If you're looking for a tasty, poly peptide-rich snack, beef hasty is the reply. I piece of beef jerky packs most ten grams of protein . And, considering beef hasty doesn't need to be refrigerated, information technology makes the perfect snack for when you're on the go.

All the same, merely considering beef jerky doesn't need to be refrigerated doesn't mean it lasts forever . Whether you lot purchase beefiness jerky online or make your own beef jerky at home, you lot demand to exist aware of its shelf life.

Read this guide to larn about beef jerky's shelf life and to observe some storage tips .

Related: Two Chicks Jerky Merch

How Long Does Beefiness Hasty Last?

How long beef jerky lasts will depend on whether it'south homemade or store-bought. By and large, commercial beef jerky is best enjoyed within one year.

However, to enjoy the jerky's premium flavor and textures, nosotros recommend consuming it within six months of purchase .

Bootleg beef jerky, on the other hand, should last one to 2 months if you store it in an closed container after making it. If you store beef hasty in a Ziplock pocketbook in your pantry, information technology'll last about a week. And, if you shop your beefiness jerky in the fridge, you can expect it to last one to ii weeks.

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How to Tell if Beef Jerky is Notwithstanding Skilful

Sometimes, it's non always easy to tell if beef jerky is all the same good to eat. Unlike regular cooked meat, which develops a scent if not consumed in fourth dimension, beef jerky doesn't always show strong signs of spoilage .

If the color of the beef hasty has changed, or information technology'south gotten darker or harder, then it may have gone bad. In some cases, spoiled beef jerky tin have a slight aroma to information technology .

If you purchased the beefiness jerky online or in-store, always check the expiration date on the package. The expiration date is normally located on the bottom seal of the bag. Only remember, simply because the beef jerky is by the best-past appointment doesn't mean it's unsafe to eat. The best-past date but indicates when the jerky is at its freshest.

You should also check the jerky package for any rips or tears. If you find any, this can be an indicator that the jerky has gone bad, as moisture has entered the bag.

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How to Shop Beef Jerky

To brand your beefiness hasty last as long as possible, you demand to focus on proper storage . Hither are the different methods for storing beefiness jerky:

Vacuum Seal Pocketbook

Perhaps the all-time method for storing your beef jerky is in a vacuum seal handbag. Vacuum seal bags allow you to keep the moisture in and the air out, allowing your jerky to stay somewhat soft and tender without spoiling.

The only downside is that vacuum sealers can exist a bit expensive - unremarkably betwixt $100 to $200 for a brand new one. However, if you lot plan to brand a lot of beef hasty or other foods that need sealing, it's well worth the investment.

If you desire your beef jerky to last even longer, nosotros recommend placing the vacuum seal bag in the freezer. With this method, your beef jerky tin can last 12 months or more .

Stonemason Jars/Dry Cans

Dry canning beef hasty in a mason jar or dry out can will allow you lot to preserve information technology for months. Plus, this method is much more affordable than vacuum sealing. Here's what you demand to do to due south tore your jerky in bricklayer jars:

  1. Set your oven to 350 F.
  2. Have the lids off the mason jars and set them on a cookie sheet.
  3. Place the jars in the oven for almost 10 minutes.
  4. Use mitts to remove the jars from the oven, and quickly place your jerky strips inside of them.
  5. Screw the lids tightly on the jars, and let the jars to cool to room temperature. Every bit the stonemason jars cool, they'll create a vacuum seal. If you hear popping sounds, that means the jars are creating the seal.

Once sealed, you can store the beefiness jerky on the pantry shelf or in the refrigerator.

Ziplock or Paper Pocketbook

Ziplock or newspaper bags also piece of work for storing beef hasty if you're in a pinch. This method volition keep your jerky fresh for 3-4 weeks , then it's a great option if you programme to consume the jerky in the near future.

If yous notice that your jerky is a flake likewise moist, y'all tin can always add a food-grade desiccant bag to the paper or Ziplock bag.

How to Make Your Beef Jerky Last Longer

Additionally, hither are some steps you lot can accept to make your beefiness jerky final longer :

Trim the Fat

Fatty is the enemy when it comes to preserving beefiness hasty. Fat spoils fast and can make the beef jerky go rancid more chop-chop. To avoid this issue, buy lean meat and trim all the fat before drying your jerky.

Cure Your Jerky

Most commercial beef jerky producers use a cure made from sodium nitrate to extend the life of beef jerky by a year or more. The sodium nitrate prevents bacteria from harboring in the meat. While it'south not recommended to make your own cure, you can purchase a beefiness jerky online or from your local supermarket.

The cure too helps requite the beef jerky a redder color, and information technology besides adds some flavor .

Dry out It Right

Generally, the longer you dry out your beef jerky, the longer it will concluding . Notwithstanding, yous don't want to over-dry your beef jerky, as this will brand it extremely chewy . Dry out the hasty to its desired texture and focus on proper storage to make it last longer.

Avoid Sunlight

You likewise desire to make certain y'all store your beefiness hasty in a dry out, cool environment such as a pantry. Leaving jerky out in directly sunlight tin crusade condensation within the bag, which tin can lead to mold .

Related: 2 Chicks Hasty Store Locator

Fourth dimension to Store Your Beef Jerky!

With these beefiness jerky storage tips, you should get plenty of shelf life out of your jerky.

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