Okay, so I’ve been wanting to make beef jerky for a while, and I finally decided to give it a go using tri-tip. I’d heard good things about using tri-tip for jerky, so I was pretty stoked to try it out. Here’s how it all went down:
Getting Started
First things first, I grabbed a nice-looking tri-tip roast from the store. It was about 2.5 pounds, which seemed like a good amount for my first attempt. I popped it in the freezer for about an hour or two. This makes it way easier to slice thinly and evenly, which is key for good jerky.
Slicing and Marinating
Once it was partially frozen, I took it out and sliced it against the grain into strips about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick. I just used a sharp knife, It’s work, but really satisfying. Then came the fun part – the marinade!
I whipped up a marinade with:
- Soy sauce (because, duh)
- Worcestershire sauce (for that extra umami kick)
- Brown sugar (gotta have some sweetness)
- Black pepper (lots of it)
- Garlic powder (everything’s better with garlic)
- Onion powder (same as above)
- Smoked paprika (for a hint of smokiness)
- Cayenne pepper (just a pinch, for a little heat)
I tossed the beef strips in the marinade, making sure everything was nicely coated. Then, I put the whole thing in a zip-top bag and stuck it in the fridge. I let it marinate overnight, about, I think 15 hours. The longer, the better, in my opinion.
Dehydrating
The next day, I pulled the marinated beef out of the fridge.I laid the strips out on my dehydrator trays, making sure they weren’t overlapping. I have a pretty basic * it to 160°F . I let it run for about 5 hours.I flipped the strips,maybe after 3 hours.
The Result
After about 5 hours, I started checking the jerky.I just snapped a piece in half. If it cracks but doesn’t completely break, it’s done!It turned out awesome! It was chewy, flavorful, and had just the right amount of spice. Honestly, it was way better than most store-bought jerky I’ve had. I stored them in a ziplock * whole family loved it, and I’m already planning my next batch. Maybe I’ll try a different marinade next time, or experiment with different cuts of beef. It’s a fun process, and the payoff is delicious!
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