As a lover of beef jerky and dried meats Armour’s dried beef is one of my favorite snacks. There’s nothing quite like the intense umami flavor of those thinly sliced and perfectly dried pieces of beef, packed into convenient jars.
However, I know many people, myself included, who have struggled to open those tightly sealed Armour dried beef jars. It’s understandable – the safety seals keep the contents fresh, but can be a real pain to break open.
In this article, I’ll provide a step-by-step guide to easily opening an Armour dried beef jar. No more wrestling for minutes just to get into your beefy treat! I’ll also share tips on properly storing and enjoying Armour’s delicious dried beef.
Why Armour Jars Are So Hard to Open
Armour drying beef jars come with an extremely durable seal to lock in freshness and prevent contamination. This seal forms a tight vacuum within the jar, which makes it very difficult to open by hand.
Twisting the lid can feel next to impossible when it’s resisting the pressure difference inside and out. Even running the lid under hot water or tapping it on the countertop doesn’t always work.
Luckily, there are a few simple tricks that make opening these jars much easier. With the right technique, you can break that stubborn seal quickly and safely.
Step 1: Check for Damage
Before trying to open the Armour dried beef jar inspect the lid for any dents warping, or damage. If the lid is compromised in any way, do not attempt to open that jar, as harmful bacteria could have entered.
Contact Armour to report the issue and request a replacement. Never consume from a damaged or potentially contaminated jar.
Step 2: Run Under Hot Water
If the lid appears normal, the first opening technique is to run the lid under hot water from your tap for 30-60 seconds. The heat will cause the metal lid to expand ever so slightly.
This small expansion is often enough to weaken the vacuum seal and make the lid easier to twist off.
Step 3: Tap the Lid
If hot water alone doesn’t do the trick, try tapping the lid firmly on the countertop or floor. Don’t be shy – give it several forceful downward taps, rotating the jar a quarter turn between each one.
This jarring motion will help break the seal. Be careful not to hit too hard or drop the jar.
Step 4: Use a Rubber Gripper
Rubber jar gripping pads enhance your grip and let you really bear down on the lid with torque when twisting. Wrap the lid with a rubber pad, rubber glove, or even an old bike tube inner tube.
The extra friction makes it much easier to channel force and torque into breaking the seal. I keep rubber grip pads handy just for situations like this!
Step 5: Use Mechanical Advantage
If you still can’t open the jar by hand, it’s time to use a mechanical advantage tool. Options like a jar key or electric jar opener (I love my Hamilton Beach model!) attach to the lid and do the twisting for you.
I find these tools open the toughest jars with almost no effort. Every kitchen should have one!
Step 6: Carefully Pry the Lid
As a last resort, a butter knife can be used to gently pry between the jar lid and neck to manually break the seal.
Slowly work the knife in and gently twist until air rushes in. Be extremely careful not to damage the threads or scratch the glass. This method has risks, so use sparingly.
Storing Opened Armour Dried Beef
Once opened, dried beef needs proper storage to stay fresh. Here are some tips:
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Refrigerate unused portions immediately in an airtight container.
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Letting it sit at room temperature causes faster spoilage.
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Use within 1 week for best quality and safety.
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To freeze, wrap very tightly in plastic wrap and freezer bags. Thaw in fridge before using.
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Look for off colors or smells before eating. Discard if any sign of spoilage.
Proper refrigeration preserves both the flavor and shelf life of your Armour dried beef once the jar is open.
Enjoying Armour’s Dried Beef
Armour dried beef is extremely versatile for snacks, appetizers, and recipes:
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Enjoy straight from the jar for a protein packed snack.
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Make mini dried beef tea sandwiches with a schmear of cream cheese.
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Fry quickly in butter and mix into macaroni and cheese.
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Crumble into salads, eggs dishes, pizza and more for a savory punch.
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Use in place of ground beef in dishes like tacos, chili, casseroles and pasta sauce.
With its bold, beefy umami flavor, the applications for Armour’s dried beef are endless! I hope these opening tips let you access the tasty contents with ease.
Troubleshooting Tips
Here are some troubleshooting tips if you still can’t open the Armour dried beef jar:
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Try a different jar opener tool for more leverage.
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Carefully insert a thin knife to break the seal then open by hand.
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Submerge just the lid (not whole jar) in very hot water for faster expansion.
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Wrap a rubber band around the lid for extra grip and twisting force.
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Tap the lid on a towel on the floor instead of hard countertop.
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Wet a rag and wring it tightly around the lid for friction.
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Work slowly and gently pry rather than forcefully twist to avoid breaking the jar.
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Contact Armour if all else fails – they may replace jars with defective seals.
With some creativity and persistence, you can definitely get into that dried beef jar!
In Summary
Opening those tightly sealed Armour dried beef jars can be frustrating. With the right technique though, you can access the delicious thinly sliced beef easily. Just remember these steps:
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Inspect jar for damage
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Run lid under hot water
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Firmly tap lid on countertop
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Use a rubber gripper for extra torque
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Employ a mechanical jar opener
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Carefully pry lid as last resort
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Refrigerate opened jars and use within 1 week
Emmy Eats Jarred Dried Beef | Emmy Cho
FAQ
What is dried beef in a jar used for?
How long does dried beef in a jar last?
How is Armour dried beef made?
What is Armour Star sliced beef Jarred meat?
Armour Star Sliced Dried Beef Jarred Meat delivers robust flavor. Made from fresh beef that’s been dried, this jarred beef is 95% fat free. Use this sliced beef cold in appetizers, sandwiches or salads, or add to hot soups or casseroles.
How do you loosen a jar lid?
Tap around the lid of the jar with a wooden kitchen spoon to break the seal. Grab a wooden kitchen spoon; the heavier the better. Tap the lid of the jar on top a couple of times around the edge to pop the seal, then try to twist off the lid. You might need to repeat this a few times to get the lid to loosen.
Is armour beef ‘ground and formed’?
Armour advertises that its dried beef is “ground and formed.” “Mmmm, formed,” I didn’t say as I read the label. The beef itself comes in thin, neatly created circles that cascade in a small glass jar like meat ribbons. That might sound fancy, but dried, chipped beef is militant in every sense, including taste.
How do you open a jar with a water hammer?
This method is called the “water hammer”. It functions by raising the pressure against the lid to pop the seal. Submerge the lid in hot water for 30 seconds to break the seal. Fill a dish with hot (but not boiling) water and flip the jar upside down in it. Leave the jar for 30 seconds, then try to open it.