Best 20 Jerky Recipes

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.

GROUND BEEF JERKY

Steps:

• Stir salt, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, ginger, black pepper, and cayenne pepper together in a large bowl; add ground beef and mix well.
• Pass beef mixture through a meat grinder set with the finest blade.
• Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C). Place wire-racks onto baking sheets.
• Place 1/2 ground beef mixture between two sheets of heavy plastic on a solid, level surface. Firmly roll beef mixture to a thickness of 1/8 inch. Remove the top layer of plastic wrap, invert beef mixture onto prepared baking sheet, and remove the bottom layer of plastic wrap. Repeat for remaining beef mixture.
• Bake beef mixture in the preheated oven with the oven door slightly ajar for 2 1/2 hours. Rotate the baking sheet. Bake until jerky is cooked through, another 3 hours. Remove jerky from oven and cut into strips while warm.

DAD'S JERKY MARINADE

Steps:

• Stir together soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, and hot pepper sauce in a bowl. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, and sugar; stir until mixed.
• To use, toss one pound of thinly sliced meat with the marinade until well coated. Place into a resealable plastic bag, and squeeze out the air. Marinate in the refrigerator for 48 hours, mixing twice. Remove meat from marinade, and discard excess marinade. Prepare jerky according to the manufacturer's directions of your smoker or dehydrator.

THE BEST TERIYAKI BEEF JERKY

Steps:

• Flash freeze beef for 20 minutes on cookie sheet during ingredient mixture.
• Mix ingredients in extra large bowl with whisk until completely blended.
• If beef is more than one inch thick, slice across to create equal thickness.
• Cut beef between 1/8 - 1/ 4 inch thick slices, in addition to trimming as much fat off the meat as possible.
• Incorporate beef into ingredients to cover.
• Marinate beef overnight.
• Pat dry beef slices and skewer beef onto bamboo, ensuring small space between slices for thorough dryness and leaving one inch on each end.
• Hang beef skewers across oven rack so beef hangs freely.
• Cover entire oven rack with skewers of meat.
• Place aluminum foil on oven rack #2 at very bottom of oven to help catch drippings.
• Set oven to lowest temperature (170 degrees in my case) and leave door ajar on hinge, letting beef sit for approximately 5-6 hours or until dry.
• Check beef a few times throughout to ensure it is not actually baking, but simply drying out.
• Once finished,
• Let beef skewers rest for 10 minutes after drying, and then remove skewers from oven rack and let sit on tray until cool.
• Remove beef strips from skewers and store them in an airtight container.

SWEET AND SPICY VENISON JERKY

Steps:

• Whisk together the sugar, black pepper, onion powder, garlic salt, lemon juice, liquid smoke, paprika, hot pepper sauce, Worcestershire sauce, teriyaki sauce, and soy sauce in a large glass or ceramic bowl. Add the venison strips and toss to evenly coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator for 24 hours. Mix the venison a few times as it marinates to ensure even absorption of the marinade.
• Remove the venison strips from the marinade and squeeze off excess. Discard the remaining marinade. Arrange the venison on the racks of a food dehydrator so that it does not overlap.
• Dry the venison on High until dry but still pliable, about 4 hours. The jerky should bend without breaking. Store the jerky in an airtight container or in a resealable plastic bag.

JERKY LOVER'S JERKY - SWEET, HOT AND SPICY!

Steps:

• In a small bowl or cup, mix together the onion powder, garlic powder, and some cracked black pepper. Season the meat lightly, using only part of the mixture. Reserve the remaining spices. Place into an airtight plastic container or bowl, and refrigerate.
• In a saucepan over medium heat, mix together the brown sugar, soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, Worcestershire sauce, balsamic vinegar, liquid smoke flavoring and pineapple juice. Heat until the brown sugar has completely dissolved. Refrigerate marinade until cool.
• Pour cooled marinade over the seasoned meat, and mix by hand to coat. Seal the bowl, and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
• Arrange the beef strips on the rack of a dehydrator, and sprinkle with a little bit more of the spice mixture and red pepper flakes if using. Dry for 5 hours, or to your desired dryness.

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.

VENISON JERKY

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine ground venison, salt, MSG, hot sauce, curing mixture, barbeque seasoning, water, liquid smoke, garlic powder, and pepper; mix thoroughly. Cover, and refrigerate for 2 hours.
• Line food dehydrator trays with plastic wrap. Pat meat mixture into a very thin layer on the trays. Place in dehydrator set according to manufacturers directions. Once the meat has firmed up, after about the first 2 hours, remove it from the plastic, cut into strips, and replace onto the racks. Continue until the meat is done drying, about 5 to 10 hours total depending on machine.
• When finished, blot off any grease with a paper towel. Store in the refrigerator in a jar with a tight fitting lid.

AIR FRYER OVEN BEEF JERKY

Steps:

• Place beef, jerky seasoning, and 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons cure in a large bowl. Massage beef with your hands until evenly combined. Cover and refrigerate, 8 hours to overnight.
• Preheat the air fryer to 160 degrees F (70 degrees C). Place beef slices on the rack, making sure none are overlapping.
• Air fry for 3 hours. Open the air fryer and let beef sit for 1 hour for final drying and cooling. Store in an airtight container.

TERIYAKI BEEF JERKY

Steps:

• Mix teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce in a large bowl.
• Place pineapple and garlic in a food processor or blender; process until smooth. Pour pineapple mixture and teriyaki mixture into a resealable plastic bag. Add beef, coat with the marinade, squeeze out excess air, and seal the bag. Marinate in the refrigerator for 6 to 8 hours.
• Preheat smoker to 225 to 250 degrees F (110 to 120 degrees C). Drain beef and discard marinade.
• Smoke beef in the preheated smoker until jerky is dry and chewy but not crispy, 6 to 8 hours. Store jerky in the refrigerator.

DEER JERKY

Steps:

• Slice meat into long strips, 1 inch wide and 1/8 inch thick. In a large releasable plastic bag, combine soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, ketchup, pepper, garlic powder, onion salt and salt. Place meat in, and close bag. Refrigerate overnight. Knead occasionally, to evenly distribute marinade.
• Preheat oven to 160 degrees F (70 degrees C). Place a pan on the bottom of oven to catch drips, or line with aluminum foil.
• Place meat strips on a rack so that they do not touch each other, and dehydrate for 6 to 8 hours in the oven, or until desired consistency is achieved.

HOMEMADE BEEF JERKY

Steps:

• Trim all fat off meat.
• Cut steak in to 4 inch strips.
• The steak should be about 1/2 inch thick.
• It's easier to cut meat partially frozen.
• Pound meat lightly, you don't want it too thin.
• Add all ingredients in a large bowl.
• Mix well.
• Cover and refrigerate overnight (8 hrs).
• Line cookie sheets with tin foil.
• Place steak strips on sheets, don't overlap meat.
• Set oven at lowest temperature. (150-175°F).
• Bake six hours, turning after three hours.
• Jerky is done when meat is dried out, depending on your oven.
• Worth the wait!

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.

SPICY BEEF JERKY

Steps:

• Whisk together soy sauce, hot water, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, Creole seasoning, and Cajun seasoning in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for about 1 minute; stir well. Add beef and toss to evenly coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap; marinate in the refrigerator, 8 hours or overnight. Remove meat from marinade and rinse with hot water.
• Preheat oven to 160 degrees F (70 degrees C). Place a pan on the bottom of oven to catch drips.
• Place meat strips on a rack about 1 inch apart from each other; dehydrate in the oven for 5 to 6 hours, or until desired consistency is achieved.

AMAZING TURKEY JERKY

Steps:

• Combine ground turkey, soy sauce, honey, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, liquid smoke, garlic powder, pepper, ginger, olive oil, and beef bouillon in a large bowl. Mix well and cover. Marinate in the refrigerator for 2 to 12 hours.
• Tape 2 paint stir sticks 2 inches apart on a flat work surface. Cover with a large piece of plastic wrap. Place a golfball-sized piece of turkey mixture between the sticks. Cover with another piece of plastic wrap. Roll turkey mixture into a thin strip using a rolling pin. Transfer strip to a dehydrator tray. Repeat with remaining turkey mixture.
• Dehydrate at 160 degrees F (70 degrees C) until thoroughly dried, 5 to 8 hours.

TERIYAKI BEEF JERKY

Steps:

• Trim all visible fat from steak. Freeze, covered, 30 minutes or until firm. Slice steak along the grain into long 1/8-in.-thick strips., Transfer to a large resealable plastic bag. In a small bowl, whisk remaining ingredients; add to beef. Seal bag and turn to coat. Refrigerate 2 hours or overnight, turning occasionally. , Preheat oven to 170°. Transfer beef and marinade to a large saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 5 minutes. Using tongs, remove beef from marinade; drain on paper towels. Discard marinade., Arrange beef strips in single layer on wire racks placed on 15x10x1-in. baking pans. Dry in oven 4-5 hours or until beef becomes dry and leathery, rotating pans occasionally. (Or use a commercial dehydrator, following manufacturer's directions.), Remove from oven; cool completely. Using paper towels, blot any beads of oil on jerky. For best quality and longer storage, store jerky, covered, in refrigerator or freezer.

DRY CURE SOUTHWEST BEEF JERKY

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine all ingredients and really rub the dry ingredients into the grain of the meat; really get it worked in Cover and marinate overnight.
• If you have a dehydrator, by all means use it.
• My oven method: Place aluminum foil on oven rack.
• Preheat oven to 170 degrees F (that's as low as my oven will go--).
• Put meat on baking racks then set on the foiled oven rack to dry.
• Prop the oven door open with an oven mitt to allow moisture to escape.
• In my oven, it takes about 7 hours for complete drying; slightly less if you use very thin slices (mine are about 1/4 inch thick).

LITTLE CHIEF BEEF AND GAME JERKY

Steps:

• Place all ingredients in a plastic zipper bag and refrigerate overnight.
• The next day, if using your oven to dry, cover your oven racks with foil and preheat oven to 180 degrees F.
• Transfer drained meat to baking racks and dry for approximately 6 hours; depending on how thick the meat slices are, drying could take between 5 and 7 hours.
• Be sure to place a couple of potholders in the oven door to keep it slightly ajar so moisture can escape and the meat can dry more thoroughly.

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.

SMOKY CHICKEN JERKY

Steps:

• Cut chicken with the grain into very thin strips, about 1/4-inch thick, while still mostly frozen.
• Mix soy sauce, teriyaki marinade, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, lemon juice, smoked salt, ginger, garlic powder, black pepper, and red pepper together in a small bowl. Place chicken strips in a large resealable plastic bag. Pour marinade over the meat and toss to coat. Marinate in the refrigerator, at least 1 hour and up to overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 180 degrees F (80 degrees C). Prepare a jelly roll pan by placing a wire rack on top and coating it with cooking spray.
• Place chicken strips on the rack as close together as possible without having them touch.
• Bake in the preheated oven, flipping halfway, until each piece is a uniform dark orange color and dry inside when cut in half, 4 to 5 hours total.