Old Trapper Beef Jerky Recipes

MIKE'S PEPPERED BEEF JERKY

Steps:

• Place beef strips on a solid, level surface. Firmly pound beef with the tenderizing side of a meat mallet until the meat fibers are slightly broken but the strips still hold their shape.
• Mix Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, liquid smoke, cayenne pepper, and coriander seeds in a large bowl until brown sugar has dissolved.
• Place beef strips into the bowl; add enough water to allow marinade to cover the meat. Stir to incorporate water and submerge the beef in marinade, cover the bowl, and refrigerate for 24 hours.
• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
• Remove beef strips from marinade, shake off excess, and lay the strips onto oven-proof racks. Do not overlap the strips.
• Bake the beef strips in the preheated oven until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest strip reads at least 150 degrees F (65 degrees C).
• Remove strips from oven and place onto racks of a food dehydrator so the strips don't overlap.
• If desired, sprinkle strips with more coriander seeds and black pepper.
• Turn on the dehydrator, set machine's temperature for 155 degrees F (70 degrees C), and dry the jerky until leathery, about 9 hours. Rotate the racks from top to bottom every 1 1/2 hours for even drying. A piece of jerky should crack but not break in half when folded. Store in refrigerator.

HOMEMADE BEEF JERKY

Steps:

• Whisk Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, paprika, honey, black pepper, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, and onion powder together in a bowl. Add beef to bowl and turn to coat beef completely. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator, 3 hours to overnight.
• Preheat oven to 175 degrees F (80 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack over the foil.
• Transfer beef to paper towels to dry. Discard marinade. Arrange beef slices in a single layer on the prepared wire rack on the baking sheet.
• Bake beef in the preheated oven until dry and leathery, 3 to 4 hours. Cut with scissors into bite-size pieces.

BEEF JERKY, COWBOY STYLE BEEF JERKY

Steps:

• In a very large bowl mix up all ingredients except the meat and set aside.
• If using a whole brisket separate the flat half and the point half, put the point half away for another use (like smoking it). Trim all the fat from the flat half, it needs to be very lean (You butcher may do this for you, along with slicing it).
• You can partially freeze this for easier slicing, slice into 1/8 or slightly thicker. If you need to, cut in lengths to fit your dehydrator. Or use a gas oven set on 145°F.
• Add slices to bowl with the marinade, with clean hands make sure all the meat is coated without any "dry spots". Press down the meat to remove air and bring marinade to the top.
• Allow to marinade for about 4 hours, stirring the meat a few times during this period to keep the meat coated. I use my hands, washed of course, then press the meat down again.
• If you need more marinade just scale down the recipe and make a little more.
• Place slices in the dehydrator and dehydrate according to manufacturers directions.
• If using a gas oven (I didn't like the results from an electric oven), place several sheets of foil across the bottom of oven, do not cover the heat vents, heat to 145 F, place slices directly on oven rack and close door.
• Allow to dry for 6 to 8 hours. The jerky needs to be dry but still pliable, NOT crunchy. It will bend but not break.
• Store in an airtight container after it has cooled completely.
• When you are eating this pretend your a cowboy on horseback in a cattle drive, all you have to eat everyday is beans, hard bread and beef jerky, tear off a piece with your teeth, jam in down between your cheek and gum, suck on it for a minute or 2, then slowly start chewing the edge until it is gone. LOL, or just enjoy it however you like.
• I call this jerky "Cowboy Style" because it is very tough and chewy, if you do not like tough jerky then use whatever meat you prefer. Round roast works well, just make sure the cut you use is very lean and trimmed of all fat. Fat can turn rancid.