Looking for a delicious, homemade beef jerky that'll satisfy your cravings for a savory snack? Look no further than cowboy-style beef jerky, a classic recipe that combines the flavors of the Wild West with modern-day convenience. With the right ingredients and a few simple steps, you can make this mouthwatering jerky at home and enjoy it as an on-the-go snack, a protein-packed treat, or an addition to your favorite trail mix. From the perfect cut of beef to the essential spices and seasonings, let's dive into the art of crafting this lip-smacking beef jerky, cowboy style.
Let's cook with our recipes!
THE BEST HOMEMADE BEEF JERKY RECIPE
This is the best homemade beef jerky recipe, and it's easy to make without any special equipment.
Provided by Jennifer Segal
Categories Snacks
Time 3h30m
Yield 12 to 14 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Slice the meat between ⅛ and ¼ inch thick with the grain. (If the roast is too thick to slice easily, cut it in half horizontally before slicing.)
- Make the marinade: In a medium bowl, combine the brown sugar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, meat tenderizer, black pepper, red pepper flakes, onion powder, and garlic powder. Whisk until evenly combined and the sugar is dissolved.
- Add the meat to the marinade and toss until all of the pieces are evenly coated. Cover with plastic wrap or transfer to a large ziplock bag and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours or overnight. Toss the meat (or flip the bag) once or twice to be sure the meat marinates evenly.
- Line two baking sheets with aluminum foil for easy clean-up. Place a wire rack over each pan. Preheat the oven to 175°F and set two oven racks in the centermost positions.
- Arrange the marinated meat on the wire racks in a single layer. Bake, rotating the pans from front to back and top to bottom midway through, until the meat is dried out, 3 to 4 hours. To determine if the jerky is thoroughly dried out, take a piece out of the oven and let it cool to room temperature. It should be dry to the touch, leather-like in appearance, and chewy but still somewhat tender.
- Store the jerky inside an airtight plastic container, Ziploc bag, or airtight glass jars. Properly dried jerky will keep at room temperature for about one week. Refrigerate or freeze for longer storage.
- Note: Pop the meat in the freezer for 1 to 2 hours before slicing; it will be easier to cut.
- Note: Meat tenderizer contains bromelain, an enzyme that breaks down meat tissue. You can find it in the spice section of your supermarket. (I use McCormick.)
Nutrition Facts :
BEEF JERKY
Provided by Food Network
Time 18h15m
Yield about 1 pound
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Slice the meat into strips against the grain, 1/4-inch thick and 1-inch wide. (If necessary, freeze the meat for up to 2 hours to facilitate slicing.)
- In a large, wide bowl, combine the remaining ingredients. Place the meat in the marinade, cover, and refrigerate to marinate overnight, turning occasionally.
- Preheat the oven to its lowest setting, between 145 and 150 degrees F.
- Line 2 large baking sheets with foil and top with 2 heavy wire racks. Drain the meat, pat dry, and arrange evenly on the racks without touching. Place in the oven, leaving the oven door open a crack for air circulation. Leave in the oven until dry, but still firm (not spongy or brittle), 10 to 12 hours, depending upon the thickness of the meat, turning once or twice during the process.
- Remove from the oven and store in waxed paper at room temperature for up to 2 days. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate to store for up to 1 week.
BEEF JERKY
Make Alton Brown's Beef Jerky at home with this popular recipe from Good Eats on Food Network. The brine is packed with salty, sweet and spicy flavor.
Provided by Alton Brown
Time 20h20m
Yield 10 to 12 ounces
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Trim the flank steak of any excess fat, place in a zip-top bag, and place it in the freezer for 1 to 2 hours in order to firm up.
- Remove the steak from the freezer and thinly slice the meat with the grain, into long strips.
- Place the strips of meat along with all of the remaining ingredients into a large, 1-gallon plastic zip-top bag and move around to evenly distribute all of the ingredients. Place the bag into the refrigerator for 3 to 6 hours.
- Remove the meat from the brine and pat dry. Evenly distribute the strips of meat onto 3 of the air filters, laying them in the grooves and then stacking the filters on top of one another. Top these with 1 empty filter. Next, lay the box fan on its side and lay the filters on top of it. Strap the filters to the fan with 2 bungee cords. Stand the fan upright, plug in and set to medium. Allow the meat dry for 8 to 12 hours. If using a commercial dehydrator, follow the manufacturer's directions.
- Once dry, store in a cool dry place, in an airtight container for 2 to 3 months.
HOMEMADE BEEF JERKY
Thanks to a new wave of modern day cave-people, eating healthy, high-protein snacks is all the rage, and while you can find many artisan brands out there, making your own is fun, easy, and using this method, relatively quick. Have your butcher slice the beef for you.
Provided by Chef John
Categories Appetizers and Snacks Meat and Poultry Jerky Recipes
Time 6h15m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 9
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.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 285.5 calories, Carbohydrate 13.9 g, Cholesterol 80.5 mg, Fat 10.5 g, Fiber 0.9 g, Protein 32.7 g, SaturatedFat 3.9 g, Sodium 2178.6 mg, Sugar 7.1 g
BEEF JERKY, COWBOY STYLE BEEF JERKY
A story about beef jerky - Real tradition cowboy type beef jerky was the meat pulled from the side of a cow and meat scraps leftover from butchering (hence the toughness), thick meaty cuts were cured in a salty brine with whatever herbs or spices they had on hand, often it was twisted and tied into knots and then hung on tree limbs and such in direct sunlight until dried or in a smokehouse if they were so lucky. It was a good source of protein on cattle drives, other than beans and hard bread, maybe an occational rabbit or squirrel it was often what they nibbled on most of the day. I use brisket for it's toughness (cowboy style) but use whatever cut you wish. We don't sun dry anymore because of flys and bugs and such. My beef jerky recipe is also excellent for deer meat, buffalo and such, just make sure it is very lean with little or no fat. Deer made this way is my favorite.
Provided by Chipfo
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 6h45m
Yield 25 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
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.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 29.8, Fat 0.3, SaturatedFat 0.1, Cholesterol 2.5, Sodium 1130.2, Carbohydrate 4.2, Fiber 0.2, Sugar 1.9, Protein 2.7
COPYCAT BEEF JERKY
Make and share this Copycat Beef Jerky recipe from Food.com.
Provided by PugMomma Brenda
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 10h20m
Yield 30 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Trim all visible fat from meat. Partially freeze. Slice with the grain 1/8 to 1/4 inches wide and 4 to 12 inches long.
- Combine all remaining ingredients. Mix with beef strips. Place in a glass dish; cover and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.
- Lay beef strips in single layers on oven racks with cookie sheets below.
- Bake at 140° to 150° for 10-15 hours or until they are leathery.Or use a
- commercial dehydrator, following manufacturer's directions.
- With a paper towel, blot any drops of oil from the jerky.
- Place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator or freezer. Yield: 30 servings.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 124, Fat 5.6, SaturatedFat 2.3, Cholesterol 49, Sodium 244.5, Carbohydrate 0.2, Sugar 0.1, Protein 16.9
MATT'S JERKY RECIPE
I use this recipe for all of my elk and venison jerky, as well as beef jerky, with excellent results. Freeze or refrigerate the jerky afterwards to prolong shelf life.
Provided by Mattey
Categories Appetizers and Snacks Meat and Poultry Jerky Recipes
Time P1DT2h35m
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Freeze beef to make it easier to slice, about 20 minutes. Slice beef against the grain into strips about 1/4-inch thick.
- Whisk soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, liquid smoke, onion powder, chili powder, garlic powder, cayenne, and pepper together in a large bowl. Add beef strips. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator, mixing at least twice, 18 to 24 hours.
- Arrange beef strips on dehydrator trays. Dehydrate at 160 degrees F (70 degrees C) until dried, about 8 hours.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 179.8 calories, Carbohydrate 5.5 g, Cholesterol 67.7 mg, Fat 5 g, Fiber 0.6 g, Protein 26.9 g, SaturatedFat 1.5 g, Sodium 1084.2 mg, Sugar 2.7 g
Tips:
- Choose the right cut of beef: Flank steak, top round, or eye of round are all good options.
- Slice the beef against the grain to make it more tender.
- Use a marinade to flavor the beef. Common ingredients include soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and brown sugar.
- Marinate the beef for at least 4 hours, or up to 24 hours.
- Dry the beef thoroughly before smoking. This will help it to develop a crispy exterior.
- Smoke the beef at a low temperature (around 140°F) for 8-10 hours, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Let the beef cool completely before slicing and serving.
Conclusion:
Cowboy-style beef jerky is a delicious and versatile snack that can be enjoyed on its own or used as an ingredient in other dishes. It is a great way to use up leftover beef and is also a good source of protein and iron. With a little planning and effort, you can easily make your own cowboy-style beef jerky at home.
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