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Homemade Beef Jerky

This homemade beef jerky recipe delivers a delicious, tender, and smoky snack that's perfect for hiking, camping, or on-the-go munching. With a carefully balanced marinade and simple preparation, you'll create jerky that rivals store-bought versions without any artificial additives.
Course Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 10
Calories 1052 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 3 pounds eye of round roast trimmed of fat and silver skin
  • 1 cup dark brown sugar packed
  • 1 cup soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon unseasoned meat tenderizer
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions
 

  • Partially freeze the beef for 1-2 hours to make it easier to slice.
  • Slice the meat against the grain into strips between 1/8 and 1/4 inch thick.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, meat tenderizer, black pepper, red pepper flakes, onion powder, and garlic powder until the sugar is dissolved.
  • Place the beef strips in a large ziplock bag or container and pour the marinade over them. Ensure all pieces are evenly coated.
  • Refrigerate and marinate for at least 12 hours or overnight, turning the bag occasionally to ensure even distribution.
  • Preheat your oven to 175°F (80°C) and set two oven racks in the centermost positions.
  • Line two baking sheets with aluminum foil and place wire racks on top.
  • Remove the beef from the marinade, allowing excess to drip off, and arrange the strips in a single layer on the wire racks.
  • Bake for 3-4 hours, rotating the pans from front to back and top to bottom halfway through.
  • To test for doneness, remove a piece and let it cool to room temperature. It should be dry to the touch, leather-like in appearance, and chewy but still somewhat tender.

Nutrition

Calories: 1052kcalCarbohydrates: 246gProtein: 26gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.2gSodium: 13724mgPotassium: 1429mgFiber: 5gSugar: 223gVitamin A: 4081IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 315mgIron: 12mg
Keyword beef recipe, jerky
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