You will find two recipes on how to make beef jerky at home. The first procedure - I call it Simple - works fine but the next, the marinating recipe is my favorite beef jerky recipe.
Make Beef Jerky - The Recipe
Ingredients* 2-3 lbs. raw meat
* 1 tbsp. salt
* 3/4 tsp. pepper
* 3/4 tsp. onion powder
* 3/8 tsp. garlic salt
* 1 tbsp. soy sauce
* 1 drop tabasco sauce
* 3 tbsp. liquid hickory smoke sauce (alternatively, 2 mesquite and 1 hickory)
* 3/4 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
* water
You can use a wide range of meat: round steak, sirloin, tenderloin, rump cover steak are perhaps the best choices. I usually use top or bottom roast; it's relatively cheap and a good cut to make beef jerky. Only a small portion of fat is used (adds flavor), because more fat will turn the jerky very tough.
Slice the meat about 1/4 or 3/8 thick pieces. The thinner you slice the shorter the drying time. People at the grocery store may do this for you. If you have to slice the meat at home and do not have suitable kitchenware but knife and cutting board it is advisable to place the meat in the refrigerator for an hour.
Simple Method
1. Combine ingredients and fill up with water to around 3/4 cup.
2. Stir them until the salt dissolves.
3. Take the meat slices and the spice mixture in a large Ziploc bag and have it absorbed overnight. Do not stack the meat more than 2 layers.
4. Fold and stir the bag frequently to spread the spice mixture evenly.
5. Dehydrate to make beef jerky. I use dehydrator but it works with any other dehydrating method.
6. Sometimes moisten the beef jerky with the leftover marinade; I usually do it every second hour and turn over at least once during dehydrating.
The length of time needed to dehydrate depend on weather, type of meat, preferences for make beef jerky, and a number of other factors. Of course your experiment is important and for the first few times check the jerky every few hours.
Complex Method
Prepare a plate for the marination of beef jerky slices.
1. Combine ingredients and fill up with warm water to around 3/4 cup.
2. Stir them until the salt dissolves.
3. Marinate for a whole day (it's no use to have it longer)
- Place a layer of meat, then marinade, then the next layers of meat. Repeat with pairs of layers until all meat is placed.
- Ensure that the meat layers are covered with marinade entirely.
- Cover with lid and put in the fridge. Make sure the lid is sealed tight otherwise your fridge will smell like the marinade.
5. Put it in the marinade again! It'll soak the marinade up.
6. Dehydrate again.
Make beef jerky at home with this easy recipe. And... ENJOY!
