Easy Hickory BBQ Beef Jerky

Hickory BBQ
Beef Jerky

Beef jerky is a favorite snack item, but even the cheap packages are well over $6. Save money by making it yourself. 

This was my first attempt at beef jerky and it was super easy. The costs were relatively inexpensive. The seasoning I already had in the pantry. The whole process took just under two hours. I started with a thinly sliced steak that I bought at the local market. This may be done with venison, also. Try out different marinades and come up with your own flavor. I chose a hickory-smoked barbecue sauce for my starter jerky.

Shopping list

Beef Steak (top round is what I used)
Apple Cider Vinegar
Onion Salt (follow the link for making it yourself!)
Cracked Pepper
Hickory Smoked Barbeque Sauce

Recipe

I Pound Beef Steak

1 1/4 cup Apple Cider Vinegar

1/4 teaspoon Onion Salt

1/8 teaspoon Cracked Black Pepper

4 Tablespoons Hickory Barbecue Sauce

In a medium sized bowl, place rinsed steak pieces in and cover with 1 cup of the Apple Cider Vinegar. Let sit for about 25 minutes. In a small bowl, stir together the 1/4 of apple cider vinegar and the barbeque sauce. (It will be a little runny, that is fine. If it has the consistency of heavy cream, it will work great.) 

Remove beef and place in a single layer on a dinner plate. Add a generous helping of salt and pepper. Slice the steak into thin slices about an inch to two inch thick widths. I did a diagonal cut on mine for a longer piece. 

Using a basting brush, coat each piece with a generous portion of the vinegar and BBQ sauce. Place on a cooking sheet and bake for 20 minutes on 200 degree oven. 

*This may be dried in a dehydrator if desired. Place baking paper under the meat to catch the drippings. This make quite a mess on my sheet pan. The dehydrator may take up to two hours to fully process the jerky.

Pull the sheet out (use oven pads!!) and baste the strips down with the BBQ mixture, again. Put back in the oven and bake until the meat darkens. Remove and let cool. Store in the refrigerator in a plastic container or zipper bag. 

This recipe makes about one cup of jerky. 

Servings 2-3 if you are guilted into sharing...

Enjoy!

Hickory BBQ Beef Jerky