How to Make Bacon Jerky in a Dehydrator
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Who doesn’t love bacon? Cooked bacon strips are a delicious, flavorful food that can be part of your perfect breakfast, the B in a BLT, or just eaten as a simple snack.
Almost everyone agrees that bacon is delicious regardless of how it is eaten. But, what if we told you that it could be even tastier than you imagined?
Bacon jerky is a delicious snack that’s easy to make and is almost always the perfect snack. When you don’t have the time to cook bacon at home, dehydrated bacon creates a happy substitute that you can take with you on the go for easy snacking, anytime you’re craving bacon.
If you’re tired of spending money on store-bought bacon jerky every time you want some, then we have good news.
You can make your perfect bacon jerky at home with a simple jerky recipe that will impress you every time with how easy it is. This jerky recipe is by far the simplest one you’ll find on the internet and it isn’t at all intimidating.
Many people are nervous about making their own bacon jerky because they’re worried it’ll be time-consuming and tricky.
However, this easy bacon jerky recipe will show you how to make your own jerky in a dehydrator with this yummy recipe that’s practically impossible to mess up.
There are no previous cooking skills needed to tackle this beef jerky recipe; it only requires a few ingredients and tools to start. If you’ve been looking for a tasty jerky recipe, look no further. This recipe will have you coming back for more every time.
Why You Should Make Homemade Bacon Jerky
Simply put, homemade bacon jerky will probably become one of your favorite snacks. While you can buy traditional jerky at grocery stores, nothing compares to the taste of biting into a piece of bacon jerky that you made yourself, entirely from scratch.
The best thing about homemade bacon jerky is that once you make it the first time, it only gets easier. Before you know it, you’ll have enough for constant snacking and can take it with you on a road trip, or a long hike, or you can even share it with friends.
We guarantee that this jerky recipe will be one that many people will ask for once they’ve tried a piece!
Things To Consider When Making Bacon Jerky In A Dehydrator
Making bacon jerky is not an ordeal, folks. However, you must get a few things right to make it perfect.
Make sure and use the ideal temperature and continue to monitor the bacon’s progress. Consistent temperature is key to the perfect homemade jerky.
Understand that cooking strips of bacon in a dehydrator involves drying. The meat must be dry in order to dehydrate its internal fluids and oil, ensuring that the bacon jerky has a chewable and non-oily texture.
You can make your bacon jerky in food dehydrators, ovens, or smokers, such as a pellet grill. The first two machines allow you to control and measure your bacon’s internal temperature so that it has the perfect drying process.
Once you understand these things, you’ll be ready to make your jerky.
How to Make Bacon Jerky In a Dehydrator
Making bacon jerky in a food dehydrator is different than making it on the stovetop or in the oven, and it’s also more enjoyable.
Keep in mind that bacon requires slow cooking over a long time, so it’s important to have time and patience before you start this recipe.
For best results, make sure to start your bacon out at a low temperature and let it slowly cook over a prolonged time.
You’ll want to cook it on a rack and use a cookie sheet to collect all the grease that drips from it. If you’re familiar with using a dehydrator, this process shouldn’t be too complicated. If you haven’t used one before, it’s easy to pick up.
Tools and Ingredients You’ll Need
First things first, here are the tools and ingredients you need to prepare and cook bacon jerky in the dehydrator:
- Dehydrator
- Baking sheet
- Dehydrator trays
- Cooling rack
- Thick cut bacon or regular cut bacon
- Salt and pepper
- Maple syrup (if your personal preference is maple bacon)
- Paper towels
Step #1
Preheat your dehydrator to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. This will allow your dehydrator to reach the right temperature before you put your bacon inside and ensures that your bacon will cook steadily.
Once it’s preheated, place the bacon strips on the drying tray of the dehydrator, and be sure to set your baking rack underneath so that it catches all the grease drippings and juices that may drip down.
Step #2
The next step is to make sure and season both sides of your bacon. Coat it with salt, pepper, and a generous amount of maple syrup, depending on how sweet you want it. This will give it an abundance of flavor, and by coating both sides, you’ll get a burst of taste with every bite.
Step #3
Once you have your rack and cookie sheet set up, put them in the dehydrator and let your bacon jerky cook. The cooking time for bacon jerky is typically 4 to 6 hours, so be prepared to use patience (and self-control) as you wait.
You can check on your bacon at any point during the cooking process to see if it’s done on both sides. Remember that the thickness of the bacon will influence the cooking time. The thicker the slices, the longer it will take to be done.
To get the desired crispy texture, your bacon will have to cook for the entire length of time, however, you can always check to see the change in color and texture of your meat. When it’s finished depends on the crispiness you prefer, so continue to check it after reaching the 4th hour.
Step #4
Once you’ve reached the texture you want, turn off the dehydrator and remove your bacon. Take your paper towels and blot any excess grease from your bacon, and then let it cool. You’ve just made a delicious bacon jerky!
Tips for making bacon jerky in a dehydrator
All bacon will create great-tasting jerky, but the following tips will make it look and taste even greater:
Know when the bacon jerky is done by being aware of the physical indicators, such as color. We’ll discuss this more below.
Ensure the drying temperature is consistent. Use a food thermometer for this reason.
While the cookie sheet catches grease residue well, you can also get a spate container if the oil or residue is too much.
The Best Kind of Bacon to Use
When selecting the type of bacon to use for your bacon jerky, the basic rule of thumb is that thicker slices tend to work better. Thick-cut bacon will give you a better chewy texture and thicker slices of jerky to eat.
Using smokey-flavored bacon will give your jerky some extra boldness along with the seasoning and helps to spice things up. If you’d rather have crunchy jerky, you can always use regular-cut bacon, and you’ll still receive excellent results!
How to Know When It’s Done
You can tell your bacon jerky is done if it’s completely devoid of moisture, oil, or fat. In other words, the bacon is done if it’s completely dry.
You can test if it’s dry by bending a strip of bacon jerky at a 90-degree angle. Your bacon jerky isn’t done if you notice any moisture.
You can also check the color of your bacon jerky. Typically, when your bacon has changed in color, it’s done.
How to Store Bacon Jerky
Once the bacon jerky is done, store it so you can eat it as a snack or save it for later. The good news is that bacon jerky is easy to store and is still just as delicious after it has been stored.
You can keep your bacon jerky in a ziplock bag or airtight container. Some people even like to freeze their bacon jerky to prolong its shelf life and make it last longer.
Wondering how long the bacon jerky can last?
If properly stored in an airtight container and kept unopened, bacon jerky can last up to a year. It can even last longer if you add preservatives. Otherwise, the bacon jerky shelf life will be about a week.
Conclusion
Overall, bacon jerky is a tasty treat, but people are often intimidated to try making it at home. After all, it can seem like quite the process. However, once you get started, you’ll find it more straightforward than you think.
Making bacon jerky in a dehydrator is one of the easiest methods for having a tasty snack with incredible flavor. When you use this recipe, you’ll never regret making a batch of bacon jerky!
