Basic Beef Jerky Recipes

THE BEST HOMEMADE BEEF JERKY RECIPE

Steps:

• Slice the meat between ⅛ and ¼ inch thick with the grain. (If the roast is too thick to slice easily, cut it in half horizontally before slicing.)
• Make the marinade: In a medium bowl, combine the brown sugar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, meat tenderizer, black pepper, red pepper flakes, onion powder, and garlic powder. Whisk until evenly combined and the sugar is dissolved.
• Add the meat to the marinade and toss until all of the pieces are evenly coated. Cover with plastic wrap or transfer to a large ziplock bag and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours or overnight. Toss the meat (or flip the bag) once or twice to be sure the meat marinates evenly.
• Line two baking sheets with aluminum foil for easy clean-up. Place a wire rack over each pan. Preheat the oven to 175°F and set two oven racks in the centermost positions.
• Arrange the marinated meat on the wire racks in a single layer. Bake, rotating the pans from front to back and top to bottom midway through, until the meat is dried out, 3 to 4 hours. To determine if the jerky is thoroughly dried out, take a piece out of the oven and let it cool to room temperature. It should be dry to the touch, leather-like in appearance, and chewy but still somewhat tender.
• Store the jerky inside an airtight plastic container, Ziploc bag, or airtight glass jars. Properly dried jerky will keep at room temperature for about one week. Refrigerate or freeze for longer storage.
• Note: Pop the meat in the freezer for 1 to 2 hours before slicing; it will be easier to cut.
• Note: Meat tenderizer contains bromelain, an enzyme that breaks down meat tissue. You can find it in the spice section of your supermarket. (I use McCormick.)

SIMPLE DIY BEEF JERKY

Steps:

• Thinly slice the meat* and cut off all visible fat.
• Pound slices with a meat tenderizer mallet until pieces are uniform thickness (aprox nickel width).
• Place the beef strips in a zip-top bag. Mix remaining ingredients and pour over beef.
• Cover & marinate for 12-36 hours. Shake the bag a few times as it's marinating to make sure the beef is evenly coated.
• Spread the meat in a single layer, shaking off any excess marinade, on the dehydrator trays.
• Dry at 165F/74C for 4-6 hours, occasionally blotting off any fat droplets that appear on the surface. Test using a cooled piece. Properly dried jerky, when bent, should crack but not break.
• Package jerky in and air-tight container or vacuum seal (*see storage notes below). Store in a cool, dark & dry place.

DOC'S BEST BEEF JERKY

Steps:

• Place beef strips in the bottom of a large bowl. Pour soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, brown sugar, salt, pepper, meat tenderizer, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika over beef. Mix to assure all the meat is evenly coated. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 8 hours or overnight.
• Remove meat from bowl and place between two pieces of plastic wrap; pound to 1/8-inch thickness.
• Arrange the meat strips on the tray of a dehydrator and dry at your dehydrator's highest setting until done to your liking, at least 4 hours. Store in an airtight container or resealable bags.

HOMEMADE BEEF JERKY

Steps:

• Whisk Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, paprika, honey, black pepper, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, and onion powder together in a bowl. Add beef to bowl and turn to coat beef completely. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator, 3 hours to overnight.
• Preheat oven to 175 degrees F (80 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack over the foil.
• Transfer beef to paper towels to dry. Discard marinade. Arrange beef slices in a single layer on the prepared wire rack on the baking sheet.
• Bake beef in the preheated oven until dry and leathery, 3 to 4 hours. Cut with scissors into bite-size pieces.

HOMEMADE BEEF JERKY

Steps:

• Trim all fat off meat.
• Cut steak in to 4 inch strips.
• The steak should be about 1/2 inch thick.
• It's easier to cut meat partially frozen.
• Pound meat lightly, you don't want it too thin.
• Add all ingredients in a large bowl.
• Mix well.
• Cover and refrigerate overnight (8 hrs).
• Line cookie sheets with tin foil.
• Place steak strips on sheets, don't overlap meat.
• Set oven at lowest temperature. (150-175°F).
• Bake six hours, turning after three hours.
• Jerky is done when meat is dried out, depending on your oven.
• Worth the wait!

BASIC BEEF JERKY

Steps:

• Trim most of the fat from the meat and cut into 1/8"-1/4" thick slices.
• Combine all the ingredients except the meat in a large bowl.
• Stir until the seasonings dissolve.
• Add the meat and mix until thoroughly coated.
• Let stand for at least 1 hour or cover and refrigerate for several hours.
• Shake off excess liquid and put the slices in the dehydrator.
• Dehydrate for 12 hours or until desired doneness at the highest temperature setting.