My Dr. People love Pepper Jalapeno Beef Jerky! This post has the best beef jerky recipe ever and steps on how to make it. I mean, really. This post is so full of beef jerky knowledge, it should probably be a book. We are going to be talking cuts of meat, slicing tips, marinating basics, and dehydrating vs. smoking.
Beef jerky nuggets are the ultimate protein-packed snack that will satisfy your savory cravings. With their intense beef jerky flavor and fun bite-sized shape, these little morsels are hard to resist. But did you know you can easily make them at home?
In this simple guide, I’ll walk you through the entire process of crafting tender and tasty beef jerky nuggets in your own kitchen. With just a few basic ingredients and tools, you’ll be nibbling on homemade jerky nuggets in no time!
Select The Right Cut Of Beef
The first step is choosing the right beef. For jerky nuggets, you’ll want a lean cut that is high in protein but low in fat. Great options include flank steak, top round, bottom round, or eye of round. These cuts will give you the most tender and chewy jerky texture. I prefer flank steak for its beefy flavor.
Trim off any excess fat or connective tissue and slice the beef against the grain into long thin strips. This makes it easier to cut the slices into nugget shapes later.
Prep The Beef Jerky Marinade
Now for the fun part – flavoring your beef! Whip up a simple marinade that will infuse tons of taste into the meat.
In a small bowl combine
- 1⁄3 cup soy sauce (use tamari for gluten-free)
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1⁄2 teaspoon liquid smoke (optional)
Whisk until the sugar dissolves Place your sliced beef into a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade over top. Make sure all the meat is fully coated. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight The longer it marinates, the more flavorful it will become.
Form The Beef Into Nuggets
After marinating, take your beef slices and cut them into bite-sized nuggets, about 1 inch wide. I like using a pizza cutter for easy slicing.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the nuggets on top in a single layer, making sure they don’t overlap.
Dehydrate For The Perfect Texture
Now it’s time to transform your marinated beef into chewy, jerky-like nuggets. Use a dehydrator or your oven on the lowest heat setting to slowly remove moisture from the meat.
If using a dehydrator, set it to 145°F and dehydrate for 6-10 hours, checking frequently, until the nuggets are dry on the outside but still tender. In the oven, spread nuggets on a wire rack over a baking sheet. Set oven to 170°F and prop the door open slightly. Dehydrate for 8-12 hours, rotating racks halfway through.
The nuggets are done when stiff but still pliable. Don’t over-dry them or they’ll turn brittle.
Add Flavor With Seasonings
Once dehydrated, let the jerky nuggets cool completely before handling. Now comes the fun part – seasoning!
Toss the nuggets with your choice of spices for extra zing:
- Smoky BBQ – smoked paprika, chili powder, brown sugar, garlic powder
- Zesty Lime – lime zest, chili powder, cumin, salt
- Sweet Teriyaki – brown sugar, garlic powder, ginger, sesame seeds
- Fiery Chili – cayenne, cumin, paprika, onion powder
Get creative and add your own spice blends too. The flavor combos are endless!
Store For Snacking Anytime
Now stash your homemade jerky nuggets in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. For longer storage, keep them sealed in the fridge for 2-3 months.
Grab a handful for snacking at home or take them along in your bag for instant protein anywhere. You’ll love having these irresistible bites available anytime a jerky craving strikes.
Tips For Making Perfect Beef Jerky Nuggets
Follow these tips and tricks for ultimate success when crafting your homemade jerky nuggets:
-
Choose very lean beef for the best texture. Flank steak is a great option.
-
Cut beef slices against the grain and as thin as possible.
-
Marinate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for maximum flavor.
-
Pat nuggets dry before dehydrating to prevent sticking.
-
Use a dehydrator or oven on the lowest heat setting.
-
Dehydrate just until dry on the outside but still pliable inside.
-
Let nuggets cool fully before seasoning to allow flavors to adhere.
-
Experiment with fun spice blends like smoky BBQ or zesty lime.
-
Store in an airtight container at room temperature or the fridge.
FAQs About Making Beef Jerky Nuggets
If you’re new to jerky-making, you probably have some questions. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
What’s the best beef cut to use?
Lean cuts like flank steak, top round, or eye of round work well. Avoid fatty cuts.
How thin should I slice the beef?
As thin as possible – around 1/8 inch thick. This makes for tender, easy to chew jerky.
Do I really need to marinate the beef?
Yes! Marinating infuses flavor and tenderizes the meat. Aim for at least 2 hours of marinating time.
Can I use an oven instead of a dehydrator?
Yes. Use the oven on the lowest heat setting (around 170°F) and prop the door open to allow moisture to escape.
How can I adapt this for jerky sticks?
Simply slice the beef into long sticks instead of nuggets before marinating and drying. Adjust drying times as needed.
How should I store the finished jerky nuggets?
In an airtight container for up to 2 weeks at room temp or 2-3 months refrigerated.
Can I freeze beef jerky nuggets?
Freeze for up to 6 months for maximum freshness. Thaw in the fridge before eating.
Satisfy Your Jerky Cravings With Homemade Nuggets
Beef jerky nuggets are such a handy, protein-packed snack to have around. With just a few basic steps, you can easily whip up a batch right in your own kitchen for a fraction of the cost of store-bought.
Experiment with different cuts of beef, marinade flavors, and spice blends to create your own signature jerky nuggets. Tailor them to your tastes – the options are endless. Making them at home lets you control the ingredients so you can avoid unwanted additives.
The next time a jerky craving hits, don’t run to the store. Bust out your dehydrator or oven and get ready to craft some insanely delicious beef jerky nuggets in almost no time. They make the perfect high-protein snack and are sure to satisfy your savory snack attack!
Step 1: Select the Meat
Let’s start with the best cuts of beef for jerky-making. I try to pick a nice roast with very little fat marbling. My first choice is an eye of round roast. After that, I think a top round, sirloin roast, or rump roast would also work well. There is a little more fat and grit in these cuts, but the price is usually good, so I don’t mind.
This recipe calls for 2-3 pounds of eye of round roast. I easily got this from my butcher and asked them to cut the meat for me. Need to know more about slicing? Read on to the next section!.
How to Make Dr. Pepper Jalapeno Beef Jerky
Alright folks, as promised let’s walk step-by-step through the whole process of making this awesome jerky. Choose the right meat and make the perfect dried jerky, and you’ll have a tasty snack in no time!
Smoked Beef Jerky Nuggets
How to make beef jerky?
This is a straightforward beef jerky recipe with just 5 ingredients. Although the jerky takes some time to make, the preparations are pretty easy. You just slice the meat, let it marinate overnight, spread onto a baking rack, let bake for about 6 hours at a very low temperature, and you are done.
How do you make Jack Link beef jerky?
Chewy, smoky, and flavor-packed, this copycat Jack Link’s beef jerky blends warm and savory tones for tasty and thin snacks. Cut meat into strips no thicker than ¼-inch. In a large bowl, mix together onion powder, pepper, garlic powder, salt, and Italian seasoning. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and pepper sauce.
How do you make teriyaki beef Nuggets?
Simply use the recipe down below and replace the amount of ground beef with your choice of meat. For those interested in adding the sauce to make “teriyaki beef nuggets” simply use premade teriyaki sauce or a mixture of ⅓ cup of soy sauce, mirin, sake, and 1-2 tablespoons of sugar mixed in a pan, simmering till it has a sauce like texture.
How do you make breaded beef Nuggets?
Here is how you can make these breaded beef nuggets: Create a base mixture of ground beef, salt, pepper, onion and garlic powder, paprika, and parmesan. Mold these using your hands to your choice of shape-a simple nugget, or for kids, a heart, star, or even a character using a mold.