Just about every hiker, fisherman, and hunter has at some point, relied on jerky, usually beef jerky to ward off hunger pangs until a reasonable meal is at hand.

As jerky has become more popular, it has become almost the “go-to” snack of choice and that has yielded hundreds of recipes, flavors, and methods for drying meat to make jerky.

It also is a survival food staple, whether consumed for energy and nutrients or stored for use in an emergency.

Store bought, unopened jerky can last up to two years. Homemade jerky can last for about three months if stored properly.

Making jerky correctly, however, can prove a challenge.

We cover the basics of preparing your meat and making jerky on the next page.

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