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    Home » Beef Jerky Recipes

    Rig Hand Beef Jerky

    Published: Mar 10, 2019 · Modified: Jun 26, 2021 by Will · This post may contain affiliate links.

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

    This is the Beef Jerky recipe that I started passing around while out on the drilling rig in South Texas. This was a bad decision as now many of the guys out here always ask if I have any Jerky on me while we are working. Making homemade jerky results in a big increase in popularity among work colleagues and family members! n

    Drilling Rig Oklahoma

    *This recipe is updated with more photos and video of the jerky making process and finished jerky. Original Post: 2/19/2015*

    I’m dedicating this recipe to the guys working on the rig; "Rig Hands". Enjoy Rig Hand Jerky! Here is a picture of a drilling rig in South Texas for ya!

    Jump to:
    • Jerky Video
    • Slicing the meat
    • Making the marinade
    • Dehydrating
    • Testing for when it's finished
    • Storing jerky
    • Old Pro Tips:
    • FAQ
    • Related Posts
    • Rig Hand Beef Jerky Recipe

    Jerky Video

    Slicing the meat

    Start with a great cut of beef when making this jerky. I used Beef Eye of Round, but you can find a complete list of the best cuts of meat for beef jerky here.

    The first step of slicing meat for jerky is to trim the cut of meat of all visible fat. You can see the white fat in the picture below, just trim that off BEFORE you start slicing the meat. Fat spoils faster than meat, so the more you get off now, the longer your jerky will be shelf stable.

    Eye of Round Roast on cutting board

    Slice the meat with a very sharp knife either with the grain for a more chewy jerky or against the grain for a more tender jerky.

    Eye of round beef roast being sliced in cutting board

    Slice even strips so they will dry evenly and be finished at the same time. You can wrap the roast in plastic wrap and partially freeze for 1-2 hours to make slicing easier.

    I didn’t use it on this recipe, but a jerky slicer is a FANTASTIC piece of equipment to help get even strips when slicing jerky.

    Beef Jerky slicer slicing beef for jerky onto a cutting board with knife

    Making the marinade

    This recipe tastes fantastic because of some of the great tasting ingredients such as soy sauce, worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and red pepper flakes for a little bit of a spice!

    Combine all the ingredients in a bowl or ziplock bag and mix well. Since this recipe does not have any whole peppers, blending in a blender is not needed.

    Related Page: Dozens of Great Tasting Jerky Recipes – Click Here

    Add the earlier sliced meat strips to the marinade and mix around so all the strips are evenly covered. Allow the strips to marinate for 6-24 hours in the refrigerator. Do NOT marinate the meat at room temperature, always marinate in the fridge to prevent the meat from spoiling.

    Dehydrating

    Once the meat has finished marinating, strain any excess marinade in a colander. I marinated this beef for a total of 20 hours before straining. The longer the marinade process, the more intense flavor the jerky will have!

    Before adding the meat to your dehydrator, oven, or smoker; lay out paper towels placing the meat strips on top. Pat dry the strips to remove even more of the excess marinade. This step will help speed up the drying process and prevent the meat from being 'sticky' after it has finished drying. 

    Jerky strips on a dehydrator tray

    I dried them in my Excalibur Dehydrator for a total of 3 hours at 165°F and 1 hour at 145°F. Make sure the meat reaches an internal temperature of 160°F to kill any potential bacteria. The 3 hours at 165°F in the dehydrator does the trick. You can also pre-heat the meat in an oven before drying if your dehydrator does not heat up to 160°F. Check out my page on jerky safety for more information on this process.

    Related Page: Dehydrator Reviews

    Testing for when it's finished

    While drying the jerky, you want to start testing to see if it has finished at about the 3-4 hour mark. Take a piece of jerky out of the dehydrator, oven, or smoker and allow it to cool for 5 minutes to room temperature. Bend the jerky in half; it should bend and crack but not break in half. You will also see white fibers in the meat. The fibers are really visible when a piece is ripped in half.

    Rig hand jerky ripped in half showing white fibers of meat on cutting board

    If the jerky is not finished, continue drying for another hour and repeat the same process until the jerky is finished. 90% of the jerky i make is finished within 4-6 hours when using a dehydrator or oven and 6-9 hours when using a smoker. If pre-heating the meat in the oven, drying time can be as little as 2.5 hours.

    Jerky in a jar laying on wood with red pepper flakes and american flag

    This recipe tastes fantastic, that's why there is not surprise that it is one of the top recipes on the site. It has that recognizable flavor of jerky you find at your local smokehouse or country store. The red pepper flakes gives it a little bit of a spice and the soy sauce the perfect amount of saltiness!

    Storing jerky

    To make the jerky last as long as possible, curing salt will really help along with keeping in air tight containers. I have put together a page on storing jerky and steps you can take to make your jerky have an extended shelf life. Check it out!

    Old Pro Tips:

    • Trim all fat from the meat before marinating for longer lasting jerky once it's finished drying
    • Use curing salt or celery juice powder to extend the life of the jerky
    • Marinate closer to 24 hours for the most intense flavor
    • Sprinkle on more red pepper flakes before drying if desiring a spicier jerky

    FAQ

    Is jerky good for camping trips?

    YES! It's great for camping and hiking. Check out this complete guide to camping food and prep at Kuhl for more information.

    Can I make this into ground jerky?

    Yes, with modification. Simply cut the liquid ingredients in half when making ground jerky.

    Will this recipe work for chicken jerky?

    Yes, it will turn out very well when made with chicken. Just make sure to heat the chicken jerky to an internal temperature of 165°F for safety. Check out this chicken jerky post for more information.

    Related Posts

    • How to Make Beef Jerky in a Dehydrator
    • How to Make Beef Jerky in the Oven
    • How to Make Beef Jerky in a Smoker
    Instagram Request Box
    Jerky in jar with red pepper flakes on wood

    Rig Hand Beef Jerky Recipe

    This is the Jerky recipe that I started passing around while out on the drilling rig in South Texas. This was a bad decision as now many of the guys out here always ask if I have any Jerky on me while we are working. This recipe is made of several ingredients that you can’t go wrong with.
    4.1 from 95 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    Prep Time: 1 hour
    Cook Time: 6 hours
    Total Time: 7 hours
    Course: Beef Jerky, Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Type: Beef Jerky
    Flavor: Savory, Spicy
    Servings: 5
    Calories: 151kcal
    Author: Will

    Ingredients
     

    Lean Beef

    • 1 lb eye of round

    Marinade

    • ¼ cup worcestershire sauce
    • ¼ cup soy sauce
    • 1 teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 2 teaspoon brown sugar
    • 2 teaspoon liquid smoke (Do NOT add if using smoker)
    • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

    Optional

    • ¼ teaspoon Curing Salt (Prague Powder #1)

    Equipment

    Excalibur Dehydrator
    Excalibur Dehydrator
    Colander
    Colander

    Instructions

    • Pick a lean cut of beef. Trim the fat cap and other visible fat. After trimmed, place the meat in the freezer for 1-2 hours or until partially frozen. This will allow for more uniform slices when cutting your beef.
    • In a plastic container that has a tight fitting lid or ziplock bag, add the marinade ingredients and mix well.
    • Remove the meat from the freezer and slice ¼" strips against the grain for an easy chew. Cut with the grain for a more chewy jerky. 
    • Add the sliced meat to the marinade and shake well until all slices are covered evenly. Place in the fridge and allow to marinate for 6-24 hours. Shake the container/bag two or three times while marinating.
    • After marinating, dry slices with paper towels to remove any excess marinade.
    • Place strips on your dehydrator drying racks with plenty of spaces in between for easy air flow. Dry with your favorite jerky making method.
    • Dry for 3 hours at 165 degrees allowing the internal temperature to reach 160 degrees and then turn down to 145F. Check the meat after 4 hours and keep drying until the jerky bends and cracks, but does not break in half.
    • Allow jerky to cool for several hours before storing.

    Pro Tips

    • Trim all fat from the meat before marinating for longer lasting jerky once it's finished drying
    • Use curing salt or celery juice powder to extend the life of the jerky
    • Marinate closer to 24 hours for the most intense flavor
    • Sprinkle on more red pepper flakes before drying if desiring a spicier jerky

    Nutrition

    Serving: 70g | Calories: 151kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 56mg | Sodium: 1310mg | Potassium: 451mg | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 130IU | Vitamin C: 1.8mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 3mg

    Environmental Information

    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    Rig Hand Beef Jerky
    « Rage Deer Jerky
    Corkscrew Deer Jerky »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Neil says

      December 18, 2022 at 8:03 am

      5 stars
      I've only tried a few of your recipes, but this is my go to recipe. I've had this one bookmarked for about 5-6 years. I prefer savory over other flavors btw. I always use various cuts of deer meat and always trim out the fat. The sinew I mostly leave cause it's no prob to peel it off after dehydrating than trying when it's slippery an raw. Here's a few things I have found.
      1) I use less regular salt and low sodium soy sauce b/c I also use curing salt and the cure salt tends to be a stronger salt flavor plus food safety and I'm dealing with wild game.
      2) I line my gas oven with foil on the bottom( for drips). I don't dry the meat but i do let it drip dry over my sink while spreading it on the 2 cooling racks (racks are designed for baking).
      3) I begin at 180-200F and reduce the heat after about 1 hour and prop the door open with a wooden spoon as needed.
      4) It is impossible to make too much jerky.
      5) Everyone wants you to save some for them, but the jerky tends to be gone in only a few days, so promise nothing.
      6) The process has the added benefit of making my whole home smell of smoky meat.
      Happy Curing!

      Reply
      • Neil says

        December 18, 2022 at 8:16 am

        Just to clarify, I put the baking racks on the racks in my oven for drying. If the meat sticks, I just pop them on the underside of the rack ( like bubble wrap) and voila, unstuck.

        Reply
    2. Justin says

      December 10, 2022 at 8:06 pm

      5 stars
      Awesome flavor and one of my favorites I’ve tried making!

      Reply
    3. JW says

      November 23, 2022 at 6:50 pm

      Added 1 tsp of Cheyenne pepper. PEREFCT!

      Reply
    4. Bill says

      September 10, 2022 at 1:57 pm

      Great recipe, I used a Masterbuilt 30 and went 11/2 hrs. at 165° then, 1/2 hr. of smoke at 190° and finally 5 hrs. at 160° to finish. It turned out perfect. I do have a question though, can I add a little water, in my next batch, to saturate the brin for a bit milder taste?
      Thanks,
      Bill

      Reply
      • Will says

        September 19, 2022 at 1:19 pm

        Definitely. Feel free to change any recipe. The water will help with a milder flavor.

        Reply
    5. Anthony B. says

      August 10, 2021 at 3:11 am

      5 stars
      A very good recipe base. Everyone that I have let try it has liked it quite a bit. I usually cut down on the salt a little because I go through the jerky so fast that the salt can end up overwhelming my taste buds. I would recommend low-sodium soy sauce or just omitting the salt if you tend to binge eat tasty snacks.

      Reply
    6. Justin Ferrante says

      April 17, 2021 at 1:09 pm

      In the process of marinating the Top Round as I type. My wife just purchased PowerXL Air fryer that has a dehydrator function. Do you think I should cook as per your instructions or the instructions located in their recipe book that came with the air fryer (160 for 6hrs)? Thanks in advance Will!

      Reply
      • Will says

        April 17, 2021 at 1:27 pm

        Definitely dry at 160f, but I’m not sure about the timing using that air fryer. Start checking it around 4hrs in, then keep drying as needed.

        Reply
        • Justin Ferrante says

          April 18, 2021 at 12:43 pm

          Thanks Will, the Jerky turned out fantastic! It was the perfect consistency when pulled at the 4 hour mark. The flavor profile was exactly what I was looking for, I did not use any curing salt in the marinade, is the only benefit to the salt for storing purposes or will it change the flavor? Again, well done...my new favorite snack!

          Reply
          • Will says

            April 19, 2021 at 10:03 pm

            Curing salt will give it a little bit of a different flavor as well as extend the shelf life. Glad you found one you like! This is definitely a great tasting jerky.

            Reply
    7. Daniel from Georgia says

      February 02, 2021 at 1:50 pm

      5 stars
      I purchased a Nesco Pro dehydrator ($90), and I tried your Rig Hand recipe with an eye of round roast. I made two small alterations to the recipe: 1 extra tsp brown sugar and 1 tsp liquid smoke instead of 2. I also sprinkled with black pepper prior to dehydration. Your recipe is AMAZING. It took around 4 1/2 hours to dehydrate. Thanks for sharing! It’s better than store bought jerky and much less expensive. This is my go to recipe. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Will says

        February 03, 2021 at 2:04 pm

        Awesome, I love hearing first time jerky success stories. Put that new dehydrator to work!

        Reply
    8. Ralph says

      January 11, 2021 at 7:41 pm

      I am going to make this recipe soon, just waiting for my liquid smoke. Just a question, if you heat up the marinade a beat until the sugar is diluted, does it make a difference?
      Love your website!
      Thanks!

      Reply
      • Will says

        January 12, 2021 at 10:57 am

        It will incorporate the sugar into the marinade better than if it wasn't heated. When it's not heated you tend to have some sugar at the bottom of the bag or bowl that you marinated the meat in, not too much though. I brought a marinade to a slight boil several days ago to mix the sugar into the marinade better and it turned out great.

        Reply
    9. Rich says

      October 30, 2020 at 5:34 pm

      5 stars
      I have been making this jerky for about a year now, and it is the only one I have tried from this site, or any other for that matter. It is that good, that I don't want to risk trying another. I have tweaked instructions to accommodate my dehydrator, and personal taste. All dehydrators are different, so you will have to adjust accordingly. I only half agree with the patting dry instructions. I have found that the red pepper in the marinade does not stick well or evenly to the meat after removing. Plus, I like a little extra heat. So, I put the marinated meat on paper towels, and DON"T pat them dry, effectively drying the bottom half only. The wet meat on top acts as a glue for a sprinkling of some additional crushed red pepper flakes.

      Reply
    10. Chris says

      February 01, 2020 at 12:11 pm

      5 stars
      This is my favorite recipe! Thank you for creating it!

      Reply
      • Will says

        February 02, 2020 at 10:35 am

        No problem! One of my favorites as well.

        Reply
    11. Lisa says

      November 22, 2019 at 8:18 pm

      What about an infrared thermometer?

      Reply
      • Will says

        November 28, 2019 at 8:46 am

        It will only tell you the surface temperature and not the internal temperature.

        Reply
        • Lisa says

          November 28, 2019 at 12:16 pm

          Ahhh... darn.

          Reply
    12. Tracy Walker says

      November 20, 2019 at 4:09 pm

      What kind of thermometer can display the internal temperature of beef jerky? When it's thin and dry I can't think of one that would be able to do this.

      Reply
      • Will says

        November 22, 2019 at 8:13 pm

        Trying to find one that will tell the temp of dry thin jerky is hard. normally taking a food thermometer and wrapping the thinnest piece of jerky around it will give you a pretty close number. I am looking into some real small food grade professional thermometers though. I'll try to make a post about them whenever I get a chance to get one.

        Reply
    13. Shawn says

      June 17, 2019 at 9:04 am

      This flavor was awesome.
      Do you have a recipe close to this one that you can use for ground beef? I know with beef you want to stay away from liquid so it's not exactly a marinade. But this flavor duplicated for dry ingredients would be awesome to try.

      Thank you for the recipe!

      Reply
      • Will says

        June 17, 2019 at 2:28 pm

        You can use this recipe, but cut the liquid ingredients in half. Use only 2 tbsp of soy sauce and 2 tbsp of worcestershire per 1 pound of meat. That shouldn't be too much liquid and the jerky should come out tasting just as great!

        Reply
        • Shawn says

          June 17, 2019 at 2:29 pm

          beautiful, thank you!

          Reply
    14. Shawn says

      June 15, 2019 at 9:38 pm

      Hello,
      I took a shot at making jerky for the first time tonight.
      My dehydrator of choice is the Nesco FD-75A
      My meat has been sitting in marinade for about 48 hours.
      After draining/dabbing off the excess marinade, I have placed the meat in the dehydrator. It dried for about 4 hours. I was struggling to get the temp above 130 degrees, but the softness/chewiness was where I wanted it. So I removed it from the dehydrator and placed it in the oven on 300 for about 10 minutes to bring it up to a temp of around 175-180.

      Now I am nervous about it. Although it's up to temp, when I squeeze the jerky with my fingers, the smallest amount of oil/moisture comes out. I read if there is ANY moisture, it's not done. I have had a number of pieces already, and although it tastes good and I like how it turned out, now the moisture has me concerned. Especially after I ate some.

      I know everyone is different, but how much does it take for one to get sick from eating jerky in said condition? Should I be worrying?

      I read that you can pre-cook or post-cook the jerky to get it to the temp you want. which I did the post cook method.

      Can anyone ease my mind or do I need to start pumping my stomach? sigh, I thought I was doing everything right

      I would like to add. I just placed the jerky back in the oven, again. 300 degrees for like 10 minutes. this time there seemed to me a lot of oil/water or marinade on the baking sheet. and it was sizzling. so obviously it is still cooking out the moisture. but at this point, they are becoming close to burnt sticks.

      Reply
      • Will says

        June 17, 2019 at 2:25 pm

        The pre-heat method is better than the post-heat method, but it should be fine. What cut of meat did you use? How thick are your slices? It could be fat/oil from the meat that is coming out. The only way to prevent that is to trim as much fat as possible before marinating and choosing a lean cut of beef to use. It is okay if there is a little fat or marinade on the jerky, it just wont last as long as a really dry piece. If you tear a piece and see white stringy fibers, the jerky is finished.

        Reply
        • Shawn says

          June 17, 2019 at 2:32 pm

          I used eye of round filets that came pre packaged. I'd say they were about 1/4" thick, then I sliced them into 1/4" strips. This week I think I'll try wider strips, but still maintain the 1/4" thickness.

          I will definitely try the pre-bake method this weekend.

          thank you again

          Reply
    15. Mark says

      March 16, 2019 at 9:41 am

      5 stars
      Will,
      Read all the rave reviews on your Rig Hand Jerky. Now I know why it’s in your top 5. INCREDIBLE!!!!
      By far, the best Jerky I have made yet!!!
      The best way to describe the taste is, It’s like biting into a Slim Jim. Been trying different recipes from your book. You were right. This Jerky didn’t last long. Thanks again for the book and all your recipes.

      Reply
      • Will says

        March 23, 2019 at 1:18 pm

        This is a good one! Glad you are enjoying the book Mark.

        Reply
    16. kerry corcoran says

      February 21, 2019 at 8:45 pm

      Turned out perfect!! So damn good!

      Thanks for the site, inspiration and the help!

      Kerry

      Reply
      • Will says

        February 22, 2019 at 1:36 pm

        Nice! No problem Kerry.

        Reply
    17. kerry corcoran says

      February 20, 2019 at 8:40 am

      Stumbled across your page and was inspired to try my hand at making jerky. I have purchased all the ingredients and the Nesco FD-75A.

      For my first patch I will attempt to make the Rig Hand Jerky. My question is, the recipe calls for "1 tsp salt". I also purchased the Curing salt.

      Am I to use the curing salt in place of the regular salt or use both (1 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp curing salt) if I have both?

      Thanks in advance.
      Kerry

      Reply
      • Will says

        February 20, 2019 at 3:39 pm

        I would put 3/4 tsp of regular salt (table or sea salt) and then 1/4 tsp of curing salt. This would be the amount for 1lb of meat. Make sure to double check your curing salt amount per 1lb on the container you bought. It should be about 1/4 tsp per 1lb though.

        Reply
        • kerry corcoran says

          February 21, 2019 at 5:47 pm

          I purchased the same curing salt you recommended, so should be all set. First batch is in the Nesco right now. Fingers crossed!
          A question I had, ithe recipe calls for 4 hours @ 160 degrees - is that for a single pound? I am making 2 lbs (or Rig Hand Jerky) - do I need to dehydrate for 8 hours?

          Reply
          • Will says

            February 21, 2019 at 6:20 pm

            The drying time should be about the same even though it is double the amount of meat. Don't just dry for 4 hours and call it good. Drying time depends on thickness of meat, dehydrator, how many trays you have in the dehydrator. I would pull a piece out and let it cool for 5 minutes at the 4 hour mark. Bend it and see if it cracks and has white fibers. If not, keep it going for another hour and check another piece. Once it's done, it ready to eat!

            Reply
    18. Lisa says

      February 08, 2019 at 12:50 pm

      5 stars
      Hi Will! I am new to Jerky making and having a great time at it. Thus far, I have made your Sweet Spicy Jerky, the recipe in the booklet that came with the dehydrator and the Rig Hand Jerky. The Rig Hand is my favorite!! I have a couple of questions...
      1. I bought Wright's Hickory flavored Liquid Smoke. They also had Mesquite flavor and a couple of other brands in which it was just called Liquid Smoke. What flavor does the recipe call for? The smoke flavor seems to be very pronounced (I don't hate it, though), would you recommend to decrease the amount of liquid smoke if a flavored one is used?
      2. I just bought a cheapo Presto dehydrator (to start) that you just plug in and it turns on and goes to 165 degrees for the duration. I have been using Top Round beef that the butcher has pre-sliced for me against the grain, closer to 1/4" thick. At 4 hours, they seem to be done (bending, white threads, not breaking). Then I bake in the oven at 275 degrees for 10-12 minutes until the pieces are sizzling. My question is this: what happens if you over dehydrate the beef? Is that when it breaks when bent? Is it possible to take less than 4 hours to be done in the dehydrator? I apologize if these questions are dumb, but you warn against the Jerky not being safe so I just want to make sure I am doing it right.
      Thank you for your most awesome site. I cannot wait to keep trying your recipes. Happy Jerkying!!

      Reply
      • Will says

        February 09, 2019 at 1:01 pm

        Hey Lisa, thanks for checking out the site! Wrights liquid smoke is definitely the best brand to buy. When I first made this recipe I was using a lesser quality liquid smoke that requires more. If using wrights, use only about 2 tsp of liquid smoke. You can totally change and try different flavors. I like the hickory, but mesquite is good as well. The best thing to do is experiment with different flavors and find one you like. To answer your second questions; yes, it can take less than 4 hours for the jerky to be finished. When it is over dried it will break and just taste extremely dry. If you are having the meat sliced very thin, start checking it at 3 hours.

        Reply
        • Lisa says

          February 09, 2019 at 2:12 pm

          5 stars
          Thank you so much, Will! I appreciate it! Off to the market to get the mesquite liquid smoke - it's on sale and get some more meat! Who knew making your own beef jerky is so satisfying and delicious! Best to you!!

          Reply
    19. Mark Bradshaw says

      January 12, 2019 at 2:10 pm

      Thanks Will! I'm using the oven because I can hang about 4 lbs with toothpicks , and, well, I'm too lazy to fire up the smoker today... Your recipes have become a regular thing for me. Driving truck and eating right is a hard combination. With jerky I can have my PFC snacks between meals without missing a beat. Thanks again for taking the time to share and for the straightforward guides and recipes.

      Reply
      • Will says

        January 12, 2019 at 2:26 pm

        No problem Mark, glad the site has been helping you when making jerky. Thanks for the kind words!

        Reply
    20. Alyssa says

      July 22, 2018 at 5:32 pm

      5 stars
      Hi Will,

      I noticed on your dehydrator review it says the NESCO takes about 90 minutes to get to 160 degrees. Do I need to pre-cook the beef I want to dehydrate in my NESCO or can I just go straight to the dehydrator. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Will says

        July 22, 2018 at 11:44 pm

        I go straight to the dehydrator when using the Nesco.

        Reply
    21. Tim in Indy says

      July 09, 2018 at 9:44 pm

      5 stars
      LOVE the Rig Hand! I've already done 2 batches in my Masterbuilt, first one was dry (live and learn...we still ate it) and the second was pretty close to spot on. I'll be doing another batch soon with some tweaks. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and recipes, it is greatly appreciated!

      Reply
      • Will says

        July 09, 2018 at 10:32 pm

        This is a really good one. Glad you found one that you like!

        Reply
    22. Jim in sandusky says

      July 01, 2018 at 8:05 am

      After marinading meat for the first batch of jerky, can I re-use the marinade?
      What are your thoughts of freezing meat for an hour, slicing up into strips, adding the marinade, and bagging it in freezer bags for future drying at a later date?

      Reply
      • Will says

        July 01, 2018 at 3:34 pm

        From a safety standpoint, it is not recommended to re-use a marinade after you have marinated meat in it. I have never frozen meat in a marinade for future use but don't see why it would be a problem. Before freezing, I would let it marinade in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours and then put the bag in the freezer. That way it is ready to go as soon as it thaws.

        Reply
    23. Danikay says

      June 25, 2018 at 4:02 pm

      Hi! Our 9 year old daughter wants to make jerky for her father's/ my husband birthday next week. Just wanted to let you know that after reading your posts I'm excited too. And very grateful for all the tips. We'll let ya know how it goes.

      Reply
      • Will says

        June 30, 2018 at 1:22 pm

        Nice! Looking forward to hearing about it...

        Reply
    24. Grady McNutt says

      May 17, 2018 at 11:54 am

      Great song. Listen to Corb Lund Roughest Neck Around.

      Reply
      • Will says

        May 18, 2018 at 1:24 pm

        I'll check it out. Thanks!

        Reply
    25. garth says

      April 18, 2018 at 9:34 pm

      just trying ur rig hand jerky im a ex rig hand from Canada how deep is that triple in Wyoming rated for

      Reply
      • Will says

        April 19, 2018 at 10:23 am

        Nice man! Not sure how deep. I flew up and filled in for someone while on the surfaces' for 8 wells. I can't remember how deep they were going, it was a while ago! I'm in Oklahoma right now on a Patterson rig. We are going about 10,000 tvd and 22,000 md, drilling with OBM. Can't complain....

        Reply
    26. Anthony Zelina says

      March 31, 2018 at 6:46 pm

      5 stars
      Hey there Jerkyholic, just made the rig hand jerky and boy let me tell you what flavor! what I really noticed was that the flavor lasts all the way to the very end.
      Thanks for sharing your recipes !

      Reply
    27. Gayle Dunning says

      March 26, 2018 at 6:54 pm

      5 stars
      I would like to smoke this recipe in my propane smoker will the 4 hours be the right amount of time? I have a hard time keeping the temp down @ 160 if there's any wind. I've done antelope jerkey in a gas oven but alas my new electric oven only goes down to 170 °
      Thanks
      Colorado Grandma, whose grandkids love her jerky!

      Reply
      • Will says

        March 29, 2018 at 10:04 pm

        Hello fellow Coloradoan! When it comes to smokers, the time can vary sooooo much. My electric smoker normally takes closer to 6-7 hours to dry. I am able to keep it around 160F when drying. You really are going to have to take a piece out starting at about the 4 hour mark and keep checking to see if it is done. It should bend and crack, but not break in half. Make sure to let it cool to room temperature, about 5 minutes, before bending it. Let me know how it turns out Gayle!

        Reply
    28. christina says

      February 13, 2018 at 8:43 pm

      I love this rig hands recipe! It’s going to be my go to for jerky. A question though, my husband likes his jerky cut about 3/8 in, how long would I need to let it go in the dehydrator?

      Reply
    29. Christina says

      January 29, 2018 at 12:48 am

      Can this recipe be used with ground meat?

      Reply
      • Will says

        January 29, 2018 at 11:14 am

        Yep, it can. I would just cut the soy sauce and worcestershire sauce by 1/4; add a little less so the meat isn't too wet.

        Reply
    30. Anthony Zelina says

      November 08, 2017 at 8:56 pm

      5 stars
      love this site! i also have a 9 tray excalibur. aside from the bend test, how can i properly check doneness>???? looking forward to trying rig hand now, been winging it with teryaki, worschestire, brown sugar and liq smoke... when do we use vinegar and other stuff. ideas on creating my own marinade? no cook here, just experimenting. tried using an ipa beer in there to no avail. thanx, great site will

      Reply
    31. David says

      April 21, 2017 at 9:31 pm

      5 stars
      My co-workers love this stuff. So far I've made 3 batches of this stuff at 10 pounds per batch. My only tweak is instead of using 1 tsp of salt per pound, I use 1/4th tsp of Prague Powder #1 per pound.

      I cut it into 1/8th inch strips with a meat slicer and marinate between 24-36 hours in the refrigerator. Using an excalibur 9 tray dehydrator, I start off at 160 degrees for the first 2.0 hours. I then scale the heat back to 125-130 degrees for the next 2.5-3 hours and check every 30 minutes or so.

      Side note: Contrary to online opinion, if you use a food saver you're able to save this stuff in the freezer for up to six months (or more). I recently pulled a four month old pack from the freezer when I made my last batch. After de-thawing to room temperature, there was no difference in taste or texture to myself and co-workers when eaten side by side with a fresh never frozen batch.

      Reply
      • Will says

        April 23, 2017 at 11:35 am

        I love this recipe too, one of my favorites. I appreciate the info on the taste test, very interesting! I also vacuum seal and freeze jerky if needed, though most of my batches are small and eaten pretty quickly. But there are always a couple of occasions a year, like hunting trips, that I make a bunch. Thanks for coming by David!

        Reply
    32. Marc says

      March 14, 2017 at 4:54 am

      Made my first ever batch of jerky with this recipe (minus the extra pepper flakes after marinating) and it was amazing! Thank you so much for this site!

      Reply
      • Will says

        March 14, 2017 at 3:57 pm

        Glad you liked it. One of my favorites!

        Reply
    33. Eric says

      March 11, 2017 at 4:19 pm

      4 stars
      Hi will. Question for you. If I have this right no matter what I marinate the meat in or wether I use regular salt or pickling salt or any of your recipes. I can cut the meat in thin slices. Marinate for 8 to 24 hrs. Not use any cures. Cook in the oven for 10 minutes or so at about 300. Pat dry. And dehydrate. As long as the meat reaches 160deg post dehydration.

      Reply
      • Will says

        March 12, 2017 at 10:50 am

        As long as the meat reaches 160F Pre dehydration. Yes, just like you described above.

        Reply
    34. ken says

      February 18, 2017 at 7:09 pm

      5 stars
      I've been working with this recipe to figure out some nuances that seem to work for me. I use a smoker and either apple or hickory (hickory has a harper flavor). I don't use a dehydrator but my gas oven. This allows me to keep the meat from drying too fast. There are a number of mechanical tenderizers that are helpful depending on the cut of meat (usually eye of round). I don't add extra salt since there is a bunch in the soy sauce and the worchestershire sauce. Instead of brown sugar I add molasses. When it's finished. it's hard not to make a meal out of it. Ok, I have made a meal out of it once in a while.

      Reply
    35. Denise says

      February 03, 2017 at 8:21 pm

      5 stars
      I have made several different batches of jerky using different recipes. Your Rig Hand recipe has been the favorite with friends, family and co-workers. I have a batch marinating now. Your website is GREAT. I didn't know anything about making jerky. Found everything I needed to know right here. Thanks a million.

      Reply
      • Will says

        February 03, 2017 at 8:36 pm

        Glad to hear that! I'm so happy that my site helped you get into the world of Jerky making. Thanks for coming by and leaving those kind words!

        Reply
    36. Eric says

      January 07, 2017 at 11:41 am

      Just found your site. Got a dehydrator about a year ago and am finally putting it to use. Making two batches today. Rig Hand and free styling the other. Can't wait to taste the results

      Reply
    37. Tyler says

      January 04, 2017 at 4:18 pm

      5 stars
      Hey!

      Im cooking about 1.8 pounds of beef in the masterpiece smoker like yours, but my jerky seems to be getting done in ~3 hours? I think my cuts are a little less than 1/4 inch thick. Suppose that's the 'problem'?

      Im using the 1.5 hour @170
      30 min @200 (smoke)
      then back to 160 for the remainder (about 1 Hour)

      Excellent tasting recipes, did 1/2 Rig Hand 1/2 Basic jerky. Flavor on both is amazing.

      Reply
      • Will says

        January 04, 2017 at 5:47 pm

        Hey Tyler! Glad you enjoyed the jerky recipes. I am not sure why it is only taking about 3 hours for you to smoke your jerky. My smoker takes quite a while, at least 6 hours for my jerky to finish. I have some jerky finish in my dehydrators around 4 hours, but have never had my smoker dry jerky that fast. It could be because the meat is sliced real thin, either way, as long as the jerky is finished there isn't a problem! Just keep making that good jerky!

        Reply
    38. Christopher says

      January 03, 2017 at 1:41 am

      Just took 2lbs of rig hand off the dehydrator a few hours ago I received ia dehydrator for Christmas and I must say rig hand had has got a fair spice to it but so far it's the best I have made yet I used select sirloin from Schnucks market where I work our meat is rated the best around here and I must say it made some darn good RIG HAND

      Reply
    39. Mike says

      November 11, 2016 at 8:36 pm

      5 stars
      Thanks for a great site!! I've made seven or eight of your recipes and the Rig Hand is the one I keep coming back to. Outstanding jerky. I do add my little touch though...in addition to your ingredients I also add about a tbsp of cayenne pepper and about 1/2 tsp of cumin. I use Eye of Round sliced 1/4" cross-grain by my butcher. When I lay the meat down in the dehydrator I give each piece a quick spray or two of non-stick cooking spray and sprinkle a little black pepper on one side only.

      BTW, my wife bought me a new Nesco FD-2000 dehydrator. While I do find I need to rotate the trays for even drying I really do like it. Digital, temperature control and timer. Check it out! 😉

      Reply
      • Will says

        November 11, 2016 at 10:56 pm

        Glad you like the recipe. That is one of my favorites as well. I will have to try it with your tweaks and see how it turns out! Nice on the new dehydrator, I love getting new jerky equipment. I'll have to check that model out, timers really come in handy when you make a lot of jerky.

        Reply
    40. Doretha Curlee says

      October 11, 2016 at 4:05 am

      Nice read, I just passed this onto a friend who was doing a little research on that. And he just bought me lunch because I found it for him smile So let me rephrase that: Thanks for lunch!

      Reply
      • Will says

        October 13, 2016 at 4:28 pm

        Great! Enjoy the lunch!

        Reply
    41. Blake says

      September 06, 2016 at 3:51 pm

      5 stars
      This was my favorite of the 3 I tried this weekend (Alton Brown and Sweet Coconut). Great recipe! Also, my first time using eye of round, and it's my new fave.

      Reply
    42. Mike Wolf says

      August 29, 2016 at 8:08 pm

      Hi Will,
      gonna make my first batch of jerky tonight/tomorrow. I am so glad I found your site. My dad makes great jerky but he is 1000 miles away (though he did by me the dehydrator) so I can't have him looking over my shoulder helping me out on this. So I turn to you. I am using 2lbs of beef for your Rig Hand jerky. Do I simply double the ingredients in the marinade?

      thanks for the help and thanks for the amazing site. I am gonna try as many of these as I can.

      Mike
      ps: I love Duke's brand jerky. My girlfriend was near Las Vegas recently and she dropped a lot of dough on Alien Fresh Jerky. If you haven't had it, i recommend perusing their catalog for some ideas.

      Reply
      • Will says

        August 29, 2016 at 8:28 pm

        Thanks Mike! Glad you are enjoying the site. I would just double the recipe if you're going to make 2lbs of jerky. Taste test the marinade before putting the beef in as well; this way you can tweak it to your liking if needed. Alien Fresh Jerky? Never heard of it... Sounds pretty interesting though. I'm definitely going to have to check that out! Let me know how your jerky turns out.

        Reply
        • Mike Wolf says

          August 31, 2016 at 6:06 pm

          5 stars
          Hey Will,
          First batch done. It came out a bit salty for my personal tastes (Rig Hand recipe) but my girlfriend was very impressed, which was kind of my goal in the first place! Gonna try your cajun recipe this weekend.

          Here is the website of Alien jerky. We killed the bag of traditional Pepper style in one sitting, and then the Colon Cleanser nearly killed us (super spicy).

          https://alienfreshjerky.com/

          Thanks for sharing your recipes to us dehydrator noobs,
          Mike

          Mike

          Reply
        • Mike says

          November 11, 2016 at 8:45 pm

          FYI, there's a little business out in the middle of nowhere (if it's still open) in Nevada at the junction of Hwy. 93 and 318/375 just north of Alamo, NV. I pass it it a couple of times a year. Pretty sure the "alien" jerky is a play on Area 51 which is not too far from there. Though I've been tempted, I haven't tried it...yet. 😉

          Reply
    43. Steve says

      July 21, 2016 at 12:31 am

      Hi Will is the Liquid Smoke proportion correct? The only brand I know is Wright's and it is concentrated - 2 tbsp seems like an awful lot. Thanks

      Reply
      • Will says

        July 21, 2016 at 10:00 am

        Thanks for stopping by Steve! I have never used Wright's liquid smoke. I use Colgin, and 2 tbsp is not too much at all. If you are worried that 2 tbsp would be too much when using Wrights, start with 1/2 tbsp and keep increasing the amount while taste testing your marinade until it's perfect. Let me know how it turns out!

        Reply
        • Mike says

          November 11, 2016 at 8:50 pm

          5 stars
          I've used 2 tbsp of Wright's with every batch of Rig Hand I've made, including the one today, and it's PERFECT!!! At least by my standards. 😉

          Reply
        • Rich says

          December 28, 2019 at 7:37 am

          The ingredients list calls for 2 tsp, any you guys are talking 2 tbsp. Please clarify, is it tsp or tbsp?

          Reply
          • Will says

            December 30, 2019 at 3:44 pm

            The initial recipe years ago called for 2 tbsp of liquid smoke. I have remade the jerky with wrights liquid smoke (more concentrated than Colgin) and have adjusted the recipe to 2 tsp.

            Reply
    44. Aaron says

      June 29, 2016 at 8:59 pm

      4 stars
      Just made this as my first attempt at home made jerky, and it is awesome!
      So much flavor, and so much softer than the stuff I normally buy.
      I recently inherited a dehydrator, and wanted to play around with what I could make.
      I can't wait to experiment with more flavors and recipes!

      Reply
      • Will says

        June 29, 2016 at 11:51 pm

        Glad you liked it Aaron, I really like this recipe as well. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. With that new dehydrator, you have now entered the world of making Beef Jerky; there is no turning back now. Haha.

        Reply

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