Smoky Beef Jerky Recipes

DOC'S BEST BEEF JERKY

Steps:

• Place beef strips in the bottom of a large bowl. Pour soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, brown sugar, salt, pepper, meat tenderizer, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika over beef. Mix to assure all the meat is evenly coated. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 8 hours or overnight.
• Remove meat from bowl and place between two pieces of plastic wrap; pound to 1/8-inch thickness.
• Arrange the meat strips on the tray of a dehydrator and dry at your dehydrator's highest setting until done to your liking, at least 4 hours. Store in an airtight container or resealable bags.

HOW TO MAKE BEEF JERKY IN A SMOKER

Steps:

• Trim all visible fat from the beef, wrap in plastic wrap, and place in the freezer for an hour or two to partially freeze.
• While the meat is in the freezer, combine the soy sauce, water, brown sugar, ground black pepper, sea salt, garlic powder, & onion powder in a bowl or ziplock bag and mix well.
• Remove the meat from the freezer and slice ¼" strips against the grain for an easy chew. Slice with the grain for a chewier jerky. Or skip the freezing phase and use a Jerky Slicer.
• Add sliced beef to the mixture and marinate for 8-24 hours in the refrigerator.
• After the meat has finished marinating, remove from refrigerator and strain excess marinade.
• Pat dry the strips with paper towels.
• Dry with your Dehydrator, Smoker, or Oven. Click the links or read the post above for more detailed drying information.
• The jerky is finished when it bends and cracks, but does not break in half.

SMOKED BEEF JERKY

Steps:

• Trim any excess fat off of your meat, and then slice thin (1/4 - 1/8 inch thick slices). This is easier if the meat is still slightly frozen
• Combine all of the marinade ingredients in a bowl and whisk together. Put the meat in a zip lock, and pour the marinade into the bag and then seal. Let the meat marinate for at least 12 hours and up to 24 hours
• Remove the meat from the marinade and blot dry with a paper towel. Place the meat on your smoker and let it smoke at 150 to 180 degrees for 2 hours.
• Check on the meat at 2 hours. Some of the pieces may be done; you can tell if you pick up a piece and when you shake it, it doesn't bend.
• Place the jerky on a cooling rack until it's come down to room temp, and then store in an airtight container in your fridge.

BEEF JERKY IN A SMOKER

Steps:

• In a large, nonporous bowl, combine the ground black pepper, soy sauce, vinegar, hot pepper sauce and Worcestershire sauce. Mix well and add the meat slices. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
• Prepare an outdoor smoker for low heat and lightly oil grate.
• Lay meat strips out on grill so that they do not overlap. Smoke over low heat. Jerky will be done when the edges appear dry with just a slight hint of moisture in the center of the slices, about 6 to 8 hours.