Best Paleo Beef Jerky Recipe

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

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.

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Nesco FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator

• Dry your jerky evenly without the hassle of rotating trays.
• Keep your oven free for dinner while your next batch of jerky dries.
• Make a bigger jerky stash by expanding to twelve trays. Extra trays are sold separately.

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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

Shot Instruction

Best Paleo Beef Jerky Recipe

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.

Prep Time

30 minutes

Cook Time

5 hours

Marinade Time

7 hours

Course: SnackCuisine: AmericanKeyword: Beef JerkyServings: 5Calories: 196kcalCost: $9.17

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Equipment

DehydratorFood ScaleMeasuring Cup

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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

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Instructions

1. 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
2. To prepare your marinade, place the ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl and mix them well
3. 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.
4. When your meat has been marinated, use paper towels to remove all excess from the beef.
5. Place the strips onto the machine’s racks, and sprinkle 2 tablespoons of red pepper flakes onto the meat
6. Set the dehydrator to 160° F and its timer to five hours.

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Nutrition

Serving: 36.2g | Calories: 196kcal | Carbohydrates: 5.5g | Protein: 29.7g | Fat: 5.8g | Saturated Fat: 2.2g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 1110mg | Potassium: 387mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 2.8g | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 18mg

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