How to Make Beef Jerky in Your Oven

Store the jerky in an airtight container in a cool, dry spot for up to three months.

Beef jerky is a popular snack because it is portable, can be stored for long periods of time and provides a healthy serving of protein. However, pre-packaged jerky can be expensive, not to mention the unhealthy preservatives it may contain. Luckily, making jerky in the oven is easy. Just make sure your homemade jerky meets U.S. Department of Agriculture standards: A temperature of 160 degrees must be reached during the cooking process in order to kill the bacteria in the jerky. Follow the directions carefully so the jerky will be safe for you to eat.

Things You'll Need

• 2lbs. beef flank, cut in 1-inch strips
• 1 cup Worcestershire sauce
• 1 cup teriyaki sauce
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup salt
• 1/4 cup pepper
• 1 tbsp. liquid smoke
• 1 tbsp. garlic salt
• 1 tbsp. onion powder
• Meat thermometer

Instructions

1. Mix together the Worcestershire sauce, teriyaki sauce, brown sugar, salt, pepper and liquid smoke in a large pot. Sprinkle in the garlic salt and onion powder. Bring to a boil.

2. Add the strips of meat. Make sure the meat is completely covered by the liquid. Leave the meat to boil for several minutes.

3. Remove the strips from the boiling liquid and place them lengthwise on an oven broiler pan. If you do not have a broiler pan, any long pan with a wire rack and drip pan will work. Pre-heat the oven to 150 to 160 degrees.

4. Bake the beef strips for eight hours, leaving the oven door cracked open so air can circulate.

5. Use a meat thermometer to make sure the beef has reached an internal temperature of at least 160 degrees.

Tips & Warnings

• If you do not have a pan with a wire wrack, you can place the beef strips directly onto a clean oven rack. Be sure to place a baking sheet or aluminum foil underneath the beef strips to catch any drippings.

• Substitute the teriyaki sauce with soy sauce, if desired.

• Add cajun seasoning or Tabasco sauce to the Worcestershire sauce mixture for a spicier flavor.

References

• Primer Magazine: How to Make Homemade Beef Jerky
• Food Network: Beef Jerky Recipe
• USDA: Food Safety and Inspection Service