This Salt and Pepper Beef Jerky is a great snack to have on hand when the next meal seems a lifetime away and you want something satisfying to your tastebuds that’s not laden with sugar.
Normally I’d season beef jerky with spices such as smoked paprika and hot chilli, but I thought I’d go back to basics this time and keep it really simple.
Happily, this batch of jerky tied in with the arrival of a new kitchen tool, a super duper knife from Steamer Trading Cookshop.
I love, love, love Global knives and how they hold their edge better than any other knife I’ve ever tried. Whilst they are definitely a luxury kitchen item, if you spend as much time as me in the kitchen I reckon you are fully justified in treating yourself to at least one decent knife!
Jerky was the perfect recipe to put it through its paces, as you need those sheets of beef to be super thin. Unsurprisingly, the blade of my shiny new 11cm fluted cooks knife glided through the meat as if it were butter.
I dry our jerky using a dehydrator, but if you don’t have one, check out the instructions here to dry it in a low oven instead. Whichever method you choose, remember that you’re dealing with raw meat that won’t be cooked a high temperature to kill any bacteria, so ensure everything that touches the meat is perfectly clean and sterile. Oh, and remove any fat as you go as the fat will spoil in storage and ruin your jerky.
Talking of storage, I found this really interesting PDF on the safety and storage of jerky which will be useful if you’re not planning to scoff it within a few days. I tried the first of their options but it made my jerky really crispy. In fact, weirdly it ended up tasting like crispy bacon?!
Happy jerkying people ;)
- 600 g silverside beef lean
- 2 teaspoons fine salt
- 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
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Pop the piece of beef in the freezer for an hour to firm up which will make it easier to slice.
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Sharpen your knife, then slice the meat as thin as you can possibly get it. There will always be bits that are thicker than others so don't fret about it too much.
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I always cut against the grain of the muscle fibres as it makes for a less chewy jerky but try it both ways to discover your favourite method.
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Place the slices of beef into a large ziploc bag and sprinkle over the salt and pepper. Seal the bag then massage the meat through the plastic with the aim of getting the seasoning to touch every single piece of beef.
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Lay out on your dehydrator or oven shelves ensuring that the pieces don't touch or overlap.
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Dry until the meat is dry but still flexible. Leave to cool then pop in a sealed tub.
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You'll probably find that different pieces in different areas of the dehydrator or oven will dry at different rates, just take the 'done' bits out to cool while the rest finishes off.
Huge thanks to Steamer Trading Cookshop for sending me this Global knife to review, it’s a very welcome addition to my kitchen.
Emily says
22 July 2015 at 10:17 amHow clever! Sounds very yummy and gorgeous photography as usual x
Jane Sarchet says
22 July 2015 at 10:25 amAw, thank you Emily :)
Janie x
Glamorous Glutton says
22 July 2015 at 12:48 pmThis recipe is right up my street, I’m definitely trying it. I’ve been looking for an excuse to get a dehydrator and this is perfect. GG
Jane Sarchet says
22 July 2015 at 1:48 pmSuperb news GG, ours is only a cheapy buy is a right little workhorse :)
Janie x
Heidi Roberts says
23 July 2015 at 11:15 pmI have never been a fan of jerky but then I have never had it home made!
Jane Sarchet says
24 July 2015 at 2:53 pmI have only ever bought beef jerky in the UK once and it wasn’t very pleasant at all – I won’t go into details but became aware that I was eating raw meat part way through. Yuk!
Jane x
Claire @foodiequine says
24 July 2015 at 11:12 pmWow, I would never have never even considered making my own jerky but you made it look simple. I can imagine that the knife works really well for it too. I have one and love mine.
Jane Sarchet says
25 July 2015 at 9:05 amThey are a serious bit of kit aren’t they Claire, we only had a Global paring knife before but am in love with this one already :)
Janie x
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says
26 July 2015 at 8:14 amI fell in love with biltong in SA and I imagine that this tastes quite similar. Plus OH would love that knife.
Mel says
8 May 2016 at 11:33 amFinally a basic simple recipe! For someone who doesn’t like garlic, or onions, this is a god send, Thankyou
Jane Sarchet says
8 May 2016 at 11:59 amMy pleasure Mel, enjoy!
Janie x