Jerky.com Jerky Gun Guide
Best Jerky Guns for Making Ground Meat Jerky at Home
A jerky gun presses seasoned ground meat into even flat strips or round snack sticks, so every piece dries at the same rate. Here are the jerky guns weβd pick, how to use one, and our best tips for ground meat jerky.
See our picks How to use a jerky gunAs an Amazon Associate, Jerky.com earns from qualifying purchases.
Whatβs the best jerky gun?
Every pick below shoots both flat jerky strips and round snack sticks from seasoned ground meat. Pick by how much you make at a time.
Stainless Steel Jerky Gun Kit
Our go-to for ground venison and beef. A food-grade 304 stainless steel gun with 5 stainless nozzles for flat strips, double strips and round sticks, plus 5 cleaning brushes and a meat pusher for packing the tube.
LEM Jerky Cannon
Our pick for big batches and commercial-style volume. An anodized aluminum barrel holds 1.5 lbs of ground meat per load, with flat and round stainless nozzles, a cleaning brush and Backwoods seasoning packs.
LEM Jerky Gun + Backwoods Seasoning
A simple starter for small batches. It holds up to 3/4 lb of meat per load, has a semi-transparent barrel so you can see your progress, and comes with flat and round nozzles plus a Backwoods jerky seasoning packet.
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How do you choose a jerky gun?
- Capacity: a bigger barrel means fewer refills. For big batches of venison, look for 1 lb or more per load.
- Nozzles: make sure it has a flat nozzle for strips and a round one for snack sticks.
- Build: metal barrels such as stainless steel or anodized aluminum hold up to dense ground meat.
- Cleanup: look for a gun that comes apart fully and includes brushes. Most arenβt dishwasher safe.
Making jerky in bulk? A larger barrel like the Jerky Cannonβs is the closest youβll get to a commercial jerky gun at home.
How do you use a jerky gun?
- Season the meat. Mix your seasoning or marinade evenly into lean ground meat, then chill it so it holds its shape.
- Load the barrel. Pack the meat in firmly to push out air pockets, then attach the flat nozzle for strips or the round nozzle for sticks.
- Shoot your strips. Squeeze steady, even lines onto dehydrator trays or a rack set over a sheet pan, leaving a little space between pieces.
- Dry it. Dehydrate or oven-dry until the strips are dry and bend without breaking. For homemade jerky, the USDA recommends heating meat to 160Β°F before drying.
Want the full walkthrough? Read Whatβs a βJerky Shooterβ? and How to Make Beef Jerky at Home.
Tips for ground meat jerky
- Go lean. Less fat makes drying easier and gives a better texture.
- Keep it cold. Cold meat loads cleanly and holds its shape on the tray.
- Keep strips even so every piece finishes at the same time.
- If your recipe calls for curing salt, measure it exactly.
Try a recipe made for a jerky gun:
- World Famous Ground Venison Jerky
- Classic Ground Venison Jerky
- Hawaiian Ground Deer Jerky
- Ground Turkey Jerky
- All venison jerky recipes
Need the rest of your setup? See the jerky-making gear we use, from dehydrators to vacuum sealers.
Want jerky now?
Skip the prep and grab a bag. See our picks for the best beef jerky.
Not sure which flavor? Take our jerky quiz and weβll match you with a flavor youβll love, plus an offer to get it for free.
Find my jerkyFrequently asked questions
What is a jerky gun?
A jerky gun, sometimes called a jerky shooter or jerky cannon, is a hand tool that presses seasoned ground meat through a nozzle into even flat strips or round snack sticks for drying.
What is the best jerky gun?
For most home cooks, we like a stainless steel jerky gun kit with several nozzles. For big batches, the LEM Jerky Cannon holds 1.5 lbs of meat per load. For small batches, the LEM Jerky Gun is a simple starter.
Is there a commercial jerky gun for big batches?
Hand jerky guns are made for home use. For bigger batches, choose one with a large barrel, like the LEM Jerky Cannon, so you refill less often.
Does Jerky.com still sell jerky guns?
No. Our Jerky.com jerky guns have been discontinued, so this guide points you to the jerky guns weβd buy today.
What meat works best in a jerky gun?
Lean ground meat works best. Ground beef and ground venison are the most popular choices, and ground turkey works too. Mix the seasoning in well and chill the meat before loading.
How do you clean a jerky gun?
Take it apart fully, wash the barrel, nozzles and pusher in warm soapy water and scrub them with the included brushes. Dry every part well before storing. Most jerky guns arenβt dishwasher safe.
Do you need a dehydrator to make jerky from a jerky gun?
No. A dehydrator is easiest, but you can dry strips in the oven on a wire rack over a sheet pan. See the jerky-making gear we use.
Find the jerky youβll love!
Answer a few quick questions, get your perfect flavor match, plus an offer to get it for free.
Take the quiz & get my offerRather make your own? Grab a recipe or the rest of your gear.
Venison jerky recipes Jerky-making gearAs an Amazon Associate, Jerky.com earns from qualifying purchases.
