Mexican Carne Seca
User Reviews
5
Mexican Carne Seca
Description
This Mexican Carne Seca recipe features 2 pounds of venison sliced thinly and trimmed of excess fat. The meat is moistened with the juice of several limes, then coated thoroughly with a salt and dried chili powder mixture which penetrates for flavor and preservation. The marinated slices rest refrigerated for at least 8 hours or up to 3 days to absorb seasoning and cure slightly.
After curing, the meat is laid out in a single layer on smoker racks or dehydrator trays. Smoking at 165°F or drying at 145°F removes moisture over 2 to 4 hours, resulting in jerky-like dried beef. Timing controls texture: softer, pliable jerky is suitable for eating within weeks, while drying to brittle preserves it for long-term storage or use in other dishes such as machaca.
This process yields a spicy, tangy dried venison with a balance of salt, lime, and chili flavors, characteristic of carne seca in Mexican cuisine. It requires patience but produces a traditionally preserved meat that can be snacked on or incorporated into recipes.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds venison
- lime juice of 3 to 4 limes
- 2 tablespoons salt fine-grained
- 1 to 2 tablespoons Dried ground chile or paprika
Instructions
- Slice the meat to about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick. Remove any excess fat.
- Moisten the meat with the lime juice. Mix the salt and chiles together and coat every slice of venison with it. Press the mixture into the meat. Let this set in the fridge for at least 8 hours and up to 3 days.
- Lay the meat out in one layer on the grates of a smoker or dehydrator. Smoke at 165F or dehydrate at 145F until the meat is dry, about 2 to 4 hours. Pull it when it's pliable if you want to eat it within a week or two, and dry it brittle if you want it to keep for a long time, or make machaca.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 143 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 143kcal | 7% |
| Carbohydrates | 1g | 0% |
| Protein | 26g | 52% |
| Fat | 3g | 5% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 96mg | 32% |
| Sodium | 1804mg | 75% |
| Potassium | 420mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 1295IU | 26% |
| Calcium | 12mg | 1% |
| Iron | 4.4mg | 24% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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