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A simple recipe for a sugar-free keto beef jerky that you can make in your oven. There's no need to marinate the beef!
The spice mix and slow cooking are responsible for the jerky's great texture and amazing flavor.
Jerky is one of my favorite snacks. It's tasty and filling. But it's very difficult to find commercial brands that aren't made with lots of sugar.
This homemade recipe is not only chewier and tastier than many commercial versions. It's also made with no sugar. Apart from thinly slicing the beef, it's quite easy to make. It's a simple recipe, made with just a few basic ingredients. Ever since I learned how to make it, I rarely buy commercial jerky.
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- Ingredients
- Instructions
- Expert tip
- Frequently asked questions
- Variations
- Serving suggestions
- Storing leftovers
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Ingredients
You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make keto beef jerky. The exact measurements are included in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:
Flank steak: This is a tough cut but it has a great beef flavor. Slow cooking tenderizes it, and as explained in more detail below, it's really important to slice it against the grain.
To season: I use kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and chili powder. You can definitely experiment with using other spices.
Instructions
How to make keto beef jerky? It's surprisingly easy. Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps:
Your first step is to slice the beef thinly against the grain. This means finding the direction of the muscle fibers, then slicing against them, not alongside them. Cutting into the muscle fibers makes the meat easier to chew.
Once you have your slices, they're probably a bit too thick for jerky. So take each one and slice it lengthwise in half into a thinner strip, as shown in the video below. This is much easier to do with partially frozen meat.
Assuming your meat was partially frozen, now you should let the slices rest for a bit - around 15 minutes - and soften. Now, cover the meat strips with cling wrap and use a meat pounder to pound the meat strips thin.
The next step is to toss the meat slices with salt, pepper, and spices. Then, arrange the seasoned beef slices on two parchment-lined rimmed baking sheets.
To turn these beef slices into jerky, you bake them for 3 hours at 225°F, then cool them for around 30 minutes on cooling racks.
Expert tip
Slicing each meat strip lengthwise into a thinner strip is quite challenging unless your meat is partially frozen - then it's easy, as you can see in the video.
That's why I use frozen meat when making this recipe. I let it partially defrost in the fridge overnight. Typically after 12 hours it's not yet fully defrosted, but it's pliable enough that I can unfold the steak, slice it into strips, and then - quite easily - slice each of those into two thinner strips.
Before the next step, which is pounding the meat thin, I allow the slices to rest at room temperature for 15 minutes or so, to ensure that they are soft enough to be pounded thin.
Frequently asked questions
Does this keto version have the texture and flavor of real beef jerky?
Yes! It totally gives you the pleasurable experience of eating dried, chewy, very flavorful beef strips that take a long time to chew.
Do I need a smoker or a dehydrator to make beef jerky?
You don't need a special smoker or dehydrator. You can use your oven on low heat. Granted, the result will be jerky that needs refrigeration since not all the moisture is removed this way.
But it also means this homemade jerky is better tasting and has a better texture than completely dried-up meat strips.
Should I marinate the meat prior to drying it in the oven?
You could, but it's not mandatory, and I don't. I simply slice it, season it, then bake it in the oven.
Can I store this jerky at room temperature?
No. As mentioned above, there's enough moisture in it that you should treat it as any cooked meat and keep it refrigerated.
Variations
I love this recipe as is and almost always make it as written. If you'd like to experiment, you can do so with the spices you use. I like to use garlic powder and chili powder, but there are several more spices that you can try, including smoked paprika, cumin, and onion powder.
Serving suggestions
This tasty snack is excellent all on its own. But sometimes I use it as a dipper for cheese fondue. It's really good!
Storing leftovers
The only drawback compared to commercial products is that this homemade beef jerky does require refrigeration. You should keep it in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to 4 days.
When I pack it to go, I use an insulated lunch box with ice packs and consume it within two hours. Here are some tips from the USDA on food storage.
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Recipe Card
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Sugar-Free Keto Beef Jerky
A simple recipe for a sugar-free keto beef jerky that you can make in your oven. There's no need to marinate the beef! The spice mix and slow cooking ensure the jerky's great texture and amazing flavor.
Prep Time30 minutes mins
Cook Time3 hours hrs
Rest time30 minutes mins
Total Time4 hours hrs
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 137kcal
Author: Vered DeLeeuw
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds flank steak partially frozen
- 1 tablespoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt or ½ tablespoon of any other salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 225°F. Line two large, rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.
Unfold the steak and place it on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, cut the steak crosswise, against the grain (so that you sever the tough, thin fibers you can see on the steak) into 2-inch-wide strips.
You want the strips to be around ⅛-inch thick, so if they are thicker, slice each strip lengthwise into two thinner, ⅛-inch-thick strips. This is easier to do if the meat is partially frozen.
Allow the meat strips to rest at room temperature for about 15 minutes so that they fully defrost and become more pliable. Then, arrange them in a single layer on a cutting board, cover them with cling wrap, and use a meat pounder to pound them so that they are thinner and more even in thickness.
Place the beef strips in a large bowl. Add the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and chili powder. Toss with your hands until the meat is thoroughly coated.
Arrange the meat pieces on the two prepared baking sheets, not touching each other. Bake for 3 hours, rotating the position of the baking sheets midway through baking, until the beef is browned and dry. The smell will be amazing!
Remove the beef strips to a cooling rack placed on a tray or foil (to catch any drips). Allow them to cool and dry for about 30 minutes before enjoying them.
Video
Notes
Tip: use partially frozen meat
Slicing each meat strip lengthwise into a thinner strip is challenging unless your meat is partially frozen.
That's why I use frozen meat when making this recipe. I let it partially defrost in the fridge overnight. Typically, after 12 hours, it's not yet fully defrosted, but it's pliable enough that I can unfold the steak, slice it into strips, and then - quite easily - slice each of those into two thinner strips.
Before the next step, which is pounding the meat thin, I allow the slices to rest at room temperature for 15 minutes or so, to ensure that they are soft enough to be pounded thin.
Storing this jerky
The only drawback to this jerky compared to commercial products is that the final product does require refrigeration. You should keep it in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to 4 days. When I pack it to go, I use an insulated lunch box with ice packs and consume it within two hours.
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Nutrition per Serving
Calories: 137kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 492mg
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Disclaimers
Cup measurements refer to the standard American cup, which is 240 milliliters. Most of my recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate, and the carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Please read these Terms of Use carefully before using any of my recipes.
More Low-Carb Snacks
- Honey-Roasted Nuts
- Prosciutto-Wrapped Mozzarella
- Fried Boiled Eggs
- Keto Cheese Crackers
About the Author
Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. Click to learn more about Vered.
Reader Interactions
Comments
Roberta
I added a teaspoon of onion powder and a generous pinch of cayenne pepper. This jerky is so good! I like it better than store-bough jerky, because it's not as dry. I just wish it was shelf-stable, but I get why it isn't.Reply
Vered DeLeeuw
I'm so glad you enjoyed this recipe, Roberta! Thank you for leaving a comment.
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