Peppered Beef Jerky [Ground Beef Jerky]

Several strips of homemade peppered ground beef jerky on a wooden cutting board.

5 from 1 vote

Peppered Beef Jerky [Ground Beef Jerky]

Traditional Peppered Beef Jerky is super popular for a reason. This homemade peppered ground beef jerky is SUPER tasty - and easy to make!

Prep Time15

Cook Time4

Total Time4 15

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Diet: Diabetic, Gluten Free, Low Fat, Low Lactose

Servings: Servings

Calories: 71kcal

Equipment

1 Jerky Gun
1 Food Dehydrator

Ingredients

1 lb Lean Ground Beef
2 tablespoon Soy Sauce Coconut Aminos, or Tamari
2 teaspoon Liquid Smoke
4 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
2 teaspoon Brown Sugar packed
1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1 teaspoon Onion Powder
¾ teaspoon Salt
¼ teaspoon Prague Powder #1 Cure

Instructions

Cut 2 or 3 squares of parchment paper slightly smaller than your dehydrator trays, set aside.
In a medium mixing bowl - using freshly washed or gloved hands - combine all ingredients. Mix it REALLY well - for best results, it’s better to overhandle it, than to under-mix it.
Use a spoon to load the mixture into a jerky gun, taking care to avoid creating air bubbles.
Line your dehydrator racks with the cut parchment paper, then pipe ground beef jerky strips out onto them, leaving some space in between each.
Dehydrate in a food dehydrator at 165 F for 2 hours.
Once two hours has passed, remove the peppered beef jerky strips from the parchment, flip them over, and place them directly onto the wire rack.
Return to the dehydrator and continue dehydrating at 165 F for another 2 - 3 hours. (Actual time will depend on the thickness of the ground beef jerky strips.)
To test for doneness, remove a piece of jerky from the dehydrator and let it cool to room temperature. It should feel dry to the touch and be able to bend to 90 degrees without breaking. (A bit of cracking or crackling is ok!)<
Allow peppered beef jerky to cool COMPLETELY to room temperature before packaging.

Notes

Your homemade peppered beef jerky will keep at room temperature (in a cool dark place) for a week or so, or a few weeks in the fridge.

If sealed into an airtight container WITHOUT OXYGEN, it should be good for a month or so in a cool dark place, a couple months in the fridge, and 6 months or so in the freezer.

Once you open your vacuum sealed bag of ground beef jerky, it should be eaten within a couple days - or a week, if put in the fridge after opening.

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