Jerky and jerky are almost the same thing. The only difference is that jerky often has added ingredients such as salt, condiments, and liquid marinades, while jerky is just meat that has been dried. Dry meat is also known as beef jerky, which can be prepared in a variety of ways, some laborious and others easy. With a specific dehydrator or even just a windy area and a little patience, traditional jerky can be prepared in half a dozen ethnic styles, from pioneering Pemmican and Native American to Italian and South African.
Others prefer to let a specialized manufacturer prepare their jerky, as well as another type of intensively processed jerky that comes in a jar, known as minced meat. This last protein is the centerpiece of an infamous dish created by the United States military called meatloaf on toast. The answer to the question of whether jerky is cooked may seem obvious to most, but you'll be surprised at how often it's asked. Most people just want to check that they are not eating anything raw, which is not the case, so the simplest answer is yes, since jerky is not raw.
However, it is not “cooked” in a conventional way, such as in an oven or on a stove, as you might believe. Corn jerky is a lightweight jerky product that is a practical food for backpackers, campers and outdoor sports enthusiasts. Corn jerky can be made with almost any lean meat, such as smoked beef, pork, venison, or turkey breast. It is generally not recommended to use raw poultry to make dried meat due to the texture and flavor of the finished product.
I think someone in the jerky community realized that texture was a problem, since the modern jerky I've tried is relatively easy to chew and has a lot more flavor. The risk of foodborne illness from dried meat at home can be reduced by allowing the internal temperature of the meat to reach 160°F, but in a way that prevents the box from hardening. First, lean meat is finely chopped, lightly pounded, and seasoned with a mixture of condiments such as garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, honey and pepper flakes. The Quechua tribe, which were ancestors of the ancient Inca empire, produced meat similar to jerky called ch'arki or charqui.
During World War II, these slices of processed dried meat were used to feed troops a meal called meat cream on toasted bread. While many different techniques can be used to make jerky, each has the main steps of preparing the meat, soaking it in a curing solution, and cooking it until it dries. According to the USS Little Rock website, the Navy's recipe involves adding dried meat slices to a simmered mixture of flour, milk, pepper, butter and Worcestershire sauce, which is then steamed onto toast or English bagel. This growth has been attributed to the healthy aspects of dried meat, such as its high protein content and low fat level.
Don Reeves, of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, explains that jerky referred to sun-dried meat. After the meat has spent a whole day in the refrigerator marinating, it can be turned into a tasty jerky in several ways. Beef jerky is promoted as a nutritious, low-calorie product, low in cholesterol and fat and rich in protein and energy. Although jerky is the most common, other proteins are regularly used to prepare these long-lasting treats.
Turns out that thing is typically dried meat, but it's increasingly available in vegan and vegetarian varieties. The charky style of jerky is made to last several months, if properly salted and stored with just the right amount of moisture. .