How Long Does Beef Jerky Last?: Beef Jerky is a popular snack due to its longevity and the high protein that comes with it and is perfect for any occasion. Have you bought this protein-rich snack that your friends have been talking about for a long time and have plenty of questions in mind?
Then, this article is for you as we will talk about everything right from Does Beef Jerky Go Bad, How Long Does Beef Jerky Last, Tips on How to Store Beef Jerky to retain the quality for a long time. No matter whether you bought it from the Supermarket or Prepared it at Home knowing about the Shelf Life is crucial.
Read this article completely and learn about the storage tips, whether beef jerky needs to be refrigerated or not clearly. Like many other things, Beef too will expire but needs to be properly stored. Use this quick guide without any further delay and clear all your queries.
- How Long Does Beef Jerky Last?
- How to Store Beef Jerky?
- Does Beef Jerky Go Bad? How to Tell if Beef Jerkey is Bad?
- Can You Freeze Jerkey?
- Things You Didn’t Know About Beef Jerkey
- How Long Does Beef Jerkey Last Once Opened?
- Can you get sick from old Beef Jerkey?
- What does mold on jerky look like?
How Long Does Beef Jerky Last?
If your Beef Jerky is unopened it will stay fine for about a few months as recommended on the best-by date on the label. After you open the jerky it will stay good for only about 2-3 days when kept at Room Temperature and 7 days when kept in the Fridge. If taken good care of it, you can have it even after that time. Have a look at the following table to know the Shelf Life of Beef Jerky in various conditions and the place in which it is stored.
You can follow certain to make your Beef Jerky Last Longer and they are as under
- Trim the Fat: Fat usually spoils fast and makes the Beef Jerky become rancid at a faster rate. To overcome this better to purchase lean meat or cut down the excessive fat.
- Dry It Right: The longer you dry the Beef Jerky the longer it stays fine. However, don’t overdry the Beef as it can make it extremely chewy. Dry it until you get the required texture and then store it properly so that they stay long forever.
- Avoid Sunlight: Make sure to keep your Beef Jerky in a cool and dry place i.e. Pantry can be perfectly fine. Keeping it in direct sunlight will lead to condensation in the bag thus resulting in mold.
- Cure Your Jerky: Commercial producers will use sodium nitrate to extend the shelf life of Jerky. Sodium Nitrate used will prevent bacteria from entering and spoiling the meat. We don’t recommend you to make your own cure but instead purchase the one that comes with a cure and get the needed red color and extra flavor.
| Type | Pantry | Fridge |
|---|---|---|
| Store-bought jerky (unopened) | Best-be + 1 month | |
| Store-bought jerky (opened) | 1 – 2 weeks | 1 month |
| Homemade jerky (vacuum-sealed) | 1 – 2 months | 4+ months |
| Homemade jerky (opened) | 1 – 2 weeks | 1 month |
How to Store Beef Jerky?
Storage methods vary based on the type of Beef Jerky you have. If you want to store unopened Beef Jerkey better keep it in a cool and dry place in the Pantry or Kitchen. After you open the packet finish it within 2-3 days. If you have more time better reseal it in a Freezer bag and it is a great idea.
However, unopened Packages don’t need any refrigeration and you can leave them like that. Remember to keep them away from hot and sunny places. If it storing the opened Jerkey it all depends on how fast you are going to finish the dried meat. if you wanna complete it within a few days storing them at room temperature can be perfectly fine. if you need more than that time better go for the refrigeration option to retain the quality. Seal the package in a resealable bag or go for a food bag.
Does Beef Jerky Go Bad? How to Tell if Beef Jerkey is Bad?
Yes, Beef Jerkey does go bad. But this doesn’t happen quite often unless and until you expose it to moisture and bacteria. The quality of the meat deteriorates and will no longer be good to consume. As long as your beef doesn’t smell off or funky you can use it. It’s up to you whether to throw it or not. If you feel the meat is a bit tough you can still taste it but it’s just that it won’t taste the same as it used to be. Check out the following signs to see if your Beef Jerkey is Bad or not and they are as such
- Mold Growing: If your Beef Jerkey has any signs of mold growing better throw it away.
- Fat: If you notice any Fat on the meat it is okay to eat. However, if it troubles you gross it out.
- Salt: If you sense it like salt crystals it is mostly the salt that exists in the meat crystalized and it is perfectly fine to eat.
- Color Change: Any Color change is a sign of the degrading quality of the meat. The slight discoloration is fine but if it is too much it’s your call.
- Dehydrated Meat Way Longer: If you have dehydrated meat for a longer time than it should be better to discard it.
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Can You Freeze Jerkey?
Yes, you can Freeze Beef Jerkey. Freezing Jerkey will alter the taste of the dehydrated meat so experts don’t recommend it. However, it’s your individual choice to use Freezing or not. If it is store-bought and unopened Jerkey don’t freeze it. If it is a homemade Jerkey vacuum seal the bag and then freeze to extend the shelf life. Make sure to protect the meat from Lower Temperatures. To avoid freezer burns or so keep it in an air-tight container or shift it to a resealable freezer bag.
We advise you to go by the resealable freezer bag as it is environmentally friendly and uses less space. You can thaw the meat in the Fridge overnight.
Things You Didn’t Know About Beef Jerkey
With the growing popularity of Beef Jerkey, there are still a lot of weird facts that you didn’t know about it. Have a sneak peak into the following and know about this amazing snack. They are as such
- Jerkey has been around for a long time.
- It is an excellent source of protein.
- Although the name may sound like English the word Jerkey has its origins in Anglo-Saxon.
- Beef Jerkey can be used in Weight Loss.
- You can get 40g of Protein per 2.5-ounce bag of serving.
- Beef Jerkey is a Fast Growing Industry.
- In the Process of Drying, Beef Jerkey will lose around 2/3rd of weight.
FAQs on How Long Does Beef Jerkey Last
1. How Long Does Beef Jerkey Last Once Opened?
Beef Jerkey Last around 1-2 weeks in the Pantry and around 1 month in the Fridge.
2. Can you get sick from old Beef Jerkey?
Yes, you can get sick from eating old Beef Jerkey and may even get symptoms of Food Poisoning.
3. What does mold on jerky look like?
Mold on the Beef Jerkey usually has fuzzy, furry, or dusty substances that are either green, white, or grey in color.
Summary
We believe the knowledge shared regarding How Long Does Beef Jerky Last has helped you get some useful knowledge regarding shelf life and storage practices. Follow the guidelines shared to store your Beef Jerkey for a long time. In case of any further assistance needed do write us through the comment section and our experts will guide you. Stay in touch with us to know more about Can Deli Meat Go Bad and various protein-related stuff in no time.