Healthy Homemade Beef Jerky Recipe

My Healthy Homemade Beef Jersey is an easy and cheap snack recipe – all you need to do is bake it in the oven on low!

Ingredients and substitutions

Top sirloin steak – top-round or bottom-round steak is also good for jerky.
i am willow – coconut aminos or tamari are the best soy sauce substitutes.
Worcestershire sauce – white wine vinegar would also work here.
Honey – maple syrup will also add some sweetness to your jerky.
Hot sauce – use more or less hot sauce or tabasco depending on how much spice you like.
Black pepper – freshly cracked pepper will give the jerky more of a peppery flavour.
Onion powder – double up on the garlic powder if you don’t have any onion powder on hand.
Garlic powder – swap out for more onion powder or use finely minced garlic cloves.
Paprika – cayenne will provide a similar flavour but has more of a kick.
Red pepper flakes – cayenne or chili powder would also be good here.

How to make homemade beef jerky

Freeze then slice the steak.
Marinade the steak strips.
Squeeze out the excess liquid.
Add the beef to bamboo skewers.
Hang the skewers in the oven.
Remove from the skewers and store for later!

Beef jerky flavours

For different flavours of beef jerky, you can change up the marinade ingredients. There are nearly endless options when it comes to the different flavour combinations you can try!

Here are some great flavour options for your beef jerky:

Lemon pepper with soy sauce and lemon pepper seasoning
Chili lime with lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce and chili garlic sauce
Bring the heat by adding diced jalapeno to the sauce
Asian with soy sauce, rice vinegar and ginger
Sweet and spicy with balsamic vinegar, pineapple juice and teriyaki sauce
Caribbean using jerk seasoning
Thai-inspired using cumin and coriander

Frequently Asked Questions

Is beef jerky a healthy snack?

This homemade beef jerky is definitely a healthy snack. It’s low in calories, high in protein and low in fat since you’re using a lean cut of meat. Plus, since you’re making your own homemade jerky at home, you don’t have to worry about all the extra preservatives and sodium that you’d get from store-bought jerky.

What is the best meat to use?

I used top sirloin steak to make this homemade beef jerky, since it’s a super lean cut of meat and you cut away any of the excess fat. You can also use top-round or bottom-round steak for beef jerky. Along with top sirloin, these are the most tender and flavourful cuts of beef. You can also try making your jerky with pork or venison!

How long does it take to dehydrate?

For this recipe, you’ll actually be using your oven to dehydrate the beef instead of a dehydrator. It will need to cook in the oven for 5 hours at 170° Fahrenheit. It takes a while but it’s totally worth it.

How long does homemade beef jerky last?

If you are going to eat the homemade beef jerky within 3 to 4 days, you can keep it on the counter at room temperature in an airtight container or Ziploc bags. If you want it to last longer than that, I recommend storing it in the fridge, since it’s not as shelf-stable as the store-bought versions. It should last in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Can you freeze beef jerky?

Yes, you can! Beef jerky can be frozen for 7 to 12 months. Pack it into an airtight container or Ziploc bag and make sure to get as much air out as possible before sticking it in the freezer. Just pull it out of the freezer and let it defrost in the fridge overnight before eating.

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