Homemade Beef Jerky Storage

jburch3 · 04-04-2013, 10:53 AM

I made some homemade beef jerky on my Big Green Egg yesterday for the first time. Since I've never made it at home before, I don't know how long it will keep or how to store it. Right now, I have it in a tupperware container in my fridge. That's probably where this batch will stay. How long will it stay good in the fridge? Next time, what's the best way to store it?

bignburlyman · 04-04-2013, 01:44 PM

I have made jerky 4 or 5 times, it never seems to last long enough to go bad, lol. I usually Foodsaver about half of what I make at one time, then freeze it. I did a small test with a few strips once, by putting them in a baggie on the kitchen counter. After 2 weeks I could see no fuzzies growing, at 3 weeks a couple of tiny white spots showed up, at that time I was out of the other jerky so I ate it, end of experiment. No ill affects noted. I think if you have completely dried it out, then let it cool before storing it in whatever container you should be good for 2 to 3 weeks at room temp, probably a little longer if stored in fridge. I have heard though that storing in the fridge in an airtight container can cause a little condensation to form. YMMV.

NRA4Life · 04-04-2013, 05:43 PM

Depends on how dry you make it...the drier it is the longer it will last. I make a lot of venison jerky every year, in fact I've got a bunch in the dehydrator right now. Regardless of how you store it, do not put it into an air-tight container until after it has completely cooled. If you store it warm, it will sweat and lead to mold.

04-04-2013, 10:53 AM	#1
jburch3 Is lookin for wood to cook with. Join Date: 03-20-13 Location: Atlanta, GA	Homemade Beef Jerky Storage I made some homemade beef jerky on my Big Green Egg yesterday for the first time. Since I've never made it at home before, I don't know how long it will keep or how to store it. Right now, I have it in a tupperware container in my fridge. That's probably where this batch will stay. How long will it stay good in the fridge? Next time, what's the best way to store it?

04-04-2013, 01:44 PM	#2
bignburlyman is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 09-10-03 Location: Great Bend, Kansas	I have made jerky 4 or 5 times, it never seems to last long enough to go bad, lol. I usually Foodsaver about half of what I make at one time, then freeze it. I did a small test with a few strips once, by putting them in a baggie on the kitchen counter. After 2 weeks I could see no fuzzies growing, at 3 weeks a couple of tiny white spots showed up, at that time I was out of the other jerky so I ate it, end of experiment. No ill affects noted. I think if you have completely dried it out, then let it cool before storing it in whatever container you should be good for 2 to 3 weeks at room temp, probably a little longer if stored in fridge. I have heard though that storing in the fridge in an airtight container can cause a little condensation to form. YMMV. __________________ David MCBJ & CTC #5112 Traeger Texas 075 Blackstone Tailgater Family: Where Life Begins, and Love Never Ends.

04-04-2013, 05:43 PM	#3
NRA4Life is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 07-07-09 Location: Newark, OH	Depends on how dry you make it...the drier it is the longer it will last. I make a lot of venison jerky every year, in fact I've got a bunch in the dehydrator right now. Regardless of how you store it, do not put it into an air-tight container until after it has completely cooled. If you store it warm, it will sweat and lead to mold. __________________ - [B]Kevin[/B] Team: [B]Smitty's Real Pit BBQ[/B] KCBS CBJ [B]Superior SS-3[/B] - Courtesy of Gainesville Jaycees and Superior Smokers Custom Built Reverse Flow Stickburner [B]Weber[/B] 22.5" WSM [B]Weber[/B] 26.75" OTG [B]Weber[/B] Blue 2000 Stainless Performer [B]Weber[/B] Red 1998 Stainless Performer