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The Daily Insight

What is the best dehydrator to make beef jerky?

Author

Emma Johnson

Updated on April 28, 2026

Here are the 5 best dehydrators for beef jerky you can find on Amazon!

  • Editor’s Choice: Nesco FD-28JX Jerky Xpress Dehydrator Kit with Jerky Gun.
  • Runner Up: Excalibur 3926TB 9-Tray.
  • Best Compact: Nesco FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator.
  • Best Commercial: Magic Mill Commercial Pro Xl.

What machine do you need to make beef jerky?

– A dehydrator is a great way to make beef jerky. You do not need to break the bank when purchasing a dehydrator. This Nesco is a very popular model that I personally use all the time. Not is it only great for making beef jerky, but it also has the potential to dry vegetables, fruit, and fruit rolls.

Is dehydrated jerky good?

The temperatures of dehydrators and oven dehydrating are not high enough to destroy harmful microorganisms that are typically present in raw meat. Even though fully dried jerky may appear done, it is not safe to eat unless it goes through an additional heat treatment.

Is jerky better in a smoker or dehydrator?

While dehydrating meat is the easiest way to make jerky, it doesn’t result in the best beef jerky. It’s a matter of quantity over quality. Smoking jerky, however, seals in the meat’s juices while providing just the right amount of hickory-smoked flavor.

How long does jerky take in a dehydrator?

Step 8 – Beef jerky takes around 4-5 hours to dry when dehydrating. Turn the dehydrator to 165° and let it run for about 4 hours until the internal temperature of the jerky reaches a safe 160° as per guidelines from the USDA.

Can you smoke meat before dehydrating?

The best temperature to smoke beef jerky at The ideal temperature to smoke beef jerky at is between 160-180°F. This allows the beef to dehydrate, without being cooked. You can go up to 200°F and you should be OK but much hotter and you run the risk of drying out your jerky.

Can you make jerky at 200 degrees?

You’ll want to cook your jerky at a very low temperature, as this best replicates the effects of a dehydrator. Turn your oven to 170°F, if it will go that low (if not, 180–200°F will still work). If you don’t have a cooling rack, you can place the jerky directly on your oven rack.

How long does it take to make beef jerky in a food dehydrator?

Dehydrating beef jerky in a food dehydrator set at 145 degrees normally takes between eight and 10 hours. Factors that can increase drying time include thickness of the meat and humidity in the room. Overloading the dehydrator can also add to the drying time.

What temperature do you set a dehydrator to make beef jerky?

Note: The USDA recommends cooking the beef jerky at 160 degrees for the first 4 hours and then reducing the temperature to 130 degrees during the dehydrating process.

What is the best meat for making jerky?

Deer Meat –. Elk Meat – Just like Venison, Elk Roasts are very lean cuts of meat that are great for making jerky. Elk has a mild game flavor making it a fantastic option for even the pickiest of eaters in your family.

Can you make beef jerky in a food dehydrator?

Beef jerky can be made at home without needing any fancy equipment such as a dehydrator. With minimal adjustments a home oven can be used, which can actually dehydrate a greater amount of food at once than most store bought dehydrators.