David
Pay no attention to Stan......store bought jerky is garbage....
I've been making Jerky for years. From an old column:
http://lakewoodobserver.com/read/opinio ... mp-cooking
Homemade Jerky
3 lbs. London Broil (Top round) Approx. 1 inch thick
½ cup soy
½ cup dry red wine
1 tsp. liquid smoke
1 tbsp. Powdered garlic (NOT garlic salt)
2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1 tbsp coarsely ground black pepper
Trim the meat of all fat. Meat should be sliced in ½ inch thick slices. This will be easier if the meat is partially frozen. Combine all ingredients in a nonreactive bowl (glass). Add the meat slices, stir to combine making sure that the marinade covers the slices. Refrigerate 24 hours.
The jerky should be dried, not cooked. This is best done in an oven set at the lowest setting, with the door ajar (there are also various food dehydrators on the market, which do the job very well). Using toothpicks, or a skewer, string each strip at one end and allow to hang down from the oven rack. Use a jelly roll pan to catch drippings.
Dry for 24 hours, or until a uniform brown and stiff but pliable. The original 3 pounds will reduce in weight to ½ lb. Properly dried, jerky requires no refrigeration, but should be stored in a sealed container in a cool place.
I do use a food dehydrator a Ronco no less! My smoker (Bradley:
http://www.bradleysmoker.com/) is also set up to use very low heat and does a nice job...BUT, you can make do with an ove an hand full of tooth picks.
Jeff