Deer Jerky

[SweetSassyLady]

Does anyone know how to make deer jerky? My husband wants me to make some for him from a deer he killed during deer season. I've got the meat frozen and I know I'll probably have to marinate it after slicing thin but I don't have a recipe. Can someone help me out?

[Grandpa]

Deer has a lot of gristle, especially the front quarters. I like to just chunk it up, run it through a food processor, then extrude it. (don't make it too soupy, about hamburger consistency) You can get an extruding gun at wally world cheap that works well. They also have several flavors of spices just for jerky until you advance enough to make your own concoctions. I just take a pound of the processed meat, put in a mix bowl, pour the seasoning on and knead it with my hands to spread the seasoning. Put the mixture in the extruding gun and make 6" strips directly on to the dehydrator trays. It's ready to eat in no time. No slicing, marinating required. No chewy gristle to contend with.

[limbs]

Grandpa pretty much has your question answered. I lived off of dear for a whole year once. I had deer everything. If you can do it with beef you can do it with deer.

[SweetSassyLady]

Thanks Grandpa and Limbs! I already have some deer hamburger so this will be easy. I didn't even know they sold the spice mix anywhere but I'll go get some and try it. I know about the gristle, we've been cooking it and it's very gristly. Deer jerky here I come!

[Grandpa]

The deer hamburger is a great way to start. Just follow the directions on the spice mix.

When college time came around, dorms and caffeterias were too expensive. Four of us rented a house and pretty much lived on deer meat, potatoes and milk. When I got married, my parents moved to town and I stayed in the old house. With a big debt buying the place, times were tough. We pretty much survived on deer meat, elk meat and the garden. Couldn't afford to even keep one of my own fat beef because we needed the money.

[dinosaur]

If you slice the meat against the grain, you won't have that problem. Marinate it in teriyaki sauce and seven-up before drying.

[Tubby]

I love deer meat! We bag a deer every year so we always have some in the freezer. Beats going out and paying a fortune for beef these days. I wouldn't have the space to raise a beef anyway if I did have one.

[tentrus]

I don't like venison - it is tough and gamey to me. Then again I could be cooking it all wrong. I have had jerky before but I had no idea how to make it. Great tips on this post.

[Grandpa]

Quick and skillful dressing at the time of kill is more important than cooking method. If you are getting the gamey taste, there may be something wrong with your method of dressing the deer out at the time of kill.