How to Make Vegan Jerky: A Step-by-Step Guide

Jerky, the dehydrated meat strip snack, has lost popularity as more people embrace the vegan lifestyle. However, if you still get the urge for a salty snack, there’s no reason why you cannot enjoy vegan jerky.

Making vegan jerky is a breeze. All you need to do is select your favorite vegetables or fruits, slice them into thin strips, and then dehydrate them. The result? A tasty and healthy vegan snack that you can enjoy guilt-free.

So many plant-based foods have the meaty texture required for jerky, so you will want to try them all. These include mushrooms, eggplant, jackfruit, apples, bananas, coconut, and watermelon. Additionally, you can use seitan or soy curls to make jerky. Depending on the ingredients used, you will enjoy the high dietary fiber, protein, minerals, and vitamins each has to offer, including calcium, magnesium, potassium, and vitamin D, to name just a few.

You get the idea: if it has a meaty texture that allows it to absorb flavors, you can turn it into delicious jerky and enjoy the benefits of its nutrients. Follow these ideas on how to make vegan jerky for a healthier snack alternative for those game nights or during road trips:

 Easy Vegan Jerky Recipe

Soy curls are an easy ingredient for making healthy vegan jerky because they mimic beef’s texture perfectly. They are also rich in protein and fiber. However, soy curls are already dehydrated when bought, so you must reconstitute them, which is an easy process. Follow this step by spicing and baking, turning the soy curls into deliciously flavorful jerky strips.

Here’s how to make vegan jerky from Chef Ani, who transforms soy curls into a delicious snack in no time. The recipe calls for hickory smoke powder, smoked paprika, cayenne, fresh lemon juice, molasses, and liquid aminos (use low-sodium soy sauce if you don’t have any).

Soaking the soy curls, spicing, and baking them won’t take you more than an hour, after which you can enjoy your vegan jerky.

Homemade Meatless Jerky

Mushrooms are another perfect ingredient for anyone wanting to learn how to make vegan jerky. They have a good meaty flavor and texture, absorb flavor well, and have plenty of dietary fiber, vitamin D, several B vitamins, and selenium.

Here’s a recipe for making mushroom jerky from  Marie Porter, author of Beyond Flour. The recipe includes two versions for preparing the mushroom jerky, teriyaki, and smoky, but you can play around with the flavors. For example, if you can’t take the heat of red pepper flakes, you can substitute them with some ground ginger. Additionally, you can use gluten-free soy, swap brown sugar for any other sweetener, use any vinegar you have on hand, etc. The strips are dried in a dehydrator at 145 F for about 6.5 hours, but you can do them in the oven.

The recipe creator uses portobello mushrooms because they have a meaty texture and are easy to cut into big, even strips. Other mushrooms that are perfect for making jerky include oysters and shitake.

Flavorful Plant-Based Snack

Another idea from Marie Porter is to use tofu slices to make a flavorful plant-based snack. The process takes a little longer because you must prepare the tofu by draining the excess liquid, but it’s well worth the wait.

Once drained, slice the tofu slices and allow them to soak up the marinade for at least an hour before draining them and dehydrating.

Here’s how to make vegan jerky with tofu slices using Marie Porter’s Smoky Marinade (see the link above for the ingredients):

Instructions for Smoky Marinade Tofu Jerky

1. Press the tofu using a press or a plate, making sure it doesn’t retain too much water to allow it to absorb the flavors.
2. Slice ⅛ thick slices and place in a ziplock bag.
3. Whisk the marinade ingredients in a bowl.
4. Pour the marinade into the bag with the tofu slices.
5. Gently shake the bag to ensure all tofu pieces get evenly coated, squeeze out excess air, seal, and refrigerate for at least an hour.
6. Strain the tofu slices well to remove excess moisture without blotting them.
7. Place the tofu slices on a dehydrator or oven tray, ensuring space between them for air to flow.
8. Depending on their thickness, the slices need about 4 hours at 160 F. Dry but slightly flexible is the desired texture, but that depends on you. However, remember they will dry out more as they cool. It also depends on how dry you want it.
9. Cool the tofu jerky at room temperature and store it in airtight containers. It will last for about two weeks.
10. See the link above for the teriyaki marinade used for the mushroom jerky. It works well with the tofu, too.

Simple Steps for Vegan Jerky

These simple steps for making vegan jerky with soy curls will ensure you have a delicious snack on hand for when you have the munchies. Use these steps for whatever other ingredients you use, but remember that marinading time will differ depending on the ingredient. For example, eggplants, tofu, and mushrooms need at least an hour or overnight. Additionally, tofu and soy curls have more preparation time because you must drain or rehydrate them.

Here are the steps on how to make vegan jerky with soy curls:

1. Rehydrate the soy curls in boiling water for about 10 minutes. You can also use cold water, but the heat of boiling water makes it easier for them to absorb flavors.
2. Drain them off, and when they are cool enough, remove excess liquid by squeezing the curls. Your hands will work, but using a lint-free kitchen towel for squeezing them dry in small batches is easier.
3. Season the soy curls by first whisking all the marinade ingredients in a small bowl. Pour the marinade over the soy curls, toss well to combine, and they will soak up the marinade immediately.
4. Spread the soy curls in one even layer on your baking tray. Cook them in a preheated oven of about 250 F for about an hour, but stir and spread them every 20 minutes to ensure they dry out evenly. You can lower your oven, but it will take longer to dry out the vegan jerky.
5. Even though they are ready to eat immediately, the texture of your soy curl vegan jerky improves once cooled and stored in an airtight container. The process allows the moisture to redistribute, giving it a fantastic chew.

Healthy and Savory Jerky Alternative

As you can see, learning how to make vegan jerky is easy. You have several ingredient and flavoring options. You can use a dehydrator or an oven to dry the vegan jerky. But did you know you can also make vegan jerky in an air fryer?

Here’s a collection of vegan jerky recipe ideas from Integris Health using mushrooms, eggplants, and cauliflower. Once marinaded, you only need two hours to prepare the Air-Fryer Mushroom Jerky. Make the delicious Smoky Cauliflower Jerky coated in an interesting batter made with nutritional yeast, tahini, and sriracha. The florets might need about 12 hours at a low oven setting, but they are worth the time and effort. Finally, try the Eggplant Jerky with its slightly sweet and spicy flavor.

Delicious DIY Vegan Jerky

Seitan is another great ingredient for making vegan jerky. With this easy recipe from Good Food, you can prepare the seitan, marinade it, and bake it into jerky strips in about two hours. You need wheat gluten flour, vegetable stock, soy sauce, miso paste, spices, and garlic granules to make seitan. Add more umami with rice vinegar, sesame oil, and some sweetness; maple or agave will do. You mix the ingredients to make the dough, freeze it for 30 minutes, and you are ready to make your vegan jerky.

Once you remove the seitan from the freezer, slice it, dip it into a delicious jerky sauce, and bake for an hour at your oven’s lowest setting. It’s quick, easy, and delicious, so don’t hesitate to learn how to make vegan jerky.

Tasty Vegan Jerky at Home

Okay, we have mentioned that you can make vegan jerky with numerous fruits and vegetables, but it may sound easier said than done. Learn how to make vegan jerky with jackfruit, watermelon, pumpkin, and tempeh by following the links provided by PETA, the organization striving for the ethical treatment of animals.

These fruits and vegetables have the texture and flavor that yield tasty vegan jerky that anyone can prepare at home.

Quick and Tasty Plant-Based Snack

Jerky, traditionally using salted and dehydrated beef to prevent spoilage, is a go-to snack with a long history. Originally, jerky came from South America, where it’s called ch’arki and made with alpaca or llama meat. Travelers could buy jerky to sustain themselves on their journeys.

Even today, travelers and campers love jerky, a convenient snack that’s quick and tasty. However, they are increasingly preferring it vegan for health and other reasons. You can buy ready vegan jerky made from several exciting ingredients, including coconut and kelp, but these are expensive. However, learning how to make vegan jerky is the best way to ensure you have a quick and tasty plant-based snack for every occasion.

Embracing Vegan Snacking: Tips for New Vegans

Transitioning to a vegan lifestyle can be an exciting journey, filled with discovering new tastes and cooking techniques. If you’re new to veganism and exploring different snack options like vegan jerky, here are some tips to make your experience enjoyable and fulfilling:

• Start Simple: Begin with easy recipes that require minimal ingredients and effort. Vegan jerky made from mushrooms or tofu is a great starting point, as these ingredients are not only accessible but also mimic the texture of traditional jerky well.
• Experiment with Flavors: One of the joys of vegan cooking is experimenting with a range of flavors. Don’t be afraid to try different marinades and seasonings to find what tastes best to you. From smoky and savory to sweet and spicy, the possibilities are endless.
• Utilize Kitchen Gadgets: A dehydrator is perfect for making vegan jerky. However, a conventional oven or even an air fryer can also do the job. These tools can help achieve the desired crispiness and texture of jerky.
• Plan Ahead: Vegan jerky is a great make-ahead snack. It stores well, so you can prepare large batches to have on hand for snacking emergencies. This is especially useful for busy days or when you need a quick energy boost.
• Nutritional Benefits: Embrace the health benefits that come with vegan jerky. Depending on the base ingredient—mushrooms, tofu, or soy curls—you can enjoy snacks rich in protein, fiber, and essential vitamins without the cholesterol in traditional meat jerky.
• Community and Resources: Join online forums, follow vegan cooking blogs, and connect with other vegans on social media. These platforms can be excellent sources for new recipes, tips, and support as you explore vegan snacking options.
• Keep It Fun: Enjoy the process of learning and experimenting. Vegan cooking is a creative endeavor that allows you to explore new foods and flavors. Keep your approach light and fun, and don’t worry too much about perfection.

By incorporating these tips, you can make your vegan snack time delicious and nutritious. Vegan jerky is just the beginning—there’s a whole world of plant-based snacks to explore that are as good for you as they are for the planet. Happy snacking!