This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my privacy policy.
Calling all dog lovers! Treat your best friend to some special healthy homemade beef jerky for dogs, it's SUPER easy to make and they will love you forever! Skip the store bought stuff which is full over fillers and chemicals and give them something wholesome and healthy.
Jump to:
Video - How to Make Jerky for Dogs
What meat to use
Ground meat is the best to use when making homemade dog jerky. Make sure you buy a package that is 10% fat or less. This would be a package that is labeled 90:10, meaning 90% meat 10% fat.
If you are grinding your own meat or deer, feel free to add organ meat as well such as liver. This only adds to the flavor and dogs LOVE it. Use a lean cut of meat such as a round roast. Grind through a ⅜" plate followed by a ⅛" plate for the best texture.
Spices that are good for dogs
When it comes to flavoring or marinades, making dog jerky is a lot different than jerky for humans. Regular beef jerky has a lot of salt and spices, this is unnecessary and not healthy for dogs. The spices are kept to a minimum and no salt is used. The Dog People have given us several spices that are healthy for dogs to eat.
Cinnamon -
- Cinnamon contains antioxidants and can help counteract the affects of diabetes. It can also help with bad breath, which is always a concern!
Turmeric -
- Turmeric can help with weight loss and keeping a dog overall healthy. It also helps with heart, joint, and brain health.
Ginger -
- Ginger is not only tasty but helps the digestive system and can help with nausea. A great spice to use if your dog tends to have an upset stomach.
Making Jerky for Dogs
Simply add several teaspoons of a spice or couple of spices to 1lb of ground meat to add some great flavor as well as health benefits to your dog jerky.
Mix the spices with 2 tablespoon of water and mix into the meat with your hands.
There are two different ways to make the ground meat into dog jerky strips. The first method is by flattening the meat by hand or rolling pin to ¼" thick and scoring with a knife or pizza cutter. If you are making a small amount of jerky, 1lb or less, this is a good method.
Use a dull knife to help transport the jerky strips to either a dehydrator tray or oven tray topped with a cooling rack.
The second method is by using a jerky gun to extrude the ground meat into strips for jerky. Pack the jerky gun with the flavored ground meat and shoot the meat onto either jerky trays or an oven tray topped with a cooling rack.
A jerky gun is a great tool to use if you are making a decent amount of dog jerky. So if you have more than 1lb of meat, grab one of these jerky guns and make your life a lot easier!
Dehydrating
I used my Nesco Dehydrator and my oven when making this jerky, both methods will create a great result. If this is the first time making jerky, simply use your oven before going out and buying expensive equipment. Might as well use what you already have!
Dehydrator
When using a dehydrator, make sure all the jerky strips are on the trays and place in the dehydrator. Turn the dehydrator on high, normally 160°F, and dry for 3-5 hours.
Oven
When using an oven, make sure the jerky strips are arranged on a cooling rack on top of an oven tray and turn the dehydrator between 180° - 200°F. Place the tray in the oven and prop the oven door open with a wooden spoon. Propping the door open will help any moisture escape while drying and allow the jerky to dry out.
Testing for when it's finished
You want to dry the jerky until it bends and cracks, but doesn't break in half when bent. Since dog jerky doesn't include any preservatives such as salt, over drying the jerky isn't a bad thing. Trust me, your dog won't mind a little over dried.
Pull a piece of jerky out of the oven or dehydrator and allow it to cool for 5 minutes before bending and testing. If you can feel moisture and it doesn't seem dry, keep dehydrating until it's finished. Once done, simply use scissors to cut into 1" pieces for the perfect sized dog treat.
Storing Jerky
The refrigerator is the best place to store dog jerky. Again, since it has no preservatives, it won't last as long as jerky made for humans. Place jerky in a ziplock bag and store in the fridge. If making a lot of jerky and wanting to store long term, a vacuum sealer can be used and the jerky stored in the freezer for several months.
FAQ
Yes. It will taste bland however since there is no salt and minimal seasoning used. It is safe though.
Yes. This jerky is packed full of protein, little fat, and healthy spices. Way better than store bought!
Yes, when making with chicken or turkey I like to use the oven method at 200°F to make sure the meat reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Old Pro Tips
- Line the oven tray with aluminum foil for a quick cleanup.
- Cut with scissors into bite size treats
- Add organ meat to meat you grind yourself
Learn more about making jerky
Ingredients
Lean Beef
- 1 lb Lean ground beef (10% fat or less)
Marinade
- 2 tablespoon cold water
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon (ground)
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine ingredients and add to 1lb of ground beef
- Mix the ground beef and seasonings thoroughly
- spread the ground meat on a baking sheet, cover with wax paper, and roll with a rolling pin until meat is ¼" thick
- Slice the pan of beef into jerky strips 4-5" long and 1" wide and place on dehydrator trays or cooling racks
- Dry on high in a dehydrator or in a 200°F oven for 3-5 hours until finished. Place a wooden spoon in the door of the oven to prop it open allowing moisture to escape.
- Ground jerky is finished when it first starts becoming dry to the touch. It should bend without breaking in half. If it cracks in half when bent a little bit, it was over dried
- Use scissors to cut the jerky strips into 1" square treats.
Video
Pro Tips
- Line baking sheet with aluminum foil for quick cleanup
- Cut with scissors into bite size treats
- Add organ meat to meat you grind yourself
Sarah
I haven’t gotten a chance to try this yet, but I wonder if I can mix the ground meat with some sweet potato? If is it baked/steamed and then mashed it would be a similar consistency to the ground beef without adding too much moisture.
Will
I've never tried that, but it's worth seeing if it will work. Let me know how it dries and turns out.
TDHofstetter
Where I live, we don't eat dogs.
Robert Prevost
Ha haha you a funny guy 😎😎😎
Shaun
I made your recipe and it came out looking like, well, jerky! My question is after 6 hours at 160 in my air fryer when I touched the jerky it left a circle of moisture of either water or grease (felt more like grease). I used 1# 93% ground beef, 2 tablespoons water and 1 teaspoon Ceylon cinnamon. Do I need to dehydrate more or will the meat absorb the grease. Our pug has been diagnosed with diabetes and, being a pug, she lives for treats! Trying to make something that we don’t have to limit so much. But I want her to be safe, too.
Will
It could be a little grease. It's helpful to pat the jerky dry with a paper towel every couple hours while drying. The jerky should be fine. Wrap it in a paper towel when storing in an airtight container will also help absorb the grease. It shouldn't need to be dried longer if it's been 6 hours.
Pauline
Trying this recipe for the first time but forgot to add water, hope it turns out fine
Tina
I'm so glad I found your website and this recipe! I have a 11 and a 13 year old dog plus a young one about 1.5 years old. They ALL love jerky I bought from Disney, Table Scraps Sweet Hawaiian Bacon. The ingredients are "pork, chicken, coconut glycerin, barley flour, oat flour, cane molasses, flaxseed, bacon, gelatin, salt, natural flavor, natural honey flavor, natural bacon flavor, rosemary extract (flavor). Could I use ground pork and chicken and add a little molasses, flaxseed, cooked bacon? The store bought is so expensive for so little and they all love it, it would be so nice to be able to make it myself and vac seal/freeze. Any help is appreciated!
Will
You can use ground pork, bacon, and chicken. You just want to make sure it is cooked fully. I'm not sure if you can find lean ground pork, but buy it if you can. Keep in mind that fat spoils faster than lean meat, so if you use fatty meat (ground pork/bacon) the jerky won't last as long at room temperature. It would be best to vacuum seal and keep in the fridge or freezer as you mentioned. Let me know how it turns out!
Jane White
I have been making homemade jerky for my doodle for about 6 months and not only can’t I say the word but now he’s figured out how it’s spelled. He will do/ stop doing anything for his jerky. I use thin sliced bottom round. It’s the perfect thickness, just slice into strips. Mix about 4oz unsalted tomato sauce. I use a variety of spices. Always tumeric, basil, oregano,(he thinks he’s getting people food) sometimes I also use rosemary, cinnamon and ginger. I store mine in the fridge and put a couple silica packets in to absorb moisture
Will
Yeah, dogs Love jerky! Sounds like you make a really tasty one too!
Sharney
This is so easy and my Husky can’t get enough of it. I have also make it with Kangaroo mince and Bowie is sitting staring at the fridge wanting more. Thank you for the recipe.
Connie mccarren
Do you leave the oven open the whole time drying?
Will
You leave the door cracked the entire time. This allows moisture to leave the oven and it not get too hot. Just use a wooden spoon to prop the oven door open.
Wendy Nichols
I'd never made jerky and didn't have a clue how it was made. Thank goodness this recipe was at the top of my list in my google search. It was so easy to do and the jerky came out perfect! My dogs LOVE IT!! Thank you!
Morgan Lewis
Tired of high prices for jerky!! These receipts sound simple and healthy and a heck of a lot cheaper. Keep up the good work! Have 4 adult GSDs and training 2 more puppies. I'll probably make it for all my friends and competitors. President GSD of Atlanta
Nicolette
Hi Will! I want to make homemade dog treats for my dog for Christmas, but I only have ground lamb and venison that I believe is 85/15. Will this higher fat meat work? Happy holidays!
Will
It will work, but keep them in the fridge after drying. Higher fat content meat will spoil faster than lean meat.
Marissa Dobbs
Is there a way to make this and store it on the counter in a glass canister with a lid and have it keep for at least a week?
Will
I would dry it until there is almost no moisture. It won’t be the texture that we would want, but your dog won’t mind. If you keep it in glass, try to keep it out of direct sunlight.
Anna
Can I freeze my jerky? I have some fattier meat I would like to use with the idea of freezing and using as wanted.
Will
Yes. You can freeze the jerky for up to around 6-12 months.
Cindi Kelly
Can you add fruits?
Will
Yes, you can add fruit to this recipe. It will dry out along with the ground meat. It's best to use thinly sliced fruit so it dries in the same amount of time as the beef.
David
What about food born illness like e coli or salmonella? for human consumption you have to ether brine the meat hot or heat to over 160 to kill the bugs??
Thanks David
Will
If you follow the instructions the meat will reach 160°F internal killing bacteria. Either turn your dehydrator on high or oven to 180-200°F when drying.
Kere
Would this recipe work in an air fryer. Thanks
Will
People have been making jerky in air fryers lately. Yes, you can use an air fryer and this recipe will turn out fine. Your dog will love it.
Cori
How long will the jerky last in the fridge and how long in the freezer? Thanks!
Will
Expect 2 weeks in the fridge and several months in the freezer.
Christine Rodriguez
Can I feed my dog cold jerky from the fridge? I made chicken jerky no spices at all. Or do I let it get room temperature?
Will
Definitely! Trust me, the dog won't mind the jerky a little chilled.
Michelle
Do I need to cook kangaroo fillets before placing into the dehydrator
Will
If your dehydrator or smoker is going to bring the meat to an internal temperature of 160°F, then they do not need to be pre-cooked. If you decide to make ground kangaroo jerky, then pre heating in the oven is a good idea.
Edward
Great stuff Will !!
I usually buy Honest Kitchen jerky but they are sold out and I think your jerky is much better anyway without all the additives. My question is how long can you store the jerky in the fridge?
Thanks so much !!
Edward
Will
Thanks Edward! I would store this in the fridge for 1-2 weeks.
David
Can I use my smoker to make beef jerky for my bully. No seasonings just straight London broil meat in smaller strips
Will
Definitely. Smokers are a great way to make jerky. Trust me, your dog is not going to care that there isn’t any seasoning. They love plain meat too!
Sandra Robert
My dogs love the Pioneer Woman brand smoked brisket dog treats, my brother said his dogs go crazy for them also. They have a very smoky aroma and we think this is what the dogs seem to be drawn to. I want to try and make this recipe you have and was wondering if the addition of liquid smoke would be safe for them. I can’t help but think this is what is used in the store bought treats.
Will
You can totally use liquid smoke. I like to use Wright's liquid smoke because it does NOT have all the other extra ingredients that other brands have. It's just water and smoke concentrate.
Terrie
You are correct about the liquid smoke. It's "supposedly" a natural version but according to the in depth research I've done it is really the same thing as we buy from the grocery stores.
Zen
In your listed recipe, you have 1 tablespoon cinnamon. In your video, you mentioned 1 tablespoon, but then you stammered and changed it to 1 teaspoon. Which is the correct measurement?
Will
Teaspoon. Sorry about that. Add 1 teaspoons of cinnamon. Thanks for letting me know!
Bonnie Swanson
Hi Will,
I made this jerky with deer meat and my rotweller and dobermans love it..even my pomeranian ate it..thanks for the recipe..it came out great in my dehydrator..
Bonnie
Will
Great to hear Bonnie!
DogDad69420
Man when it said dog jerky… I lost it for a second….. now I see it’s for dogs…
Will
Ha, maybe I should make that a little more obvious. I can see how 'dog jerky' looks bad.