Beef Jerky

Learn how to make beef jerky in a smoker. This easy, step-by-step recipe has all the information, AND a video, you’ll need to make the best beef jerky you’ve ever made!

It’s 2:30 pm, you’ve been busy all day and there it is.

The brick wall.

We all know it. We all loathe it.

You know what kicks the mid-afternoon slump to the curb? A tasty snack!

This recipe is dedicated to the mid-afternoon struggle.

BEEF JERKY TIPS AND TRICKS

WHAT BEEF SHOULD I USE TO MAKE BEEF JERKY?

Beef jerky is made from lean meats. The leaner the better, because when we make beef jerky, we are smoking and dehydrating the beef which is essentially preserving and making shelf-stable.

Fat doesn’t translate to shelf-stable! Any fat left on the roast has the potential to go rancid. If you watch my handsome hand model in the video, you’ll see how Kevy trims his roast. He’s using a little boning knife to slice off the fat.

We tend to choose cuts from the round portion of the beef. Eye of round is a nice shape and size, and one of our favourites. Top round is similar, and maybe a bit more tender. Either of those would be a great choice for beef jerky.

HOW TO SLICE MEAT FOR BEEF JERKY

There are 2 options when it comes to slicing your beef:

1. With the grain – this gives you a chewier jerky. That can be split and pulled in long strips.
2. Against the grain – this gives a more tender, less chewy jerky. It can still be pulled apart in chunks, but because the meat is cut against the grain, the muscle fibres are shorter and easier to chew.

We prefer to slice our beef against the grain. If you watch my video, you can see examples of both.

Once you’ve decided how to slice it, it’s time to actually slice your beef roast!

Actually slicing the beef:

It’s important to cut your beef jerky slices evenly – this will ensure an even cook and even texture in the finished product. In my opinion, the perfect slice is between 1/8″ and 1/4″!

There are a couple ways to help get a good clean cut on your jerky:

• Freeze your meat! Beef comes from a living animal – it’s filled with moisture, and that makes it squishy and malleable. It’s hard to slice something that’s squirming all over the cutting board.
• Use a meat slicer if you have one, or invest in one if you plan on making a lot of jerky! It will make your life a lot easier, your slices consistent, and the prep-time shortened big time.

We have a meat slicer similar to this one! If you’re going to use a knife, use a sharp Granton knife.

MARINATING BEEF JERKY

What’s In the Marinade?

Every marinade is different, and truly, the sky is the limit on what you can add to your marinade.

There are a few things we always like to add:

• something sweet
• something salty
• something spicy
• herbs and spices

How Long To Marinate Beef Jerky

Marinate your jerky for 12-18 hours. It takes a while to get all that delicious flavourness up in the beef.

Generally, what we do is slice and mix up the marinade on Saturday afternoon, then smoke Sunday morning.

HOW TO SMOKE BEEF JERKY

Once your jerky has been sliced and sufficiently marinated, it’s showtime!

1. Fire up the Traeger to 180f.
2. Use paper towel to dry your jerky.
3. Spread the jerky in a single layer on the racks in your smoker.
4. Smoke at 180f for 2-3 hours – flipping halfway through.
5. Remove from smoker and place in a ziplock bag – allow it to cool slightly then seal. The beef will reabsorb the condensation
6. Store in an airtight bag in the fridge.

How To Tell When Beef Jerky Is Done

The rule of thumb is to cook it until it bends but doesn’t crack. The best way I’ve found is to pull your jerky off of the smoker and allow it to come to room temperature, then fold it right in half.

If it’s pliable and the meat fibres start to crack it’s pretty much perfect! If it’s too floppy – back to the smoker.

Now for the good stuff:

BEST BEEF JERKY RECIPES:

Sweet Ginger Beef Jerky

Root Beer Sriracha Beef Jerky

How To Make Beef Jerky In A Smoker

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 3 hours

Additional Time: 18 hours

Total Time: 21 hours 20 minutes

Print

Ingredients

• Beef roast - eye of round

Instructions

1. Freeze roast for 1-2 hours - until meat is firm
2. Slice beef into approximately 1/8" slices.
3. Mix marinade in a large bowl.
4. Transfer sliced beef to a large ziplock bag, and pour marinade into the bag.
5. Remove any air from the bag, then seal.
6. Massage the bag to ensure all the beef is coated with the marinade.
7. Place the marinating bag in the fridge overnight - for 12-18 hours. Flip the bag twice during the marinading time.
8. Preheat smoker to 180f.
9. Remove beef from the bag, and dry with paper towels.
10. Spread on smoker racks in a single layer. Smoke at 180f for 2-3 hours. Until jerky is pliable but doesn't crack.
11. Transfer to a clean ziplock bag and allow to cool for 10-15 minutes before sealing the bag.

Notes

Store your beef jerky in an airtight container in the fridge up to 2 weeks.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Traeger Timberline Grill - 1300

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

40

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 10 Total Fat: 1g Saturated Fat: 0g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 0g Cholesterol: 4mg Sodium: 3mg Carbohydrates: 0g Net Carbohydrates: 0g Fiber: 0g Sugar: 0g Sugar Alcohols: 0g Protein: 1g

PIN THIS BEEF JERKY RECIPE FOR LATER: