How to Make Beef Jerky in a Food Dehydrator
Using a food dehydrator is an easy and inexpensive way to make your own beef jerky. The energy boost these highly flavored, chewy meat snacks provide makes them a favorite of campers and hikers. Follow these steps to learn how to make beef jerky in a food dehydrator. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- 3 pounds of London broil, brisket or flank steak
- Seasonings
- Food dehydrator
Instructions
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1
Cut about 3 pounds of lean beef into very thin slices about 8 inches long. Cut against the grain and remove as much of the fat as possible.
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2
Make a marinade of ¾ cup soy sauce, ¾ cup Worcestershire sauce, 1 tbsp. of sugar, 1 tsp. of salt, 1 tbsp. of minced garlic and a few shakes of black pepper.
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3
Place the marinade and the sliced beef in a resealable gallon plastic bag. Gently squeeze the bag to spread the marinade over all the beef.
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4
Refrigerate the beef and marinade over night. Turn the bag occasionally to keep all the beef covered with marinade.
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5
Drain the beef.
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6
Oil the racks of your food dehydrator with cooking spray. Place the beef strips on the racks and put the lid on the dehydrator. If your dehydrator has a temperature setting, set it at between 145 and 150 degrees. Or, follow the manufacturer's instructions.
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Check the meat periodically. It can take from 2 hours as long as 12 hours to dehydrate, depending on the thickness of the beef and your dehydrator. It's finished when the meat has turned very dark and is pliable.
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8
Store the jerky in resealable plastic bags in the refrigerator or freezer. Microwave frozen beef jerky for about 30 seconds.
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Tips & Warnings
Try different marinades, but always use some salt or a salty product like soy sauce. It aids the dehydration process. Put the meat in the freezer for about half an hour before slicing. Add cayenne or red pepper flakes to the marinade to spice it up. Add liquid smoke for a barbecued flavor. Three pounds of beef make about one pound of jerky.
Remove the fat so the meat doesn't become rancid.
