August 1, 2023

Cooking with Jerky: 7 Recipes That Use Jerky in Fun Ways

Category: Snacks & Recipes

If you’re a fan of snacking on jerky, you’ve no doubt wondered how else you can enjoy it. With its perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors, tender Korean Barbecue Recipe Pork Jerky isn’t just a convenient snack. It can also be a special ingredient that takes your meals to the next level.

Here are some simple and fun ways to incorporate your favorite jerky into your cooking!

1. Fried Rice with Jerky

With its delicious medley of crisp vegetables, tender rice and savory spices, fried rice is a powerhouse of enticing flavors. But now imagine taking your already mouthwatering fried rice and elevating it further with Korean barbecue pork jerky. 

The sweet, tangy taste of pork jerky mingles perfectly with the umami-rich flavor of fried rice. Whether you cook it at home or pick up a takeout order, adding pork jerky couldn’t be easier. Mix your pork jerky right into the rice mixture to warm it up, sprinkle some tender pieces on top, or simply serve it on the side. 

2. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Jerky

As a kid, Brussels sprouts probably wasn’t your favorite side dish. But there are countless ways to make Brussels sprouts go from ordinary to extraordinary. The secret lies in not just how you season them, but also how you cook them.

There are many ways to cook Brussels sprouts, but roasting these mini cabbages delivers a crispy exterior that’s hard to beat. And marinating your brussel sprouts with sweeter flavors will make your tastebuds feel like they’re dancing.

While many people like roasting Brussels sprouts with bacon, this is a perfect opportunity to substitute that bacon with Korean barbecue-inspired pork jerky.

Since pork jerky has a sweet, tangy flavor profile, you’ll want your brussel sprouts to be seasoned with similar flavors. Brush or drizzle your sprouts with a sweet glaze, like balsamic vinegar mixed with garlic, ginger and honey or maple syrup. (It might seem like a weird combination of flavors, but trust us, it works.)

Since it’s already cured and fire-grilled, you don’t have to worry about cooking the jerky. Just add some pieces to your pan of brussel sprouts in the last 10 minutes of roasting time. With its caramelized undertones and effortless preparation, this sweet and smoky dish might become your next go-to meal!

3. Jerky-Topped Salads

You’ve had salad with chicken. You’ve had salad with beef. But have you had salad with fire-grilled pork jerky? If not, this is your sign to try it.

All it requires is cutting your pork jerky into small bits and sprinkling it on top of your fresh greens. There’s no wrong way to enjoy jerky-topped salad since pork jerky is so versatile. You can certainly lean into the tangy Korean barbecue flavors by using complementary ingredients like these:

  • Carrots, red or yellow bell peppers and sugar snap peas all have a natural sweetness, plus a delightfully crisp texture.
  • Green onions, broccoli, radishes and red onion will add some subtle sharp flavors if you want a little more zest in your salad.
  • For the dressing, try a sweet vinaigrette or Asian-infused sauce with sesame oil, rice vinegar, honey and soy sauce.
  • A sprinkle of sesame seeds will add a slightly nutty taste while enhancing the sweet barbecue flavor!

4. Ramen With Jerky

Sure, ramen is fine on its own, but you can kick it up a notch by adding some zesty pork jerky to your bowl of ramen noodles. It can be as simple as mixing in the tender pieces of jerky, or you can upgrade it further by making a Korean barbecue-style stir fry!

The key to having fun with your ramen and jerky is to experiment. Play around with your favorite veggies and ingredients. If you need suggestions, try bok choy, mushrooms, scallions, bell peppers, broccoli or peas.

Most importantly, to scale a simple ramen dish to new heights, season it with gusto. Ginger, garlic, chili paste, soy sauce, coconut aminos, brown sugar and any type of onion will go deliciously with the Korean barbecue flavor of pork jerky.

5. Sauces

Sauces are often what brings an entire dish together. Whether the recipe calls for meat or not, mixing in some fire-grilled pork jerky will add a rich flavor to your sauces. It’ll go well with any barbecue sauce or stir fry sauce. And if you’re feeling adventurous, skip making meatballs for your marinara and instead give pork jerky a whirl!

6. Eggs and Jerky

Breakfast is arguably one of the tastiest meals of the day. But making your favorite breakfast meats, like sausages and strips of bacon, can take a long time unless you plan ahead. So why not get to eating breakfast faster by using pork jerky instead?

It’s like bacon, but with a bigger punch of flavor, and you don’t have to spend any time cooking it. You can add it to omelets, scrambled eggs or breakfast hash, or you can layer it on toast with eggs over easy. Or, break off a few pieces and sprinkle them on your frosted donut! 

Boost the Flavor of Your Meals With Tender Pork Jerky

There are many ways to add some pizzazz to your everyday recipes with pork jerky. Have fun experimenting, always keeping the flavor profile of your dish in mind. Start with a few simple recipes and discover what you enjoy. You may just concoct a new favorite meal! 

Just make sure you’re prepared for all of your future snacking and cooking adventures by stocking up on our delicious pork jerky today!

Golden Island Jerky does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.