Beef jerky is a tasty, protein-packed snack that’s fun and satisfying to make yourself. If you have a Little Chief electric smoker, you can easily craft delicious homemade jerky right in your own backyard. This high-quality smoker lets you infuse smoky flavor into beef strips and create jerky that’s far superior to any store-bought version.

In this guide I’ll walk you through the full process of making incredible beef jerky using the Little Chief smoker, from selecting the right cut of meat to flavoring, smoking, and storing your homemade jerky. With just a few basic ingredients and steps, you’ll be enjoying jerky straight from your own smoker in no time!

Choose the Best Cut of Beef for Jerky

To make the most tender and flavorful jerky, you’ll want to start with the right cut of beef. The best selections are lean cuts that are high in protein but low in fat, like

• Flank steak
• London broil
• Top round roast
• Bottom round roast
• Eye of round roast

These cuts will give you great texture and allow the jerky to absorb smoke flavor optimally during the smoking process. Flank steak is my personal favoritechoice for jerky as it has robust beefy flavor

Trim off any excess fat, gristle, or silver skin before slicing the meat for jerky. This will prevent the strips from becoming tough.

Prep the Meat for the Smoker

Once you’ve got your cut of beef, slice it lengthwise into long, thin strips. For tender jerky, slices should be around 1⁄8 to 1⁄4 inch thick. Use a very sharp knife to cut slices against the grain of the meat.

Place the sliced meat in a large resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Make your marinade by combining:

• 1⁄2 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 1 teaspoon each of onion powder, pepper, paprika
• 1⁄2 teaspoon liquid smoke (optional)

Pour the marinade over the meat, seal the bag, and massage well so every strip is thoroughly coated. Refrigerate for 12-24 hours, turning bag occasionally. The longer it marinates, the more flavor will infuse into the meat.

Load up the Jerky Strips

Once your beef is marinated, it’s time to load up your Little Chief smoker. Pat the strips dry first to prevent sticking. Lay them directly on the smoker racks, making sure strips don’t overlap.

Load as much beef as you can fit while still allowing proper airflow around each piece. Sprinkle lightly with desired spices like garlic powder, chili powder, or cayenne if you want extra flavor.

Smoke the Jerky

Now set your Little Chief smoker to 165°F and let it preheat well before putting the loaded racks inside. Keep the top vent wide open throughout the smoking process.

Smoke the jerky for 2-4 hours until it reaches your desired dryness, checking it periodically. Meat closest to the heating element will dry faster, so rotate racks if needed. It’s done when strips are stiff but still pliable and crack slightly when bent.

Let Jerky Cool and Store

Once jerky reaches your perfect texture, remove racks and let cool completely before handling. Then transfer jerky strips to an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. At room temp, homemade jerky will keep for 2 weeks. For longer storage, refrigerate or freeze.

Enjoy your smoky, flavorful homemade beef jerky as a high-protein snack anytime! It makes a great on-the-go snack for hiking, camping, or road trips.

Tips for Making Great Jerky in a Little Chief Smoker

Follow these tips for success when using your Little Chief smoker to make outstanding homemade beef jerky:

• Choose very lean cuts of beef for the best texture.

• Slice meat against the grain into 1⁄8 to 1⁄4 inch thick strips.

• Marinate strips for 12-24 hours for maximum flavor.

• Dry meat well before placing on smoker racks.

• Don’t overlap meat strips on racks.

• Preheat smoker fully before loading meat inside.

• Rotate racks midway through smoking time.

• Smoke until jerky is dry but still pliable.

• Let jerky cool completely before storage.

FAQs About Making Beef Jerky In a Little Chief

If you’re new to making jerky in an electric smoker, here are answers to some frequently asked questions:

What temperature should I set the Little Chief to?

165°F is ideal for making beef jerky.

How long does it take to make jerky in the Little Chief?

Smoke times range from 2-4 hours depending on thickness of meat strips. Check periodically for your desired doneness.

Can I use other meats besides beef?

Yes, you can absolutely smoke turkey, chicken, venison, salmon, or other meats using the same method.

Do I need to rotate the racks during smoking?

Rotating the racks midway through ensures even drying, so yes it’s recommended.

How much jerky can I make at once?

You can fill all the racks as long as strips aren’t overlapping. Make multiple batches for larger quantities.

How should I store the finished jerky?

Let cool completely then store in airtight bags or containers at room temp up to 2 weeks or in the fridge for longer.

Can I freeze homemade beef jerky?

Yes, freezing extends the shelf life significantly. Thaw in fridge before eating.

Enjoy Endless Jerky Flavors with Your Little Chief

A Little Chief electric smoker makes it so easy to produce amazing homemade beef jerky, exactly the way you like it. You control all the ingredients so you can create endless flavor combinations.

Use your favorite cuts of beef, specialty marinades, and spice mixes to produce jerky in flavors like teriyaki, black pepper, hot and spicy, maple bacon, and more. Tailor the smokiness and texture to suit your tastes.

Why buy pre-made jerky when you can craft superior versions at home for a fraction of the cost? Impress your family and friends with your own secret jerky recipes smoked to perfection in your Little Chief. You’ll never grow tired of all the varieties you can experiment with.

The next time a jerky craving strikes, skip the storebought bags and head out to your Little Chief. In just a few hours, you’ll be hooked on homemade jerky made just how you love it.