Description
This Air Fryer Beef Jerky recipe offers a delicious, homemade alternative to store-bought jerky, featuring thinly sliced beef marinated in a savory mixture of Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, honey, and spices. Utilizing an air fryer, the beef is gently dried to achieve perfect chewy texture without the need for smoking or dehydrating equipment.
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade
- ½ cup Worcestershire sauce
- ½ cup soy sauce
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp chili flakes (optional, adjust to desired spiciness)
Beef
- 1 lb thinly sliced beef steak (sirloin or round steak), about ¼ inch thick
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a bowl, combine Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, honey, onion powder, and chili flakes if using. Stir thoroughly until the honey is completely dissolved to ensure even flavor.
- Slice the beef: Cut the beef steak into thin strips or squares approximately ¼ inch thick. Using a meat slicer can help achieve uniform pieces for consistent drying.
- Marinate the beef: Add the beef strips to the marinade, tossing well to fully coat each piece. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, ideally overnight, to allow the flavors to fully penetrate the meat.
- Prepare for air frying: Remove the marinated beef strips from the marinade and gently pat them dry using paper towels. Removing excess moisture helps prevent sogginess and promotes effective drying.
- Arrange in air fryer: Place the beef strips in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Ensure the pieces do not overlap to allow proper airflow and even drying.
- Air fry the jerky: Set the air fryer to 210°F (100°C) and cook for 2 hours. After 2 hours, check the texture and internal temperature; if not sufficiently dried, continue air frying in 15-20 minute increments until the jerky reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) and desired dryness.
- Cool and store: Let the jerky cool to room temperature before storing. Keep it in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. For extended storage, refrigerate or freeze the jerky.
Notes
- Use lean cuts of beef such as sirloin or round steak for best results and to reduce fat content.
- Marinating overnight enhances the flavor and tenderness of the jerky.
- If a meat slicer is unavailable, partially freezing the beef before slicing can help achieve thin, even strips.
- Ensure beef strips are evenly spaced in the air fryer to prevent uneven drying.
- Check doneness carefully as air fryer models may vary in heat distribution.
- Store jerky properly in airtight containers to maintain freshness and prevent spoilage.
