The Spicy Marinade. Add the remaining ingredients to a large mixing bowl and mix well. I’m using a mixture of bourbon, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, lots of seasonings, and some very spicy chili powder. I prefer to make my own jerky at home because store bought jerky usually contains a lot of salt as well as nitrates, and I like to control what goes into my beef jerky. There are a number of ways to make beef jerky, but for me, the best way is with a dehydrator. In fact, making jerky is one of the most popular reasons for owning a dehydrator. Let’s discuss it further. A dehydrator helps you keep a steady flow of air around the meat, as well as controlled temperature, which is important for food safety. The USDA recommends making beef jerky only from meats that have been heated internally to 160°F, so my jerky recipe reflect this recommendation. See the USDA Jerky and Food Safety Recommendations here. Let’s break down the process for making beef jerky. Pull it out, set it onto a cutting board and slice it into ¼ inch strips. Thicker strips will take longer to dehydrate. Cook the Beef. Drain the marinade and throw it away. Spread the beef strips out onto baking sheets and bake them for 10 minutes at 350 degrees F. Refrigerate for at least 5 hours or overnight. Do not marinate the beef at room temperature to avoid contamination. The meat should register 160 degrees F internally when measured with a meat thermometer. Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H. Dehydrate the Beef. Lay the beef strips out evenly in a single layer onto your dehydrator trays. Use silicone sheets to catch any fats from dripping into the bottom of your dehydrator if you wish. After they’ve cooled, store them in airtight containers or enjoy them right away. Boom! That’s it, my friends! You now have your own wonderful spicy homemade beef jerky. Tasty, isn’t it? Surely better than anything you can get in the store. That’s how I make beef jerky at home, my friends. I hope you enjoy it! The Nesco is a smaller dehydrator that is perfect for general home use: Nesco FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator, White I use and highly recommend both of these dehydrator.
