The short answer is that your jerky is so tough because it’s too dehydrated. For some people, this is a great thing and the tougher the jerky, the better! But maybe toughness isn’t what you (or your teeth) want in a jerky.
Fortunately, there are ways to solve this problem without throwing away the entire bag. It’s important to know what causes jerky to get so tough and how you can prevent it from happening.
Why Does Jerky Get Tough(er)?
There are many different types of meat snacks available that don’t have rugged textures. For example, beef sticks and steak strips are tender and easy to chew.
Jerky, on the other hand, is always going to have at least some level of toughness. It’s a natural result of the jerky-making process. The reason for the ruggedness is that jerky is dehydrated to remove as much water as possible, which gives it a longer shelf life.
But sometimes jerky can go beyond the intended level of dryness and assume a much tougher texture.
Oxygen Exposure
Jerky is usually crafted by a process that includes seasoning/marinating, slow-cooking (often through smoking) and finally dehydration. It’s then packaged in an airtight pouch to ensure long-term preservation.
As long as the jerky is sealed in the pouch, its consistency should stay the same as it was when it was packaged. However, if the pouch is opened and left unsealed, the jerky will be exposed to oxygen and risk becoming even more dried out.
It’s important to keep jerky sealed in its original pouch when it’s not being eaten. The more oxygen exposure it gets, the tougher the jerky will become. Also, the shelf life drastically decreases once the package has been opened, so try to finish it within a day or two.
Sun and Heat Exposure
There are plenty of ways to store beef jerky to keep it flavorful. When beef jerky is bought from a store, it usually has a best-by date on the package.
Normally, jerky quality lasts for about a year if it remains unopened. In this case, simply leave it in the pantry until you feel like opening it. But once the pouch is open, the meat can spoil, which is different from simply experiencing further dehydration. Temperature matters as well!
If the jerky is exposed too much to sun and heat, it could lead to mold growth. After opening a package of beef jerky, it’s best to keep it in the refrigerator and eat it within three days.
How to Store Lorissa’s Kitchen Snacks for the Best Experience
This information is helpful for beef jerky, but what about other types of meat snacks? Well, if you’re getting beef sticks or steak strips, it turns out the storage techniques are the same as for beef jerky.
Like with most food products, there’ll be a best-by date on the package, though it might not be as far in the future as the date for beef jerky would be.
If you leave the package unopened, you can keep it in the pantry until the best-by date without worrying about the product quality. The packaging is designed specifically to keep the product from being exposed to oxygen and the elements.
Once you open the package, the clock starts ticking. A good basic rule is to eat the product within three days of opening it, so consider keeping it in the refrigerator if you don’t plan on finishing it the day you open it.
Why the refrigerator? Because bacteria can grow everywhere, especially in food. The longer you leave your food exposed to oxygen and the environment, the more bacteria will grow on it.
By keeping beef snacks in their packaging and sealed with as much air pushed out of them as possible, the refrigerator can help slow down bacterial growth. This means the food stays fresher longer!
Enjoy Tender, Delicious Meat Snacks from Lorissa’s Kitchen
When you want the savory taste of meat with a soft, easy texture, look no further than Lorissa’s Kitchen beef sticks. Made with 100% grass-fed beef and containing 6 grams of protein per serving, these slow-smoked beef sticks are packed with flavor and make for one very wholesome snack.
Whether you’re craving mild, savory beef or something with a spicy, jalapeno kick, Lorissa’s Kitchen has a beef stick that’s sure to make you happy. Shop our products today!
