky?
Why is pork jerky not allowed in Australia?
Is pork jerky safe to make?
Yes, pork jerky is safe to make as long as it is prepared properly. Since most homemade recipes don’t use preservatives reduce the risk of foodborne illness, it is best to fully cook your jerky in four hours or less to ensure the meat does not linger in the temperature danger zone where bacteria can form.
Is beef jerky healthier than pork jerk?
However, there are subtle differences in their nutritional profiles. On average, beef jerky tends to have slightly more protein than pork jerky. The beef jerky protein content isn’t the only reason it’s deemed a healthier choice, though.
Is there pork in beef jerky?
No – there is no pork in beef jerky. The first thing we should clear up is the meat source in different types of jerky. As the names suggest, beef jerky is made from beef, and pork jerky is made from pork. And really, that’s the crux of today’s debate. Which source lends itself to a better jerky treat?
Can you eat dried pork jerky?
Once the jerky is dried out it is safe to eat. My homemade pork jerky is marinated in a sweet and spicy sauce and dried in a dehydrator until chewy and delicious! Cut the tenderloin in half lengthwise twice so it is in long, quartered, strips. Set these strips on a baking sheet and place in your freezer for two hours to firm up.