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    Home » Beef Jerky Recipes

    Homemade Dog Jerky

    Published: Apr 19, 2021 · Modified: Sep 20, 2021 by Will · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my privacy policy.

    Calling all dog lovers! Treat your best friend to some special homemade dog jerky, 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.

    Dog jerky in bowl with grass in background
    Jump to:
    • Video - How to Make Jerky for Dogs
    • What meat to use
    • Spices that are good for dogs
    • Dehydrating
    • Testing for when it's finished
    • Storing
    • FAQ
    • Old Pro Tips
    • Learn more about making jerky
    • Healthy Homemade Dog Jerky

    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.

    ground beef with basil

    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.

    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.

    Ground meat mixed with seasoning in bowl

    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.

    Meat scored with knife into strips and then placed on dehydrator tray

    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.

    Ground meat in jerky gun and extruded on 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.

    Dog jerky ripped showing it's finished drying

    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

    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

    Is it safe for humans to eat?

    Yes. It will taste bland however since there is no salt and minimal seasoning used. It is safe though.

    Is it healthy?

    Yes. This jerky is packed full of protein, little fat, and healthy spices. Way better than store bought!

    Can I make this with ground chicken or turkey?

    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

    • The Best Dehydrator for Making Beef Jerky [2021]
    • Beef Jerky Recipes (75+ Homemade Jerky Recipes)
    • The BEST Turkey Jerky Recipe
    Dog jerky in bowl with grass in background

    Healthy Homemade Dog Jerky

    Calling all dog lovers! Treat your best friend to some special homemade dog jerky, it's SUPER easy to make and they will love you forever!
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    Prep Time: 30 minutes
    Cook Time: 4 hours
    Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
    Course: Snack
    Cuisine: Beef Jerky
    Type: Ground Beef Jerky
    Flavor: Savory
    Servings: 5
    Calories: 128kcal
    Author: Will

    Ingredients
     

    Lean Beef

    • 1 lb Lean ground beef (10% fat or less)

    Marinade

    • 2 tablespoon cold water
    • 1 teaspoon Cinnamon (ground)

    Equipment

    Nesco Dehydrator
    Nesco Dehydrator
    Cooling rack with packaging strip around the rack
    Cooling Rack
    Jerky Cannon
    Jerky Cannon

    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.

    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

    Nutrition

    Serving: 70g | Calories: 128kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 56mg | Sodium: 60mg | Potassium: 321mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 5IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    Homemade Dog Jerky
    « Chicken Jerky
    Perfectly Smoked Prime Rib »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Christine Rodriguez says

      November 29, 2022 at 5:24 pm

      5 stars
      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?

      Reply
      • Will says

        December 03, 2022 at 11:13 am

        Definitely! Trust me, the dog won't mind the jerky a little chilled.

        Reply
    2. Michelle says

      November 05, 2022 at 6:55 pm

      Do I need to cook kangaroo fillets before placing into the dehydrator

      Reply
      • Will says

        November 06, 2022 at 7:07 am

        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.

        Reply
    3. Edward says

      May 22, 2022 at 3:42 pm

      5 stars
      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

      Reply
      • Will says

        June 02, 2022 at 1:01 pm

        Thanks Edward! I would store this in the fridge for 1-2 weeks.

        Reply
    4. David says

      March 19, 2022 at 4:29 pm

      Can I use my smoker to make beef jerky for my bully. No seasonings just straight London broil meat in smaller strips

      Reply
      • Will says

        March 19, 2022 at 6:34 pm

        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!

        Reply
    5. Sandra Robert says

      January 25, 2022 at 12:51 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • Will says

        February 02, 2022 at 2:21 pm

        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.

        Reply
      • Terrie says

        November 25, 2022 at 7:18 pm

        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.

        Reply
    6. Zen says

      November 24, 2021 at 6:04 am

      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?

      Reply
      • Will says

        November 24, 2021 at 11:25 am

        Teaspoon. Sorry about that. Add 1 teaspoons of cinnamon. Thanks for letting me know!

        Reply
    7. Bonnie Swanson says

      September 19, 2021 at 5:56 pm

      5 stars
      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

      Reply
      • Will says

        September 19, 2021 at 7:38 pm

        Great to hear Bonnie!

        Reply
        • DogDad69420 says

          July 24, 2022 at 8:23 am

          Man when it said dog jerky… I lost it for a second….. now I see it’s for dogs…

          Reply
          • Will says

            July 31, 2022 at 1:50 pm

            Ha, maybe I should make that a little more obvious. I can see how 'dog jerky' looks bad.

            Reply

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