The Paleo diet has grown into fashion in recent years over concerns with obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and other ailments associated with our eating habits. In kind, many people are opting to cut processed foods out of their lives and switch to a more natural diet based on our ancestors’ eating habits.
Beef jerky should not be left out of the equation, as jerky was an essential part of the hunter-gather lifestyle in the Americas.
The Paleo beef jerky recipe is a refreshing change from the typical beef jerky you might be used to. The beef is marinated in various spices to give it a unique flavor. After the beef is marinated, it is then slow-cooked to perfection. This recipe is also very easy to follow and does not require any special equipment. All you need is a dehydrator and some common kitchen utensils.
Step 1: Select a Lean Meat
The following beef jerky recipe uses a food dehydrator to prepare the meat. Also, you should use the healthiest possible beef if you are choosing this recipe for health benefits. Grass-fed, organic cuts of beef work best: two and a half pounds of lean meat (either eye of round, London broil, flank steak, or ribeye are optimal).
Step 2: Slice the Meat
Although you can opt to use a meat slicer to ensure ¼ inch-thick slices of beef, this is an homage to our natural instincts, so better to use your hands. Actually, whatever you prefer and is easier for you will be fine.
Step 3: Store the Meat
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As with any jerky recipe, storing the beef in the freezer for around an hour will help you to slice it in a more uniform fashion. It’s also easier on your hands.
Once your meat is cut, you should place the strips into a container and set them aside.
Step 4: Prepare Your Marinade
To prepare your marinade, place the following into a large, microwave-safe bowl and mix them well:
- 1 lb. of beef
- 1 tablespoon of liquid smoke
- 2/3 cup of tamari sauce
- 1/4 cup of Worcestershire sauce
- 1/3 cup of hot water
- 1/2 tablespoon of cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
Place the container in the microwave for a minute to let the flavors soak together.
Step 5: Mix the Meat with the Marinade
When your marinade is ready and out of the microwave, pour it onto the container with your beef strips and shake it thoroughly. Cover the bowl and place it into the fridge for a minimum of six hours (a full day if possible).
When your meat has been marinated, remove the bowl from the fridge and place the strips into a colander for rinsing. Use paper towels to remove all excess from the beef.
Step 6: Dry the Meat for Approximately 5 Hours
First, place the strips onto the machine’s racks, giving them adequate space between each other for air circulation. Then, sprinkle 2 tablespoons of cayenne pepper powder onto the meat for spice. If you don’t like spicy food, then you can use black pepper instead.
Set the dehydrator to 160° F and its timer to five hours.
- EVEN HEAT DISTRIBUTION: 600 watts of drying power provides even heat distribution; consistent drying that is four times faster than other food dehydrators
- ADJUSTABLE TEMPERATURE CONTROL: The adjustable temperature control (95°F -160°F) gives you the flexibility to achieve the best results when drying different foods that need varying temperature settings
- EXPANDABLE TO 12 TRAYS: Comes with five (13 1/2″ diameter) trays and expands up to 12 trays so you can dry large quantities at once with no tray rotation needed; additional trays sold separately
- EXPANDABLE TO 12 TRAYS: Comes with five (13 1/2″ diameter) trays and expands up to 12 trays so you can dry large quantities at once with no tray rotation needed; additional trays sold separately
- ACCESSORIES INCLUDED: (2) Fruit Roll Sheet, (2) Clean-A-Screens, a sample of Jerky Seasoning & Cure, and (1) Care & Use Guide
Because all dehydrators are slightly different, the actual length of time will vary per model, so be sure to keep an eye on your jerky as it dries.
To test your jerky, bend it in half. If it cracks a bit, then it is ready. If it snaps, you overcooked it. Don’t fear, though, as even overcooked beef jerky can be delicious.
Step 7: Cool the Meat
When the meat is fully dry, leave the strips in a cool room to dry.
Storage
If you aren’t going to eat all the meat at once, store the finished beef jerky in a large Ziploc bag. You should cover the strips with a paper towel on both sides to absorb moisture that will spoil your meat. If you don’t plan on finishing them soon, you can place the Ziploc into the fridge.
Recipe
This recipe serves 5 people and requires me 13 hours and 30 minutes to make.
- preparation time: 30 minutes
- marinade time: 7 hours
- drying time: 5 hours
| Ingredients | Cost | |
| 1 lb. of beef; I choose eye of round beef, but any could work | $6.84 per 1 lb. at Walmart | |
| 1 tablespoon of liquid smoke | $1.34 for a 4 oz. container at Walmart (2 tbsp per one oz. means that 1 tablespoon equates to 0.17 cents) | |
| 2/3 cup of tamari sauce | $9 for a pack of 2 on Amazon (10 oz each) (1/4 cup or 2 oz. = 0.90 cents) | |
| 1/4 cup of Worcestershire sauce | $1.00 for a 10 oz. container at Walmart (1/4 cup or 2 oz. = 0.40 cents) | |
| 1/3 cup of hot water | free | |
| 1/2 tablespoon of cayenne pepper | $3.97 per a 1.7 oz. container at Walmart (6 tsp. per oz. means that 1/2 tsp equates to 0.20 cents) | |
| 1 teaspoon onion powder | Between $4 and $5 for a 1.73 oz. container (6 tsp. per oz. means that 1 teaspoon equates to 0.38 cents) | |
| 1 teaspoon garlic powder | Between $4 and $5 for a 2.33 oz. container (6 tsp. per oz. means that 1 teaspoon equates to 0.28 cents) | |
| Total Cost: | $9.17/6.4 oz. (full cost: meat + ingredients) |
Shot Instruction
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb beef — eye of round or your favorite cut (any could work)
- 1 tablespoon of liquid smoke
- 2/3 cup of tamari sauce
- 1/4 cup of Worcestershire sauce
- 1/3 cup of hot water
- 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon of onion powder
Instructions
- Store the beef in the freezer for around an hour will help you to slice it in a more uniform to ensure ¼-inch-thick slices of beef
- To prepare your marinade, place the ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl and mix them well
- Pour your marinade onto the container with your beef strips and shake it. After that, place it into the fridge for a minimum of six hours.
- When your meat has been marinated, use paper towels to remove all excess from the beef.
- Place the strips onto the machine’s racks, and sprinkle 2 tablespoons of red pepper flakes onto the meat
- Set the dehydrator to 160° F and its timer to five hours.
Nutrition
"You might be a redneck if you think that beef jerky and moon pies are two of the major food groups."
-- Jeff Foxworthy
one of my favs, thanks for this