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Air Fryer Beef Jerky Recipe

Air Fryer Beef Jerky

iamwinfred
This air fryer beef jerky recipe turns a couple pounds of lean beef into a savory, chewy snack without ever turning on a dehydrator. The marinade is simple pantry stuff—soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and a touch of liquid smoke—and the air fryer does the rest of the work. Give it a few hours to marinate, load up the basket, and you'll have a batch of homemade jerky that beats anything from a gas station shelf.
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Prep Time 4 hours
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 7 hours
Course Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 120 kcal

Equipment

  • Air fryer with a roomy basket
  • Sharp chef's knife
  • Cutting board
  • Large mixing bowl or gallon zip top bag
  • Instant-read meat thermometer
  • Wire cooling rack
  • Paper towels

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds beef top round or sirloin tip steak about 907g, trimmed of fat and sliced into ¼ inch strips
  • ½ cup low sodium soy sauce 120ml
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 30ml
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika optional

Instructions
 

  • Place beef in freezer for 30-40 minutes until firm. Trim fat and slice against the grain into ¼ inch strips for tender jerky, or with the grain for chewier texture.
  • Whisk together soy sauce, Worcestershire, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, red pepper flakes, liquid smoke, and smoked paprika until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  • Pour marinade over beef strips and toss to coat. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to 24 hours, turning occasionally.
  • Remove beef from marinade and pat dry with paper towels. Arrange strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overlapping.
  • Set air fryer to 160-180°F (71-82°C) and cook for 2-3 hours, flipping halfway. Check every 30 minutes after 90 minutes until jerky is dark, dry, and bends without snapping.
  • Confirm internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). Transfer to wire cooling rack and cool completely for 30-45 minutes before serving or storing.

Notes

  • Partially freeze the beef for 30-40 minutes before slicing for cleaner, more even strips.
  • Pat the beef dry after marinating to remove excess moisture that slows drying.
  • Leave space between strips so air can circulate on all sides for even drying.
  • Check doneness starting around the 90-minute mark rather than waiting until the end.
  • Use a meat mallet or tenderizer to even out thicker sections before slicing.
  • For Teriyaki Jerky: swap soy sauce and brown sugar for ½ cup teriyaki sauce plus 1 tablespoon honey.
  • For Spicy Chipotle Jerky: add 1 tablespoon adobo sauce from canned chipotles plus extra ½ teaspoon black pepper.
  • Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, refrigerate for 1 month, or freeze for 6 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 120kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 18gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1.5gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 480mgPotassium: 250mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 2IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 2mgIron: 10mg
Keyword air fryer jerky, easy jerky recipe, homemade beef jerky
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