Salt Free Jerky Recipes

SUGAR-FREE KETO BEEF JERKY

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 225 degrees F. Line two large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Unfold the steak and place it on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, cut the beef crosswise, against the grain (so that you sever the tough, thin fibers that you can see on the steak) into 2-inch-wide strips.
• You want the strips to be around 1/8-inch thick, so if they are thicker, slice each strip lengthwise into two thinner, 1/8-inch-thick strips. This is easier to do if the meat is partially frozen.*
• Allow the meat strips to rest at room temperature for about 15 minutes so that they fully defrost and become more pliable. Then arrange them in a single layer on a cutting board, cover them with cling wrap, and use a meat pounder to pound them so that they are thinner and more even in thickness.
• Place the beef strips in a large bowl. Add the salt, pepper, and spices and toss with your hands until the meat is thoroughly coated.
• Arrange the meat pieces on the two prepared baking sheets, not touching each other. Bake for 3 hours, rotating the position of the baking sheets midway, until the beef is browned and dry. The smell will be amazing!
• Remove the strips to a cooling rack placed on a tray or on foil (to catch any drips). Allow to cool and dry for about 30 minutes before enjoying. Refrigerate any leftovers. They're delicious straight out of the fridge.

PEPPERED BEEF JERKY

Steps:

• In a large zip top bag, combine all ingredients for the marinade. Mix well to dissolve the sugar.
• Add the sliced eye of round to your marinade and toss gently in the bag to coat all sides of the meat with the marinade. Refrigerate 8 hours, or up to 24 hours. The longer it marinates, the saltier and stronger the flavor will be.
• Remove the strips of marinated beef from the bag and place on paper towels. Pat dry.
• Preheat your smoker, oven (with the door cracked), or dehydrator to run at around 170 degrees F. Transfer the strips to the grill grate, jerky rack, or cooling rack and season the top with additional black pepper, if desired.
• Smoke/cook for 2-3 hours (depending on the thickness of your slices, some thicker pieces can take 4-5 hours). Check often after the first hour to be sure your jerky is drying evenly. You are looking for jerky that is firm and still slightly pliable, but not soft. If you bend your jerky and it breaks, you've cooked it a little too long
• Place the finished jerky in a gallon zip top bag while it is still warm. Don't seal closed all the way. The jerky will steam in the bag slightly and this step will make the jerky moist. If you added the curing salt, the jerky will last a couple of weeks on the counter. If you did not add in the curing salt, it will last a couple of weeks in the refrigerator.