Peppered Beef Jerky

Peppered Beef Jerky

This Peppered Beef Jerky recipe is packed with classic jerky flavor with a black pepper kick. It's the perfect recipe to try if you're making beef jerky for the first time. While I prefer to dehydrate my beef jerky on my smoker, I've included adaptations in this recipe so you can make it in an oven or classic dehydrator as well.

Ingredients

  • eye of round roast

    sliced thin against the grain

    2 lb
  • beer

    or beef stock

    1 c
  • soy sauce
    1 c
  • worcestershire sauce
    ½ c
  • brown sugar
    ½ c
  • garlic

    minced

    4 cloves
  • black pepper
    2 tbsp
  • onion powder
    2 tsp
  • red pepper flakes
    2 tsp

Directions

  1. 1

    Make marinade. In a large zip top bag, combine all ingredients for the marinade. Mix well to dissolve the sugar.

  2. 2

    Marinate jerky. Add the sliced eye of round to your marinade and toss gently in the bag to coat all sides of the meat with the marinade. Refrigerate 8 hours, or up to 24 hours. The longer it marinates, the saltier and stronger the flavor will be.

  3. 3

    Remove from marinade. Remove the strips of marinated beef from the bag and place on paper towels. Pat dry.

  4. 4

    Preheat. Set your smoker, oven (with the door cracked), or dehydrator to run at around 170 degrees F. Transfer the strips to the grill grate, jerky rack, or cooling rack and season the top with additional black pepper, if desired.

  5. 5

    Smoke jerky. Smoke/cook for 2-3 hours (depending on the thickness of your slices, some thicker pieces can take 4-5 hours). Check often after the first hour to be sure your jerky is drying evenly. You are looking for jerky that is firm and still slightly pliable, but not soft. If you bend your jerky and it breaks, you've cooked it a little too long

  6. 6

    Steam and store. Place the finished jerky in a gallon zip top bag while it is still warm. Don't seal closed all the way. The jerky will steam in the bag slightly and this step will make the jerky moist. If you added the curing salt, the jerky will last a couple of weeks on the counter. If you did not add in the curing salt, it will last a couple of weeks in the refrigerator.

Peppered Beef Jerky

Peppered Beef Jerky

4.8(41)168 cal

Similar Recipes

Beef Jerky

Beef Jerky

Ground Venison Jerky [Deer Jerky Recipe]

Ground Venison Jerky [Deer Jerky Recipe]

This is a great, basic ground venison jerky recipe. It's super tasty as-is, easy to make, and also highly customizable for your own tastes!

4.3 hours10 servings83 kcal
Ninja Foodi Beef Jerky

Ninja Foodi Beef Jerky

Ninja Foodi Beef Jerky is so easy to make and packed full of so much flavor. Find out a new and easier way to make beef jerky at home.

144 kcal
Shredded BBQ Beef

Shredded BBQ Beef

This Shredded BBQ Beef is fall-apart tender and flavorful! Beef chuck roast is seasoned & braised in the oven (or crock pot). It is finished with a homemade BBQ seasoning giving it tons of flavor.

3.3 hours
Peppercorn Chicken

Peppercorn Chicken

This Peppercorn Chicken (aka Chicken au Poivre) is deliciously flavorful, creamy, and slightly spicy thanks to the peppercorns. This is an easy one pan dish that takes less than 30-minutes to make which makes it perfect for weeknight dinner or a fancy dinner party. 

20 minutes4 servings291 kcal
No-Peek Chicken and Rice

No-Peek Chicken and Rice

No-Peek Chicken and Rice - super easy dinner recipe! Chicken breasts, rice, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, chicken broth, onion soup mix. Mix everything in the baking dish and pop in the oven. SO easy and everyone cleaned their plate! Even our picky eaters!! #chicken #casserole #chickenandrice

85 minutes
Meatloaf

Meatloaf

How to make the best tender and juicy Meatloaf with a delicious shiny glaze! Cheap, easy and quick to prepare, let the oven do all the work for you! The whole family goes crazy over each slice of this meatloaf recipe.

90 minutes10 servings308 kcal
Easy Oven Beef Tenderloin

Easy Oven Beef Tenderloin

This easy oven beef tenderloin proves that this beautiful holiday centerpiece dish is within reach of any cook. All you need is a very hot oven.

80 minutes8 servings775 kcal

Ratings & Reviews

0.0/ 5
Exceptional

Based on 41 ratings

heygrillhey.com
4.8(41 reviews)
View original recipe

Rating Breakdown

About this Recipe

Craving a robust, flavorful snack that truly satisfies? This Peppered Beef Jerky recipe delivers a classic, savory punch with an irresistible black pepper kick, perfect for your next homemade jerky adventure.

What sets this recipe apart is its authentic, deep flavor profile, making it an ideal starting point for anyone new to making beef jerky at home. It’s designed for versatility, allowing you to achieve perfectly chewy results whether you prefer to dehydrate on a smoker, in a conventional oven, or a classic dehydrator.

Prepare for a wonderfully chewy snack bursting with savory goodness, highlighted by the bold, aromatic flavor of freshly cracked black pepper. Each bite offers a satisfying texture and a rich, beefy taste, expertly complemented by a subtle hint of sweetness from the brown sugar and a gentle warmth from the red pepper flakes. This straightforward recipe results in a hearty, protein-packed snack, providing 168 calories per serving, making it an excellent choice for on-the-go fuel, post-workout recovery, or a delicious, wholesome treat. You'll love the deep, complex flavors that make this homemade jerky far superior to store-bought options.

For those who prefer to skip the beer, beef stock makes an excellent alternative, offering a similar depth of flavor without the alcohol. If you like more heat, you can increase the amount of red pepper flakes, or reduce them for a milder jerky.

This Peppered Beef Jerky is the ultimate snack for road trips, hiking, or simply keeping at home for a quick, satisfying bite whenever hunger strikes.

Frequently Asked Questions