Beef jerky is a popular snack made from dried and cured meat. It has a long shelf life due to its low moisture content. But can beef jerky still spoil if left out in the hot sun? Here’s a quick answer:
Quick Answer
Yes, beef jerky can go bad if left out in direct sunlight for an extended period. The heat and UV rays from sunlight can accelerate the breakdown of fats in the jerky, causing it to turn rancid. An opened bag of jerky left in the sun can start to spoil in just a few hours. Unopened jerky may last a bit longer, but should still not be left out for more than a day. To maximize freshness and shelf life, keep jerky stored in a cool, dark place. Refrigeration can further prolong its shelf life. Properly stored beef jerky can last around 1-2 months past its printed best by date.
Does sunlight really make jerky go bad faster?
Yes, sunlight can significantly decrease the shelf life of beef jerky. Here’s why:
- Heat: Direct sun exposure heats up the jerky, accelerating chemical reactions and microbial growth that lead to faster spoilage.
- UV rays: The ultraviolet rays in sunlight degrade nutrients and fats in the jerky, causing rancidity.
- Oxidation: Sunlight accelerates oxidation, which causes off-flavors, discoloration, and nutrient loss.
- Moisture loss: The heating effect of the sun speeds up moisture evaporation, causing the jerky to dry out and become inedible.
Studies have shown that high temperatures and UV radiation can decrease the shelf life of meat products by 50% or more. So leaving jerky out on a hot, sunny day can significantly reduce its freshness and edibility.
How long does opened jerky last in the sun?
An opened bag of jerky left out in direct sunlight will go bad much faster than unopened jerky. Here’s approximately how long jerky lasts in the sun once opened:
- Hot summer day (90°F/32°C): 2-4 hours before spoilage
- Warm day (75°F/24°C): 4-6 hours
- Cool day (65°F/18°C): 6-8 hours
On a hot summer day, the jerky can start drying out, becoming leathery or stiff after just a couple hours in the sun. Rancid odors, color changes, and mold growth may become evident after 4 hours.
So when enjoying jerky outdoors, try to keep the bag out of direct sun and close it tightly between snacks. An insulated cooler bag can help extend its time out of refrigeration. But opened jerky is best consumed within just a few hours to avoid spoilage.
How about unopened jerky in the heat?
An unopened, sealed bag of jerky generally lasts longer in the sun than opened packages. Here’s roughly how long unopened jerky lasts at various temperatures:
- Hot summer day (90°F/32°C): 6-10 hours before spoiling
- Warm day (75°F/24°C): 10-14 hours
- Cool day (65°F/18°C): 14-24 hours
The sealed bag provides some insulation from heat, moisture loss, and UV rays. But over time, the temperatures inside the bag will rise, allowing the jerky to slowly spoil. After 6-10 hours on a hot day, you may notice some drying, discoloration, and rancid odors once opened.
For maximum freshness, an unopened bag of jerky should still not sit out for more than a day. Either refrigerate jerky after purchasing or keep it in a cooler out of the sun on camping trips or long outdoor excursions.
Signs that jerky has spoiled in the heat
Here are some signs that indicate your jerky has gone bad from sitting in the sun too long:
- Dry, stiff, or leathery texture
- Foul, rancid, or bitter odor
- Mold growth
- Discoloration
- White crystallization on the jerky (oxidation)
- Lighter weight due to moisture loss
Trust your senses – if the jerky smells “off,” tastes sour, or looks shriveled or moldy, it’s best to discard it. Don’t take risks with foodborne illnesses from eating spoiled jerky.
Does refrigeration help jerky last longer in heat?
Yes, refrigerating jerky can dramatically increase its shelf life, even with periods in the sun. Studies show that refrigeration slows bacteria growth and oxidation at cooler temperatures.
Here’s approximately how long properly refrigerated jerky lasts in sunlight:
- Unopened: 24-48 hours before spoiling, if kept refrigerated when not in sun
- Opened: 8-12 hours before spoiling, if refrigerated when not in sun
So if you’re going on a 2-day camping trip, for instance, you can keep unopened jerky in a cooler during the day, then store it in a fridge at night to maximize freshness. Having access to refrigeration allows the jerky to last significantly longer than leaving it continuously in the sun.
Tips for minimizing jerky spoilage in heat
Here are some tips for keeping jerky fresh if you’ll be exposing it to warm sunny weather:
- Keep jerky sealed and stored in a cooler or insulated bag when not eating it.
- Try to keep the cooler out of direct sun, like in the shade.
- Limit how often you open the cooler, to maintain its cool temperature.
- Use ice or cooling packs to help regulate the temperature.
- Keep jerky refrigerated at night during camping trips or long days out.
- When at home, always store jerky in the refrigerator or freezer.
- Avoid leaving jerky in hot places like cars.
- Consider vacuum-packing jerky to minimize air exposure.
- Consume opened jerky within a few hours if kept in the sun.
Following proper storage methods can keep your jerky tasting great, even during hot sunny weather. Just take care to limit sunlight and heat exposure once packages are opened.
How to tell if jerky has gone bad?
It’s important to learn how to identify spoiled jerky, so you don’t accidentally eat any that could make you sick. Here are the main signs that jerky has gone bad:
- Appearance: Significant drying, stiffening, discoloration, mold growth
- Texture: Very hard, dried out, or mushy
- Smell: Rancid, sour, bitter, ammonia-like
- Taste: Sour, bitter, unpleasant flavors
- Sliminess: Feels overly moist or slimy
Jerky that exhibits any foul odors, textures, or appearance should be discarded. Don’t taste test jerky that looks or smells suspicious.
Safe jerky should have a dry, leathery texture with a reddish-brown to black coloration. It should smell smoky or salty, without unpleasant odors. There should be no visible moisture or sogginess. These are signs you have a properly dried and cured piece of jerky.
When in doubt, remember the old adage: “When in doubt, throw it out!” Don’t risk getting sick from spoiled jerky.
Can spoiled jerky make you sick?
Yes, eating spoiled, rotten jerky could make you sick. Jerky can harbor microbes like salmonella, E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Clostridium perfringens that can cause foodborne illness if consumed.
Symptoms include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal cramps
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Headache
- Fatigue
The risks are higher for vulnerable groups like pregnant women, children, elderly, or immunocompromised individuals. Food poisoning symptoms may develop within hours or could take 1-3 days to show up depending on the pathogen.
So if jerky has been sitting out for many hours in hot sunlight, it’s best to be cautious and not eat it. Cooking the jerky thoroughly after it’s spoiled does not necessarily make it safe either. The toxins from bacteria can persist even after heating. So don’t take risks with your health over some spoiled jerky – just throw it away!
Will expired jerky make you sick?
Not necessarily. Beef jerky can often last 1-2 months past its printed expiration date if it has been properly stored, according to USDA guidelines. Over time, jerky just gradually loses quality and freshness.
However, if expired jerky was left in hot weather and shows signs of spoilage like mold, rancid smells, or very dried out texture, then illness is definitely a risk if consumed. Always inspect and smell jerky before eating, even if not past date. Discard if any rotten odors or visible mold.
For best quality and safety, try to eat jerky before its expiration date. But preservative-free jerkies may have shorter shelf lives, so inspect carefully before consuming if expired. When unsure, remember it’s better to be safe than sick – if in doubt, throw it out.
Can spoiled jerky be saved by cooking?
No, thoroughly cooking spoiled jerky does not necessarily make it safe to eat. Here’s why:
- Toxins can persist – Bacteria produce toxins that withstand heat.
- Texture suffers – Cooking worsens the dried out, leathery texture.
- Off-flavors remain – Cooking cannot remove rancid tastes.
- Mold survives – Heat doesn’t always kill mold or spores.
- Nutrition loss – Cooking degraded vitamins, minerals, and proteins.
So while high heat can destroy pathogens on the jerky’s surface, their toxins within the meat can still cause illness. The overall quality will also further degrade with additional cooking.
For best safety and quality, it’s advisable to just discard the spoiled jerky altogether. Cooking it is unlikely to make it any more palatable or less risky. Don’t take chances with your health!
Conclusion
Beef jerky can absolutely spoil if left out in hot sunlight for too long. Opened jerky only lasts a few hours before turning rancid when left in direct sun. Unopened jerky in heat may last up to 1-2 days before spoiling. Look for signs like foul odors, mold, drying out, and discoloration. Eating spoiled jerky poses health risks from bacteria that cause foodborne illness. Refrigeration can help prolong jerky’s shelf life considerably. For best results, keep jerky sealed in coolers out of the sun or refrigerated at home. With proper storage, beef jerky can stay fresh and tasty for 1-2 months past its printed expiration date. But when in doubt, remember it’s safer to throw it out!
