Recipe: Beef Jerky Recipe for Gene

Beef Jerky Recipe

5 Lbs. Minimum (One piece preferred) Fresh Brisket (Lean) -Any brand *You may substitute the beef brisket with your choice of meat*
15 to 20 oz. Soy Sauce - Any brand
15 oz. Worcestershire Sauce - Lea & Perrins - Preferred
15 to 20 oz. Teriyaki sauce - Any brand
2 to 4 tablespoons Dark Brown Sugar - Any brand
2 to 4 tablespoons Garlic Powder - Any brand
2 to 4 tablespoons Onion Powder - Any brand
2 to 4 teaspoons Cayenne Pepper - Any brand
5 oz. bottle Liquid Smoke - Any brand any type
2 to 4 oz. Dark Corn Syrup - Any brand
1 Very Sharp Knife

All ingredients can be more or less as you desire to your own taste except soy & Worcestershire which can be more, you must have enough liquid to cover meat. Brown sugar and
corn syrup can be to taste for sweetness or not used at all. Add all liquid ingredients into container ( with lid is preferred or cover with a plastic wrap (see tip below*) rinse each bottle with a dash of water and add this to the liquid. Now add all other ingredients into the container, stir frequently. Trim as much fat as possible off the brisket (meat). It is the fat on the meat that will go bad (rancid) not the meat. The meat is to be sliced with the grain as thin as possible (approx. 3/16"). (see tip below**) To aid in slicing meat thinly, freeze until ice crystals are formed). This allows for more slices and a quicker drying time. Place into marinade as sliced. Make sure all meat is covered with the ingredients and stir meat occasionally to ensure all areas of meat have been exposed to the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 24 hours or more,occasionally shaking or stirring the meat at least 2 more times. Now when ready to dry, place aluminum foil on bottom of oven and cover bottom entirely. Try to make a pan out of the foil because of the drippings (remove when it is obvious that there are no more drippings this is usually a while after the meat has been turned over, you will notice that the drippings will have a tendency to give off a burning smell because it is laying on the bottom of the oven, you can replace the foil at any time to avoid this.) It is advisable to place paper towels on the oven door while open and loading the trays to catch the drippings. Place the meat across the racks (see tip below***)filling the top rack first (highest position) and then the second rack (next highest position). Set temperature at lowest temperature possible (160 - 180 degrees). When visible dripping has stopped, all meat has to be turned over because the top of the meat will be more moist than the bottom. Also the top rack will drip onto the bottom rack and the bottom meat will be more moist than the top. The meat should be checked for consistency in drying and should be move around accordingly (from bottom rack to top, from edge to center etc.) The low heat is to dry the meat, not cook it.
It should take approximately 4&1/2 to 8 hours or more depending how many & how thin the meat was sliced and the set temperature. Approximately the last hour or so, the oven door should be propped open with a fork or spoon to dissipate the heat, to avoid cooking it is a good idea to leave the oven door propped open any time during the drying to keep a good flow of heat & air. You can tell the meat is done when it no longer bends and you could break off a piece with ease. But the meat should not be so dry as to be crisp & break. It is better to be more dry than under dried, so as to prevent mold. Let meat cool before storing. This is now ready to eat, you can allow this to air dry an additional day or so in an open container. This will now keep in a sealed container (zip lock bags are great) for months refrigerated although I have kept my jerky for months un-refrigerated. Remember this meat will continue to dry unless placed in a sealed container once totally dried. Do not worry about color changes of the beef jerky it will get lighter and harder as it continues to dry over time. It is only important to keep the jerky away from humidity for long term storage. The net result of all this fun will give you approx. 2.5 to 3 lbs or more of the best jerky in town.