ground meat jerky falling a part

[street guy]

Made some jerky out of some ground round. When it came out of the gun it fell apart. It wasn't so bad that I could't make any strips. Was just wondering if a binder might be needed or mixing it longer so it was stickeyer.

[Richtee]

I don't make ground jerky, but perhaps a slight patting with a damp hand would help. Once it's smoked it should be bound just fine. Or a bit more moisture raw perhaps

[Slanted88]

Dang Dude...till I ain't got any teeth....need a pull with some strength. A binder

[Walking Dude]

too lean of meat

we do ground meat jerky all the time.........your binder will be the fat.

[Gunslinger]

too lean of meat

we do ground meat jerky all the time.........your binder will be the fat.

That's what I was going to say.
I haven't made any, yet. But it stands to reason that you'd need a binder of some sorts.
Think about when you make super lean venison or beef burgers. You gotta use egg or fat or something to keep it from falling apart.

[street guy]

More moister and fat is what you think. I did't nkow if you could use a special meat binder like from butcher an paker.

[Big Guy]

I make ground jerky all the time. Your problem is too much fat. Never use ground round from the store. Jerky needs to be 100% lean!!! Fat will not dry and go rancid in storage. Grind your own completely trimmed meat, mix wellwith spices, re-grind, then extrude, then dry, never had it fall apart.

[Richtee]

I make ground jerky all the time. Your problem is too much fat. Never use ground round from the store. Jerky needs to be 100% lean!!! Fat will not dry and go rancid in storage. Grind your own completely trimmed meat, mix wellwith spices, re-grind, then extrude, then dry, never had it fall apart.

Yanno, I did not think of this, but if you did use store bought ground, this prolly is the deal. The meat drying will "link up" as the fibers mesh. I would assume you are also using a fairly fine grind... The double grind sounds like the way to go. Fat is a binder, but only for sausages/loave type processing. Jerky's gotta be as lean as possible.

[Gunslinger]

Oats!
Oats is the damn answer.

You know, I must have had my head up my a$$ when I first responded to this. Not discounting what Steve is saying, it's apparently worked for him.
But I didn't notice that Street Guy used "ground round" in his. If I had, I certainly wouldn't have suggested he use more fat, as ground round typically has 10 to 15% fat. Still considered a lean ground beef, but not for this application. But, the fat would NOT have made it fall apart either. BG hit the nail on the head when he said "mix well." If you mix meat, water and spices long enough, it will get very tacky and stick together. I make skinless brown and serve sausage all the time with my vertical stuffer and the very fatty pork holds together just fine.

[street guy]

Thanks for all the advice. I was trying to experiment before the dumbest deer in the woods finds his way infront of my stand. Mix well I think is what I need to do. More like an emulsification.

[Richtee]

Thanks for all the advice. I was trying to experiment before the dumbest deer in the woods finds his way infront of my stand. Mix well I think is what I need to do. More like an emulsification.

NOW yer cookin' with gas...err..wood...err well you know!

[Walking Dude]

Thanks for all the advice. I was trying to experiment before the dumbest deer in the woods finds his way infront of my stand. Mix well I think is what I need to do. More like an emulsification.

WHY would you emulsify it? its not a hot dog..............grind up the deer, mix in 30% fat, and use that..............

[Richtee]

WHY would you emulsify it? its not a hot dog..............grind up the deer, mix in 30% fat, and use that..............

Not for JERKY D88de. And he said ALMOST an emul... yeah you really don't want "goop" I take it...but a double grind should be about right.

Like I said before, I don't make the ground. I tried...it worked... for dog treats. But the meat was lean and fine ground, and I "patted" it on the screen I smoked it on. Bound great... JUST like dog treats... LOL!

[Walking Dude]

More like an emulsification.

Not for JERKY D88de. And he said ALMOST an emul... yeah you really don't want "goop" I take it...but a double grind should be about right.

wow...........don't see ALMOST

[Richtee]

wow...........don't see ALMOST

I sit corrected. LIKE was the word. I took it wrong. But I DID say double grind... which is ALMOST like one?