Can you add water to beef jerky?

When bent, an adequately dry jerky does not break in half but should crack instead. The dry strip should exhibit a firm, flexible form that can easily bend completely back on itself without snapping. Dried jerky should not be crumbly but instead displays a leathery texture that tastes palatably chewy..

If the jerky just crumbles away in your mouth then it is definitely overcooked. We also don't want it so tough that it's almost impossible to chew down. We need it to retain a degree of softness. It can be a fine line, but that's what jerky is all about.

A little red is safe as long as you're doing everything right. I've had some seasoning (usually commercial mixes) that seemed to add a reddish color, especially in jerky made with ground beef.

Meat has mineral salts in it, which are soluble in the oils/juices of the meat. As jerky dries, moisture in the meat evaporates into the air, and the salts can no longer stay dissolved. Instead, they get left behind and may form a visible deposit on the surface of the jerky. The deposit feels like a fine white powder.

Jerky is a lightweight, dried meat product that is a handy food for backpackers, campers and outdoor sports enthusiasts. It requires no refrigeration. Jerky can be made from almost any lean meat, including beef, pork, venison or smoked turkey breast. ... Freezing will not eliminate bacteria from the meat..

Place the whole bag into the fridge to thoroughly marinate for up to 24 hours, but no fewer than 4 hours. The longer you marinate, the deeper your flavor and tenderizing action. The most convenient process is to simply refrigerate overnight and start your next step, the drying process, on the following day..