How long does Jerky keep?

[UpNorth]

How long does the jerky keep(Plastic bag in fridge or room temp)? Do you need to add any cure to the mix?

Thanks for your help,
UpNorth

[jerseyhunter]

I keep mine in a paper bag at room temp. As long as its thoroughly dry and the humidity is low it should keep for a couple weeks. But its usually gone by then.

[remingtonman]

Using a cure will allow you to keep you jerky stored for a good while. The exact time frame I am not sure but I have made very large batches that kept for almost two months without going bad. If a cure is not used it should be stored in the refrig unless you have a ton of salt in it. Either way be sure it is well sealed in a jar or zip lock bag.

[POC]

I only get deer meat once a year from a friend who hunts. I make deer jerky and freeze it with an extra bit of either Worchestershire sauce or a barbeque, depending on which batch is which. It will keep in the freezer for about 7 months. With the extra liquid, you can heat it in the oven for a couple of hours at 200-225 degrees and it tastes fresh.

POC

[Tree climber]

I had some I made and my wife put it in the freeze and we found it a little over a year later.tasted just as good as if it was fresh.I did have it vacumed.
I make it each year and vacume and give to friends for gifts.I put it in pint bags,so it goes father.
if not vacumed it will last for 3 or 4 mo. if sealed in zip bags.(if you have prepaired and cooked it right).........usually it doesn' t last that long.

[Nicholal]

mine lasts about 2 weeks unless i hide it!!
Relly if you vac pac it and frezee it it' ll last long past next season.......but never had any to to prove it..........

[Striper Phil]

Yup, never had any last long enough to test haw long it stays good but the advice above seems sound.

[bearklr]

As long as it didn' t grow legs and walk away I' ll eat it. I took a couple pounds to Colorado elk hunting last year and found some about a month ago in my back pack. Tasted like it was fresh out of my dehydrater. (although my wife thought I was nuts). I just can' t bring myself to throw out beef jerkey. I just make sure I dehydrate it very well, place it in ziplock bags and toss it in the fridge. It lasts a long time for me.

[fastfire]

Never had it last long enough to worry about it.
Last year I jerked a whole deer it lasted about long enough for the next batch to dry.