There are many recipes for beef jerky that call for high levels of sodium in order to preserve the meat. However, this Low Sodium Beef Jerky Recipe uses minimal spices and herbs to create a delicious and healthy snack that is low in sodium. This recipe is perfect for those who are on a low-sodium diet or for those who simply want to enjoy healthier beef jerky.
This Low Sodium beef jerky recipe is a healthy way to get your daily dose of protein. It also helps keep you full longer and can help you lose weight. Low Sodium beef jerky recipe is a great way to get your daily dose of flavor. Most store-bought beef jerky is loaded with salt, which can make it taste bland. This recipe uses a variety of spices to give it a flavorful kick. This recipe only requires a few ingredients, so you can save a lot of money by making it at home.
Ingredients for Low Sodium Beef Jerky
Before you start making peppered beef jerky, make sure that you have the following ingredients:
- 1 lb. of low carb beef
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke hickory
- 1/4 cup of soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon of sea salt
- 1 cup pineapple juice
For this recipe, I decided to try eye of round beef, which I bought at Walmart for $6.84/per lb.
It is an excellent choice for beef jerky because it is a lean cut of meat that is also very flavorful. When choosing beef for jerky, you want to pick a cut with little to no fat, as fat can cause the jerky to spoil more quickly, but if it has it, just cut it off.
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Because the Best Jerky Doesn't Come from a Store
I weighed the meat to determine how much jerky we’ll have after the beef was dried.
Cutting the beef across the grain will result in thinner, more tender strips of beef jerky. If you cut the beef with the grain, the beef strips will be tougher.
Whisk together all the ingredients listed above until they are well combined. Place the beef jerky in a resealable bag or container and pour in the marinade.
See the measuring cup below.
Seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, up to 24 hours.
Dehydrate Your Slices
The paper towels help to remove any excess moisture from the beef before it is dried. It helps the beef to absorb the flavors of the marinade more easily.
The next step is dehydration using an oven, an electric smoker, or a dehydrator. My preference is to use this dehydrator (Amazon link), which is what you see in the pictures.
- 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
There are many ways to dehydrate beef jerky, but one of the most common methods is to use an oven or a dehydrator; the time is approximately 6 hours at 160 F.
After cooking, my jerky weighs 6.4 oz or 181 grams. Beef loses weight after dehydration because the water that is removed from the beef during the process weighs more than the beef itself. This is why it is important to weigh the beef before and after the dehydration process in order to determine how much weight was lost.
Recipe
This recipe serves 5 people and requires me 14 hours and 30 minutes to make.
- preparation time: 30 minutes
- marinade time: 7 hours
- drying time: 7 hours
| Ingredients | Cost | |
| 1 lb. of beef; I choose eye of round, but any could work | $6.84 per 1 lb. at Walmart | |
| 1 teaspoon liquid smoke hickory | $1.34 for a 4 oz. container at Walmart (6 tsp per one oz. means that 1 teaspoon equates to 0.17 cents) | |
| 1/4 cup soy sauce | $1.52 for a 5 oz. container at Walmart (1/4 cup or 2 oz. = 0.61 cents) | |
| 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper | $3.98 for 3.12 oz. a container at Walmart (6 tsp. per oz. means that 1/4 teaspoon equates to 0.05 cents) | |
| 1 teaspoon of sea salt | $1.96 for 2.12 oz. a container at Walmart (6 tsp. per oz. means that 1 teaspoon equates to 0.15) | |
| 1 cup pineapple juice | $2 per pineapple at Walmart. I used 1/4 for getting my fresh juice. It equates to 0.50 cents | |
| 1/2 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 or 0.14 cents per 1/2 teaspoon ) | |
| Total Cost: | $8.16/6.4 oz. (full cost: meat + ingredients) |
Shot Instruction
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb of low carb beef
- 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon of liquid smoke
- 1/4 cup of soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon of sea salt
- 1 cup of pineapple juice
Instructions
- First, you will need to slice the beef into thin strips.
- Next, you will need to marinate the beef in a mixture of your choice for at least four hours, although overnight is best.
- Once the beef has finished marinating, you will need to pat it dry with a paper towel and then place it on the dehydrator racks. Make sure that the beef strips are not touching each other so that they can dehydrate evenly.
- Finally, set the dehydrator to the appropriate setting and let it run until the beef jerky is completely dried out. This process can take anywhere from 5 to 8 hours, depending on the thickness of the beef strips. If you use an oven or a dehydrator, the time is approximately 6 hours at 160 F.
Nutrition
"You might be a redneck if you think that beef jerky and moon pies are two of the major food groups."
-- Jeff Foxworthy
Love it!
This beef jerky recipe has exceeded all my expectations! This has quickly become my go-to snack!