System and method for preparing meat products

A method of producing jerky, the method comprising:

• providing a meat product;
• slicing the meat product into a plurality of meat segments;
• providing the meat segments on a plurality of racks comprising screens or grates;
• providing the plurality of racks in communication with a lifting frame and wherein the plurality of racks are provided in a vertically stacked arrangement;
• wherein the vertically stacked arrangement is operable to provide a compressive force to at least some of the racks and the meat segments and prevent the meat segments from moving when immersed in a liquid marinade;
• wherein the lifting frame comprises a plurality of vertical and horizontal supports and at least one lift point that is operable to receive a hook or lifting member;
• providing a tank with an internal volume, and providing a liquid marinade within the internal volume;
• at least one of lifting and translating the plurality of racks and the lifting frame with at least one of a hoist and a hook;
• positioning the lifting frame and the plurality of racks within the internal volume of the tank such that each of the plurality of meat segments are in contact with the liquid marinade;
• allowing the meat segments to rest in contact with the liquid marinade for a predetermined amount of time;
• removing the lifting frame from the internal volume of the tank by vertically displacing the lifting frame;
• and
• conveying the meat segments to at least one further processing step.