Beef jerky is a dried, cured meat snack made from lean cuts of beef that are cut into strips and seasoned. It's a shelf-stable, nutrient-dense snack that's easy to carry and eat on the go. Description
- Ingredients: Beef, salt, sugar, and seasonings
- Texture: Chewy and rough
- Flavor: Can be basic, sweet, savory, or hot, and can include flavors like teriyaki, peppered, hoisin, sriracha, or honey BBQ
- Preparation: Lean cuts of beef are cut into strips, marinated, seasoned, and dried
- Storage: Can be stored for months without refrigeration
History
- The word "jerky" comes from the Quechua word ch'arki, which means "dried, salted meat"
- The idea of dried meat may have traveled along the Silk Road
- Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon noted that Native Americans were drying meat in the sun in 1521
Nutrition
- A good source of protein and essential nutrients
Popular cuts top round, bottom round, sirloin tip, and flank steak.