How to Make Smoked Beef Jerky

Save money by making your own beef jerky.

Make beef jerky for a quick snack. Dehydrating and smoking beef are popular ways to make beef jerky. Create beef jerky with your favorite seasonings and marinades to add a personal touch. Making your own beef jerky is inexpensive and rewarding. Choosing a lean beef will create jerky that is crisp and succulent. Homemade beef jerky requires only a few ingredients and a little preparation. Make beef jerky as a gift for your friends and family.

Things You'll Need

• 1 pound lean beef
• Knife
• 4 cups cider vinegar
• Liquid smoke
• 1/4 cup sea salt
• Dry seasoning
• Aluminum foil
• Shallow pan
• Water

Instructions

Make Jerky in the Oven

1. Select a lean cut of beef. Once you select the beef cut, remove any excess fat.

2. Slice the beef into strips along the grain of the meat. Cut the strips into slices 1/8 inch thick.

3. Combine cider vinegar, liquid smoke seasoning and sea salt in a mixing bowl. Place the beef strips in the bowl. Allow the strips to marinate in the refrigerator for two to three hours. Marinating the beef will preserve the flavor and juices.

4. Place beef strips in a preheated 175-degree oven. Lay the strips on oven racks. Do not let the strips touch each other so they cook at the same rate. Line the oven with aluminum foil to catch the liquid drippings that fall off the beef.

5. Rub dry seasoning onto the strips. Choose your favorite seasoning.

6. Set the oven timer for six hours. Check on the meat. The strips may need to dehydrate longer if the beef does not appear dehydrated enough for beef jerky.

Make Jerky in a Smoker

1. Start preparing the smoker. Burn the coals and wood prior to placing in the beef strips. Ensure that the coal or wood burns down to prevent burning the beef.

2. Slice the beef into strips that are 1/8 inch thick. Cut away any excess fat leaf on the lean meat.

3. Season the beef. Marinate the strips in a cider vinegar and sea salt mix. Marinating the strips for two to three hours will preserve the taste of the beef.

4. Rub your favorite dry seasoning on the beef.

5. Place the beef strips in the smoker. Ensure that the beef strips are not touching. Lay a shallow pan of water under the beef strips to catch the drippings. Smoke the beef for six hours or until they are the desired texture.

Tips & Warnings

• Make smoked beef jerky in a food dehydrator instead of the oven or smoker.

References

• Beef Jerky Techniques
• Jerky Making Process