If you're looking for a tasty, protein-rich snack, beef jerky is the answer. I piece of beef jerky packs about x grams of protein . And, because beef jerky doesn't need to be refrigerated, it makes the perfect snack for when y'all're on the become.

However, just because beef jerky doesn't demand to be refrigerated doesn't hateful it lasts forever . Whether you purchase beefiness hasty online or brand your own beef jerky at dwelling, yous demand to be enlightened of its shelf life.

Read this guide to learn nigh beef jerky'southward shelf life and to discover some storage tips .

Related: Two Chicks Jerky Merch

How Long Does Beef Jerky Terminal?

How long beef jerky lasts will depend on whether information technology'southward homemade or store-bought. Mostly, commercial beefiness hasty is best enjoyed within one year.

However, to relish the hasty's premium flavor and textures, we recommend consuming it within half dozen months of purchase .

Homemade beef jerky, on the other hand, should final one to two months if you store it in an airtight container subsequently making it. If you store beef jerky in a Ziplock purse in your pantry, information technology'll last virtually a week. And, if you store your beefiness jerky in the fridge, you can wait it to last one to two weeks.

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

How to Tell if Beefiness Jerky is Withal Good

Sometimes, it's not always easy to tell if beef jerky is still practiced to eat. Different regular cooked meat, which develops a olfactory property if non consumed in time, beef jerky doesn't e'er show strong signs of spoilage .

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

If you purchased the beef jerky online or in-store, always check the expiration date on the bundle. The expiration date is normally located on the lesser seal of the handbag. But remember, only because the beef jerky is by the best-by date doesn't mean it's unsafe to eat. The best-by date simply indicates when the hasty is at its freshest.

Yous should besides bank check the jerky package for whatever rips or tears. If you observe any, this tin can be an indicator that the jerky has gone bad, as moisture has entered the bag.

Related: 2 Chicks Hasty Giving Dorsum Initiative

How to Store Beef Jerky

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

Vacuum Seal Purse

Perhaps the best method for storing your beef hasty is in a vacuum seal bag. Vacuum seal numberless permit y'all 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 exist a scrap expensive - unremarkably between $100 to $200 for a make new one. However, if you programme to make a lot of beefiness jerky or other foods that need sealing, it's well worth the investment.

If you want your beef jerky to terminal fifty-fifty longer, we recommend placing the vacuum seal pocketbook in the freezer. With this method, your beefiness jerky tin can last 12 months or more .

Stonemason Jars/Dry out Cans

Dry canning beef jerky in a mason jar or dry can will allow y'all to preserve it for months. Plus, this method is much more affordable than vacuum sealing. Here'south what you need to practice to southward tore your jerky in bricklayer jars:

  1. Set up your oven to 350 F.
  2. Take the lids off the bricklayer jars and set them on a cookie sheet.
  3. Place the jars in the oven for about 10 minutes.
  4. Utilise mitts to remove the jars from the oven, and quickly place your jerky strips inside of them.
  5. Screw the lids tightly on the jars, and allow the jars to cool to room temperature. Equally the mason jars cool, they'll create a vacuum seal. If you hear popping sounds, that means the jars are creating the seal.

Once sealed, y'all can store the beef hasty on the pantry shelf or in the fridge.

Ziplock or Paper Bag

Ziplock or paper bags too work for storing beef jerky if yous're in a pinch. This method volition keep your jerky fresh for 3-4 weeks , and so it's a great option if you plan to swallow the jerky in the near hereafter.

If you find that your jerky is a bit too moist, you lot tin can ever add a food-grade desiccant purse to the paper or Ziplock purse.

How to Make Your Beef Jerky Final Longer

Additionally, here are some steps y'all tin can take to make your beef jerky terminal longer :

Trim the Fat

Fat is the enemy when it comes to preserving beef jerky. Fat spoils fast and can make the beef jerky become rancid more than quickly. To avoid this event, purchase lean meat and trim all the fat before drying your jerky.

Cure Your Jerky

Almost commercial beef jerky producers utilise a cure made from sodium nitrate to extend the life of beefiness jerky past 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 tin buy a beef jerky online or from your local supermarket.

The cure also helps give the beef hasty a redder color, and it also adds some flavor .

Dry out It Right

More often than not, the longer y'all dry your beef jerky, the longer it volition concluding . However, you lot don't want to over-dry out your beef jerky, every bit this volition arrive extremely chewy . Dry out the jerky to its desired texture and focus on proper storage to brand information technology concluding longer.

Avoid Sunlight

You lot also want to brand sure yous store your beef hasty in a dry, cool environs such every bit a pantry. Leaving jerky out in direct sunlight can crusade condensation within the bag, which tin can pb to mold .

Related: Two Chicks Jerky Store Locator

Time to Store Your Beef Hasty!

With these beef jerky storage tips, yous should get enough of shelf life out of your jerky.

If y'all're looking to purchase beefiness jerky with a long shelf life, cheque out our products!