Homemade Beef Jerky Recipe 🥩
Prepare to embark on a flavorful journey with this homemade beef jerky recipe from lovewithrecipes.com! With just a few simple ingredients and a bit of patience, you’ll create irresistibly delicious beef jerky that’s perfect for snacking or packing in your lunchbox. Let’s dive into the details:
Total Time: 84 hours
Prep Time: 24 hours
Cook Time: 60 hours
Servings: Varies
Ingredients:
- 1 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup liquid smoke
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 cup brown sugar
Instructions:
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Marinating the Beef: In a mixing bowl, combine soy sauce, liquid smoke, garlic powder, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and brown sugar. Adjust the quantities according to your taste preferences or experiment with additional spices if desired.
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Marination Process: Place your beef slices into the marinade, ensuring each piece is evenly coated. Allow the beef to marinate in the mixture for a minimum of 24 hours. This step is crucial for infusing the meat with rich, savory flavors.
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Draining Excess Marinade: After marinating, remove the beef slices from the bowl and drain off any excess marinade. This ensures that your beef jerky won’t be overly salty or saturated with liquid during the drying process.
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Drying Preparation: Pat the beef slices dry with paper towels to remove any remaining moisture. Properly dried beef will result in a chewy, flavorful jerky that’s perfect for snacking on the go.
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Dehydration Process: Transfer the beef slices to your dehydrator trays, ensuring they’re spaced apart to allow for adequate airflow. Set your dehydrator to a temperature between 145°F to 165°F (63°C to 74°C) and let the beef dry for approximately 24 to 36 hours, or until it reaches your desired level of dryness.
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Checking for Doneness: Throughout the drying process, periodically check the beef jerky for doneness. It should be firm and leathery to the touch, with no signs of moisture remaining. Depending on your dehydrator and the thickness of your beef slices, the drying time may vary.
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Cooling and Storing: Once the beef jerky is fully dried, remove it from the dehydrator and allow it to cool completely. Store the cooled jerky in an airtight container or resealable bags for optimal freshness. Properly stored beef jerky can last for several weeks, although it’s unlikely to stick around for that long once you taste its irresistible flavor!
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Enjoying Your Homemade Beef Jerky: Now that your homemade beef jerky is ready, it’s time to indulge in its savory goodness! Whether you’re snacking on it during a busy workday or sharing it with friends and family, this homemade treat is sure to be a hit.
With just a few simple ingredients and a bit of patience, you can create homemade beef jerky that’s bursting with flavor and perfect for any occasion. So gather your ingredients, fire up the dehydrator, and get ready to enjoy the delicious rewards of your culinary efforts. Bon appétit! 🌟🍴
