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Deer Jerky - How to make venison jerky

One of the first recipes many new hunters make has to be jerky. Deer jerky is easy, delicious and a perfect on-the-go snack. Learn how to make venison jerky with the easy step by step recipe.

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
6 hrs
Additional Time
2 d
Total Time
2 d 6 hrs 5 mins
Servings: 20 servings
Calories: 66 kcal
Course: Snacks
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1.5 pounds venison roast
  • ½ cup soy sauce
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ½ Tablespoons grated fresh ginger
  • ½ Tablespoons garlic, minced see notes section
  • ¼ teaspoon cracked black pepper

Instructions

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  1. Trim the roast. Room any sinew or silverskin.
  2. Slice venison roast very thin. ⅛ to ¼" thick.
  3. Add grated ginger to other ingredients in a plastic or glass bowl with a lid.
  4. Mix well.
  5. Add sliced meat to marinade. Refrigerate 1-2 days shaking the contents of the bowl a few times daily.
  6. Foil a rimmed baking sheet. Place cooling rack over the baking sheet. Lay meat slices on rack. Do not let the slices touch each other.
  7. Place in oven at the lowest setting for 4-6 hours, depending on the heat of the oven and your dryness preference. Leave oven door cracked. If you like jerky a bit chewy, don't dry all the way. If you like it very crispy. Dry thoroughly.
  8. Store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. For longer storage freeze.

Notes

  • The best cuts of the deer are the larger muscles from the rear leg and hind quarter. Top round roasts, bottom round roasts, butts, and eye-of-round all make great jerky and are the easiest to cut.
  • This recipe is also great to make beef jerky!
  • To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute tamari for the traditional soy sauce.
  • Don’t skip the marinade time. It will give the jerky move flavor.
  • Use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic if you'd like.
  • You can literally use this same recipe with a commercial dehydrator. Depending on the heat and quality of your dehydrator, it should be between 4 and 8 hours.
  • Make sure you cut pieces thin. If you have a meat slicer, that is a great tool to use to get uniform pieces.
  • You can also ask your local butcher to slice the meat for you.
  • Cook the jerky to your liking. Some people like jerky that is chewy and not as dried. Others prefer their jerky to be fully dried out.

Nutrition Information

Calories 66kcal (3%) Carbohydrates 6g (2%) Protein 8g (16%) Fat 1g (2%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Cholesterol 29mg (10%) Sodium 344mg (14%) Potassium 128mg (4%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 5g (10%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 7mg (1%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 20servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 66

% Daily Value*

Calories 66kcal 3%
Carbohydrates 6g 2%
Protein 8g 16%
Fat 1g 2%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 29mg 10%
Sodium 344mg 14%
Potassium 128mg 3%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 5g 10%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 7mg 1%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.