Description
Homemade air fryer beef jerky delivers bold protein-packed snacking perfection for meat enthusiasts. Lean beef strips seasoned with spices create a delicious, protein-rich treat you can easily prepare at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 lb (454 grams) lean beef (flank steak, sirloin, or round steak)
Liquid Marinade Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) honey
Dry Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Instructions
- Meticulously trim the beef, slicing against the grain to ensure maximum tenderness, creating uniform strips approximately 1/8 inch thick.
- Craft a robust marinade by whisking together soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, honey, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, apple cider vinegar, and ground mustard into a harmonious blend.
- Immerse the beef strips completely in the marinade, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated. Seal the container and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours, allowing flavors to penetrate deeply, with overnight marination recommended for optimal taste development.
- Configure the air fryer to a low temperature of 160°F, creating an ideal environment for slow dehydration without compromising meat quality.
- Carefully extract beef strips from the marinade, gently patting each piece dry with paper towels to eliminate excess moisture and promote crispier texture.
- Strategically arrange beef strips in a single layer within the air fryer basket, maintaining minimal overlap to facilitate even drying and consistent airflow.
- Initiate the dehydration process, air frying for 2-3 hours. Midway through cooking, carefully flip the strips to ensure uniform moisture removal.
- Monitor jerky’s progression, checking for desired doneness – the ideal texture should be dry yet retain a slight flexibility when bent.
- Allow jerky to cool completely at room temperature, then transfer to an airtight container or vacuum-sealed bag for preservation.
- Store in a cool, dark place for up to 2 weeks at room temperature, or extend shelf life by refrigerating for up to 3 months.
Notes
- Choose lean beef cuts like top round or bottom round for the leanest, most tender jerky without excess fat.
- Slice meat against the grain to create softer, easier-to-chew jerky strips that break down more smoothly.
- Experiment with marinade ingredients by swapping honey with maple syrup or adding different spices like cayenne for extra heat.
- Pat beef strips completely dry before air frying to ensure crispy edges and prevent excess moisture during cooking process.
- Prep Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Snacks
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg