Crafting the Perfect Mingua Beef Jerky At Home

Mingua brand beef jerky is beloved by jerky enthusiasts for its intensely beefy, smoky and slightly sweet flavor. With a few simple ingredients and techniques you can easily recreate this iconic jerky right at home.

This guide will walk you through each step – from selecting the right cut of beef to flavoring dehydrating and storing for the ultimate homemade Mingua-style jerky experience.

Why Make Your Own Mingua Beef Jerky?

There are several great reasons to DIY this jerky favorite:

Customize the flavor – Adjust spices and seasonings to your tastes
Control quality – Use the freshest, best quality beef
Save money – Homemade is way cheaper than store-bought
Fun weekend project – Making jerky is very rewarding

With just a little effort, you can craft jerky that rivals or exceeds the original and enjoy it anytime!

Choosing the Best Beef for Jerky

The first step is selecting the right cut of beef. For the ideal texture, you want a lean, finely grained cut.

Top round or eye of round are prime choices. Other good options are bottom round, top sirloin or flank steak.

Trim off any visible fat, then slice the beef across the grain into long, thin strips around 1⁄8-inch thick. This makes the jerky nicely chewable.

The Signature Mingua Marinade

The marinade is what gives Mingua jerky its trademark sweet yet savory flavor. Here are the key ingredients:

Soy sauce – For saltiness and umami flavor
Brown sugar – For balancing sweetness
Worcestershire sauce – Adds tangy depth
Liquid smoke – Infuses authentic smoky flavor
Chili flakes (optional) – For a touch of heat

Simply whisk together the wet ingredients until the sugar dissolves. Then pour over the sliced beef, coating all the pieces evenly. Cover and marinate 12-24 hours.

For extra flavor, consider adding garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper or other spices. Get creative with your own signature marinade.

Dehydrating Methods

To make jerky, you need to dehydrate the marinated meat to remove moisture. Here are some options:

Dehydrator – The easiest route, set at 145-155°F for 4-6 hours. Rotate trays periodically.

Oven – Bake at lowest setting with the door propped open. Use rack trays. Takes longer.

Smoker – Imparts delicious smoky flavor. Keep temp under 200°F to avoid cooking meat.

Sun drying – Works well in hot, dry, breezy weather. Takes many hours.

A dehydrator or smoker provides the best temperature control for perfect jerky texture.

Testing for Doneness

Jerky is done when it’s dry to the touch but still pliable – not brittle. To test, remove a piece and allow to cool completely. It should crack but not snap when bent.

Properly dried jerky lasts for months without refrigeration due to the low moisture content.

Storing Your Homemade Jerky

For maximum shelf life, it’s important to properly store homemade jerky. Here are some tips:

Let jerky cool completely before storing.
Use an airtight container – glass jars or resealable plastic bags work well.
Store in a cool, dark place. Heat and light degrade jerky faster.
Refrigerate or freeze for even longer storage.
If moisture appears, blot with paper towel. Excess moisture encourages spoilage.

With proper storage, homemade jerky keeps for 1-2 months at room temp or up to a year if frozen.

Serving Suggestions

The uses for DIY Mingua-style jerky are endless! Enjoy it:

Straight-up as a snack
Chopped on top of salads
Crumbed into casseroles or eggs
Added to pasta, pizza, nachos and more
In trail mixes or gift baskets
Carried along for hiking, camping, road trips

Now you have all the inside tips on crafting incredible homemade Mingua beef jerky.

Experiment with flavors to make it your own signature blend. Feel free to adjust ingredients to suit your tastes.

The process takes a little time, but the rewards of tasty, better-than-store-bought jerky are well worth it. Get ready to impress jerky fans with your homemade jerky mastery!

I am giving you my SECRET technique to make Perfect BEEF JERKY

FAQ

How is mingua beef jerky made?

Made daily in our facility in Paris, Kentucky, we start by cutting the entire round of beef and then slicing, marinading, drying, and packaging the jerky. We use Enviro-Pac CHU-2000 cooking equipment, which cooks meat at the USDA optimal levels for both moist or dry operation.

What are the steps to making beef jerky?

The process of making beef jerky can be simplified into five key steps: slicing, marinating, laying, cooking, and packaging. The overall process to make beef jerky at home is very similar to the steps of making beef jerky in a commercial kitchen or factory.

What is the best cut of beef for jerky?

Top round is considered to be one of the best cuts of meat to use for jerky. In fact, this is the cut that many commercial jerkies are made from. This is a good cut because it comes in large pieces, is a lean cut of meat, and is economical. Top round can also be referred to as London Broil or inside round steak.

How long to marinate beef jerky before dehydrating?

The ideal time to marinate jerky is 16 hours, but an acceptable range is 8 to 24 hours. This time frame allows the marinade to saturate the outside of the meat and the salt to penetrate beyond the surface, seasoning the entire piece of meat.

How is Mingua beef jerky made?

Mingua Beef Jerky sources the finest cuts of beef which provide 14 grams of protein-packed goodness in each bag. Made daily in our facility in Paris, Kentucky, we start by cutting the entire round of beef and then slicing, marinading, drying, and packaging the jerky. All natural jerky packed with protein to fuel your next adventure.

Where can I buy Mingua jerky?

One warning: have plenty of water or other drinks available as the jerky tends to make one thirsty. Mingua Jerky is sold throughout stores in Kentucky (we purchased it as gas station convenience stores) and a smattering of retailers in Virginia, Georgia, and Texas. The good news is you can also order Mingua online.

Is Mingua beef jerky nitrate free?

All natural jerky packed with protein to fuel your next adventure. Mingua Beef Jerky is nitrate and preservative free.

Is Beef Jerky Easy to make?

The good news is that beef jerky is surprisingly easy to make and doesn’t require any special equipment other than a standard oven, baking sheets, and wire racks. However, most homemade jerky isn’t nearly as tender as the store-bought kind.