Beef jerky is the ultimate nutritious and protein-packed snack for carnivore diet followers. This particular recipe takes flavorful flank steak and transforms it into tasty, addictive jerky that will satisfy any meat cravings.
With simple prep and ingredients like garlic powder, black pepper, and chili powder, this jerky delivers a boost of savory umami flavor in every bite.
Let the meat marinate briefly in seasonings for maximum flavor infusion before baking low and slow to perfection. In just a few easy steps, you’ll have homemade carnivore beef jerky that offers the perfect mix of sweet and heat.
This recipe is sure to become a go-to snack for hardcore carnivores. Keep reading for the full step-by-step instructions on how to make this mouthwatering beef jerky right at home. It’s the perfect high-protein addition to your zero-carb diet.
👍 Why You’ll Love This Carnivore Jerky Recipe
1. It’s So Simple to Make- This beef jerky recipe has very few ingredients and easy instructions, so even amateur cooks can whip it up no problem. With just 5 ingredients and a few quick steps, you’ll have tasty jerky in no time.
2. So Tender and Flavorful- The combination of spices like garlic, black pepper, and chili powder infuses the meat with tons of flavor during the low and slow baking process. And cutting against the grain ensures the jerky comes out incredibly tender.
3. Makes a Great High-Protein Snack- With its savory-sweet flavor and crispy texture, this jerky is an awesome high-protein snack you can nibble on anytime. It’s especially good pre- or post-workout when your body craves protein.
✨ Carnivore Beef Jerky Recipe Ingredients
For this carnivore beef jerky recipe you will need:
- 1.5 pounds Flank Steak
- 3/4 tablespoon Salt
- 1 1/2 tablespoon Garlic Powder
- 3/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 tablespoon Chili Powder
👨🍳 How To Make
Follow my easy carnivore diet beef jerky recipe:
Step 1
Start by preheating the oven to 225°F (110°C) and lining two large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 2
Unfold the steak (it should be partially frozen for easy cutting). Place it on a cutting board, and cut it crosswise (against the grain) into 2-inch wide strips.
Aim for strips that are approximately 1/8-inch in thickness. Should the strips be thicker, cut each one lengthwise into two slimmer pieces.
Step 3
Let the meat strips rest for about 15 minutes and defrost completely. Once they are, arrange them in a single layer on the cutting board. Cover them with cling wrap, and using a meat pounder, pound them so they are thinner.
Step 4
Place the strips in a large bowl. Add the seasonings. Toss everything together until the meat is coated.
Step 5
Arrange the meat pieces on the two baking sheets, leaving enough space between the pieces. Bake for 3 hours (rotate the baking sheet after about 1 hour).
Remove the dried meat strips and let them cool for 20 minutes before serving. Enjoy this delicious carnivore beef jerky!
💡Tips
1. Choose the Right Cut of Meat
When making beef jerky, it’s important to select the right cut of meat. Flank steak is a great choice because it’s lean and flavorful. Other good options include eye of round, bottom round, or top round steaks.
Choose cuts that are trimmed of excess fat, which can cause the jerky to spoil more quickly. Opting for the right cut will ensure your jerky comes out tasty and lasts a long time.
2. Partially Freeze the Meat for Easy Slicing
This makes the meat firm so it’s easier to cut thin, uniform strips – which is vital for proper drying and texture. Simply place the steak in the freezer for 30-60 minutes until somewhat hardened but not completely frozen through.
Then remove and slice against the grain into long, thin strips around 1/8 inch thick. Partially freezing first prevents the meat from being too gummy or mushy when cut.
3. Pound the Meat to the Right Thickness
After cutting the meat into strips, it’s highly recommended to pound them with a meat mallet or rolling pin until very thin. The jerky needs to be approximately 1/8 inch thick or less to dry out completely in the oven.
Thicker pieces won’t dehydrate all the way through and will come out too moist and chewy.
Lay strips flat between pieces of plastic wrap or wax paper and firmly pound to an even thinness. This extra step makes a huge difference in getting that perfectly crispy jerky texture.
4. Arrange in a Single Layer on Racks
For proper air circulation, arrange the jerky strips lying flat in a single layer on the baking sheets. Overcrowding will impede drying. Use two sheets if necessary, making sure not to overlap pieces.
Rotate the pans top to bottom and front to back halfway through baking. Having good air flow all around each piece ensures moisture can easily escape and your jerky will dehydrate evenly.
5. Let Cool Completely before Storing
It’s important to allow the jerky to cool down fully – for at least 20 minutes – before storing or eating. Removing it from the oven and immediately putting into an airtight container can lead to moisture getting trapped.
Letting it cool first on a wire rack allows any remaining moisture to evaporate. Once completely dry and cooled, store in an airtight bag or jar in the fridge or freezer. Properly cooling jerky makes all the difference in safety and storage.
Variations
1. Peppered Jerky- With a kick of cracked black peppercorns, this jerky variation packs some heat.
The preparation method remains unchanged, with the exception of adding 1 tablespoon of crushed black peppercorns along with the dry seasoning. Enjoy the spicy contrast of the black pepper with the savory umami flavor of the beef.
2. Bourbon Jerky- Magic happens when bourbon joins the jerky party. The sweet vanilla notes of the bourbon marry flawlessly with the spices and beef. Add 2 tablespoons of your favorite bourbon along with the dry ingredients.
3. Lemon Pepper Jerky- Bright citrus and floral peppercorns tango beautifully on this jerky. Add zest from 1 lemon along with 1 extra tablespoon of black pepper to the dry seasoning. Bake as directed for tangy, peppery jerky.
Storage
For the longest storage, store the homemade beef jerky in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. For even longer storage, keep in the freezer for up to 6 months.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What kind of beef should I use for this beef jerky recipe?
The best cut of beef to use for jerky is flank steak. Flank steak has great flavor and the right amount of fat-marbling to produce tender, tasty jerky. Make sure to slice against the grain so the final jerky pieces are easier to chew.
2. Can I use a dehydrator instead of the oven for making beef jerky?
Yes, you can absolutely use a food dehydrator instead of the oven. Simply arrange the meat strips on dehydrator trays and dehydrate at 145-155°F, until dried, about 4-6 hours.
3. Is this beef jerky recipe paleo, keto and whole30 friendly?
Yes! This jerky recipe contains only beef and spices, no sugars or additives. It fits into paleo, low carb (keto), and Whole30 diets. Dried jerkies make for the perfect high protein snack for these diets.
Beef Jerky & Carnivore Diet
Beef jerky is the ultimate carnivore snack – it’s loaded with protein, has zero carbs, adds variety to the diet, and provides a quick meaty snack when you don’t have other options.
As followers of the carnivore way of eating know, protein is king and should make up the vast majority of calories and nutrients. Beef in particular is prized for its high quality complete proteins that provide all the essential amino acids we need.
Jerky takes this nutritious beef and concentrates it down into an even more protein-packed form through the dehydration process. Because all the moisture is removed, the protein content becomes even higher per ounce.
A one ounce piece of jerky can contain a whopping 15 grams of protein – the equivalent of eating a few ounces of steak!
This high protein, low calorie density makes jerky the perfect snack to turn to when hunger strikes. When you’re busy and don’t have time to grill up a steak or cook some ground beef, you can simply grab a few pieces of jerky for a meaty hit of protein to tide you over.
It takes no preparation so it’s easy to keep on hand for those times you need something quick.
And not only is jerky protein-packed, but it contains no carbohydrates whatsoever. No sugars or high glycemic ingredients that can throw you out of ketosis. This allows you to freely snack without worrying about impacting your macronutrient balance.
The carnivore diet emphasizes animal foods only, avoiding all plants and plant-based carbs. Jerky aligns perfectly with these guidelines – just pure meat and spices.
The nice thing about jerky is the wide variety of flavors available. You can find different cuts of beef, different spice blends, teriyaki or peppered variations. This adds nice taste and texture diversity to a carnivore diet that can seem limiting at times.
When you grow tired of eating just plain grilled meat day after day, jerky offers a welcome change of pace and palette excitement.
Beef jerky is also very shelf stable and portable making it the ultimate traveling carnivore food. You can stash jerky in your bag or car and take it on the go with you anywhere.
On road trips, long work days, camping trips or whenever you’re out and about, jerky is the perfect high protein snack to have on hand. You don’t have to worry about refrigeration or prep or cooking. Just unwrap a piece and eat it cold straight out of the pack – a quick protein burst anytime, anywhere. It beats trying to travel with raw steaks!
For all these reasons – high protein, zero carb, convenience, portability, flavor variety – beef jerky is pretty much the perfect food for those adhering to a strict carnivore diet. It provides nutritious meat-based fuel and nutrition in a format tailor made for today’s busy on-the-go lifestyles. Next time hunger hits and you don’t have a steak nearby, remember that beef jerky makes the ultimate plan B!
I hope you enjoyed this easy carnivore beef jerky recip. Jerky is a tasty high-protein snack that fits perfectly into a carnivore or keto lifestyle. Be sure to experiment with different spice mixes to customize the flavor to your liking.
For more simple carnivore recipes, be sure to check out the rest of the recipes on my website. Let me know in the comments if you have any questions or tweak suggestions for this jerky!
I’m always open to feedback to help improve my recipes. Looking forward to hearing how your carnivore diet beef jerky recipe turns out.
Carnivore Beef Jerky
- 1.5 pounds Flank Steak (700g)
- 3/4 tablespoon Salt
- 1 1/2 tablespoon Garlic Powder
- 3/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 tablespoon Chili Powder
- Start by preheating the oven to 225°F (110°C) and lining two large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Unfold the steak (it should be partially frozen for easy cutting). Place it on a cutting board, and cut it crosswise (against the grain) into 2-inch wide strips.Aim for strips that are approximately 1/8-inch in thickness. Should the strips be thicker, cut each one lengthwise into two slimmer pieces.
- Let the meat strips rest for about 15 minutes and defrost completely. Once they are, arrange them in a single layer on the cutting board. Cover them with cling wrap, and using a meat pounder, pound them so they are thinner.
- Place the strips in a large bowl. Add the seasonings. Toss everything together until the meat is coated.
- Arrange the meat pieces on the two baking sheets, leaving enough space between the pieces. Bake for 3 hours (rotate the baking sheet after about 1 hour).Remove the dried meat strips and let them cool for 20 minutes before serving. Enjoy this delicious carnivore beef jerky!
