Cookbook:Beef Jerky

| U.S. Cuisine | Texas Cuisine

Beef jerky is ideal for road trips and camping, as it will not perish as readily as fresh meat. It is suitable not only as a snack but also as a meal. This recipe for jerky is not heavily brined and flavored as commercial jerky is. Other meats may be substituted instead of beef, but use caution.

Ingredients

 * ¾ tsp salt
 * ¼ tsp pepper
 * 1 tbsp brown sugar
 * ¼ tsp garlic, minced or pressed
 * 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce or teriyaki sauce
 * ¼ tsp liquid smoke
 * 1 lb (450 g) beef (flank or skirt steak is ideal)

Procedure

 * 1) Mix all ingredients except beef to make brine.
 * 2) Slice beef into ¼-inch thick strips. Small chunks (about ¾-inch) of stewing beef may also be used. If possible, cut along the grain of the meat rather than across it. It may be easier to freeze the meat before attempting to cut it, as this will stop the meat pulling and deforming so easily.
 * 3) Marinate meat in overnight, or at least for an hour or two.
 * 4) Place meat on racks and dry in a food dehydrator at 145 °F (63 °C) for 6–8 hours. They may also be dried in a 150 °F (65 °C) oven with foil-covered racks. If using the oven, turn meat over 3–4 hours into drying time and reduce temperature to 130 °F (55 °C).

Notes, tips, and variations

 * Other common seasonings may include ¼ tsp each of cayenne pepper, cheese powder, and/or white pepper.
 * The meat should bend but not break when properly dried.