Beef Jerky for Dogs

5 from 3 votes

Beef Jerky for Dogs are perfectly healthy and always pup approved! Easy to make with nutritious wholesome ingredients.

Prep Time10

Cook Time4

Total Time4 10

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Servings: full size treats

Calories: 58kcal

Preheat the oven to 200°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place a cooling rack over the parchment paper. Spray lightly with nonstick cooking spray.
Lay out 2 pieces of wax paper that overlap about 2 inches on your work surface and place the ground beef in the center of the wax paper. (I suggest wearing a pair of disposable nitrile gloves when handling raw meat)
Mix the water into the ground beef to ensure even moisture distribution before shaping.
1 pound very lean ground beef, 3 tablespoons water
Shape the ground beef into a rectangle and place 2 more long pieces of wax paper that overlap on top of the ground beef.
Use a rolling pin to roll the ground beef very thin. (Thin enough to cover the entire cooling rack)
Use the pizza cutter to slice strips 2 inches wide x 5 inches long. Do not separate the treats.
Place the sprayed cooling rack upside down on top of the ground beef.
Use the edges of the wax paper to pick up ground beef and the cooling rack and flip over so that the ground beef is on top of the rack.
Score a shallow diamond pattern on top of the ground beef.
Bake for 4 hours. The treats should have a dark brown color and will feel dry and rigid when cooled.
Allow the beef jerky to completely cool before storing. Break, or cut with kitchen scissors, the jerky into bite size pieces according to your dog's size and dietary needs.

Note: It is important to check with your vet before giving your dog any new foods or treats.

Storage :

Since homemade dog jerky treats don’t use any added preservatives or salt, they’re more vulnerable to spoilage than human jerky snacks. If you plan to use the jerky within a week, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge.
For longer storage, freeze the jerky in an airtight bag or container. It can last up to 3 months in the freezer.

Tips :

Feel free to use grass-fed beef to provide your pup with a wholesome, nutrient-dense treat while supporting ethical farming practices. Grass-fed beef is typically leaner and lower in overall fat content compared to its grain-fed counterpart. It also contains higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, has higher levels of vitamins, and may have anti-inflammatory and health-promoting properties. Plus, its raised without hormones or antibiotics, making it a cleaner option for cooking.
You can easily swap the lean ground beef with lean ground chicken to make chicken jerky.
Use only meat and water—no salt, spices, or marinades.
Dehydrate the meat at a safe temperature to kill any bacteria.