Ways to use Jerky (other than just snacking)

…..aaand we’re back!

Hello! 👋

I won’t bore you with the whole “how I spent my summer vacation” speech, but I did visit a bunch of friends, go camping, frolic in a field of sunflowers, and hike and ride my bike.

I actually spend a chunk of summer making TikToks, which has been fun to be able to do again, but now it’s almost the end of summer and I’m back to work in a couple of weeks, and it’s time to start course rollovers and write course outlines.

As I start to think about back to work, my brain thinks about meal prep. A lot. Things are going to be very different around here starting next month, as I’m teaching 4 courses and Michael will be going to school full time to study Graphic Design (but I mean, yay! A graphic designer in the family? WIN), so meal prepping is going to be even more important around here.

The other thing I’ve done a lot of these past few months is drive the 2 hours (1 out and 1 back) to visit my dad, who can no longer drive. What I’ve learned is, I need to take food with me when I go. I mean, sure, I can do the Timmies drive-through, but I probably shouldn’t. There are other, more healthy alternatives, and so I now keep a stock of protein bars and jerky in my car, along with bottles of water for when I get hangry because I’ve forgotten to eat once again.

But you’re saying, “wait, Rebecca… you’re a vegetarian, you can’t eat jerky!”

Ahhh but yes I can friend, yes I can.

Meet Noble Jerky, it’s completely vegan. It’s soy based, but it has the texture and flavour of the other stuff that’s made with meat. I even made Michael do a side-by-side taste test one day and he was pretty impressed at how similar the vegan stuff was to his meat stuff.

It also comes in, like, a bajillion different flavours, and some of them are even sugar-free, if you are diabetic or on a keto diet. And if you are on a vegetarian keto diet, trust me, you need everything you can get (it’s HARD).

So I of course love to snack on this stuff straight out of the bag, but then I got to thinking, could I use this in a recipe? How could I incorporate this stuff into dishes?

And of course, you can!

So here are ways to use Jerky (other than just snacking):

Brussels Sprouts:

@findbex This one’s for the brussel sprouts haters! ✌🏻my secret ingredient is @noblejerky for that “bacon” vibe. #vegan #plantbased #plantbaseddiet #brusselsprouts #eatyourveggies #jerky #recipetok #easyvegan #easyveganrecipes #4ingredientsrecipe #brusselsproutstiktok #brusselsproutsrecipe #brusselsproutsaregood ♬ original sound – Rebecca Coleman, Food Blogger

I used the hickory flavour almost like bacon in this recipe. I just chopped it up into strips and then added it in in the last 5 minutes of roasting, and it was so good!

Salad Topper:

I especially like the sesame one for this. I meal prep salads ahead of time once a week or so, and I like to chop some of the jerky and add it to the top of my salad for additional protein and texture.

Asian Inspired Noodle Salad (pictured above):

I love making this salad in the summer. It’s packed with loads of different flavours and textures, and it’s hearty, but there’s minimal cooking. I made one and added chopped teriyaki jerky to it, and it was so good! Get the recipe here.

Ramen Jars:

This is a great meal prep hack, and it’s way healthier than buying cup noodles (which, let’s be real, I have on hand as well). Get a mason jar (I like the ones with the hinged lid for this), and into the bottom, you want to add:

• 1-2 tsp better than boullion
• 1/2 tsp miso paste
• 1/2 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp soy sauce
• Sriracha to taste

On top of that, layer in a handful of thin rice vermicelli noodles or the instant ramen type noodles.

On top of that, add whatever you like in your soup: some sliced shiitakes, thinly sliced carrot, shredded cabbage, edamame, etc, as well as some sliced jerky (I recommend the Sriracha for this job).

Now just close it up and store it in the fridge till you’re ready for lunch. Boil a kettle, and pour the hot water over everything and then cover it up for about 3 minutes. After 3 minutes, uncover, stir and enjoy your yummy ramen lunch!

Fried Rice

Use the jerky in the place of any protein in your favourite “use up everything in the fridge” fried rice dish.

What’s your favourite non-traditional way to use jerky?