Sweet Heat Beef Jerky Recipe

Looking for a simple jerky recipe for first timers?  This is it!  The sweet and little spice will have you making this recipe over and over again. Give it a try and let us know what you think!

Sweet Heat Beef Jerky

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds lean beef (such as sirloin or flank steak), thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons Fire For Effect Sweet Heat Rub (adjust for spice preference)
• 1 teaspoon liquid smoke (optional for additional smokiness)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Beef:

Trim excess fat from the beef and slice it thinly against the grain. This will help the marinade penetrate the meat better.

2. Prepare the Marinade:

In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, honey, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, Sweet Heat Rub, and liquid smoke if using. Mix until the sugar is fully dissolved.

3. Marinate the Beef: 

Place the sliced beef in a large, resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish.

Pour the marinade over the beef, ensuring that each slice is coated evenly.
Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to infuse into the meat.

4. Preheat the Grill:

Preheat your grill to low heat (around 160-180°F or 71-82°C). If your grill doesn't have a low setting, you can use indirect heat.

5. Prepare for Drying:

If using a gas grill, set up the grill for indirect heat by turning off one burner and placing the beef on the unlit side. If using a charcoal grill, push the coals to one side and place the beef on the opposite side.

6. Grill the Beef:

Place the marinated beef slices directly on the grill grates or use a grilling mat.
Grill the beef for 2-4 hours, flipping the slices occasionally to ensure even drying. The exact time will depend on the thickness of the slices and the temperature of your grill.

7. Check for Doneness:

Beef jerky is ready when it is firm and has a slight bend without breaking. It should not feel soft or moist.

If needed, you can finish the jerky in a low-temperature oven to ensure it's fully dried.

8. Cool and Store:

Allow the beef jerky to cool completely before storing it in an airtight container or resealable bags.

For optimal freshness, store the jerky in the refrigerator.

Enjoy your homemade sweet and spicy beef jerky! Adjust the spice levels to your liking for a personalized flavor experience.