If you’re tired of beef jerky, you’ve found it! This easy-to-make turkey jerky has a great salty and sweet flavor that will beat any other jerky you’ve tried. I know thats a bold statement, but its most definitely THAT good.
Wild turkey jerky is a tasty and nutritious snack that’s perfect for hunters, outdoor enthusiasts, or anyone who loves flavorful treats. Making jerky is also a great way to preserve your harvested turkey and enjoy that wild taste long after hunting season.
In this article, we’ll share fantastic recipes for making delicious wild turkey jerky at home, along with helpful tips and advice.
Why Make Your Own Turkey Jerky?
There are several advantages to making your own turkey jerky rather than buying pre-made
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Flavor – You can control the marinade and spices to get the exact flavor you want Commercial jerky often has an overpowering taste
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Quality – Homemade allows you to use fresh, high-quality meat rather than mystery meats.
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Cost – It’s much cheaper to make your own than buy from a store.
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Fun – The process is very rewarding and lets you get the most out of your harvested turkey.
Choosing the Right Turkey Meat
Wild turkey breast is the best cut to use for jerky. Since it’s very lean, there’s less fat that can go rancid. Using a lean cut helps the finished jerky last longer.
Turkey breast can easily be found at most grocery stores, often right next to the ground turkey. You don’t need to buy a whole bird.
Equipment Needed
To make turkey jerky, you’ll need:
- A sharp knife for slicing
- A kitchen scale for measuring ingredients
- Marinade containers
- Drying equipment: a dehydrator, smoker, or oven
- Cutting board
- Kitchen twine (if hanging strips)
- Storage containers
Two Tasty Wild Turkey Jerky Recipes
Here are two fantastic wild turkey jerky recipes to try:
1. Cajun Style
This recipe has a bold Cajun flavor.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs turkey breast, sliced 1⁄4 inch thick
- 1⁄2 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1⁄4 cup soy sauce
- 1⁄8 cup teriyaki sauce
- 1 1⁄2 cups water
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tbsp liquid smoke
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
- Add turkey strips and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate 1-3 days.
- Dehydrate at 160°F for 6 hours, until dried and pliable.
- Enjoy the spicy Cajun jerky!
2. Honey Pepper
This recipe has a sweet and spicy flavor.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs turkey breast, sliced 1⁄4 inch thick
- 1⁄2 cup honey
- 1⁄2 cup soy sauce
- 1 tbsp cayenne pepper
- 4 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 minced garlic clove
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
- Add turkey strips and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate 12-24 hours.
- Dehydrate at 165°F for 4-6 hours until dried and pliable.
- Enjoy the sweet and spicy jerky!
Turkey Prep Tips
Here are some tips for prepping the turkey meat:
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Partially freeze the breast before slicing. This makes it easier to cut thin, uniform strips.
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Use a very sharp knife for clean slicing and to avoid shredding the meat.
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Slice with the grain for chewier jerky or against the grain for more tender jerky.
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Cut strips no more than 1⁄4 inch thick for proper drying.
Marinating the Turkey
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Mix the marinade well so flavors are distributed evenly.
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Make sure all the strips are fully coated. Let them marinate 1-3 days for maximum flavor.
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Shake or stir the strips occasionally as they marinate.
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You can also use a marinade injector to infuse flavor deep into the meat.
Dehydrating Methods
There are several equipment options for drying turkey jerky:
Dehydrator
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Dehydrators provide low, steady heat perfect for making jerky. Models with a temperature control work best.
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Arrange strips on trays without overlapping.
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Dehydrate at 135-165°F for 4-8 hours until dried but still pliable.
Oven
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You can use a regular oven to make jerky.
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Arrange strips on a wire rack set over a baking sheet.
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Bake at 170°F for 4-6 hours with the oven door propped open.
Smoker
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A smoker infuses jerky with delicious smoky flavor.
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Smoke at 130-140°F for 4-5 hours until dried.
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Soak wood chips for a smokier flavor.
Storage and Food Safety Tips
Properly stored, turkey jerky can last 1-2 months. Here are some storage tips:
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Let jerky cool completely before storing.
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Use sealed containers or bags.
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Store in a cool, dark place. Refrigerate or freeze for maximum shelf life.
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Turkey must reach an internal temperature of 165°F before drying to kill bacteria.
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If making ground turkey jerky, cook to 160°F internal temperature first.
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Discard any jerky with mold or an off smell.
The Satisfaction of Homemade Turkey Jerky
With these tips and recipes, you’ll be ready to make amazing turkey jerky from your harvested birds. There’s something very satisfying about enjoying jerky from a turkey you harvested yourself.
Pre or post heat treatment
Before or after the dehydrator, you can heat the meat to make sure the jerky gets to the important 165°F temperature. If you’re not sure if it does, you can do a post-heat treatment. To do this, put the meat on a cookie sheet and heat the oven to 300°F. Let it cook for about 10 minutes. This can be done before dehydrating or after.
Food safety is very important when making jerky, especially chicken or turkey jerky. I’ve put together a lot of useful information on jerky safety and food safety steps that you can use when making your own turkey jerky.
Video – Making Turkey Jerky
Using simple and proven great tasting ingredients, this turkey jerky recipe is set up to have fantastic flavor. The soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce give it a nice salty taste that you’d expect from jerky, and the brown sugar gives it the right amount of sweetness. Youre going to love this!.
HOW TO PREPARE WILD TURKEY FOR JERKY AND MORE! WILD TURKEY CLEAN UP MADE EASY!
FAQ
What part of turkey is best for jerky?
How do you know when turkey jerky is done?
How long does homemade turkey jerky last?
How to make turkey jerky safely?
To make jerky safely, one must dehydrate the meat correctly. This process involves heating the turkey slices to the correct internal temperature to eliminate any harmful bacteria. According to the Food Safety and Inspection Service, poultry should reach an internal temperature of 165 °F before drying. This step is essential for safe consumption.
Can you consider beef jerky a healthy snack?
No, as this is high in salt and other preservatives to main both its structure, taste and longevity. As a processed meat, beef jerky is also higher in saturated fat. All the salt, preservatives and saturated fat can be harmful to primarily your heart health. It is best to swap this out for some chicken breasts that have been cubed or homemade turkey balls.
How do you make homemade Turkey Jerky?
Homemade turkey jerky can be prepared with a variety of marinades and seasonings. The process involves slicing the turkey breast into thin strips, marinating them to infuse flavors, and then drying them to achieve the perfect chewiness.
How do I customize the flavor of Turkey Jerky?
Customizing the flavor of turkey jerky allows individuals to tailor the snack to their preferences. Here are some tips for personalizing the taste: Start with a base recipe and adjust the levels of each spice. Incorporate sweet, salty, umami, and spicy notes for a well-rounded flavor.
How do you Dry Turkey Jerky?
The first step of drying the jerky is to strain the turkey strips in a colander to remove any of the excess marinade. The second step is placing the jerky strips onto the dehydrator trays leaving space in between so air can flow all around the turkey jerky.
What should you know about Turkey Jerky?
When considering a turkey jerky recipe, one should be aware of its nutritional content, particularly its protein and nutrient content, as well as the importance of understanding serving sizes to maintain a balanced diet. Turkey jerky is a popular snack known for its high protein content, with roughly 13 grams of protein per ounce.