Marinating Times

[prolixitasty]

Hello there,

About a month ago I bought two Excalibur dehydrators for the purpose of making and selling beef jerky.

I have a question regarding marinating times.

So far I've been going for a 20 hour approach, drying for 2 hours, re-marinating, drying for another 2 hours.

Literally everyone who has tasted it has liked it, and there is a huge demand for my jerky in the two places I've been distributing for the last month.

I'm wondering if I can cut the original 20 hour marination time down.

What would the shortest amount be if I am still re-marinating during the drying process anyway?

I use a low fat rib eye cut, and the marinade contains Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, honey, maple syrup and some spices.

I do not currently smoke any of the meat; but I do use liquid smoke.

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated :)

Thank you,

 

[crazymoon]

P, Less meat means less time, I personally do about 6 pounds and leave it for 48 hours as the container being used is pretty full. It gets a stir every 8 hours or so. After the marinade it gets a one hour dry time for pellicle and then to the smoker /dehydrator. I don't understand your dry and wet process? Hope you are using cure also!

 

[prolixitasty]

I'm only doing about 2.5lbs per batch.

I dry at 160 degrees for 4 hours as per safety standards.

The drying process is 2 hours out of the original marinade, then a remarinade, then drying again for another 2 hours.

 

[skinard]

Hello,

Just wondering.  When you say you do the 20 hour approach.  Does that mean you marinate it for 20 hours then put it on the dehydrator for 2 hours then re marinate it for 20 hours then put it back on the dehydrator for an additional 2 hours?  

 

[cyndi]

I was wondering about this as well. That is a huge chunk of time! I was just marinating for 24 hrs, then going to paper-towel, pat dry & put in the Dehydrator. I did use #1 Cure (for the first time, these batches) & I'm still in the marinating stage. Do I need to let them sit out an hour for pellicle to take place/form prior to the Dehydrator?

 

[crazymoon]

Cyndi, I let mine air dry for an hour before sticking in the smoker or dehydrator, don't forget your cure .

 

[cyndi]

Thanks! I did use The Cure (#1) and let it sit for an hour. That was for my test batch, after only 24 hrs of marinating, about a dozen strips. After it was ready I tried it & it needed more salt. So, on to the remainder of the 5 lbs of Jerky today. These I didn't air dry first. I put them on a wire rack over a pan, spread them out perfectly & pressed paper towels on to them to release extra moisture underneath & soak up more on the top. Then I sprinkled salt directly onto these prior to placing in the Dehydrator. We'll see how this remaining, bulk of the Jerky turns out.
-Cyndi