Quick Answer
If your homemade jerky is too salty, try soaking it in water or a brine solution to reduce the sodium content. You can also try using a marinade with a higher ratio of acidic ingredients, such as vinegar or lemon juice, to balance out the flavors. Alternatively, you can start over with a new batch using less salt.
Rinsing and Soaking
One of the simplest ways to reduce the saltiness of your jerky is to soak it in water or a brine solution. Start by submerging the jerky in a bowl of cold water, making sure that the jerky is completely covered. For every pound of jerky, use about 1 quart of water. Let it soak for several hours or overnight, then drain and rinse the jerky with fresh water to remove excess moisture. This method can be repeated if necessary.
Adjusting Your Marinade
If you’re making your jerky from scratch, try adjusting your marinade recipe to include more acidic ingredients, such as vinegar or lemon juice. These will help to balance out the flavors and reduce the saltiness. Aim for a marinade with a 1:1 or 2:1 ratio of acidic ingredient to salt. For example, if you’re using 1 cup of soy sauce, try adding 1-2 cups of vinegar or lemon juice to the marinade. This will help to create a more balanced flavor profile.
Starting Over
If your jerky is extremely salty, it may be best to start over with a new batch using less salt. Try reducing the amount of salt in your marinade by half or even a quarter, depending on your taste preferences. You can also experiment with different types of salt, such as sea salt or Himalayan pink salt, which may have a milder flavor than regular table salt.
Find more answers
Browse the full Q&A library by topic, or jump back to the topic this question belongs to.