r/jerky • u/Dangerous_Zone_4603 • 3d ago

First ever jerky!

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I made jerky for the first time today. It was a flank steak I cut and then marinated in a sweet and spicy honey marinade overnight before putting it in the dehydrator for 7 ish hours at 158f. As for flavor a solid 8/10 but it is very tough and I think it was caused by a combination of thickness, fat, and cook time. I think next time I might go with a thinner cut of beef so I don't have to cook as long.

42 Upvotes

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2

u/Key-Reading1681 3d ago

Try some top round next time. It's usually really lean.

3

u/Grimsterr 2d ago

I love jerky, but flank steak is too expensive and too nice of a cut to use to make jerky. Top round, or sirloin or other "roasts" is much cheaper.

Kroger has $1.49 a pound pork loins on sale right now, I know what I'm making jerky out of this weekend!

3

u/Dangerous_Zone_4603 2d ago

I meant to say skirt steak. I accidentally said flank.

1

u/Grimsterr 2d ago

Ah, ok yeah flank steak is going on the Blackstone for fajitas! Never used skirt steak much so dunno what it costs.

1

u/Dangerous_Zone_4603 2d ago

It was on a big sale at our heb here in town and it's what my friend uses for jerky so I decided to try making my own batch. Tastes great just a little tough.

1

u/Dangerous_Zone_4603 2d ago

And flank steak does make really good fajitas.

1

u/Dangerous_Zone_4603 3d ago

I would've let it cook longer but it's almost midnight where I live, and I can't pull an all-nighter watching this stuff. It isn't raw and it tastes good but the next batch will definitely be done on a day/night I can monitor them for longer

1

u/ToastedTaco07 3d ago

Something I learned too is putting too much sugar can cause it to have that wet look and not fully dry out. Just something to keep in mind! I'm new to this as well and having so much fun!

1

u/Ok-Natural-6864 2d ago

Had the same problem with my teriyaki jerky, I switched to a non molasses based marinade without the sesame seeds, much lights flavor and no sticky mess

1

u/scrappya1c 2d ago

An edible first attempt is the best case scenario, and you achieved it..Bravo! You always adjust until you find your niche. I've been doing this for 20 years, and I'm still constantly adjusting my marinade. Enjoy many years of taste tests!