Basic Turkey Jerky Recipe
1 lb Boneless and skinless Turkey breast
½ c Water
2 Tbs Brown Sugar
1 ts Salt
1 ts Onion Powder
½ ts Garlic powder
1 ts Cracked black pepper
½ ts Liquid smoke
Vegetable oil cooking spray
Preparing the jerky: Trim meat of all fat and connective tissue and freeze meat until firm but not hard; then cut into 1/4-1/2 inch-thick slices. In a medium-size glass, stoneware, plastic or stainless steel bowl, combine all ingredients and stir to dissolve seasonings. Add meat and mix until all surfaces are thoroughly coated. Cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or up to 24 hours, moving the meat around occasionally to evenly distribute the marinade.
Drying the jerky: Depending upon the drying method you’re using, evenly coat dehydrator racks or metal racks with cooking spray; if oven drying, place racks over rimmed baking pans. Lift meat from bowl, shaking off any excess liquid. Arrange meat strips close together, but not overlapping, on racks. Dehydrator and oven drying: Arrange trays according to manufacturer’s directions (if using dehydrator) and dry at 165-degrees until a piece of jerky cracks, but does not break when bent (5 to 7 hours, let jerky cool for 5 minutes before testing). Pat off any beads of oil from jerky. Let jerky cool completely on racks; remove from racks and store in airtight, insect proof containers in a cool, dry place. You may also freeze or refrigerate the jerky, however keep in mind that cold jerky will collect moisture from the air when taken out of cold storage.