If you want Teriyaki Jerky, use Teriyaki Sauce instead of the Soy Sauce, if you like a little heat add more Crushed Red Pepper flakes and a few dashes of Hot Sauce... the recipe is really adaptable. I expect this recipe could work with Deer or Elk meat as well, someone try it out and let me know!
I buy my meat at Costco, usually about 6 lbs of Top Round Steak, the Chuck Roast is hard for me to find lean enough for my tastes. It is really important that you heat the meat to above 165 degrees before lowering the heat to 130-140 degrees in your dehydrator, this ensures any bacteria present is destroyed before continuing to dehydrate. Start the New Year off right with a healthy protein source that you made all on your own!
I only have a quart sizebag left after the kids grabbed handfulls for lunch and my husband found a midnight snack. In fact my 7 year old told me at 9:30 last night he couldnt sleep because he wanted to eat jerky when it is done. HA!
Side note: for Christmas, my sister got me that knife in the first picture. I LOVE it! It's a victorinox knife, the same maker as Swiss army knives. Pretty sure I need a whole set now. Also, Jerky is not very pretty to take a picture of, but it sure is tasty to eat.
Homemade Beef Jerky
3 lbs Lean Chuck Roast or Top Round Steak
1 c. Water
1 c. Low Sodium Soy Sauce
1 1/2 Tbs. Liquid Smoke
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 tsp. Fresh Ground Pepper
Dash of Red Pepper Flakes
Slice the roast or steak to about 1/4 to 1/8 inch thick and put in gallon size ziplock bag or plastic bowl. Mix all ingredients together for the marinade in a large liquid measuring cup. Pour over beef strips, cover and refrigerate to marinate for at least 2 hours, can be marinated over night.
Using a fork place beef strips on dehydrator trays. Set dehydrator to 165 degrees and keep it there for 2 hours then lower to 140-130 degrees for 4-6 more hours. We like ours a little soft, so we end up dehydrating ours for a total of approximately 6 hours. Check it after about 4 1/2 hours and decide what your preference is. We put our dehydrator in the garage, so our whole house doesn't smell like beef jerky.
It can be made in the oven, preheat the oven to lowest possible temperature, 170 is usually it. Place beef on cooling racks on top of cookie sheets and place in oven for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Check the beef frequently, the oven can dry out the meat very quickly.
Remove finished jerky from trays and store in an air tight bag or container and refrigerate for up to a week.
(Look at this, a printable version! Click the link below)
Homemade Beef Jerky
Give the recipe a try and let me know what you think.
Happy Wednesday!
Mickie
