What Temperature to Dehydrate Jerky, and Why It Matters

On this page (7 sections)

1. What temperature should you use to dehydrate jerky?
2. Why does jerky temperature matter?
3. How do you heat meat to a safe temperature before drying?
4. Can you use the dehydrator to reach the safe temperature?
5. Does dehydrator temperature change drying time?
6. How do you know when jerky is done?
7. Which temperature should you choose for your batch?

Set your dehydrator to at least 160°F for beef jerky, and heat the meat to 160°F before drying or during the drying process. For poultry jerky, heat it to 165°F; temperature control matters because drying alone may not kill harmful bacteria.

The dehydrator's displayed setting is not the same as the meat's internal temperature. Use a food thermometer and follow USDA jerky safety guidance for a safe process.

What temperature should you use to dehydrate jerky?

Use a dehydrator setting of 160°F or higher for beef jerky, and make sure the meat reaches 160°F. For poultry, bring the meat to 165°F.

USDA advises heating meat to 160°F and poultry to 165°F before drying, because some dehydrators may not heat meat enough to kill harmful bacteria. You can also use an oven step during drying to bring the strips to the required temperature, as USDA describes.

Don't assume that setting a machine to 160°F guarantees every strip reaches 160°F. Strip thickness, placement, and the machine's actual temperature can affect the result.

Is 145°F enough for jerky?

A 145°F dehydrator setting by itself isn't the USDA safety step for jerky. Heat beef to 160°F and poultry to 165°F before drying or during the drying process.

The temperature displayed on a dehydrator tells you the setting, not the center temperature of each piece of meat. A food thermometer helps check the meat itself.

Why does jerky temperature matter?

The safe heating step helps kill harmful bacteria before the meat becomes shelf-stable through drying. Drying removes moisture, but it shouldn't be treated as a substitute for bringing the meat to a safe temperature.

Jerky strips are thin, and a thermometer may be difficult to insert into a narrow piece. USDA recommends heating the meat before drying or using an oven step during drying to make sure it reaches 160°F for beef or 165°F for poultry.

Keep raw meat separate from ready-to-eat foods, wash hands and tools after handling it, and refrigerate or freeze finished jerky if you aren't sure it was dried and stored safely.

How do you heat meat to a safe temperature before drying?

Heat strips to 160°F for beef or 165°F for poultry before placing them in the dehydrator. Use a food thermometer to check the thickest parts, and handle the meat safely during preparation.

A thermometer with a fast reading can make spot checks easier. The ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE gives readings in about 1 second and has stated accuracy of ±0.5°F.

Thin strips can be hard to measure precisely, so follow the thermometer's instructions and USDA's method. For more on preparing uniform strips, see how thick to cut jerky.

Can you use the dehydrator to reach the safe temperature?

You can use a dehydrator as part of the process, but confirm that the meat reaches its safe temperature. USDA notes that some dehydrators may not heat meat sufficiently, so don't rely only on the appliance setting.

Some dehydrators have settings above 160°F. The Cosori 5-Tray Stainless Steel Dehydrator has an adjustable range from 95°F to 176°F, in 1°F increments, and includes a jerky preset.

A higher setting doesn't prove that the center of every strip reached 160°F. Follow the appliance instructions and use the USDA heating guidance for the meat.

Does dehydrator temperature change drying time?

Higher heat can change how quickly jerky dries, but temperature isn't the only factor. Thickness, moisture, airflow, tray placement, and the meat itself also affect how long a batch takes.

Cut strips evenly so they dry at a similar rate. Our guide to how long to dehydrate beef jerky explains how to check progress without relying on a fixed time.

The Magic Mill Pro 7-Tray Dehydrator has a 95°F to 176°F temperature range with 1-degree increments and a rear fan. Its 7 trays can suit a larger batch, while you still need to follow safe heating guidance.

How do you know when jerky is done?

Jerky is ready when it has dried to the texture you want after the safe heating step. Let a cooled strip bend; it should crack but not break cleanly, and you shouldn't see moisture beads.

Texture checks tell you about dryness, not whether the meat reached a safe temperature earlier. Use both the safe heating step and a doneness check rather than treating one as proof of the other.

See how to tell when jerky is done for more signs to check. If you are making venison, how long to dehydrate deer jerky covers that meat specifically.

Which temperature should you choose for your batch?

For beef jerky, use a dehydrator setting of at least 160°F and verify the meat reaches 160°F. For poultry, use 165°F as the safe heating target, and follow USDA's method if the dehydrator may not reach it.

Choose a dehydrator with a temperature range that supports your process, and use a thermometer to check the meat. If you're comparing machines, our dehydrators for beef jerky guide explains what to consider.

The key decision is simple: set the machine according to its instructions, heat meat to the safe target, then dry until the strips reach the texture you prefer.

Frequently asked questions

What temperature should I use to dehydrate jerky?

Set the dehydrator to at least 160°F for beef jerky, and heat the meat to 160°F before or during drying using a method that brings every strip to that temperature. For poultry jerky, heat it to 165°F.

Follow USDA guidance and your dehydrator's instructions.

Is 145°F enough for beef jerky?

A 145°F dehydrator setting alone isn't a reliable safety step for beef jerky. USDA guidance calls for heating meat to 160°F before drying, because some dehydrators may not heat meat enough to kill harmful bacteria.

Use a food thermometer to check the meat.

Can I dehydrate jerky at 170°F?

A 170°F setting is within the range of many dehydrators, but the temperature setting doesn't replace heating the meat to a safe internal temperature. Check that the device allows that setting, follow its instructions, and avoid crowding strips so air can move around them.

How do I check jerky temperature?

Use a food thermometer to check the thickest part of a strip, following its instructions for placement and reading. Thin strips can be hard to measure accurately, so USDA advises heating meat before drying or using an oven step during drying to reach 160°F.