If yous're looking for a tasty, protein-rich snack, beef jerky is the answer. I piece of beefiness jerky packs about 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 become.

Nonetheless, just because beef hasty doesn't demand to be refrigerated doesn't mean it lasts forever . Whether you purchase beef jerky online or brand your ain beef jerky at home, you need to be aware of its shelf life.

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

Related: Two Chicks Hasty Merch

How Long Does Beef Jerky Concluding?

How long beef hasty lasts volition depend on whether it's homemade or store-bought. More often than not, commercial beef jerky is best enjoyed within i year.

Even so, to relish the jerky's premium season and textures, we recommend consuming it inside six months of purchase .

Bootleg beefiness jerky, on the other hand, should last i to 2 months if you store it in an airtight container later making it. If y'all store beef jerky in a Ziplock bag in your pantry, it'll concluding about a week. And, if you store your beef jerky in the fridge, you can await information technology to concluding one to two weeks.

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

How to Tell if Beef Jerky is Still Good

Sometimes, it's not ever piece of cake to tell if beefiness jerky is still adept to eat. Unlike regular cooked meat, which develops a smell if not consumed in fourth dimension, beefiness jerky doesn't always prove stiff signs of spoilage .

If the colour of the beefiness jerky has changed, or it's gotten darker or harder, so information technology may accept gone bad. In some cases, spoiled beef jerky can have a slight olfactory property to information technology .

If you lot purchased the beefiness jerky online or in-store, always cheque the expiration date on the parcel. The expiration engagement is normally located on the bottom seal of the bag. But remember, just considering the beef jerky is by the best-past date doesn't hateful it'due south unsafe to consume. The best-past date simply indicates when the jerky is at its freshest.

You should also bank check the jerky parcel for any rips or tears. If you lot find any, this tin exist an indicator that the hasty has gone bad, as moisture has entered the bag.

Related: Two Chicks Jerky Giving Back Initiative

How to Store Beef Jerky

To brand your beef jerky terminal as long every bit possible, you need to focus on proper storage . Hither are the unlike methods for storing beef jerky:

Vacuum Seal Bag

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

The simply downside is that vacuum sealers can exist a fleck expensive - unremarkably betwixt $100 to $200 for a brand new one. However, if you plan to make a lot of beef jerky or other foods that demand sealing, it's well worth the investment.

If you desire your beef jerky to last even longer, we recommend placing the vacuum seal purse in the freezer. With this method, your beef jerky can last 12 months or more .

Mason Jars/Dry Cans

Dry canning beefiness jerky in a mason jar or dry out tin volition allow you to preserve it for months. Plus, this method is much more affordable than vacuum sealing. Here'south what you demand to practise to s tore your jerky in mason jars:

  1. Gear up your oven to 350 F.
  2. Take the lids off the mason jars and gear up them on a cookie sheet.
  3. Place the jars in the oven for about x minutes.
  4. Utilise mitts to remove the jars from the oven, and apace identify your hasty strips inside of them.
  5. Spiral the lids tightly on the jars, and allow the jars to cool to room temperature. As the bricklayer jars absurd, they'll create a vacuum seal. If you hear popping sounds, that means the jars are creating the seal.

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

Ziplock or Paper Purse

Ziplock or paper numberless likewise piece of work for storing beef jerky if you're in a pinch. This method will keep your jerky fresh for 3-4 weeks , then it's a dandy option if you lot plan to consume the jerky in the almost time to come.

If y'all find that your jerky is a bit too moist, yous can always add a food-grade desiccant pocketbook to the paper or Ziplock bag.

How to Make Your Beefiness Jerky Concluding Longer

Additionally, here are some steps you can take to brand your beef jerky terminal longer :

Trim the Fatty

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

Cure Your Jerky

Most commercial beef jerky producers utilise a cure made from sodium nitrate to extend the life of beef jerky past a twelvemonth or more. The sodium nitrate prevents leaner from harboring in the meat. While it'south not recommended to make your ain cure, you can buy a beef jerky online or from your local supermarket.

The cure also helps give the beefiness jerky a redder color, and information technology too adds some flavor .

Dry Information technology Right

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

Avoid Sunlight

Y'all also want to make sure you lot store your beefiness jerky in a dry, absurd surround such as a pantry. Leaving jerky out in direct sunlight can crusade condensation inside the bag, which can lead to mold .

Related: Two Chicks Jerky Shop Locator

Time to Store Your Beef Hasty!

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

If you're looking to purchase beef jerky with a long shelf life, check out our products!