If yous're looking for a tasty, protein-rich snack, beef hasty is the answer. One slice of beef hasty packs near 10 grams of protein . And, because beefiness jerky doesn't demand to be refrigerated, information technology makes the perfect snack for when you're on the go.

However, just considering beefiness jerky doesn't need to exist refrigerated doesn't mean information technology lasts forever . Whether y'all purchase beefiness hasty online or make your own beef jerky at dwelling, you need to be aware of its shelf life.

Read this guide to learn about beefiness jerky's shelf life and to detect some storage tips .

Related: Two Chicks Jerky Merch

How Long Does Beefiness Hasty Concluding?

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

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

Homemade beef hasty, on the other paw, should last one to ii months if you store it in an airtight container after making it. If y'all store beef jerky in a Ziplock purse in your pantry, it'll concluding about a week. And, if you store your beef hasty in the refrigerator, you tin can expect information technology to final one to ii weeks.

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

How to Tell if Beefiness Jerky is All the same Good

Sometimes, it'southward non always like shooting fish in a barrel to tell if beef hasty is still proficient to eat. Unlike regular cooked meat, which develops a smell if non consumed in fourth dimension, beef jerky doesn't always show strong signs of spoilage .

If the colour of the beef jerky has changed, or it'due south gotten darker or harder, and then information technology may have gone bad. In some cases, spoiled beef jerky can take a slight odor to it .

If you purchased the beef hasty online or in-store, always check the expiration date on the package. The expiration engagement is usually located on the bottom seal of the bag. Only think, merely because the beef jerky is past the best-past engagement doesn't mean it's unsafe to consume. The all-time-by appointment simply indicates when the jerky is at its freshest.

You should besides cheque the jerky package for any rips or tears. If you find whatever, this can be an indicator that the jerky has gone bad, as moisture has entered the bag.

Related: 2 Chicks Jerky Giving Back Initiative

How to Store Beef Hasty

To make your beef hasty last as long equally possible, you need to focus on proper storage . Hither are the unlike methods for storing beefiness jerky:

Vacuum Seal Handbag

Possibly the best method for storing your beef jerky is in a vacuum seal bag. Vacuum seal bags allow you to go along the wet 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 bit expensive - usually between $100 to $200 for a brand new one. Notwithstanding, if you lot plan to make a lot of beefiness jerky or other foods that demand sealing, it's well worth the investment.

If y'all want your beef hasty to last even longer, we recommend placing the vacuum seal purse in the freezer. With this method, your beef jerky tin can terminal 12 months or more .

Bricklayer Jars/Dry Cans

Dry canning beef jerky in a mason jar or dry out tin volition permit you lot to preserve it for months. Plus, this method is much more affordable than vacuum sealing. Here'southward what yous need to practice to south tore your jerky in stonemason jars:

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

Once sealed, you tin store the beefiness jerky on the pantry shelf or in the refrigerator.

Ziplock or Paper Bag

Ziplock or newspaper bags also work for storing beef jerky if you're in a pinch. This method will keep your jerky fresh for 3-four weeks , and so it's a bully choice if yous plan to consume the jerky in the about time to come.

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

How to Make Your Beef Hasty Last Longer

Additionally, here are some steps you tin can take to make your beefiness jerky last longer :

Trim the Fat

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

Cure Your Jerky

Near commercial beef hasty producers utilize a cure fabricated from sodium nitrate to extend the life of beefiness hasty by a twelvemonth or more. The sodium nitrate prevents leaner from harboring in the meat. While it's not recommended to make your own cure, you can buy a beef jerky online or from your local supermarket.

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

Dry It Correct

More often than not, the longer you dry out your beefiness jerky, the longer it will last . Withal, you don't want to over-dry out your beef jerky, as this will brand it extremely chewy . Dry the jerky to its desired texture and focus on proper storage to make it last longer.

Avoid Sunlight

You also want to brand certain you shop your beef jerky in a dry out, cool surround such as a pantry. Leaving jerky out in direct sunlight can cause condensation inside the pocketbook, which can lead to mold .

Related: Two Chicks Hasty Store Locator

Time to Shop Your Beef Jerky!

With these beef hasty storage tips, yous should get plenty of shelf life out of your hasty.

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