Cheap & Easy Beef Jerky Strips Using Ground Beef

Ingredients

• 3 pounds ground beef (use 90% lean meat/10% fat or leaner)
• 5 teaspoons garlic powder
• 4 teaspoons onion powder
• 3-4 teaspoons sea salt (we prefer 4 teaspoons)
• 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
• 1 1/4 cup beef broth
• 1 tablespoon Wright’s Hickory Liquid Smoke (HW: I would omit-see note below))
• 2 teaspoons unsulphured molasses

Instructions

1. Place the ground beef, garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt, and ground black pepper in a large mixing bowl.
2. Stir together the beef broth, liquid smoke, and molasses, and then pour it into the mixing bowl with the ground beef. Stir until well combined.
3. Cover and marinate for at least 3 hours in the refrigerator.
4. Form the meat into strips, about 1/8-1/4” thick, using a jerky gun or by using your hands or a rolling pin to flatten the meat into strips or whatever shape you desire.
5. Dehydrate in a dehydrator at 145 degrees (F) for 6-12 hours.
6. Place the jerky strips on paper towels to cool and to absorb any excess fat.
7. Consume within 24-48 hours at room temperature, or store in the refrigerator in an air tight container for up to 7 days. For long-term storage, freeze in an air tight container and consume within 3-4 months.

Recipe Notes from Megan

Q: Can I make this recipe using my oven? A: I don't see why you couldn't on the lowest temp, but I have not tried it, so I can't say for sure if it will work or not. If you do try it, please come back and let us know if you were successful!

The flavor of this recipe is most comparable to an "original" recipe type of jerky, although not as sweet.

You could easily substitute bison or ground turkey breast for the lean ground beef.

I use the Excalibur 3926TB 9-Tray Dehydrator and love it (so far, I just got it!). It seems to dry evenly and be very efficient.

Heartweed: I just recived this emial form the makes of Wright liquid smoke :
Thank you for your email. The apple flavor in our  Wright's Apple Wood Liquid Smoke contains ethanol, apple essence, water, and proprietary natural flavors. The maple flavor contains propylene glycol, natural smoke flavor, and proprietary natural flavors.