Homemade Beef Jerky
Beef jerky is the ultimate snack for those on-the-go, delivering a powerful punch of protein and flavor in each bite. This homemade version is easy to make and perfect for road trips, game nights, or simply when cravings strike. With rich flavors from simple ingredients, this jerky will leave your taste buds delighted and your friends asking for more.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4–6 hours
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: Approximately 16 servings 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs lean beef (flank steak or eye of round)
- ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar (or honey)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Slice the beef into thin strips against the grain (about 1/8 inch thick).
- In a large bowl, combine soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, black pepper, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper; whisk until sugar dissolves.
- Add beef strips to the marinade, cover, and refrigerate for at least 6 hours (overnight preferred).
- Drain excess marinade (do not rinse) and pat dry with paper towels.
- Preheat oven to 175°F (80°C) or follow dehydrator instructions.
- Arrange beef strips on parchment-lined baking sheets or dehydrator trays.
- Bake/dehydrate until dry yet flexible for about 4-6 hours.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 30mg