Homemade Peppered Beef Jerky Recipe | CookOS

Peppered Beef Jerky

Name: Homemade Peppered Beef Jerky Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 4 h
Total time: 4 h 20 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 lbs top round beef, trimmed of fat and thinly sliced; 1 cup soy sauce; 2 cups water; 1 cup Worcestershire sauce; 1 tbsp salt; 1 tbsp garlic powder; 1 tbsp onion powder; 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes; 1 tbsp ground black pepper; 1/4 cup maple syrup; coarsely ground black pepper, for topping

This homemade peppered beef jerky combines soy sauce, Worcestershire, and maple syrup for a savory-sweet jerky that's cheaper and fresher than store-bought versions.

🌍American 🏷️Beef jerky 🏷️Homemade jerky 🏷️Snack 🏷️Beef 🏷️Top round Savory

About·Privacy·Terms

🏷️

0:00

-0:00

Disabled

Auto

0.25x

0.5x

0.75x

Normal

1.25x

1.5x

1.75x

TikTok

Total

4h 20m

Servings

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$22–$36

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

0:00

-0:00

Disabled

Auto

0.25x

0.5x

0.75x

Normal

1.25x

1.5x

1.75x

TikTok

Ingredients

2 lbs top round beef, trimmed of fat and thinly sliced
1 cup soy sauce
2 cups water
1 cup Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp salt
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tsp crushed red pepper flakesoptional
1 tbsp ground black pepper
1/4 cup maple syrup
coarsely ground black pepper, for topping

11 Ingredients

Delivery in as fast as one hour.^*

Prices vary by store

^*Service fees apply. Instacart^® and the Instacart logo are registered trademarks of Maplebear Inc. d/b/a Instacart.

Instructions

1
Trim all visible fat from the top round beef.
2
Slice the beef very thinly against the grain.
3
In a mixing bowl, combine the soy sauce, water, and Worcestershire sauce.
4
Add the salt, garlic powder, onion powder, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), and ground black pepper to the marinade.
5
Whisk the marinade ingredients together until well combined.
6
Place the sliced beef into a large resealable plastic bag.
7
Add the maple syrup to the bag with the beef, then pour in the marinade.
8
Seal the bag, removing as much air as possible, and massage to ensure all beef is coated.
9
Refrigerate and let the beef marinate for 24 hours.
10
Remove the beef slices from the marinade and lay them in a single layer on wire racks set over foil pans or baking sheets.
11
Sprinkle additional coarsely ground black pepper over the top of the beef slices.
12
Place the racks in an oven set to its lowest temperature, around 140°F (60°C).
13
Dehydrate for 4 hours, or until the jerky is dry but still pliable.

Was this recipe helpful?

Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Pat beef completely dry with paper towels after marinating before loading onto racks—excess moisture extends drying time and risks uneven texture.
Arrange slices in a single layer without overlapping for even dehydration; check around the 4-6 hour mark and rotate racks if needed.
Jerky is done when it bends without cracking but shows no moisture when squeezed—don't over-dry or it becomes brittle.
Cool jerky completely before storing to prevent condensation, which causes mold growth.

Substitutions

Top round → Flank steak or brisket (both are lean and slice well against the grain)
Worcestershire sauce → Liquid smoke (use 1-2 tsp for smoky depth without the tangy undertone)
Maple syrup → Honey or brown sugar (⅓ cup each; less maple flavor but similar sweetness and browning)

Storage & make-ahead

Store cooled jerky in an airtight container or zip-lock bag at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, or freeze for up to 3 months. No reheating needed—serve at room temperature or chilled.