Easy Homemade Deer Jerky
This simple, savory deer jerky is made from lean sliced venison marinated in a flavorful blend of soy sauce, Worcestershire, and spices, then dried to perfection in the oven or dehydrator.
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Zip-top Bag or Container
- Oven or Dehydrator
- Wire Rack or Baking Sheet
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb sliced venison deer meat
- ⅓ cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper to make marinade.
- Add venison slices to the marinade and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight.
- Preheat oven or dehydrator to 160°F (71°C). Line baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top, or use dehydrator trays.
- Arrange marinated venison slices in a single layer. Dry in oven or dehydrator for 2.5 to 4 hours, flipping once, until firm and dry but still slightly pliable.
- Cool jerky completely before storing in an airtight container or vacuum-sealed bag.
Notes
For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes or hot sauce to the marinade. Jerky can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or frozen for longer shelf life.