To make beef jerky in a food dehydrator, start by slicing your beef thinly against the grain. Marinate the beef in a mixture of soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and any other desired seasonings for at least 4 hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
After marinating, lay the beef strips out on the dehydrator trays in a single layer, making sure they do not touch each other. Set the dehydrator to 160°F (70°C) and let the beef dry for about 4-6 hours, flipping the strips halfway through.
Check the beef jerky for doneness by bending a piece. It should be pliable but not break apart. If it is still too moist, continue dehydrating in 30-minute intervals until it reaches the desired consistency.
Once done, remove the beef jerky from the dehydrator and let it cool completely before storing in an airtight container. Enjoy your homemade beef jerky as a delicious and satisfying snack!
Best Food Dehydrators of 2024
1
Rating is 5 out of 5
Septree Large 8 Trays Food Dehydrator with 8.8ft² Drying Space for Big Family, 800W Stainless Steel Dehydrated Dryer, 24H Timer,190°F Temperature Control, for Herbs, Meat, Fruit, Dog Treats and Yogurt
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Versatile Drying Options: The Septree food dehydrator offers a variety of temperature and time settings, allowing you to dehydrate fruits, vegetables, herbs, meats, flowers,nuts, spices, pet food without losing any nutrients.
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Large Capacity: This dehydrator is up to 8.8 ft² of drying space. Dehydrator machine Dimensions L*W*H 16.34*23.3*19.09inch.Its spacious trays can accommodate large quantities of food, making it perfect for families, gardeners, and food enthusiasts.
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Easy to Clean: Made with 304 food-grade stainless steel, the trays are safer, more durable, and dishwasher-safe. The removable trays and drip tray make cleaning a breeze, saving you time and effort.
2
Rating is 4.9 out of 5
HOPERAN Food Dehydrator, 8 Stainless Steel Trays Dehydrators for Food and Jerky, Herbs, Fruit, Dehydrator Machine with Digital Timer and Temperature Control, Overheat Protection, Recipe Book Included
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⏰ 【Precise Temp & Timer Control Panel】The dehydrator is equipped with an adjustable timer control, allowing you to set drying times in 30-minute increments, with a maximum duration of 24 hours. The digital temperature presets range from 86℉ to 194℉, enabling you to adjust the temperature in increments of 9℉. The timer will display when your dehydration is complete, and it will automatically shut off once finished. This intelligent system ensures that your delicious dehydrated foods are comple
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🍌 【8 trays Large Capacity】8 detachable stainless steel trays, each measuring 11" x 7.87", made from 304 food-grade stainless steel for safety and durability. Ideal for dehydrating various foods such as vegetables, fruits, meats, and flowers, effortlessly locking in minerals and vitamins. All trays are dishwasher safe, eliminating concerns about potential health risks associated with using plastic drying trays. Provide the whole family with plenty of healthy and delicious 100% natural food.
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🍋 【Premium Quality & Easy to Clean & Durable】The food dehydrator is crafted from 100% food-grade stainless steel without bisphenol A, featuring a glass front door for easy monitoring of the drying progress. The stainless steel body is durable and can be easily wiped clean with a damp cloth. After the timer completes, the food and beef jerky dehydrator will shut off automatically. In case of overheating, the overheat protection will activate. Comes with practical recipes and instructions, allowi
3
Rating is 4.8 out of 5
Magic Mill Pro Food Dehydrator Machine | 7 Stainless Steel Trays | Dryer for Jerky, Dog Treats, Herb, Meat, Beef, Fruit | Keep Warm Function, Digital Timer and Temperature Control, ETL Approved
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REAR MOUNTED FAN FOR SUPERIOR HEAT DISTRIBUTION – Dries food evenly, This electric dehydration machine is equipped with a rear-mounted drying fan and air flow circulation technology to ensure even drying, there is no need to rotate the shelves as needed by other brands, monitor the dryer process easily with the transparent door window
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SPACIOUS ADJUSTABLE 7 STAINLESS STEEL TRAYS – INCLUDED FRUIT ROLL TRAYS! Use the trays for regular food and the mesh trays for smaller food such as nuts and herbs, for fruit roll ups use the fruit leather sheet which can also be used for drip trays! you can do a lot in one batch with the Magic Mill dehydration machine, the dehydrator comes with 7 premium stainless steel trays.
4
Rating is 4.7 out of 5
Magic Mill Food Dehydrator Machine | 5 Stackable Stainless Steel Trays Jerky Dryer with Digital Adjustable Timer & Temperature Control - Electric Food Preserver for Fruits, Veggies, Meats & Dog Treats
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POWERFUL FOOD DRYING PROCESS - Magic Mill Compact Food Dehydrator Machine streamlines 240W drying capacity that offers an efficient food drying process. It removes excess water from foods without compromising their natural juices, taste, and nutrients – boasting a 97% retention rate of vitamins and minerals.
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MULTI-LAYER AND ADJUSTABLE TRAYS - This Fruit and Herb Dehydrator features five (5) food-grade adjustable trays that allow you to dry different foods, fruits, and veggies at once. The standard height between the trays is 0.6 inches, but you can raise each to 1.1 inches – perfect for thick-cut ingredients.
5
Rating is 4.6 out of 5
Elite Gourmet EFD319 Food Dehydrator, 5 BPA-Free 11.4" Trays Adjustable Temperature Controls, Jerky, Herbs, Fruit, Veggies, Dried Snacks, Black
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ADJUSTABLE TEMPERATURE from 95ºF to 158ºF that foods are dehydrated at their optimal temperature and horizontal air flow distributes heat evenly and efficiently.
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FUN AND CRAFTS: Perfect for hobbyists to dry flowers, potpourri or dough crafts and pet lovers to prepare healthy and delicious 100% natural treats for their furry companions.
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EVEN HEAT DISTRIBUTION: using a base mounted fan promotes even drying and air circulation. Large viewing window allows you to monitor the drying process.
6
Rating is 4.5 out of 5
COSORI Food Dehydrator Machine for Jerky, 5 BPA-Free 12.2" Trays with 165°F Temperature Control and 48H Timer, 350W Dryer for Fruit, Herbs, Meat, Veggies and Dog Treats, 50-Recipes Book Included
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165°F MAX TEMPERATURE: Adjust the dehydrator between 95-165°F in 1°F increments. Higher temps ensure safer beef jerky. USDA recommends 165°F for safe jerky
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PERFECT RESULTS: With 350W power, the fan efficiently circulates hot air for even heating and drying of your foods
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ADJUSTABLE HEIGHT: Customize tray heights for larger foods (raised) or easier storage (lowered)
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EASY TO CLEAN: Trays are dishwasher-safe for effortless cleaning. Note: Accessories are hand wash only
7
Rating is 4.4 out of 5
Food Dehydrator for Jerky, 8 Stainless Steel Trays Dehydrator Machine with Food Air-Drying Function, 176℉ Temperature Control & 48H Timer, 600W Fruit Dryer for Meat,Beef,Herbs,Dog Treats, ETL Approved
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🥩48-HOUR TIMER & TEMPERATURE CONTROL: DIYAREA Food Dehydrator with smart LED touch screen control offers Fahrenheit/Celsius temperature control. When adjusted to Fahrenheit, the dehydrator adjusts the temperature to 95°F to 176°F in 9°F increments; when adjusted to Celsius, the dehydrator adjusts the temperature to 35°C to 80°C in 5°C increments and sets a timer in 30-minute increments from 0.5 hours to 48 hours.
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🍖OVERHEAT PROTECTION: Beef jerky food dehydrator with thermostat ensures accurate and safe food processing. Meat Dryer The timer automatically shuts off when it expires. Thermal protection activates if the dehydrator overheats, giving you peace of mind throughout the process
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🥝UPGRADED 8-LAYER STAINLESS STEEL TRAYS: Beef dehydrator comes with 8 stainless steel trays, compared with other dehydrator stainless steel trays, our trays have been upgraded: thickened and reinforced. The trays are not easy to deform and dent, scratch resistant and more durable. Our dehydrator trays measure 12 x 12 inches, which has a larger capacity than regular dehydrator trays and can dry more food at once.
8
Rating is 4.3 out of 5
Food Dehydrator Machine Detachable, 8 Stainless Steel Trays, LED Display, 48H Timer & 86℉-167℉ Temperature Control, 600W Dryer for Jerky, Herb, Meat, Veggies, Fruit, Dog Treats, Recipe Book Included
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Digital Temperature&Time Control: An enclosed thermostat from 86ºF to 167ºF in 9ºF increments. At the same time, the time can be set from 0.5-48 hours in 30-minute increments. It allows you to achieve the best results when drying different foods. We have prepared 6 optional drying function modes. You can adjust the time and temperature according to actual needs.
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Easy to Clean&Safty: Each stainless steel tray is dishwasher safe or washed with warm soapy water. When the timer ends, the dehydrators for jerky will automatically shut off. If the machine overheats, the overheat protection will turn on.
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Customer Service: KEENSTAR provides 24-hour friendly customer service. If you have any issues related to KEENSTAR food dehydrator, please feel free to contact us. You can dry fruits, vegetables, grains, meats, herbs, and flowers, and also can be used to make snacks for your pets.
How to troubleshoot common issues with making beef jerky at home?
- Meat not drying properly: Ensure that you are using lean meat with minimal fat content. Trim off any excess fat to prevent it from interfering with the drying process. Make sure your slices are uniform in thickness to allow for even drying. Additionally, ensure that your dehydrator or oven is set to the correct temperature and that air can circulate freely around the meat.
- Meat is too tough or chewy: This could be due to overcooking the meat or slicing it too thinly. Try adjusting your cooking time or slicing your meat slightly thicker for a more tender result.
- Jerky is too salty: If your jerky is too salty, try reducing the amount of salt in your marinade or seasoning mixture. You can also soak your meat in water for a short period of time before marinating to help remove some of the excess salt.
- Uneven cooking: To ensure that your jerky cooks evenly, make sure that all slices are the same thickness and are placed evenly on the dehydrator tray or oven rack. Rotate trays or racks periodically during the drying process to ensure even cooking.
- Mold on jerky: Mold can develop on jerky if it is not properly stored in an airtight container or if it is not thoroughly dried before storing. Make sure to dry your jerky completely before storing it and store it in a cool, dark place in an airtight container.
- Jerky is too dry or brittle: If your jerky is overly dry or brittle, you may have dried it for too long or at too high of a temperature. Try reducing your drying time or temperature and be sure to monitor the jerky closely towards the end of the drying process to prevent over-drying.
What is the best way to slice beef against the grain for jerky?
To slice beef against the grain for jerky, follow these steps:
- Start by placing the beef in the freezer for about 30 minutes to firm it up and make it easier to slice.
- Remove the beef from the freezer and place it on a cutting board. Look for the direction of the grain, which is the lines running through the meat fibers. You want to slice perpendicular to these lines.
- Use a sharp knife to slice the beef thinly, about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick, against the grain. This will help break up the tough muscle fibers and create a more tender jerky.
- Continue slicing the beef until you have the desired amount for your jerky recipe.
- Once sliced, marinate the beef in your favorite jerky seasoning and let it sit for a few hours or overnight to allow the flavors to fully penetrate the meat.
By slicing the beef against the grain, you will ensure that your jerky is tender and easy to chew, making it a delicious and satisfying snack.
How to add a smoky flavor to beef jerky in a dehydrator?
To add a smoky flavor to beef jerky in a dehydrator, you can follow these steps:
- Marinate the beef strips in a smoky marinade. This can include ingredients such as liquid smoke, smoked paprika, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Allow the beef to marinate for at least a few hours, overnight if possible.
- After marinating, pat the beef strips dry with paper towels to remove excess marinade.
- Preheat your dehydrator according to the manufacturer's instructions. Some dehydrators may require you to preheat to a specific temperature before loading the trays.
- Arrange the beef strips on the dehydrator trays, making sure they are not touching each other to allow for proper airflow.
- If desired, you can add wood chips or wood pellets to the dehydrator's tray or smoke box to enhance the smoky flavor. Make sure to use wood chips that are suitable for smoking food, such as hickory or mesquite.
- Place the trays in the dehydrator and set the temperature and time according to the beef jerky recipe or the dehydrator's instructions. The jerky is typically dehydrated at a low temperature (around 160-180°F) for several hours until it reaches the desired level of dryness.
- Check the beef jerky periodically during the dehydration process to ensure it is drying evenly. You may need to rotate or flip the trays to promote even drying.
- Once the beef jerky is fully dehydrated, remove it from the dehydrator and allow it to cool before storing it in an airtight container.
By following these steps, you can add a delicious smoky flavor to your homemade beef jerky using a dehydrator.
