Yield & Shrinkage
Enter your meat weight and price to estimate the finished yield and cost per ounce.
About 32 oz of finished jerky, based on an estimated 60% weight loss.
Estimating your finished yield
Decide how much finished jerky you want before buying the meat. At the default 40% yield, you need about 2.5 pounds of raw beef for each pound of jerky.
| Meat | Water lost | Finished / lb |
|---|---|---|
| Beef (lean) | ~60% | 6.4 oz |
| Venison | ~62% | 6.1 oz |
| Biltong | ~50% | 8.0 oz |
These are estimates. Trimming, the cut you choose and how thoroughly you dry it will change the yield.
Common questions
Why does jerky lose so much weight?
Most of the weight lost during drying is water. Trimming fat and silverskin also reduces the amount you end up with. Weigh a finished batch to get a better estimate for the next one.
How much jerky does 1 lb of beef make?
The beef preset estimates 6.4 ounces of jerky per pound of raw meat. Your actual yield depends on trimming and how dry you like the finished jerky.
Is homemade actually cheaper than store-bought?
It can be, depending on meat prices and how much weight the batch loses. This calculator estimates the meat cost per ounce. Add marinade ingredients, electricity and packaging for a fuller comparison with store-bought jerky.