Description
Homemade air fryer beef jerky delivers a protein-packed snack perfect for protein lovers. Lean beef strips seasoned with spices create a delicious, no-fuss treat you can enjoy anytime.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (500 g) lean beef (top round, flank steak, or sirloin)
- ¼ cup (60 ml) soy sauce (low-sodium optional)
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) brown sugar or honey
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Instructions
- Preparation: Meticulously trim excess fat from beef and slice against the grain into uniform 1/8-inch strips, ensuring optimal texture and preservation.
- Marination: Combine soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to create a flavor-packed marinade. Thoroughly coat beef strips, ensuring complete coverage. Refrigerate for 4-6 hours, allowing ingredients to deeply penetrate the meat.
- Air Fryer Setup: Preheat air fryer to the lowest temperature setting (around 180°F), optimizing dehydration process for perfect jerky consistency.
- Cooking Process: Remove beef from marinade, gently pat dry with paper towels. Arrange meat strips in a single layer within the air fryer basket, avoiding overlap. Cook for 2-3 hours, rotating jerky every 30 minutes to ensure even drying and consistent texture.
- Cooling and Storage: Once jerky reaches desired leathery consistency, remove from air fryer and allow to cool completely at room temperature. Transfer to an airtight container. When stored at room temperature, consume within one week; refrigeration extends shelf life to two weeks.
Notes
- Trim Fat Meticulously: Remove all visible fat to prevent quick spoilage and ensure a longer-lasting jerky with enhanced flavor and texture.
- Slice Against the Grain: Cut meat strips precisely against the grain to guarantee maximum tenderness and easier chewing experience for consumers.
- Marinate Thoroughly: Ensure complete meat coverage during marination process, allowing at least 4 hours for deep flavor penetration and enhanced taste profile.
- Monitor Air Fryer Settings: Adjust temperature carefully, keeping it low (around 180°F) to prevent burning and maintain proper dehydration without compromising meat quality.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 23 hours
- Category: Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg