Simple Beef Jerky Recipe

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Smokey, salty, and just the right amount of sweet, beef jerky is a perfect snack for hiking, camping, and road-tripping. Learn how to make your own flavorful and tender beef jerky using either a dehydrator or an oven!

Beef jerky stacked on a piece of parchment paper

Making your own beef jerky at home is not only incredibly simple, but it is also cheaper than buying quality store-bought jerky. Plus, you’ll be able to control all the ingredients that go into making it; no weird stabilizers or unpronounceable additives. 

So if you’re ready to start making your own beef jerky, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we share everything we know about making tender homemade beef jerky. 

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Why We Love It: 

  • Versatile hiking, camping, travel snack 
  • Cheaper than buying store-bought jerky
  • Great way to make use of cheaper cuts of meat 
  • Lots of opportunities to develop your own customized flavors

Quick Tips for Making Beef Jerky

  • Chewy = cut with the grain. Tender = against the grain. 
  • Partially freeze your beef before slicing it. Firm beef is much easier to cut. 
  • Tenderizing your beef with a mallet is definitely worth the effort
  • Use a Ziploc bag or reusable alternative for the marinade, which allows you to coat each strip of beef by massaging the outside of the bag. 
  • Preheat your dehydrator, and dehydrate at 160 F to ensure beef remains at food-safe temperature. 
  • Set a timer! Beef jerky can become over dehydrated if left in for too long, so you will want to pull it before 100% of the water has evaporated. 
Eye of round on a cutting board
Eye of Round is one of our favorite cuts of beef for jerky

Best Cuts of Meat for Beef Jerky

Any lean cut of beef will work great for making jerky. In fact, when you’re selecting a cut for your jerky, the leaner, the better. 

The reason is that fat doesn’t dehydrate. Water moisture will evaporate out of the beef during the dehydration process, but the fat will remain. And excessive amounts of fat can lead to your jerky going rancid. 

So while a nicely marbled ribeye steak might be great for searing, all that intermuscular fat will be no good for making jerky. 

By choosing a lean cut of beef, you reduce the amount of fat you need to remove. Plus, these are often the cheaper cuts of meat! 

These are our go-to cuts for making beef jerky:

  • Top Round
  • Eye of Round
  • Top Sirloin
  • London Broil

However, if you’re looking for a really “primo” cut of beef to use for jerky, we’d suggest using flank steak. It’s by far the priciest option, but it has a really great flavor and can be cut into long thin strips.

Image showing intramuscular fat and fat cap/silver skin on beef

What Do With Fat? 

Nearly all cuts of beef have some fat, but not all of it needs to be removed.  

You will want to cut away any large caps of fatty gristle. This can be accomplished by running your knife underneath it, lifting up a tab of fat, and shaving away at a shallow angle with your knife.

You may also notice some thin “veins” of intermuscular fat running through the meat. Whether you want to cut these out is entirely up to you. 

If you are really trying to maximize storage life, you can go ahead and carefully cut these out. But if you’re planning on eating in your jerky relatively soon, it is fine to leave them. We only ever cut out the really big line of fat and leave the rest. 

Image showing beef cut with the grain and cut against the grain

How to Cut the Beef

After you’ve selected the cut of beef, the next step is to decide which direction you want to slice it. 

There are two schools of thought on this: 

  • If you want your jerky to be chewy, then you will want to cut with the grain
  • If you want your jerky to tender, you will want to cut against the grain. 

We tend to favor slicing against the grain, but it’s totally up to you. 

In terms of thickness, you want to slice the beef as thin as you can. Perhaps not paper-thin (which is kind of impossible with beef), but somewhere in the ⅛ to ¼ of an inch zone. If the jerky is too thick it will be harder to dehydrate and will end up being much tougher to chew.

If you buy your meat from a butcher counter, the easiest way to slice your beef is to ask the butcher to do it for you! This is usually a free service, plus they have these amazing industrial meat-slicing machines, so each piece will come out perfectly uniform. 

No butcher around? No worries! It’s easy to slice the beef with a knife at home IF you follow this one trick! 

To make the beef easier to slice, place it in the freezer for 1-2 hours beforehand or until it becomes semi-frozen. (not frozen like a rock, just firm) Beef is so much easier to slice when it’s semi-frozen. 

Also, it might seem obvious, but use a sharp knife! Dull knives cause all sorts of kitchen accidents, and, in this particular instance, makes cutting the beef absolutely excruciating. A recently sharpened knife will make this process so much easier (and safer!) We own this Chef Choice Model 15XV and it works great.

Sliced beef and a mallet on an orange cutting board

The Importance of Tenderizing

One of the most common complaints about beef jerky (whether homemade or store-bought) is that it feels like chewing tree bark. We get it, nobody wants to gnaw away on a beef-flavored woodchip. So what’s to be done? 

The first thing you can do is choose the right direction to slice your beef, which we covered above. Against the grain = more tender.

The next step is to ensure that you properly tenderize your meat. There are two ways to do this: manually or with a powder.  

Pounding the beef with a meat tenderizing mallet will physically break down the muscle fibers, resulting in a more tender texture. While a little labor-intensive, this method is very effective (sometimes a little too effective). Make sure not to over tenderize! The beef slices need to retain some structure, so you don’t want to pound them into mush. This method also has the added benefit of helping to ensure the slices are all pounded to an even thickness.

Meat tenderizing powders are made from enzymes. They are most commonly derived either from papain, which comes from papayas, or from bromelain, which comes from pineapples. These can be sprinkled onto the beef and will start working to break down the fibers as soon as they get placed into the dehydrator (activated by heat). 

The other essential part of tenderizing is using a well-salted beef jerky marinade. Salt will naturally start to break down the muscle fibers, yielding a more tender jerky. 

Pouring marinade over beef jerky in a bag

Beef Jerky Marinade

Just like with BBQ sauces, the marinade is the secret X factor in every beef jerky recipe. The exact ingredients and proportions are often highly coveted trade secrets. 

Thankfully you won’t have to twist our arm to get our recipe (it’s in the recipe card below!) Our recipe does a great job recreating that classic “original” jerky flavor, but you can totally adjust the spices to make this recipe your own.

Just remember not to add any fats or oils to your jerky marinade (lots of grilling marinades call for fats) if you plan on storing it for any length of time.

Jerky prepared for dehydrating. One reads "Dehydrator: Arrange directly onto the dehydrator trays." The other reds "Oven: Arrange on a raised cooling rack on a baking sheet"

Which is Better: Oven or Dehydrator?

You can make delicious-tasting beef jerky using either. However, you will get better and more consistent results if you use a dehydrator. 

Dehydrators offer much better temperature control (especially at the lower temperatures needed for dehydrating), and they provide vastly better airflow. 

We will give instructions for both methods, but if you want to get serious about making jerky, then you should consider picking up a dehydrator. They can be very affordable and have a ton of other great uses.

Equipment Spotlight: Dehydrators

If you’re in the market for a dehydrator, we recommend buying one that has an adjustable temperature, which will allow you to dial in the drying temp to give you the best results for individual ingredients. The dehydrator we use and recommend most often is the COSORI Premium. You can find our other favorite dehydrators here.

Split image showing jerky before and after dehydrating
Beef jerky before and after dehydrating

How to Dehydrate Beef Jerky

To dehydrate your jerky, preheat your dehydrator to 160F. If you’re using your oven, preheat to 160F or as low as you can set it.

Load the trays, making sure no pieces of meat overlap, and then place them in the dehydrator or oven.

The drying time will depend on how thick the beef was sliced, the total load, the humidity in your space, and your particular machine—double-check your dehydrator’s manual. We find that jerky usually takes 4-6 hours. Every so often, use a paper towel to blot any fat, and shuffle or rotate the trays if needed to promote even drying.

Properly dried jerky should crack when bent, but not break. Be sure to test using a cooled piece.

Homemade beef jerky in a mason jar for storage
We personally like to store our beef jerky in airtight reusable mason jars.

Best Ways to Store Beef Jerky

How you store your beef jerky will often depend on when you intend to eat it. The longer you want to store it, the more specific the storing process needs to become. 

Up to a week: Beef jerky will be fine for up to a week in a non-airtight reusable or plastic baggie. The less exposure to air the better, and it’s a good idea to keep out of direct light. 

Up to a month: You will want to use an airtight container (Mason jar, resealable container with gasket lid). It can be stored at room temperature but should be kept away from direct light. 

3-6 months: For anything over a month, beef jerky should be vacuum-sealed in an airtight container. FoodSaver makes a variety of ways of vacuum-sealing food either in plastic pouches or reusable Mason jars. You will want to store it in the refrigerator. 

Up to a year: To maximize the storage time of your beef jerky, you will want to vacuum-seal it in an airtight container and store it in the freezer. You may also consider using a moisture-absorbing packet. 

Beef jerky stacked on a piece of parchment paper
Homemade beef jerky in a mason jar for storage

Simple DIY Beef Jerky

This homemade beef jerky is savory, slightly spicy, and is easy to make with simple ingredients.
Author: Fresh Off The Grid
4.76 from 110 ratings
Pin Rate
Prep Time: 12 hours 30 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Total Time: 18 hours 30 minutes
10 servings

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds beef, (lean cuts are best & will keep longer)
  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon meat tenderizer, *optional

Instructions

  • Thinly slice the meat* and cut off all visible fat.
  • Pound slices with a meat tenderizer mallet until pieces are uniform thickness (aprox nickel width).
  • Place the beef strips in a zip-top bag. Mix remaining ingredients and pour over beef.
  • Cover & marinate for 12-36 hours. Shake the bag a few times as it's marinating to make sure the beef is evenly coated.
  • Spread the meat in a single layer, shaking off any excess marinade, on the dehydrator trays.
  • Dry at 165F/74C for 4-6 hours, occasionally blotting off any fat droplets that appear on the surface. Test using a cooled piece. Properly dried jerky, when bent, should crack but not break.
  • Package jerky in and air-tight container or vacuum seal (*see storage notes below). Store in a cool, dark & dry place.

Notes

*Partially freezing the meat makes it easier to slice. Cut with the grain for chewier jerky & cut against the grain for tender but more brittle pieces.
Storage Notes:
Properly dried and packaged jerky will keep for a week at room temp in a regular zip-top bag, up to a month at room temp in an air-tight container, 3-6 months in an air-tight container in the fridge, and up to a year if vacuum sealed and stored in the freezer.

Nutrition (Per Serving)

Calories: 163kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 4g | Potassium: 395mg

*Nutrition is an estimate based on information provided by a third-party nutrition calculator

Snack
American
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This recipe was originally contributed by Kira and Brendon of Adventurehaks.com and was updated 11/21 with additional information | Recipe adapted from Allrecipes.com

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29 Comments

  1. Dehydrator not required! I get great results with just an oven and some wooden skewers. Soak the skewers in water overnight, string meat onto said skewers, and drape through the bars of an oven grate (I recommend lining the bottom of your oven with foil). “Cook” at around 170F for ~4-5 hours, then let cool for at least 6 hours.

    N.B., to assist with air circulation, either set your oven to convection (if that’s an option), or wedge open the oven door a tad with a wooden spoon.

    1. Thanks for the info, Ben! Super helpful for those of us without a dehydrator. Looking forward to trying out your method before our summer road trip.

    2. Blake Smith says:

      Yup. I’ve been making jerky for 50 years. Until a few years ago it was all made in the oven. I used toothpicks. Turn it as low as it will go and crack the door open.5 stars

  2. My dehydrator does not have a temperature gauge, is that important?

    1. I am sure there is a way around it but it is somewhat important. Different foods require different temperatures and times. I would suggest checking the jerky frequently (a cooled piece should crack and not break when it is done). If your dehydrator doesn’t get warm enough you could finish it off in the oven at a higher temperature.

      1. Robert lucas says:

        Thank you for you recipes I looking forward to trying it reguards bob lucas

  3. Use toothpicks soaked in cooking oil. It is easier to remove jerky from toothpicks than water!

  4. My hubby borrowed this round dehydrator yrs ago from a friend that pasted. It’s in the shed. I am disabled n was thinking of making jerky n selling to bars, small stores ect but can I make money on it.n sell for how much. Not sure what kind it is. Thank you for any help.

  5. Thank you so much for posting this recipe. I have a friend who passed several years ago, and he made the best jerky in the world. He never would give up his recipe, but I know it contained
    Dr. Pepper. Instead of the jalapenos he used red pepper seeds. My hope is that your recipe is similar. Thanks again for sharing!4 stars

  6. On the NESCO 13 1/2 inch round tray, approximately how much raw meat can you put on each tray?

    1. It will depend on the size of your slices, but we usually use 4 trays for 1 pound of meat. You might be able to fit more on each tray, though. We like to give our jerky a lot of breathing room.

  7. BAG (Bald Army Guy) says:

    Kira and Brendon; A friend, gave me a batch of her first go at your Jerky mix. Rhi didn’t use the MSG or pound the product down to get a consistent thickness – but the product was great! I’ve got my first batch down in the brine. Had to double the brine as the 1.5 kg (2-ish lbs) Roast Beef I used seemed to need the extra juice. Anyway – cross your fingers. Rhi’s batch was a winner for me. Armed with my new Excalibur – should make a great product. Followed by Vac-seal, I should have lots of Jerky for Trekking or simply munching on in the “Man-cave”. I’ll let you know how it turns out. I gave the mix a four star but may upgrade that based on how my batch turns out.4 stars

  8. Firstly I have to say that I’m totally in love with your variety of camp recipes and guides! The entire site has been incredibly helpful. Secondly I’m wondering if you would consider putting up a vegan/veggie jerky recipe option in the future!?

    1. Thank you. We can certainly look into doing a vegan jerky option. I know there are a variety of brands that make vegan jerky, which means it must be possible to pull off. We’ll have to dig a little bit into it and see what we can find out.

  9. Joe Redmond says:

    What’s the best liquid to use for marinade for beef jerky I’ve tried several and they’re just not tasty

    1. We’ve always had success with a combo of soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and sugar for a basic marinade, but you could certainly play around to find a combo that works for you! You can add other spices in to bump up the taste (ground black pepper, chiles, jalapeno, garlic powder, etc). I would imagine you could also use some beef bullion if you want to up the savory “beefiness” of the jerky.

  10. Tommy Ramswell says:

    Do you need to cook the beef before you dehydrate

    1. We do not pre-cook our beef before dehydrating, but some people do. It all depends on how far you want to go to minamize potential bacteria.

      If you are using fresh meat, working in a clean kitchen, marinate your beef in the refrigerator (34-38 F), and then dehydrate at a temperature at or above 160 F + using a well-cleaned dehydrator, you are already doing a lot to reduce the risk of bacteria.

      160 F is the temperature where nearly all food-borne bacteria are killed off. But since dehydration takes time and the beef doesn’t immediately rise to that temperature once you turn on the dehydrator, there is a chance (very small) that the beef could become contaminated during that time.

      If you want to really follow the book, the USDA would advise you precook your beef in an oven so that it reaches an internal temperature of 160 F + much more rapidly. You can then transfer to a dehydrator to continue the dehydration process. However, this will produce a jerky texture that is unlike traditional jerky.

      So it’s really up to you how far you want to go with it.

  11. Marykays1 says:

    What cuts of beef would work best?

  12. Katherine says:

    Good flavor, but this came out painfully salty for me- I made it exactly as written without the optional tenderizer and smoke. I think the amount of salt plus the soy sauce just added up to way too much salt. I would make it again but follow salt guidelines from somewhere else.3 stars

    1. Sorry, this came out too salty for you! Salt can be really tricky to dial in. There are so many differences between regular & low sodium soy sauce, different kinds of salt (kosher, sea salt, etc), and of course individual preference. So if this was too salty for you, feel free to dial it back as much as you like.

  13. Simple, easy, common ingredients, and very tasty. I usually use an old roast that’s been in the freezer too long rather than throwing it to the dogs. 🙂5 stars

  14. Sherri Murray says:

    This was my first attempt at making Beef jerky in a dehydrator. It turned out fabulous! My whole family loved it
    And it was so simple. Will definitely be making more in the future.5 stars

  15. BAG (Bald Army Guy) says:

    Friends and I have been using this recipe for years. Jerky has been a staple on many a trek, adventure – in all seasons. A couple ideas, what a Jerky with more snap – use Hot Hungarian Paprika. As well, there are lots (4 that I use) of Liquid Smoke that give different depths to the Jerky.

    Only draw back, lots of friends come after me for Jerky and Smoked Candy Salmon…. The price of popularity, I guess. I give this a 5 out of 5.5 stars

  16. Micheal OhEochaidh says:

    very pleased with the list of ingredients and their proportions. Made one batch with a 2.36 lb flank steak, and love it so much I put the jerky in a vacuum bag, sealed, and put it freezer, intending to make another batch a few days later, which is now, as I type this comment.5 stars

  17. John Winterbotham says:

    Very easy and tasty recipe.5 stars

  18. We really enjoyed this recipe. We made two batches of 5lbs of meat in each batch (adjusted recipe measurements accordingly). The result was two very full 1 gallon ziploc bags of delicious jerky. The marinade to meat ratio was perfect which meant cleaning our dehydrator was simple. While we will experiment with a few additional ingredients, this will be our go to recipe. Thanks for sharing.5 stars

  19. If you really want to elevate the jerky flavor put the dehydrator anyway. Most people have a smoker or pellet grill these days, that can operate at 165.