1. Turn Up the Electricity
Electric food dehydrators are the most common way to dehydrate meat at home. There are a variety of electric food dehydrators that range from small models that fit on your counter top, to freestanding units that can dry many meats at once. The style and size you use will depend upon the amount of meat you want to dehydrate and how large a space you have to accommodate your dehydrator. Electric food dehydrators work similarly, in that they all have a fan that blows a low level of heat throughout the machine, removing the moisture from your meat and leaving you with a dehydrated meat product.
2. Meat's in the Oven
Dehydrating meat in your oven requires no expensive equipment and takes up no extra space in your kitchen. Just place thin slices of meat in a baking dish and turn your oven on to the lowest temperature setting available. Leave the oven door open to let the moisture escape. Most thin slices of meat will be ready in a few hours, depending on the thickness of the cut and the amount of meat you're dehydrating at one time. You may need to experiment when dehydrating different types of meat for the first time to learn how quickly it's done. The meat is done when it's soft to the touch, but also leathery. It will have the texture and appearance of jerky, and you'll have difficulty penetrating it with a fork.
3. Try the Microwave
There are a variety of meat recipes that call for meat to dehydrate in your microwave oven. Place thin slices of meat on a metal rack that's approved for your particular microwave, or on a microwave-safe platter. Microwave at half power for 10 to 15 minutes. Since the microwave is a self-contained machine that won't allow any moisture to escape, the meat will need to dry out in an oven for an additional 20 minutes. Transfer it to the oven, set the oven at its lowest temperature and remember to leave the oven door cracked so moisture can get out. Before you get started, check with your microwave's manufacturer to make sure it's okay to use your machine for dehydration.
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