Homemade Beef Jerky

Beef jerky might be the world’s greatest portable protein and tastes awesome. But you don’t have to swerve into a convenience store every time you need a fix. If you make your own jerky, you have ultimate control over the flavour, plus homemade jerky is about half the price of a bag of the store-bought stuff. Beef jerky is a great alternative of high protein when you are on the go. No need to mess about with protein shakes and the question of water or milk and then of course getting a consistent mixture.

Now as beef jerky is so easy to make, carry around in your pocket and consume, the only hurdle you have is the making process. You have to put the time in but it will be all worth it in the end, when you can make it super hot or very mild.

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
• 3/4 cup soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika, or to taste
• 1 tablespoon honey, or more to taste
• 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 2 pounds beef top round, thinly sliced

Prep – 15m | Cook – 3h | Ready In – 6h 15m

Beef Jerky Cooking Directions

1. 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.
2. Preheat oven to 80 degrees C (175 degrees F). Line a baking sheet with aluminium foil and place a wire rack over the foil.
3. 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.
4. Bake beef in the preheated oven until dry and leathery, 3 to 4 hours. Open the door approx. every 30 minutes to let out some looming moisture.
5. Cut with scissors into bite-size pieces.

Alternative Beef Jerky Recipes

Here are some great alternatives to try after you are have perfected your beef jerky skills.

Sweet Heat Rub

• 3 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp kosher salt
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp dried thyme
• 1 1/2 tsp ground chipotle chile
• 1 tsp freshly ground pepper
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• Zest of 1 orange

Nutrition (per 1 oz serving beef): 67 calories, 10g protein, 2g carbs (0g fiber), 2g fat

Teriyaki Ginger Marinade

• 1 cup pineapple juice
• 2/3 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp chinese five-spice powder
• 1 tbsp sriracha
• 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger
• Zest of 2 limes

Nutrition (per 1 oz serving beef): 63 calories, 10g protein, 1g carbs (0g fiber), 2g fat

Smoky Espresso Brown Sugar Marinade

• 1 1/2 cups strongly brewed coffee (cooled)
• 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp kosher salt
• 2 tsp ground allspice
• 2 tsp red-pepper flakes
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 2 tsp liquid smoke (optional)

Nutrition (per 1 oz serving beef): 62 calories, 9g protein, 1g carbs (0g fiber), 2g fat