Storing Beef Jerky Properly: This is How Your Jerky Stays Fresh Longer

Beef Jerky is a delicious and protein-rich snack that you can enjoy anywhere and anytime. Compared to other treats, dried meat has the advantage of being long-lasting. With proper storage, the pleasant texture and delicious flavor are preserved for a long time. However, if you store your jerky incorrectly, it may lose quality and spoil faster.

"We will tell you how to store beef jerky so that it stays especially fresh for a long time."

What happens if I don't store beef jerky properly?

As soon as you open a new pack of beef jerky, air inevitably gets inside. This not only causes it to dry out over time and lose its pleasant texture, but it can also lose flavor. An already opened package should be consumed within a week at the latest, but preferably within two or three days after opening.

Even unopened jerky can eventually go bad over time if stored improperly. Although it is a product that is very shelf-stable compared to many other foods, you should store it correctly. Only then can you ensure that the quality is maintained over a long period.

The shelf life of beef jerky is primarily shortened by contact with moisture and oxygen. Dried meat is particularly long-lasting because it is dehydrated during production, meaning its moisture is removed. With renewed contact with water, the beef can spoil faster, similar to fresh meat. Furthermore, store-bought jerky is usually significantly longer-lasting than homemade jerky, as it is vacuum-sealed. This means it can often be preserved for up to a year and may still be intact even after the expiration date. Homemade beef jerky, on the other hand, has a shelf life of at most two months and should therefore be consumed quickly.

Storing Beef Jerky Properly: What You Should Consider When Storing

To extend the shelf life of beef jerky, you should protect it as much as possible from environmental influences such as air, water, sunlight, and temperature fluctuations protect.

Avoid air

As already mentioned, oxygen leads to a declining quality of dried meat over time. To extend the shelf life, you should only open purchased beef jerky when you want to enjoy it immediately. After opening, you should consume it as quickly as possible or pack it airtight. The same applies to homemade jerky.

Avoid moisture

The drier you store your jerky, the longer it stays fresh. Moisture increases the risk of the meat being attacked by bacteria and ultimately spoiling. In a as dry a place as possible, your snack will stay fresh and tasty for a long time.

Avoid direct sunlight

Although sunlight contributes to a dry environment, you should protect your jerky from direct sunlight. Too much light can also cause it to spoil faster. A dark pantry or cabinet is therefore particularly suitable for storing beef jerky.

Pay attention to a consistent temperature.

Beef jerky feels particularly comfortable when stored at a consistently stable temperature. You should avoid temperature fluctuations and extreme temperatures. If possible, choose a place with a cool temperature - both high and low temperatures can damage the beef in the long run.

Don't freeze your jerky.

Many foods can be frozen without any problems and later thawed without significantly affecting the quality. However, beef jerky is not one of these products. Both the texture and flavor, as well as the nutritional values, can suffer from freezing.

"Grab high-quality beef jerky"

The better the quality, the higher the likelihood that your jerky will stay fresh and tasty for a long time. Therefore, only opt for high-quality beef jerky from manufacturers you trust. Although chemicals may extend the shelf life of dried meat, you should avoid products with artificial preservatives and instead focus on good raw materials and the right storage.

Frequently Asked Questions: How to Properly Store Beef Jerky

How long is purchased beef jerky shelf-stable?

Vacuum-sealed beef jerky offers the advantage of being very long-lasting compared to many other foods. Generally, you can enjoy it for up to a year. However, after the expiration date, it is usually still far from spoiled.

Should I store beef jerky in the refrigerator?

You do not need to store unopened beef jerky in the refrigerator. A dark, airtight, and cool place like a pantry or a cabinet is ideal for storage. Even after opening, it does not necessarily have to go in the refrigerator, although the cool temperatures certainly won't harm the meat.

How should I store an opened package of beef jerky?

You should also store an opened pack of beef jerky as dark, airtight, and cool as possible. Instead of leaving the dried meat in the open packaging, you should seal it well and possibly pack it in an airtight container. However, it is even better to enjoy it as quickly as possible.                                    

What should I do if my beef jerky becomes too hard?

"If the consistency of your beef jerky has become too hard, there are a few ways to soften your beef jerky again. Check out our blog article: Making Beef Jerky Softer."