Make your own
jerky
at home.
Work out your drying time, how much meat to buy or the amounts for a marinade. Then use the matching guides to prepare your batch.
What are you making?
Choose your meat to estimate drying time. Then read the preparation guide for your batch before you start cooking.
Beef jerky
Choose your slice thickness and dehydrator setting.
Estimate drying time → Read the beef jerky guidesVenison jerky
Plan drying time for sliced deer meat.
Estimate drying time → Read the venison jerky guidesBiltong
See an air-drying estimate and read about the different process.
Estimate drying time → Read the biltong guides- Plan your batchChoose a calculator below.
- Check your estimateSee what it means for your meat.
- Read the matching guideFollow the preparation instructions.
Free jerky
calculators.
Work out how much meat to buy, adjust a marinade or estimate drying time. Choose the calculator you need below.
01 How long will drying take? Estimate drying time from your meat, slice thickness and appliance setting, with a reminder to check meat temperature. 02 How much jerky will I get, and what will it cost? Estimate finished jerky weight and cost per ounce from the raw meat you buy. 03 Which cut of beef should I buy? Compare cuts for your budget and preferred texture. 04 How much marinade do I need? Adjust marinade ingredients and salt amounts to your batch weight. 05 How much meat and fat should I mix? Work out a meat-and-fat blend for ground jerky or sausage. 06 What are the cure and salt weights? Calculate cure #1 and salt weights to use alongside your tested recipe and product instructions.
Ready to prepare your meat?
01 BeefHow to make beef jerkyAfter estimating your drying time, follow the preparation and heating instructions here. 02 HuntVenison & deer jerkyRecipes and preparation guides for whole cuts and ground venison. 03 CraftBiltong & droëworsLearn about these South African dried meats, their preparation and drying requirements. 04 AnswersSafety & storageHow to store homemade jerky and what to check when a batch does not turn out as expected.
Choosing equipment
for jerky.
Compare equipment Start here Dehydrators Compare temperature settings, airflow and room for your usual batch. Best dehydrators Affiliate link · paid commission For ground jerky Meat grinders Compare grinders for the amount of beef or venison you prepare. Best grinders Affiliate link · paid commission For biltong Biltong boxes Learn what goes into a box, including hanging space and ventilation. Biltong boxes Affiliate link · paid commission
Plan your next jerky batch.
Estimate drying time for your slices, or get a chart to keep beside the dehydrator.
The calculator opens on its own page. The chart button takes you to the email signup form below.