How To: Make tasty beef jerky

Beef jerky is a nutritious and protein packed snack that is very easy to transport anywhere. By making your own beef jerky you can avoid unhealthy preservatives and will have truly terrific results if you choose a nice cut of meat. Things you'll need:

Dehydrators
1/2 tsp. chopped dried garlic
1 tbsp. brown sugar
1/4 c. soy sauce
1/4 tsp. seasoned salt
1 tbsp. cider vinegar
1 tsp. liquid smoke
1/4 c. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp. chopped dried onion
1 tsp. salt
2 lbs. lean beef (chuck or round)

Step 1. Trim all fat from meat.
Step 2. Freeze meat until solid enough to slice easily.
Step 3. Cut across grain into 1/8-inch slices.
Step 4. Cut slices into 1- to 1 1/2-inch-wide strips.
Step 5. Combine soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, cider vinegar, hot sauce, dried onion, garlic, liquid smoke, salt and seasoned salt to make the marinade.
Step 6. Marinate meat overnight in refrigerator.
Step 7. Drain strips.
Step 8. Place strips on dehydrator trays. Don't overlap pieces.
Step 9. Dry for 4 hours at 140 degrees F.
Step 10. Turn strips and rotate trays.
Step 11. Dry for 6 to 8 hours or until jerky is dark, fibrous-looking and brittle enough to splinter when bent in half.