Whether you’re preparing for a trip and want a healthy snack for on-the-go or you simply love beef jerky and want to bring your own smoked beef jerky marinade recipe to life, you’ve come to the right place.
This guide on how to make smoked beef jerky marinade recipe will walk you through the process step by step, from selecting your meat and preparing it to perfection to navigating the dehydration process with confidence, ensuring a tender, tasty final product.
Most importantly, though, we’ll unveil the best smoked beef jerky recipe no matter your tastes. We’ve compiled 5 of our favorites, from spicy to savory and everything in between.
But if you want to get even more inspiration as you look to bring your own jerky to life, try our premium jerky here at Mahogany Smoked Meats. You can buy beef jerky online today and find your new favorite flavor. Discover firsthand what a difference 100+ years of smoking meats makes!
Why Smoke Your Own Beef Jerky?
First, is it worth the time and effort to make your own smoked beef jerky? As you’ll see below, the process can be length and complex with no guarantee the end result will be what you’d hoped.
Still, smoking your own beef jerky offers a delightful blend of culinary creativity and traditional technique that turns simple beef into a savory, long-lasting treat.
You get full control over the ingredients and flavors, making it a healthier option free from the preservatives often found in store-bought versions, but also intensifies the beef's natural flavors through the slow infusion of smoky aromas.
You don’t have to stress about things like - is beef jerky processed? Is beef jerky healthy? Or, is beef jerky gluten-free? You can tailor your smoked beef jerky marinade recipe to meet your specific dietary needs.
But most excitingly, you get to tailor the recipe to align with your tastes!
You can adjust the level of smokiness, experiment with various marinades, and choose from a variety of cuts to suit your taste preferences. Whether you prefer a subtly flavored jerky or a boldly seasoned one, smoking your own ensures that every piece reflects your unique palate.
Moreover, the satisfaction of creating beef jerky from scratch is unparalleled. Watching the transformation of simple ingredients into a finished product that can be enjoyed for weeks provides a rewarding experience, not just for the palate but also for the soul.
So, that being said, let’s get into the best smoked beef jerky recipe below!
The Best Smoked Beef Jerky Recipe: 5 Unique Choices for Different Palates
While there are many moving pieces in bringing this snack to life, the beef jerky marinade recipe is perhaps the most important.
Start by figuring out what you’re looking for - something classic like a teriyaki, hickory, or peppered recipe. Or, perhaps you want something spicy. Whatever the case, you’ll find a recipe that aligns with your taste buds below!
Smoked Teriyaki Beef Jerky Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb. beef, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup mirin
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp grated ginger
The sweet and savory flavor profile is perfect for those who enjoy a balance of umami and sweetness. We suggest you marinate the meat for at least 12 hours to ensure the beef absorbs all the delicious flavors. This recipe works well with lean cuts like top round or flank steak. Use a brush to apply extra marinade halfway through smoking for an enhanced glaze.
Old Fashioned Smoked Beef Jerky Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. beef, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp salt
- 1 tbsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
This smoked beef jerky marinade recipe is for those who prefer a simple, robust taste. It's reminiscent of traditional jerky recipes and ideal for purists - it allows you to appreciate the meat itself to the fullest without any frills.
Use coarse black pepper and garlic powder for best results. Marinate for at least 4-6 hours to let the spices permeate the meat.
Hickory Smoked Beef Jerky Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. beef, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp onion powder
Hickory smoked jerky is known for its rich, smoky flavor that pairs well with Worcestershire sauce and smoked paprika. This combination gives the jerky a deep, savory taste - ideal for those who love a smoky, robust jerky
Marinate for 8-10 hours and choose hickory wood chips for smoking to enhance the flavor profile.
Smoked Peppered Beef Jerky Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. beef, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp cracked black pepper
This smoked peppered beef jerky packs quite the kick. The cracked black pepper provides a spicy heat that complements the honey’s sweetness. It’s great for spice lovers and pairs wonderfully with a cold beer. Marinate for at least 12 hours to allow the flavors to meld together.
Spicy Smoked Beef Jerky Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. beef, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup hot chili sauce
- 1 tbsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp cumin
If you really want to turn things up a notch, look no further than this spicy smoked beef jerky marinade recipe. It’s perfect for those who enjoy bold, spicy snacks and can handle the heat.
The combination of hot chili sauce, red pepper flakes, and cumin gives a complex, spicy flavor. Marinate the beef for 8-10 hours to ensure the heat is evenly distributed.
How to Make Smoked Beef Jerky Recipe: Step-by-Step Guide
No matter which you determine to be the best smoked beef jerky marinade recipe, now let’s get into the fun part - actually bringing it to life! Here’s how to make smoked beef jerky recipe.
Essential Equipment for Smoking Beef Jerky
Start by gathering any essential equipment - most notably, a smoker. Options include electric, gas, charcoal, or pellet smokers, each with its own advantages. Electric smokers offer ease of use, while charcoal and pellet smokers provide a traditional smoky flavor.
You’ll need wood chips as well. Popular choices include hickory, mesquite, apple, or cherry wood chips, each imparting a unique flavor profile to the jerky. Personally, we prefer mahogany - we’ll explain why later. Here are some of the other essentials:
- Meat Slicer: A sharp knife or meat slicer is essential for uniform slices.
- Marinating Container: Use a non-reactive container like glass or plastic.
- Meat Thermometer: An essential tool to monitor internal temperatures.
- Cooling Racks: Useful for drying the jerky evenly after smoking.
Choosing the Right Cut of Beef
Choosing the best cut for beef jerky can make a world of difference not just in terms of taste but also texture, along with nutrition and the smoking process itself.
While there are plenty of options to choose from, lean cuts are preferred because fat doesn’t dry well and can lead to faster spoilage. Some excellent choices include:
- Top Round: Lean and affordable, this cut is ideal for jerky.
- Flank Steak: A bit pricier but offers excellent texture and flavor.
- Sirloin Tip: Another lean option that works well for jerky.
- Eye of Round: A lean, flavorful cut that’s perfect for jerky.
Whichever you choose, we suggest sourcing locally for the ultimate jerky-making experience. This meat tends to taste better as it’s not riddled with preservatives like the stuff you’ll find in the grocery store.
Preparing the Meat: Trimming and Slicing
With all your equipment, recipe supplies, and the meat itself on hand, now you can get to work. Start by trimming off any visible fat to make sure the jerky lasts as long as possible.
Then, slice the meat into uniform strips. Slicing against the grain will give you a more tender jerky, while slicing with the grain will create a chewier texture.
As far as how thick to cut jerky, consistency is key. We recommend you try to keep all slices about 1/4 inch thick to ensure even drying and smoking.
Crafting the Perfect Marinade
The marinade is where the flavor magic happens. You can start to bring whichever you deem the best smoked beef jerky marinade recipe to life at this point.
Or, maybe you have something else in mind. Part of the fun of smoking your own beef jerky is how many different directions you can take it. Just be sure to include all the essential elements of a tasty, flavor-packed marinade:
- Salty elements like soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce, which enhance the savory flavor.
- Sweeteners such as brown sugar or honey to balance the saltiness and add a touch of caramelization.
- Acidic components like vinegar or citrus juice, which help tenderize the meat by breaking down proteins.
- Aromatics and spices like garlic, onion powder, pepper, and liquid smoke to add depth and complexity.
After mixing your marinade put your meat in it and place the container in the fridge. As far as how long to marinate beef jerky, a minimum of 4-12 hours is our advice.
The longer the marination, the more intense the flavor - so ultimately it’s up to you. Just avoid exceeding 24 hours to prevent the jerky from becoming overly salty or mushy.
The Smoking Process: Temperature Control and Timing
Now, how is beef jerky made? The smoking process is where the dehydration occurs.
Setting the proper jerky dehydrator temp is imperative. 160-180°F (70-82°C) is perfect as it lets the meat cook slowly, preserving its tenderness and absorbing the smoky flavor.
Arrange the marinated meat slices on the smoker racks, making sure they do not overlap so that each slice gets even exposure to the smoke.
Now, how long to dehydrate jerky all depends on the thickness of your slices and the specifics of your smoker. In general, though, 4-6 hours tends to be the sweet spot.
You can tell your jerky is done if you’re able to crack it by bending it but unable to actually break it in half. Better yet, eliminate any guesswork and use a meat thermometer to monitor the internal temperature, avoiding under or overcooking it.
Experimenting with Different Woods for Smoking
We touched on this earlier, but different types of wood chips can significantly affect the flavor of your jerky. You need to make sure you’re selecting the best wood for smoking jerky based on your specific recipe:
- Hickory: Provides a strong, smoky flavor, ideal for robust marinades.
- Apple: Gives a mild, sweet smoke, great for subtle marinades.
- Mesquite: Delivers a bold, earthy flavor, best for spicy jerky.
- Cherry: Adds a slightly sweet, fruity flavor, perfect for sweet marinades.
You can experiment to find which wood chips work best with your recipe with each batch until you find the perfect pairing.
Storing Your Smoked Beef Jerky
At this point most of the hard work is done, and you can enjoy your jerky! But, does beef jerky go bad? Unfortunately, yes - all good things come to an end in the culinary world, beef jerky is no exception.
That’s why you need to know how to store beef jerky to preserve it as long as possible. Once the jerky has cooled completely on cooling racks, store it in airtight containers or vacuum-sealed bags to prevent moisture and mold.
For short-term storage, keep the jerky in a cool, dry place where it will last up to two weeks. For longer storage, refrigerate the jerky for 1-2 months or freeze it for up to 6 months.
Take Some Inspiration From the Best Smoked Beef Jerky Recipes in the World at Mahogany Smoked Meats!
There you have it, all you need to know about how to make smoked beef jerky recipe! But if you want to get even more inspiration as you try to perfect this process, take a page out of our book here at Mahogany Smoked Meats.
We’ve been slow-smoking meats to perfection since 1922 using the time-honored process of small batches in the deep pit method. We’re also the only smokehouse in the nation to use mahogany woods, which imparts a rich taste unlike anything else you’ll ever try.
We also have all the different types of jerky you could be interested in trying if you’re looking for a beef jerky alternative, such as:
- Fish jerky for sale
- Wild boar jerky for sale
- Elk jerky for sale
- Buffalo jerky for sale
- And a whole lot more!
We even offer a satisfaction guarantee, that’s how confident we are you’re going to love our jerky. So, what are you waiting for? Get to work bringing the best smoked beef jerky recipe to life or place your order today and find out firsthand why we’re the best beef jerky brand online.
Bringing Our Smoked Beef Jerky Marinade Recipe Guide to a Close
That does it for our guide on smoked beef jerky marinade recipe. From our favorite concoctions to tips on slow smoking your own beef jerky to perfection, we’ve covered everything you need to know to feel confident taking a shot at this yourself today.
Our blog has additional resources like how much protein in beef jerky, making beef jerky air fryer, what is beef jerky, and other recipes like:
But whether you’re looking for the best fish jerky, the best buffalo jerky, the best turkey jerky, or anything in between, remember that Mahogany Smoked Meats is your one-stop shop. Don’t just take our word for it, though - taste the difference today!
