If y'all're looking for a tasty, protein-rich snack, beef jerky is the answer. One piece of beef hasty packs most 10 grams of protein . And, because beef jerky doesn't need to exist refrigerated, it makes the perfect snack for when you're on the go.

However, just considering beefiness jerky doesn't need to exist refrigerated doesn't mean information technology lasts forever . Whether you purchase beef jerky online or make your own beefiness jerky at home, you demand to be aware of its shelf life.

Read this guide to learn virtually beef hasty's shelf life and to find some storage tips .

Related: Two Chicks Jerky Merch

How Long Does Beef Jerky Concluding?

How long beefiness jerky lasts will depend on whether it'south homemade or store-bought. Generally, commercial beef jerky is all-time enjoyed within one twelvemonth.

However, to bask the jerky'due south premium flavour and textures, nosotros recommend consuming it within half dozen months of purchase .

Homemade beef jerky, on the other hand, should last one to ii months if you store it in an airtight container subsequently making it. If you store beefiness hasty in a Ziplock bag in your pantry, it'll last nearly a week. And, if you store your beef jerky in the refrigerator, you can expect it to last one to 2 weeks.

If you're looking for an alternative to beef hasty, check out our turkey jerky!

How to Tell if Beef Jerky is However Adept

Sometimes, it's not always easy to tell if beefiness hasty is still skillful to eat. Different regular cooked meat, which develops a aroma if non consumed in time, beef jerky doesn't always testify strong signs of spoilage .

If the color of the beef jerky has changed, or it's gotten darker or harder, then it may have gone bad. In some cases, spoiled beef jerky can have a slight odor to it .

If you purchased the beef jerky online or in-shop, always check the expiration date on the packet. The expiration appointment is unremarkably located on the bottom seal of the bag. But remember, just because the beef hasty is past the best-by appointment doesn't hateful it's unsafe to eat. The best-by date simply indicates when the jerky is at its freshest.

You should also check the jerky package for any rips or tears. If you lot find whatsoever, this can exist an indicator that the jerky has gone bad, equally moisture has entered the bag.

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How to Store Beefiness Jerky

To brand your beefiness jerky last every bit long as possible, you need to focus on proper storage . Here are the different methods for storing beef jerky:

Vacuum Seal Handbag

Perhaps the all-time method for storing your beef jerky is in a vacuum seal bag. Vacuum seal bags allow you to keep the moisture in and the air out, allowing your jerky to stay somewhat soft and tender without spoiling.

The only downside is that vacuum sealers can be a scrap expensive - usually between $100 to $200 for a brand new one. However, if y'all plan to make a lot of beefiness hasty or other foods that need sealing, it'south well worth the investment.

If you want your beef hasty to last even longer, nosotros recommend placing the vacuum seal bag in the freezer. With this method, your beef jerky can last 12 months or more .

Mason Jars/Dry Cans

Dry canning beef hasty in a mason jar or dry tin will allow you to preserve information technology for months. Plus, this method is much more affordable than vacuum sealing. Here's what you lot demand to do to s tore your jerky in mason jars:

  1. Gear up your oven to 350 F.
  2. Accept the lids off the stonemason jars and fix them on a cookie sheet.
  3. Identify the jars in the oven for nearly 10 minutes.
  4. Apply mitts to remove the jars from the oven, and quickly place your hasty strips inside of them.
  5. Screw the lids tightly on the jars, and let the jars to cool to room temperature. As the mason jars absurd, they'll create a vacuum seal. If you hear popping sounds, that ways the jars are creating the seal.

One time sealed, you can shop the beef jerky on the pantry shelf or in the fridge.

Ziplock or Newspaper Bag

Ziplock or paper bags as well work for storing beef jerky if you lot're in a pinch. This method will keep your jerky fresh for iii-4 weeks , so information technology's a keen option if y'all plan to consume the jerky in the well-nigh future.

If you find that your hasty is a flake besides moist, you lot can always add a food-class desiccant bag to the paper or Ziplock pocketbook.

How to Make Your Beef Jerky Last Longer

Additionally, here are some steps you tin can take to make your beef hasty last longer :

Trim the Fatty

Fat is the enemy when information technology comes to preserving beef hasty. Fatty spoils fast and tin make the beef jerky go rancid more quickly. To avoid this issue, purchase lean meat and trim all the fat before drying your hasty.

Cure Your Jerky

Most commercial beef jerky producers utilise a cure fabricated from sodium nitrate to extend the life of beef jerky by a year or more. The sodium nitrate prevents bacteria from harboring in the meat. While it'south not recommended to make your own cure, you can purchase a beef hasty online or from your local supermarket.

The cure also helps give the beef jerky a redder colour, and it also adds some flavour .

Dry It Right

Generally, the longer y'all dry your beef jerky, the longer information technology volition last . However, you don't want to over-dry out your beef jerky, as this will make it extremely chewy . Dry the hasty to its desired texture and focus on proper storage to make it last longer.

Avoid Sunlight

Y'all too desire to make sure you store your beef hasty in a dry, absurd surround such as a pantry. Leaving jerky out in directly sunlight tin can cause condensation inside the bag, which tin lead to mold .

Related: Ii Chicks Jerky Store Locator

Time to Store Your Beefiness Jerky!

With these beef jerky storage tips, you lot should get plenty of shelf life out of your hasty.

If y'all're looking to buy beefiness hasty with a long shelf life, check out our products!