Dog Community

Homemade Jerky - No Dehydrator Required

Posted : 8/24/2007 4:54:56 PM

I have made my own jerkey for years using my oven. I have a dehydrator, but I actually prefer using my oven. With all the recalls, I returned all of my pet treats from China and yesterday made my own chicken jerkey. I had never made chicken before, just beef and venison. I just used boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into strips and mixed it with a small amount of Lawry's. Here's how to use your oven:

- Put top oven rack all the way to top
- Line lower rack with aluminum foil
- Push toothpick through the very end of chicken strip and hang chicken through top rack, anchoring with toothpick
(Space chicken an inch or so apart for proper air circulation)
- Shut oven door placing wooden spoon in the door so that it is cracked open
- Set oven at 150
- It will take several hours, at least 8, maybe more depending on how "done" you want it and how big the pieces are

When done remove from oven and discard toothpicks. Let cool before placing in plastic bag or container. I keep mine refrigerated to be safe. I snipped mine into bite size pieces because they gobbled down the bigger pieces and I worry about choking.

My dogs love it and I know it's safe! Enjoy! I love it too!!!!

Stacita

Posted : 8/24/2007 6:58:25 PM

I do something similar but don't use any seasoning (does Lawry's have salt?). Then I just put the strips on cookie sheets overnight at about 180. The dogs love them. I think you could probably fit more in the oven using your method, but this is jiffy fast to set up.

jessies_mom

Posted : 8/24/2007 8:59:01 PM

Thanks to both of you; I've been wondering how to make some for Jessie. She's allergic to chicken but I could try turkey or beef; do you think it would work with fish?

sallya

Posted : 8/24/2007 9:40:54 PM

I dry sweet potatoes in the oven. Making treats is good. I never add flavorings. Just a bit of oil. I don't buy treats or dog food. Learned a lot with the recalls.[:@]

Stacita

Posted : 8/24/2007 9:44:08 PM

Actually, I use turkey too as one of mine has a problem with chicken. I think fish would depend on the type of fish. If you can find one that you can slice thinly and still have it stay together, it works. Liver also works, but boy does it stink up the house. I'm not that good a doggie mom!

JoAnnDe

Posted : 8/25/2007 8:17:16 AM

Oh I LOVE the dangling idea ! I'll bet that makes it dry faster than laying it flat on a cookie sheet. I'm going to try that one today ! Thanks for the post

Sunshinegirl

Posted : 8/25/2007 12:37:32 PM

Lawry's does have salt, I only used a very small amount and probably won't use it next time as they don't need it. I want to try using salmon and liver, I'm just concerned with the house reeking for days after!!! But I'm sure they would love it! We'll see........

huskymom

Posted : 8/25/2007 1:48:25 PM

Yup the dogs don't stop drooling all day long when I do this with liver. I havent tried hanging it, I think I might. Well maybe not with liver, but I may just try chicken. Thanks for the tip.

Cita

Posted : 8/25/2007 5:50:21 PM

I'm a bit "slow" - how exactly do you hang it and how does the toothpick come in? It sounds interesting and I'd like to try some in my toaster oven!

huskymom

Posted : 8/25/2007 5:56:05 PM

I'm not sure you could do it in your toaster oven unless yours is HUGE. Mine is very big, but it still only came with one rack. I can fit a full size frozen pizza in it. Also my toaster oven has a tendancy to shut itself off after so long.

The idea I believe is to catch the drippings with the lower tinfoil covered rack and hang them crosswise with the toothpics from the top rack. Then just dry them out in there with a low heat setting and the door propped open to let the moisture escape.

Dave Hill

Posted : 8/25/2007 9:35:06 PM

I saw Alton Brown make some using furnace filters and a box fan---I kid you not lol:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,1977,FOOD_9936_31151,00.html

keedokes

Posted : 8/28/2007 10:10:13 PM

ORIGINAL: silverserpher

I saw Alton Brown make some using furnace filters and a box fan---I kid you not lol:

[linkhttp://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,1977,FOOD_9936_31151,00.html]http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,1977,FOOD_9936_31151,00.html[/link]

I love Alton Brown...once more he comes through!! That method looks a lot more energy--and summer--friendly.

Awesome!

Liesje

Posted : 8/28/2007 10:54:15 PM

I put tiny bits of hot dog in the microwave for 6 minutes or more and by then, it's totally jerkified. [

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shamrockmommy

Posted : 8/30/2007 2:06:47 PM

Thanks guys! I was just looking for this sort of thing, both for treats and to dehydrate meat for traveling this Christmas. I feed sojo's but I don't have much time to mess with meat, so if I could dehydrate it, and then rehydrate along with the sojo's that would be awesome

Off to the kitchen!!

Dave Hill

Posted : 8/31/2007 10:06:55 PM

The Good Eats Jerky episode is on the Food Network right............NOW! lol 9pm MST Friday.