How to Desalt Dry Meat: Practical and Efficient Guide

Dry meat is a traditional ingredient in many Brazilian dishes, such as feijoada and Escondidinho. However, before using it, it is essential to desalt it correctly to ensure a balanced flavor. Let's learn how to desalt jerky?

Step by Step to Desalt Dried Meat:

1. Initial Preparation: Start by cutting the dried meat into medium-sized pieces. This will facilitate the desalting process.
2. Washing: Wash the pieces of meat under running water to remove excess surface salt.
3. Soak in Water: Place the meat in a large bowl and cover it completely with cold water. Leave to soak for about 12 hours, changing the water every 3 hours. Changing the water frequently is crucial to ensure the salt is removed efficiently.
4. Cooking: After the soaking period, transfer the meat to a pan and cook over medium heat. If it is still salty, change the water and cook again until the desired flavor is reached. Cooking helps eliminate remaining salt and makes the meat more tender.
5. Verification: Taste a small piece to check if the salt has been removed satisfactorily. If it is still salty, repeat the cooking process. This step ensures that the meat is at the ideal point to be used in your favorite recipes.

Important Tips:

• The frequency of water changes during the sauce may vary according to the degree of salinity of the meat. The saltier, the more changes will be necessary. Be aware of the taste of the water during the process.
• Some people add raw potatoes to cooking, claiming they help absorb salt. However, this technique is optional and may not be necessary if the desalt process is carried out correctly.
• To speed up the process, you can use warm water for the first few changes. Warm water helps dissolve the salt more quickly, but remember to finish the process with cold water to ensure the ideal texture of the meat.
• Always keep the meat refrigerated during the desalting process to prevent the proliferation of bacteria. Food safety is essential to guarantee the quality of your final dish.
• If the meat is still very salty after cooking, consider using additional desalting methods, such as prolonged boiling or even repeating the soaking process for a few more hours.

Benefits of Desalting Dried Meat Correctly

In addition to improving the flavor, desalting dried meat correctly brings several benefits. Reduces sodium content, making it healthier and suitable for salt-restricted diets. Furthermore, it allows other seasonings and flavors to be better absorbed by the meat, resulting in tastier and more balanced dishes. The desalting process can also improve the texture of the meat, making it more tender and juicy.

Conclusion

Desalting jerky may seem like a time-consuming process, but it is essential to guarantee tasty and healthy dishes. With patience and following the steps correctly, you will be able to enjoy delicious recipes with jerky with just the right amount of salt. Do not underestimate the importance of this process and make the most of this traditional ingredient of Brazilian cuisine.

Frequently Asked Questions about How to Desalt Dry Meat

• How long does it take to desalt jerky? The desalting time may vary, but generally, leaving the meat to soak for 12 to 24 hours, changing the water every 3 hours, is sufficient.
• Is it possible to desalt jerky quickly? To speed up the process, you can use warm water for the first few changes, but finish with cold water to ensure the ideal texture.
• Can I cook jerky without desalting? It is not recommended, as the meat will be extremely salty and may compromise the flavor of the final dish.
• What is the best way to store meat during desalting? Keep the meat refrigerated during the desalting process to prevent the growth of bacteria.
• How do you know if the meat is properly desalted? Taste a small piece after cooking. If it is still salty, repeat the desalting process until the desired flavor is reached.