We all love beef jerky. It is a perfect snack for any time. Enjoy it at lunch or simply take it on a hike. The truth is, there is a wide range of jerky. But one question remains, is Carne Seca the same as beef jerky?
This brief post includes a Carne Seca vs beef jerky comparison. Let’s see how similar or different they are from each other.
Here we go.
How Does Carne Seca Differ from Beef Jerky?
There are several differences between Carne Seca and beef jerky. These differences arise from the method of preparation, the thickness of the slices, and the appearance of the final product. Let’s look at these key differences.
Marinating method
When preparing Carne Seca, the first process is marinating the meat overnight in a refrigerator. The constituents of the marinate depend on the taste desired. After marinating, the meat is dried off and boiled until it becomes tender. The meat is then allowed to cool and dry to make Carne Seca.
How is this different from beef jerky? With beef jerky, you slice the meat first, then marinate it, followed by drying it in a dehydrator or air fryer. The marinating process does not involve boiling the meat. Boiling is therefore one of the key differences between the two.
Thickness
One thing you would notice when observing Carne Seca vs beef jerky is their difference in thickness. Beef jerky is thicker and relatively hydrated which enables it to be chewy with a fulfilling texture.
Carne Seca is the absolute opposite. It is sliced into very thin pieces and is dried off as much as possible. Due to this, they appear as sheets of meat that are delicate.
Flavor
Although the flavors of any of the dried meat will differ depending on the seasoning, when being kept relatively basic, the flavors differ.
Carne Seca mainly involves the addition of salt, lime, and pepper to create an exclusive flavor. Other ingredients can be added depending on the desired outcome. That is why Carne Seca is considered to have a richness of flavor than beef jerky. It is also usually saltier than beef jerky.
However, in addition to flavor, other people prefer the thickness, chewiness, and texture of beef jerky.
Source of Meat
Carne Seca was traditionally made from beef exclusively while beef jerky could use any type of meat including beef, pork, venison, and chicken among others.
However, people are beginning to embrace the use of other types of meat in making Carne Seca and not just beef jerky.
Conclusion
We have so far seen that beef jerky and Carne Seca are usually quite similar, in that they are both made of meat that is dried. They, however, differ in aspects of preparation, thickness, and flavor, among others.
An important thing to note is that people are coming up with ways to make the jerkies hence the differences keep changing. An example is using other forms of meat in making Carne Seca other than the usual beef.
