Beef jerky is naturally dehydrated, and unlike other dehydrated foods such as ramen or pre-seasoned dehydrated rice, it is perfectly fine to eat in its dehydrated state. Nevertheless, jerky can get too hard and dehydrated, especially if you forgot to close the bag or seal the Tupperware where you keep it. However, there are ways to introduce a little bit of moisture to your jerky while at the same time you can experiment with different textures and food combinations. We will discuss different methods on how to soften beef jerky.
Jerky might be a popular snack for those who go on long-distance hikes or a flavorful treat for road trips, but it can also be used in numerous recipes. Almost all dehydrated foods, especially those that are prepared with seasonings and salt, can give a lot of flavors to your meals, but jerky can also boost the nutritional value of your dish since it is packed with protein.
Why Does Beef Jerky Become So Hard?
If you are making your beef jerky, you must consider the time of dehydration. A perfectly dried jerky should not break in half but instead be flexible so that you can bend it. On the other hand, store-bought jerky tends to get hard if not kept in an airtight container. If you don’t properly close the bag of your jerky, it will lose its moisture, and it will get really dry and hard in a couple of days.
One of the reasons many people like beef jerky is that hard to chew texture it has. Hard Jerky can be appetizing up to a certain point. If it passes that point, it is not very tempting to eat. The good news is that even if your jerky gets hard, you don’t need to throw it away. You can rehydrate it and enjoy it.
Three Methods to Soften Beef Jerky
Method 1: Microwave Your Jerky
Time: 2 minutes
Microwaving your beef jerky is the fastest and easiest way to soften it. It only takes two minutes, a microwave-safe container with a lid and a glass of water or a cloth towel.
Put your dry beef jerky and a glass of hot water inside your container and close the lid. As an alternative, you can use a wet towel instead of a glass of water. Pop it into the microwave for one minute at a high temperature and take it out to check its texture. If your jerky is still hard, leave it in the microwave for another minute. Then, take it out and enjoy.
Pro tip: If you choose the towel method, make sure it is completely wet, and it is a cloth towel. A dry towel can be easily burnt.
Method 2: Rehydration by Liquid Transfer
Time: 15 to 60 minutes
With this method, you are introducing moisture again to soften beef jerky. This can happen in various ways, and you can add up more flavor or take out some of the intensity of your jerky.
Rehydration With Sauce
You can rehydrate your jerky with a sauce such as soy sauce and Worchester sauce. If your jerky is homemade and you used one of these sauces while making it, applying them again will intensify the flavor.
Brush generous portions of the sauce to your jerky, put it in a plastic bag or a Tupperware you can seal, and leave it for 30 to 60 minutes in the fridge.
Take out your jerky and use a paper towel to wipe off any extra moisture. Then, your jerky is ready to eat.
Rehydration With Water or Broth
Apart from the sauce, you can rehydrate your beef jerky with more liquids such as water or broth. It can be vegetables, chicken, or beef broth, whatever you prefer. The liquid you are going to use can be hot or cold. In both cases, it has a similar effect.
Put your jerky in a container and cover it with water or broth. The liquid must be enough to cover the jerky. Pop the lid on and seal your container. Let the liquid hydrate your jerky for 15 to 30 minutes. It is better if you leave it inside the fridge.
You can experiment with different times to get different levels of softness. When your jerky has the texture you want, drain all the liquid well and let it sit for a few more minutes. If there is more liquid on the surface, you can use a paper towel to remove any extra moisture as we did with the sauce.
Pros and Cons of the two methods: The sauce method will give you a less soft but very flavorful jerky, it takes a little bit longer, but your beef jerky will not lose any of its taste. On the other hand, with the broth and water version, a lot of the flavor might end up on the liquid, but you get softer and less salty beef jerky.
Pro Tip: Using either of those two methods of rehydration, you can add chopped fresh vegetables that will rehydrate your jerky and give an interesting twist to its taste.
Method 3: Sauté Your Beef Jerky
Time: 20 minutes
In this method, we are cooking our jerky in a pan with oil and vegetables. Put two tablespoons of olive oil, a chopped onion, chopped garlic, and vegetables like carrots, broccolini, or asparagus in medium-low heat.
The vegetables will slowly start to cook and release their liquids. At that point, you add the dry beef jerky. It will get softer from the moisture of the vegetables, and it will also give your dish fantastic flavor without the need to add any seasonings.
Pro Tip: Sautéing your beef jerky is the most creative and versatile way to soften it. Since after cooking it in the pan, you can incorporate it in dozens of dishes like stews and soups. Beef jerky and legumes such as cheekpieces and lentils can also be an amazing winter combination.
FAQ:
Can I Rehydrate Dry Beef Jerky Overnight?
Yes! It is a fantastic idea. Brush your jerky with the liquid of your choice. Use a small portion of liquid so it doesn’t get too soft. Then, keep it sealed in a cold environment, ideally in the fridge.
Can I Cook Dry Beef Jerky With Other Dehydrated Foods?
Of course! If you are going camping or hiking, you can add beef jerky to instant noodles or pre-seasoned dehydrated rice. You are getting a filling meal with more protein and different textures.