Getting ready to try making jerky in the smoker and need some clearfication

[gmebey]

Reading through the many post on making jerky I have managed to confuse myself.

Is marinate the same as cure? I see reference to TQ and other off the shelf mixes like Hi Mountain, and some marinates.

In one post had the following listed:

1-1.5 lbs meat
1.5 cups of water
2 tablespoons canning salt
2 table spoons soy
1 table spoon worstichire
1 table spoon garlic

marinate 4-12 hours and smoke in the chief until done.

So what is the correct?

Thanks in advance.

 

[shtrdave]

for the most part the marinade that you have posted would be a form of curing.

The kits will usually have pink curing salts in them and yo will mix it and seasonings and usually some water to put over the meat or mix with the ground meat. When I use kits, usually Cabelas, I will weigh my meat to the specs on the kit package and then put it in a large plastic tub mix the seasonings and curing salts with some beef broth, and pour over the meat, then mix to coat the pieces, stash in the bottom of the fridge for 4 or 5 days mixing at least once a day. Then into the smoker or dehydrator until done.

TQ is a curing salt,  use by directions on package with your seasonings.

 

[meateater]

Reading through the many post on making jerky I have managed to confuse myself.

Is marinate the same as cure? I see reference to TQ and other off the shelf mixes like Hi Mountain, and some marinates.

In one post had the following listed:

1-1.5 lbs meat
1.5 cups of water
2 tablespoons canning salt
2 table spoons soy
1 table spoon worstichire
1 table spoon garlic

marinate 4-12 hours and smoke in the chief until done.

So what is the correct?

Thanks in advance.

This recipe doesn't have any cure in it.

 

 

[forluvofsmoke]

I'd be very careful about any jerky recipe that does not contain a cure, either a home-made mix with TQ, or a store bought kit with it's own cure packets.

If not cured, the jerky has to actually be cooked by boiling in the marinade or with a hot smoke before it is dried in order to be considered safe to eat.

Eric

 

[pignit]

To answer your question.... no... marinade is not the same as a cure. Your marinade can include cure but if you don't add cure to your marinade it isn't a cure.

 

[shtrdave]

I think with the amount of meat and the amount of salt, in the OP recipe there is enough for it to be considered a cure and would see no problem with making and using this recipe, besides the salt you also have soy and ws sauce,

 

[eman]

Canning salt is not curing salt The recipe that is posted is not a safe cure it is just what it says a marinade. This is fine for jerky that you will store in the freezer or consume fairly quick. If a recipe does not contain a true cure it is not considered cured.

 

[eman]

Also TQ is not a curing salt .it is a sodium nitrate cure that is mixed w/ salt .

 

[pignit]

Also TQ is not a curing salt .it is a sodium nitrate cure that is mixed w/ salt .

Got me confused on this one. TQ contains sodium nitrate as well as sodium nitrite.... along with salt as a bonding agent. Wouldn't this make TQ a curing salt? Salt itself only preserves... it doesn't cure. Salt itself in a marinade will only make the jerky salty... it will do nothing to inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria during the drying process.

GMEBEY....  You really should research the method of making jerky. My suggestion would be to start off with one of the kits which include instructions and the right amount of cure and seasoning to start off with. The reason for cure is not for the purpose of preserving but because the method of drying the meat puts it in the danger zone too long and creates an environment that bacteria multiply rapidly. Lots of opinions on this topic and many make jerky without using a cure. Your choice. I've used cure in mine ever since researching why a cure is used in the first place.

 

[gmebey]

Thanks for clearing up the my question about the marinate and cure.

From my research a cure requires nitrate and/or nitrite.

I decided to use the Hi Mountain kit for my first run. The plan is to smoke it at 145 to 155 for 2-3 hours for flavor, then finish off in the dehydrator.

Thanks for help and advice.

 

[ryanhoelzer]

I've used the Hi Mountain stuff alot.  I haven't tried it at a higher temp but I always dry it around 120.  Time will vary depending on the thickness.

What are you smoking it in?  I have an electric element I put in the firebox of my offset or do it in the MES.  I use the AMNS either way.  Both work great.  Both have hot spots and some areas are done quicker.  I rotate the meat or at least check it every couple hours to pull what's in the hot spots.

 

[smokerator]

I use TQ in all my jerky,2 tsp per 5 lb of meat,I use my home made electric smoker that can hold up to 24 lbs of raw meat at a time,What I have found is that it takes approx 3 hours of smoking at 160-200 F then shut it off and let the smoker coast without opening the door till the 4th hour is up.

 gmebey, try adding a cup of brown sugar,1/2 cup honey and substitute beer for that cup and a half of water,and a tsp of red pepper for just a little kick.

I use those bamboo skewers for hanging the meat,I can get around 8 lbs per rack,Use your imagination what you think would taste good but always use TQ.

Merry X-mas

 

[forluvofsmoke]

I use TQ in all my jerky,2 tsp per 5 lb of meat,I use my home made electric smoker that can hold up to 24 lbs of raw meat at a time,What I have found is that it takes approx 3 hours of smoking at 160-200 F then shut it off and let the smoker coast without opening the door till the 4th hour is up.

 gmebey, try adding a cup of brown sugar,1/2 cup honey and substitute beer for that cup and a half of water,and a tsp of red pepper for just a little kick.

I use those bamboo skewers for hanging the meat,I can get around 8 lbs per rack,Use your imagination what you think would taste good but always use TQ.

Merry X-mas

Not bust your chops, but 2 tsp TQ per 5lbs is about 10% of the recommended amount. Diude, you're scarin' me here!
 

Eric