Burger ----> Jerky ?

[Hoosier_Hunter1963]

I seem to have alot of deer burger this season. Is there a way that I can use this meat to make jerky from? I don't have a dehydrator, I would have to use an oven.

Any ideas?

[VT Outdoorsman]

Yes you can use burger to make jerky....The only drawback is that burger might have a higher fat content than is ideal for jerky. But it will work. You need to get some jerky seasoning from somewhere and mix that into the meat. The amount of meat per seasoning packet will be defined on the seasoning package. After you mix it and let it sit in the fridge for a couple of hours or overnight then you need to use a jerky gun (its like a caulking gun) to make strips. You can use your oven and put the strips on some sort of wire or mesh rack. Use your oven set to around 160 deg. for 8 hours or until the desired amount of drying is done. There is no need to get a dehydrator. Look on cabelas or bass pro for jerky seasoning and a jerky blaster. That stuff is not expensive and you can keep using the jerky blaster for more jerky in the future.....Hope this helps. Also look at previous threads on Camp Cooking for more advice on jerky making.

[Big Guy01]

You don't need to buy seasoning mix but you do need some curing salt and common spices. If you don't have a jerky gun put the mixed meat/spices between 2 sheets of plastic wrap and roll out to 1/4" thick. take a knife and cut into strips. Dry strips on your oven @150 F Here are a few recipes. My fav is the Hawaiin. A jerky gun makes it a lot easier. I use my smoker to dry my jerky.

Jerky

Mexican
2lbs ground meat
2tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
2 tsp coriander
½ tsp chili powder
¼ tsp ground ginger
¼ tsp ground cumin
¼ tsp tumeric
¼ tsp mace
¼ tsp cayenne
½ cup water.
Add spices to water and dissolve as much as possible, add water to meat mix well extrude onto your drying racks and place in dehydrator until done.

Texas
2 lbs ground meat
2tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1tsp chili powder
1tsp paprika
1tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp cayenne
½ tsp oregano
½ cup water

New England
2 lbs ground meat
½ tsp black pepper
1tsp onion powder
1tsp garlic powder
1tsp salt
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
¼ tsp ground ginger
¼ cup soy sauce
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
¼ cup water

New Orleans
2 lbs ground meat
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp cayenne
1 tsp onion powder
½ tsp paprika
1 ½ tsp garlic powder
2 tsp salt
3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
½ cup water.

Italian
2 lbs ground meat
½ tsp salt
¼ cup soy sauce
¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
½ tsp sugar
1tsp garlic powder
1 tsp tomato sauce
½ tsp crushed anise seed

Guadalajara
2 lbs ground meat
¼ cup BBQ sauce
¼ cup water
1 tsp liquid smoke
1 tbsp powdered fajita mix
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
½ tsp chili powder
¼ tsp cayenne
1 tsp salt.

Hawaiian
2 lbs ground meat
1tsp salt
1tbsp brown sugar
¼ tsp cayenne
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp ground ginger
½ tsp black pepper
¼ cup soy sauce
¼ cup pineapple juice.

[Rodmax]

I have been enjoying moose burger jerky for 2 months, I never made it before this year but it is simple and good!!
I use the method Big Guy01talks about using the oven.. but it takes a fewtimes to get it right (how dry? too dry) and dont want it under dried either...
With my oven set at 160 and a thermometer in the oven to make sure it doesn't get too hot( i keep the oven door open a little)It takes me 5 hours to dry mine the way I like it.

Good luck,Rodney.