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    You Are Here Home » Low Carb Recipes

    Published: Mar 26, 2017 Updated: May 28, 2021 by Hilda Sterner | This post may contain affiliate links 4 Comments

    Elk Jerky Recipe

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    jerky in a bowl

    Spicy and flavorful Elk Jerky Recipe that you can make at home using my amazing marinade and a dehydrator. If you don't have a dehydrator, you can still make this tasty Elk Jerky. I'll also show you how to make this jerky in a smoker or oven. And if you have more elk, try my new Elk Steak recipe!

    spicy game jerky in a bowl

    About This Recipe

    My husband, Scott, and I created this Elk Jerky recipe years ago, after he returned from one of his hunting trips, with an abundance of game meat.

    We have been using this marinade on all kinds of game meat ever since! Our family and friends all love this Elk Jerky recipe. Even my daughter, Nena, who doesn't usually eat meat.

    So if you're looking for a delicious way to use up some of the game meat in your freezer, this recipe is it!

    I was not planning on sharing this recipe. As a matter of fact, I used to refer to this as my "Secret Jerky Recipe."

    Then an Instagram follower asked me to share the recipe after seeing my post about my Elk Jerky recipe. So, how could I say no?

    How to Make This Recipe

    Slice semi-frozen meat, against the grain, anywhere between ⅛" to ¼" in thickness. Place in a ziplock bag.

    Add the remaining ingredients in a bowl, and whisk until completely combined.

    jerky marinade in a silver bowl

    Carefully pour the marinade over the meat. Seal the bag and marinate overnight, or at least eight hours.

    meat marinating in a plastic bag

    Place jerky on the dehydrator trays, leaving some space in-between to allow for circulation. Sometimes I sprinkle sesame seeds or crushed red pepper over the meat before dehydrating it.

    elk jerky on a dehydrator

    Use your dehydrator's settings to determine the length of time to dehydrate the meat. My dehydrator has a jerky setting and usually takes approximately eight hours until the jerky is ready.

    jerky in a dehydrator

    The thinner pieces will be ready sooner than the thicker ones. Start checking the jerky after approximately six-hours and pull off any pieces that are ready.

    Once all the pieces are ready, turn off the dehydrator and allow to cool completely before storing.

    Recipe FAQs and Expert Tips

    What meat can be used to make jerky?

    Besides elk meat, you can use this marinade to make beef jerky. However, if you do hunt, or have access to game meat, I'm pleased to tell you that this recipe is very versatile.

    I've also used this marinade to make venison, bison, and antelope jerky. My personal favorite is elk jerky, with bison jerky being a close second.

    What Tools are Needed to Make Jerky?

    The only thing you need for this recipe is a dehydrator. I have recommended a dehydrator in a few of my recipes, including Pineapple Chips, and Sun-Dried Tomatoes. 

    Besides using it in those recipes, I also dry other fruit with it, including citrus slices that I add to tea, or stews.

    Can You Make Jerky Without A Dehydrator?

    You certainly can make jerky without a dehydrator, although a dehydrator is the easiest to use. Another option is using your oven. Just follow these steps:
    • Preheat oven to 175 degrees F
    • Place jerky on a wire rack, with a foil-lined tray underneath. Allow room for air circulation between the jerky pieces.
    • Bake until dry and leathery, 3 to 4 hours.

    Jerky on a plate

    Using an Electric Smoker to Make Game Jerky

    Yet another way to make jerky is by using a smoker. We have a Masterbuilt Electric Smoker, so I will be giving you instructions accordingly.

    • Remove racks from the smoker.
    • Add wood chips to smoker tray, then heat electric smoker to 250. Leave a small crack in the vent.
    • While the smoker is heating up, drain the marinade from jerky.
    • Place jerky on smoker racks, leaving enough room for air/smoke circulation.
    • When you begin to see heavy smoke coming out of the vent, which could take 30 to 45 minutes, place the racks inside the smoker and seal the door.
    • Allow the smoke to build back up, then lower the temperature to 165 degrees F.
    • Cook for 4 to 6 hours, or until the meat is no longer wet.
    • Make sure the meat is still pliable. You don't want it to overcook it, making it brittle.

    jerky in a wooden bowl

    Related Recipes

    • Cast-Iron Venison Burger Recipe
    • Dove Nuggets And Other Delicious Dove Recipes
    • Spicy Smoked Pork Jerky
    • Juicy Gourmet Elk Burger Recipe

    Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section further down the page.

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    spicy game jerky in a bowl

    Elk Jerky Recipe

    Spicy elk jerky recipe; the marinade can be used on beef, venison, elk etc.
    4.31 from 23 votes
    Print Rate
    Course: Snacks
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 30 minutes
    Cook Time: 8 hours
    Resting Time: 8 hours
    Total Time: 8 hours 30 minutes
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 368kcal
    Author: Hilda Sterner

    Equipment

    • dehydrator

    Ingredients

    • 3 lbs roast (elk, venison, buffalo etc.)
    • ½ cup soy sauce
    • ¼ cup sesame seed oil
    • 2 T Worcestershire sauce
    • 1 tsp. hot sauce
    • 1 tsp. liquid smoke
    • 1 tsp. garlic powder
    • 1 tsp. onion powder
    • 2 tsp. coriander powder
    • 1 tsp. cayenne pepper
    • 1 tsp. crushed red pepper

    Instructions

    • Slice semi-frozen meat, against the grain, anywhere between ⅛" to ¼" in thickness. Place in a ziplock bag.
    • Add the remaining ingredients in a bowl, and whisk until completely combined.
    • Carefully pour the marinade over the meat. Seal the bag and marinate overnight, or at least eight hours.
    • Place jerky on the dehydrator trays, leaving some space in-between to allow for circulation. Sometimes I sprinkle sesame seeds or crushed red pepper over the meat before dehydrating it.
    • Use your dehydrator's settings to determine the length of time to dehydrate the meat. My dehydrator has a jerky setting and usually takes approximately eight hours until the jerky is ready. The thinner pieces will be ready sooner than the thicker ones. Start checking the jerky after approximately six-hours and pull off any pieces that are ready.
    • Once all the pieces are ready, turn off the dehydrator and allow to cool completely before storing.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 368kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 1100mg | Sodium: 1897mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 1g
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @HildasKitchenBlog or tag #HildasKitchenBlog!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sara says

      November 16, 2020 at 9:48 am

      I am making this jerky as I write… I will come back and leave a star review after it is out of the oven, cooled and we have tried it… I made the marinade yesterday there was no weird ingredients, everything I already had on hand it came together nice and smelled pretty good! I usually make a sweeter marinade for my jerky, this will be my first time doing a more savory one so we will see how that goes. I am doing it in the oven as I have not yet gotten a dehydrator. I usually do jerky on my smoker but a dehydrator is on my list of things to get! I have been making my elk jerky for the last two days now, I did my original recipe yesterday and yours is in now so now we wait for the taste test! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Hilda Sterner says

        November 16, 2020 at 1:37 pm

        Hi Sara,
        That's funny because my elk is defrosting in the sink so that I could make some jerky. You got me thinking, maybe I'll try a sweeter marinade this time.. want to share your recipe?

        Reply
        • Sara says

          November 16, 2020 at 2:45 pm

          It’s a mixture of yoshidas, teriyaki, brown sugar, garlic, chili flakes and cayenne pepper. I don’t measure I just dump and taste. It’s pretty dang good. If you’re doing it not on smoker your would add a little liquid smoke.

          Reply
      • Sara says

        November 16, 2020 at 2:50 pm

        We also want to come up with a honey sriracha jerky marinade! We were discussing it today as we have a few elk roasts that we want to make into jerky!

        Reply

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