What is Jerky?
Beloved by millions of people, Jerky is crispy, dried, seasoned, and marinated beef meat that has been cooked, dehydrated, and cut into strips for longer shelf life. Packed with some super nutrient value – these red strips taste super delicious and can be served in multiple ways. Being shelf-stable, jerky is also considered one of the most preferred travel snacks. Use it as a backpacker, hiking meal, an office snack, or exclusive supper for an evening get-together — they are sure to win the attention!Nutrition and Potential Value of Beef jerky
According to a tested study, one ounce or 28 grams of beef jerky encapsulate the following nutrients:- Fiber: 0.5 grams
- Calories: 116
- Iron: 8% of the DV
- Protein: 9.4 grams
- Folate: 9% of the DV
- Fat: 7.3 grams
- Vitamin B12: 12 % of the DV
- Carbs: 3.1 grams
- Zinc: 21% of the Daily Value (DV)
- Phosphorus: 9% of the DV
- Copper: 7% of the DV
- Potassium: 4% of the DV
- Choline: 6% of the DV
- Selenium: 5% of the DV
- Niacin: 3% of the DV
- Magnesium: 3% of the DV
- Riboflavin: 3% of the DV
- Thiamine: 4% of the DV
Are They Really Healthy?
It is scientifically proven that consuming processed meat or red meat eerily can lead to heart-related issues. However, eating an optimal amount of red meat can also prove to be the best source of proteins and essential nutrients for a healthy lifestyle.
The best beef jerky in Australia is grass-fed and free from additives. Since beef jerky has a perfect fusion of good fat and proteins, it definitely clears the many health hurdles to reserve room on your plate. You’ll also find a very light flavor and no fat variations. Plus, law sodium beef jerky is also available in the market. On top, you can buy beef jerky online, too, if you’re a busy pie.
Only people with high blood pressure are advised to keep a distance from beef as it is high in sodium. Using too many fat leaves the jerky with a rancid aftertaste, which is unhealthy for you. In addition to high-quality beef, you should look for ethically produced and organic brands. This way, you’ll support local farmers and avoid unhealthy additives that can harm your health.
Right Way to Incorporate Beef Jerky into Your Diet as a Healthy Snack
In order to harness the real power of this nutrient-rich superfood, you need to know the right way to include it in your diet to create a perfectly balanced meal. Here are some great ideas you can include delicious Jerky on your breakfast, supper, lunch, dinner, or snacking.
Club with other snacks
These flavored sticks can complement any dish to enhance the overall taste. In addition, you can introduce a whole new taste to surprise your taste buds by preparing a fine mix of other snacks with these crunchy beef sticks. Almonds, sautéed vegetables, Cheese, crackers, pickles, and chips make some great combinations with beef jerky to elevate your dining experience.
Let them flaunt in your soup
Soups are real healers! A hot churchy bowl of soup after a busy day can instantly steal all your tiredness and freshen up your mood.
If you are bored with pork, bacon, chicken, or bread bits, try adding beef jerky to your soup as a crunchy add-on, they just taste wow. Be it corn soup, veggie soup, or stews, beef jerky goes well on a variety of soups to provide that crunchy & delicious feel.
Add on your Omelets
If you want to kick start your day with a high protein and high in iron breakfast, include beef with your regular poached eggs. Not only do they taste good together, but they make a perfect balanced diet to keep you energy-loaded & hungry free the whole day.
This combination is ideal for people with little time to sit and eat. If you fall into this category, you know what to have in your breakfast to keep you healthy forever.
Mix them with your Nuts
We all know that nuts are essential for the heart. Enriched with high-quality unsaturated fatty acids, ALA omega-3, antioxidants, and vitamins — these tiny energy boosters are packed with great goodness to intact your health from diseases. Teaming up nuts with beef can be a great way to steal some value-added nutrients for your wholesome wellness.
Let Jerky go in your Burger
Replacing your regular potato pattie with beef or simply adding beef strips as an additional layer in your burgers or sandwiches can be a great choice to enjoy a meaty, saucy, and crispy texture.
Where to Buy Beef Jerky in Australia
If you’re looking for a new snack, you’re probably wondering where you can buy Beef Jerky in Australia. There are a few different varieties, so how do you choose the best ones? Thankfully, there are plenty of places around the country to get your jerky fix!
Here are some places in Australia where you can find the best beef jerky for the money.
Bigwig Jerky
If you’re looking for high-quality, natural beef jerky, you’ll find a huge selection at Bigwig Jerky. This Australian company cuts and marinated beef strips to make them as delicious as possible. Then they dry and package the strips in an artisan manner. There’s also OCD beef jerky, which is handcrafted in Western Australia using an MSA grade topside cut of grass-fed beef.
IGA Stores
You can find these tasty snacks at IGA stores, corner grocery stores, and bottle shops, as well as online. While there are some places in Australia where you can purchase beef jerky, many quality brands are available online.
Australian Butchers Store
If you do not want to compromise the quality and price, this is where you need to ring. Australian Butchers Store has an extensive line of meat products you can shop for without denting your weekly budget. The impressive part, they offer 100% Aussie-grown meat – sourced from local farmers and meet all the safety standards for food security.
Some of these companies use traditional family recipes that deliver delicious, authentic jerky that will satisfy your taste buds. They are also free of artificial flavors and colors. When shopping online, look for a quality product, and don’t be afraid to browse online for reviews. You won’t regret it!
» Here Are The Top-Notch Best Butchers Brisbane
How to Prepare Beef Jerky at Home?
The process of buying beef jerky in Australia can be tricky, but it’s not impossible! But if you’re a DIY person, here is how to prepare it yourself.
- Arrange some fine-quality red meat.
- Slice it into strips (generally, you can cut them in 1/8 and 1/4 inch)
- Simply marinate the meat. For this, prepare a perfect blend of garlic powder, red pepper flakes, brown sugar, smoked paprika, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, meat tenderizer, black pepper, onion powder, and red pepper flakes. Make sure you whisk the mixture well.
- Dry out the meat at 50 degrees Celsius, which can take 15 hours.
- Encapsulate them in an airtight container, glass jar, or Ziploc bag.
If you want to have some creativity in your beef recipe, read this post to learn how to pair beef jerky with wine or beer.
Precautions and Certain Things to Keep in Mind When Eating Beef Jerky
You should keep a few things in mind when eating beef jerky.- Make sure the meat is never stored at room temperature, and be sure to heat the Jerky to at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Raw meat is extremely prone to bacteria and must be stored at a temperature of 4degC or less. Also, when dehydrating the Jerky, ensure it’s at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
- The sodium content in beef jerky is high. It is classified as processed red meat, so it should be eaten in moderation. To balance out the sodium in beef jerky, eat plenty of naturally low-sodium whole plant-based foods. Consider eating mushrooms or other plant varieties to add more nutrients to your diet. The high sodium content in beef jerky can lead to water retention, bloating, and weight gain.
- Another important thing to keep in mind is that beef jerky contains preservatives. Ensure that you read the date stamped on the package. The Jerky is still edible, but its flavors and textures may have changed. If you’re unsure of what to look for in a jerky, look for one with a shelf life of at least one month.