Elk Jerky, how important is the slice?

[lamrith]

Probably an odd question for you seasoned pro's, but this is my 1st elk and I am self processing, so lot of hands on, learning and questions as I dig into it further..

I followed the Clay Hayes youtube video on breaking him down (HIGHLY reacommend to any new hunter or person wanting to get into self processing).  I steaked up some, big batch of grind meat, few roasts and got everything packaged and frozen.  He also said one section was great for jerky to I held those aside as a whole muscle group and froze them.

I have a slicer so I can get consistent slices but how do you all like to orient and cut versus the muscle grain?  Most jerky I have seen tends to go with the grain.  At time I find that hard to chew/eat once smoked/dried out?  Other times I have had pieces that were across the grain and found it a more enjoyable experience, however it also fell apart a bit and tended to be consumed extremely quickly.  heh 

So how do you like to slice them up? Or do you even pay attention to muscle grain at all?

• With the grain - I would think this would yield a more tough to chew (not a bad thing for jerky) piece once it is done?
• Perpendicular to grain -  I would think this would be the easier to chew, also possibly fall/break apart in storage/handling to the point of being a bad idea?
• angled to grain - I could see this being a nice balance between chewy and strong for handling but not have too pull your teeth out to chew?

[Boss .300 winmag]

🤔

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

I seldom do jerky because I would rather have steaks/chops/roasts/burger from my critters.
It takes a good cut of meat to make good jerky, bad cuts are going to be too tough no matter what you do.
On that note, I cut across the grain for a tender piece.
If it is breaking or falling apart, thicker slices.
I hate having to pick threads of meat out from between my teeth.
Nuggets or cubes work well, and a hand full thrown in some hot broth can make a great lunch...

[elkaholic123]

I have always sliced against the grain, I think it takes the marinade/seasoning best...and IS more tender/easier to chew/bite 

[7mmfan]

I've learned that cutting with the grain can sometimes create pieces that not only are tough, but are dang near inedible depending on the cut of meat used. I put a lot of effort into cutting cross grain on this last round and the results were so much better. I've never experienced jerky falling apart on me, even with tender cuts and cross grain slicing.

I highly suggest cross grain slicing.

[milldozer]

I second cutting across the grain.  You are basically cutting the muscle fibers that make a piece of meat tough.  Cross-cut meat also seems to absorb marinade better.

[Angry Perch]

For me, it just depends. When making jerky out of trim, sometimes you don't have much choice. Also, If I want a quick protein snack, tender is good. But sometimes I want something to gnaw on for a while.

[Fletch]

https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=223102.0;attach=472000;image

I cut mine with the grain.  I like the texture better and the ability to strip it off with my teeth.  the texture is weird to me cross grain.  But personal preference.

[ridgefire]

I have not made alot of jerky but I think I like cutting with the grain better.

[Bango skank]

https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=223102.0;attach=472000;image

I cut mine with the grain.  I like the texture better and the ability to strip it off with my teeth.  the texture is weird to me cross grain.  But personal preference.

 

Thought that was just me.  I like stripping the thin sections apart.

[snake]

I make a ton of jerky every year.  like others have said, cross cut takes the brine/marinade better.  many times I am forced to slice it whatever way will make it stay on my racks the best.  I think you can make good jerky out of just about any piece of meat if done properly.

[lokidog]

https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=223102.0;attach=472000;image

I cut mine with the grain.  I like the texture better and the ability to strip it off with my teeth.  the texture is weird to me cross grain.  But personal preference.

 

Thought that was just me.  I like stripping the thin sections apart.

Like string cheese.....