How to Make Beef Jerky: A Comprehensive Guide for Newbies!
You’ve been asking for a guide on how to make beef jerky. So here it is! It’s time to get cooking.
The best part about making your own beef jerky is that you can customize it to your tastes. You have the freedom to add your desired spices, marinate for as long as you want, and even turn up the heat with some cayenne pepper! Of course, not everyone has a dehydrator at home. If this sounds like you, don’t worry! This guide will go through all of the steps you need in order to make perfect beef jerky in an oven.
I'll show you how to create your own homemade beef jerky today. This beef jerky recipe is really simple to prepare! It should be simple for everyone to do. Homemade beef jerky is a delectable snack that the entire family will enjoy. To create the greatest beef jerky you've ever eaten, simply follow the step-by-step directions. enjoy!
How to make beef jerky
Jerky is a delicious, great-tasting treat perfect for dipping in some guacamole while watching your favorite game.
The best part about making your own beef jerky is that you can customize it to your tastes. You have the freedom to add your desired spices, marinate for as long as you want, and even turn up the heat with some cayenne pepper! Not everyone has a dehydrator at home--if this sounds like you, don't worry! This guide will go through all of the steps you need in order to make perfect beef jerky in an oven.
Gather your ingredients
The key to making beef jerky is the ingredients. To get started, you'll need:
5 pounds of top round steak or any lean cut of beef
1 tablespoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons onion powder
3/4 cup soy sauce
3/4 teaspoons ground black pepper
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 tablespoons honey
Wash and prepare your meat
The first step is to prepare your meat. Wash the surface of the meat with cool water and dry it off with a paper towel. Once you have washed and dried your meat, place it in a dish that has been lined with plastic wrap. This will help keep your hands clean when handling the raw beef jerky strips.
Next, take out your spices or marinate for hours at a time. The best thing about making your own beef jerky is being able to experiment! Add salt, pepper, garlic powder, cayenne pepper—whatever you want to flavor the beef. If possible, let the spices rest on the beef for 10 minutes before wrapping it up in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
Marinate the meat before cooking & The oven drying process
The first step to making beef jerky is to marinate the meat.
Beef jerky is a great way to introduce some variety into your diet and give you a healthier option for snacking.
Marinating the meat will allow it to absorb the necessary flavors from the spices, which means you’ll have a tastier jerky once it is dried out.
In order for this process to work, make sure you cut your beef as thin as possible - about ½-inch thick.
If you don’t have a dehydrator or oven with a low enough temperature, place the marinated meat on a cookie sheet and bake at 275 degrees Fahrenheit for about four hours. Every hour, turn over each piece of jerky and brush on more marinade if desired. Be careful not to overcook your meat!
Once everything has been baked for four hours, turn off the oven and let it cool down completely before removing from the oven. Once cooled, remove from the tray and enjoy!
What you need to dry your beef jerky in the oven
In order to make beef jerky in an oven, you'll need a few things:
- A baking sheet for your oven that is not lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper
- A silicone mat (or a piece of parchment paper)
- The meat of your choice
- Salt and pepper
- Dried herbs and spices
- Pepperoni slices for topping
- Seasonings of your choice
- Olive oil or cooking spray
- Paper towels
Conclusion
Jerky is a great protein-packed snack that can be made from any type of meat. If you're a newbie who wants to get into the jerky-making process, this article will cover all the basics to help you start making your own beef jerky today!
