Making your own homemade beef jerky is a great way to ensure that you know what’s in your food. Creating your own beef jerky can also be a fun family project. All you need is a low-temperature drying method and some salt to inhibit bacterial growth. Want to learn how to make your own beef jerky? Read on!
Originally used as a way to preserve meat, nowadays, flavors and textures are distinctive and this is what we look for in a good jerky product. In addition, beef, pork, turkey and chicken are all used to create this popular snack food.
If you’re a fan, why not try making your own? It’s actually quite easy to do, and you can customize the flavor to suit your own taste. All you need is some lean beef, a few simple ingredients, and a bit of time.
Best Cuts Of Beef For Jerky?
The best cuts of beef to use are the ones that are lower in fat. This is because fat can go rancid quickly, and you don’t want your beef jerky to taste bad. The best cuts of beef for jerky include:
– flank steak
– top round steak
– bottom round steak
How To Make Your Own Beef Jerky
1. Choose your piece of beef. As mentioned above, the best cuts of beef for jerky are those that are lower in fat. Flank steak, top round steak, and bottom round steak are all good choices.
2. Cut the beef into thin strips. Cut the meat against the grain, as this will make it more tender. If you’re not sure how to do this, ask your butcher for help.
Marinades and Spice Rubs
When making your own beef jerky, you can choose to marinate the meat, season it with a spice rub, or smoke it.
- Marinating the meat before drying helps to add flavor and tenderize the meat. Marinade possibilities are endless, however, a combination of Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper makes a good all-purpose, tasty marinade. Marinate overnight for best results, at least 3 hours would be the minimum.
- Spice rubs can also be used according to your personal taste. For example, a combination of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper can create a flavorful spice rub, however the combinations are endless.
- If you choose to smoke your homemade beef jerky, make sure to do so at a low temperature (under 160 degrees Fahrenheit) to prevent the meat from cooking.
Drying Your Homemade Beef Jerky
Once the meat is marinated or seasoned, it’s time to dry it. The best way to do this is with a food dehydrator. Dehydrators work by circulating hot air over the meat, which removes the water and leaves the homemade beef jerky behind. If you don’t have a dehydrator, you can also dry the beef in an oven set to the lowest temperature possible.
Once the beef jerky is dried, it’s time for the best bit: it’s ready to eat! Store it in an airtight container in the fridge, and it will last for up to 2 weeks, or long enough for you to create your next fresh batch!
Of course, if you want to try something really different, check out our range of amazing sauces here at Absolutely World Class. Homemade beef jerky and our incredible sauces are a match made in heaven!
If you’re not sure what sauces would compliment your homemade beef jerky, our knowledgeable and experienced staff can offer you some awesome suggestions to try. Contact us: we’re only a click away! We love to help our customers find the perfect flavor combination for their homemade beef jerky!