Important Characteristics: (201) Freeze-dried
100% made from free-ranging, grass-fed Australian beef knuckle! Beef is a tasty food option for dogs and gives them a lot of vitamins and minerals, like potassium, sodium, and magnesium, which help keep fluid balance and nerve function; B vitamins, which help with circulation and the use of fatty acids.
Freeze drying process retains over 90% of nutrients while dehydrating retains less than half of its nutrients. Properly sealed freeze dried items have a shelf life of 25 years! Far superior to dehydrating.
Most living things and germs need water to survive. By freezing-drying the food, we make sure that our dogs will enjoy eating something that is safe for them. The best part about freeze dried treats is they tend to be very healthy and very pure. Single, raw ingredient. There are no grains, no gluten, and no preservatives!.
Important Features: 1) Great for training treats 2) Good for joint health (high in chondroitin and glucosamine) Soft – good for puppies and seniors These chews are made from hypoallergenic ingredients
Elation with waves of excitement. Thats how your furkid will feel after digging its paws into these oh-so-tasty treats. Surprise your furkid by mixing the treats in a bag,or better yet, excite yourself by spinning.
Shark cartilage dog treats are a fantastic source of Chondroitin Sulphate, Glucosamine Sulphate, Protein & Calcium. You can break it up into smaller bits for quick treats or training.
Key Points: 1) Can be broken up easily; 2) High in Omega-3 and -6; 3) Helps keep joints, skin, and coat healthy; 4) Great training treat; These tasty fish treats were caught fresh and dried just right.
Beef jerky is a protein-packed snack perfect for hiking road trips, or just satisfying snack cravings. But traditional beef jerky can take many tedious hours of monitoring and drying in the oven or a dehydrator. Freeze drying offers a shortcut to making beef jerky that’s just as flavorful and convenient. But is freeze dried jerky really possible?
The answer is absolutely yes – you can successfully freeze dry beef jerky at home with a freeze dryer. Freeze dried jerky retains the same intense flavors as traditionally made jerky, but with a lighter, crispier texture. And you can make jerky with much less hands-on time thanks to the powerful freeze drying process.
In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about DIY freeze dried beef jerky including steps, tips, recipes, storage, and more Let’s dive in!
How Does Freeze Drying Work For Beef Jerky?
Freeze drying, also known as lyophilization, is a process that removes moisture from foods while preserving their structure, flavor, and nutrients. Here’s a quick overview:
- Food is first frozen to lock in structure and prevent moisture loss during drying
- Pressure is then reduced and heat is applied to allow frozen water in food to sublime directly from solid to gas
- This sublimation drying extracts up to 98% of moisture content
- result is an extremely lightweight, crispy end product with concentrated flavor
For beef jerky, lean meat strips are seasoned or marinated, frozen, and then freeze dried. This yields jerky that is crunchy and intensely flavored, without the chewy texture of traditionally dehydrated jerky
Benefits of Freeze Dried Beef Jerky
There are many advantages to freeze drying beef jerky at home:
- Far less hands-on time than oven or dehydrator methods
- Jerky can be made in large batches and stored long term
- Intense flavor concentration from moisture removal
- Lightweight, crunchy texture perfect for hiking or travel
- Jerky stays stable at room temp with 25+ year shelf life
- Safer than traditional drying methods due to low temp process
- Allows control over quality of meat and seasoning
With the convenience of a home freeze dryer, you can easily make delicious homemade beef jerky to enjoy anytime.
Tips for Successful Freeze Dried Beef Jerky
Follow these tips for perfect freeze dried beef jerky every time:
- Use very lean cuts like eye of round, bottom round, or flank steak
- Trim off all visible fat which can go rancid
- Partially freeze meat to make slicing into thin, uniform strips easier
- Cut strips no more than 1⁄4 inch thick for proper drying
- Arrange strips in a single layer on trays, not overlapping
- Load freeze dryer according to manufacturer instructions
- Rotate trays periodically for even drying
- Make sure jerky is completely brittle and dry all the way through when done
Proper preparation and monitoring while drying are key to making freeze dried beef jerky with the perfect texture.
Step-By-Step Process For DIY Beef Jerky
Follow this complete step-by-step freeze drying process:
- Trim fat and sinew off raw beef roast or steaks
- Partially freeze beef for 1-2 hours until firm but not solid
- Slice beef across the grain into long thin strips, 1⁄8 to 1⁄4 inch thick
- Toss or rub strips with dry seasoning rub or wet marinade
- Arrange strips flat in a single layer on parchment-lined trays
- Freeze trays of beef overnight until completely solid
- Load trays in freeze dryer according to manufacturer guidelines
- Start freeze drying cycle, around 8-12 hours
- Check periodically and rotate trays for even drying
- Remove crispy jerky strips and store in sealed bags or jars
This freeze drying process results in tender, flavorful homemade beef jerky ready anytime!
How Long Does Freeze Dried Beef Jerky Last?
One of the biggest benefits of freeze dried foods is an incredibly long shelf life. Properly stored beef jerky can last:
- 1 year at room temperature
- 2-3 years refrigerated
- 15-25 years frozen
- Up to 30 years if vacuum sealed
This allows you to make jerky in big batches and enjoy it for months or even years to come!
Tips For Storing Freeze Dried Beef Jerky
Follow these storage tips to maximize shelf life:
- Ensure jerky pieces are fully dried with no moisture pockets
- Let jerky cool to room temperature before packaging
- Store in vacuum sealed bags or mason jars
- Eliminate as much oxygen as possible
- Keep stored jerky in a cool, dark place like the pantry
With proper storage, you can keep freeze dried beef jerky on hand for hiking, road trips, or snacking anytime.
How To Rehydrate Freeze Dried Beef Jerky
One unique property of freeze dried foods is that they can be rehydrated before eating. To revive texture:
- Place jerky strips in bowl and add just enough water to cover
- Let soak for 30-60 minutes until pliable but not soggy
- For faster rehydrating, microwave 20-30 seconds
- Enjoy rehydrated jerky as is or use in recipes
Rehydrating returns the jerky to a softer, chewier consistency closer to traditionally dried jerky.
Flavorful Jerky Recipes To Freeze Dry
You can use any jerky seasoning or marinade recipe to add bold flavor before freeze drying. Here are some top recipes to try:
- Teriyaki Beef Jerky – sweet and salty
- Spicy Chili Lime Beef Jerky – with a kick of heat
- Maple Bourbon Beef Jerky – hint of smoky sweetness
- Lemon Pepper Beef Jerky – citrusy zing
- Cajun Beef Jerky – robust Creole spices
Get creative with marinades and spice blends! The flavors concentrate intensely during freeze drying.
FAQs
Does freeze dried jerky need to be refrigerated?
No, it can be stored at room temp like any other freeze dried food.
Is freeze dried jerky safe to eat?
Yes, the freeze drying process preserves meat safely for long term storage.
How long does freeze dried beef jerky last?
Up to 30 years when properly stored in vacuum sealed bags or jars.
Can you refreeze freeze dried beef jerky?
No, don’t refreeze after drying or it may spoil.
Is freeze dried jerky crunchy?
Yes, it has a light, crispy texture unlike traditionally chewy jerky.
Enjoy Homemade Jerky With Ease
With a home freeze dryer, you can easily make delicious beef jerky from quality ingredients you control. In just a day or two, you can create a stash of lightweight, protein-packed jerky perfect for hiking or road trips.
Follow the tips in this guide for freeze drying success. Thanks to its ultra-low moisture content and concentrated flavor, freeze dried beef jerky will retain maximum nutrients and taste for years to come. Satisfy jerky cravings anytime with DIY freeze dried beef jerky!
