The BEST Sweet & Spicy Beef Jerky

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December 24, 2022
41 Comments

Jerky lovers, look no further! This is THE BEST beef jerky you will ever try, it is super addictive! It’s the perfect balance of sweet & spicy, and you can customize the flavor by using whatever peppers you prefer.

I’m not kidding when I say this is the best jerky recipe. I’ve sold and shipped hundreds of bags of this jerky to friends and family over the last couple of years, and I seriously consideredstarting my own jerky business.

Unfortunately, there are TONS of regulations on selling beef, so I gave up on the idea. But I really feel like people need to try this jerky, so I am giving away my recipe. No secret ingredients withheld. As long as you have a dehydrator and some patience, you’re about to bless your home with the most addictive jerky.

On a scale from 1-10, I would rate this at an 8 for the average person in regards to spice level.The heat is from the habanero peppers and crushed red pepper. To make it less spicy, just reduce the amount or you can use jalapeno peppers instead. I have some friends that actually request it to be even spicier, so I’ll add some cayenne pepper into the crushed red chili that goes on the jerky right before dehydrating.

Ingredients:

Beef– I recommend any of the rounds. Eye of round is best, but top round is what I use most because my local Mexican market sells it already sliced.
Low sodium soy sauce– Kikkoman brand recommended
Light brown sugar– to balance salty & spicy elements of this marinade
Worcestershire sauce– extra umami
Balsamic vinegar– adds a bit of tang and flavor
Orange & grapefruit juice- added flavor & helps to tenderize the beef.
Habanero peppers- these can be substituted with any pepper you prefer. I love the heat & flavor from habaneros, but jalapeños are excellent as well.
Crushed red pepper- this is optional but I highly recommend adding them, especially to sprinkle over the jerky right before dehydrating. It not only tastes better, but looks a lot better too.
Seasoning– onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper. These will be used to season the beef strips before adding the marinade.
Liquid smoke– to add a bit of hickory smoked flavor.

What is the best cut of meat for beef jerky?

As with most things, this answer depends on preference. I have tried making jerky with at least 5 different cuts of beef, and my favorite has been eye of round, but I use topround the most.

Leaner meat is always better for making jerky. This is because too much marbling (fat) will cause the jerky to spoil faster. But if you’re planning to finish your jerky within a few days, a little more marbling is ok with this recipe!

Fat tends to stay tough during the dehydration process, and that’s another reason for avoiding it. However, citric juices can help to break down the fat enzymes and make them more tender and palatable. My marinade has orange and grapefruit juice, and I have tried it on a cutthat had more fat in it than usual. It still turned out so good! Just remember that it still doesn’t rectify the issue of freshness. You must finish the jerky within a few days or it will spoil.

Best cuts to try:

Eye of round– most tender and my favorite cut. It is inexpensive, has very little to no fat, and is easy to cut/consume with or against the grain. The only issue with this one is that I can’t always find it.
Bottom round– the least tender of the rounds. Tends to have more marbling in it than the other rounds, but it is still a good cut of meat for jerky.
Top round– very similar to bottom round but has less marbling (which is good). I tend to use this the most because Northgate already has huge pieces of thinly sliced top round ready to buy, and it is good quality (pictured above).
Sirloin tip– extremely lean but not as tender as eye of round, and it can be pricey.
Flank steak– very lean and flavorful, but it can be tough if sliced with the grain. Also a bit pricey.

Equipment needed:

Dehydrator– I use my Elechomes dehydrator when I am making more than 10 lbs at a time. It is on the pricier side of dehydrators, but it can fit A LOT of product and is completely adjustable. With this one, it usually takes about 8 hours to make this jerky.

If I am making 10 lbs or less, I like to use my Presto dehydrator. I recommend this one over the Elechomes dehydrator. It works a lot faster (only 4 1/2 hours) but it cannot hold a lot of product and it is not temperature adjustable. You can buy extra traysto fit more product, which I highly recommend. It is also less than 1/3 the price of the Elechomes dehydrator.

If you don’t have a dehydrator-You can use your oven if the temperature settings go as low at 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the jerky on a wire rack on a baking sheet and use a wooden spoon to keep the oven door slightly ajar for air circulation. I personally have not tried doing this, but a few of my followers have commented that this method worked for them.

Meat slicer- You don’t need a meat slicer to make jerky, but this is one of my favorite kitchen tools! It looks pretty impressive to have one of these, and if you’re a family that loves to make shabu or Korean bbq at home, it can save you money on sliced meats. The one I use is the OSTBA meat slicer. It is compact, easy to use/take apart/clean, and very affordable.

If you don’t have a meat slicer- you can ask your butcher to slice the meat for you (I recommend 1/4 inch thick, but this is totally up to your preference). Or you can partially freeze the meat for an hour so that it is easier to slice by hand.
- Northgate usually has huge, thin slices of top round that are perfect for making jerky. When I’m feeling lazy, (or more often when I can’t find eye of round), this is what I usually get. The only downside to this is that sometimes they are not an even thickness, and some pieces can be a bit too thick for my liking.

How to tell if your jerky is ready

When the jerky is ready, it should stay straight up when you hold it horizontally (parallel to the floor). If it is still slightly flopping over (assuming it isn’t an extremely long piece), it probably needs more time.

Another good way to tell if you jerky is ready is to rip it with the grain- if you see this white stringy stuff in the center, it is ready. I remember researching this and that there was a name for that white stringy stuff but I forgot what its called and can’t find it anymore.

Pro tip: Rotate your trays!

The trays at the bottom closest to the heat source will dehydrate faster, so you’ll need to rotate trays once or twice.

Some of your beef slices may be thicker than others- try to group slices of the same thickness on each tray and then stack them from the thickest cuts on the bottom to the thinnest on top. This way you may not even need to rotate the trays.

How to store it:

When the jerky is done dehydrating, let it cool completely before loosely storing in an air tight container. Keep it stored this way for at least a day to cure. You can eat it right off the dehydrator but it will taste better after a day or two.
You can keep them stored in an air tight container for at least 2 weeks in the pantry, 1 month in the refrigerator, and 3 months in the freezer. These are very conservative numbers, so the jerky will likely last longer if stored properly.
You can store the jerky with oxygen absorbers to make them last even longer and stay more fresh/tender. When I package jerky to give to friends and family that live near me, I usually store them in Mylar bags with an oxygen absorber.
The best way to keep the jerky fresh for as long as possible is to store them in vacuum sealed bag using a vacuum sealer. This is the one I have. However, I normally only use this method to ship jerky to friends and family. I don’t see a need to do this for storing my own jerky because it never lasts that long anyway. We usually finish it within 1-2 weeks.

The BEST Sweet & Spicy Beef Jerky

5 from 18 votes

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Ingredients

10 lbs eye of round or top round beef trim off fat
2 tbsp crushed red pepper

Seasoning

2 tbsp onion powder
2 tbsp garlic powder
4 tsp black pepper

Marinade

5 habanero peppers or jalapenos for milder version
2 cups low sodium soy sauce
2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce
2/3 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
1/2 cup fresh grapefruit juice
1 tbsp liquid smoke
2 tbsp crushed red pepper

Instructions

If your beef isn't pre sliced, partially freeze it for about 1 hour. Slice it against the grain about 1/4 inch thick, or you can ask your butcher to slice it for you when you purchase it. Trim off as much fat as you can.
*If you live near a Northgate, they have top round beef slices ready to purchase at the meat department.
See Also
Spicy Beef Jerky Recipe The Ultimate Beef Jerky Recipe Spicy Sweet Beef Jerky Easy Homemade Spicy Beef Jerky - CopyKat Recipes
Combine the garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. If you have an empty seasoning jar with holes to shake out the seasoning, I highly recommend using this as it will be much easier to evenly season the beef slices.
Season both sides of the beef slices with the seasoning mix. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours and up to 8 hours.
Mix all the marinade ingredients except the habaneros and crushed red pepper.
Blend the habaneros and 2 tbsp crushed red pepper with 1/4 cup of the marinade until smooth
Add it back into the marinade
Pour over the seasoned beef and thoroughly massage the marinade into it.
Marinate in the fridge for 24 hours.
Line up your beef on the dehydrator and sprinklethe rest of the crushed red pepper on top (2 tbsp).
Tip: The trays at the bottom closest to the heat source will dehydrate faster, so you'll need to rotate trays once or twice. Some of your beef slices may be thicker than others- try to group slices of the same thickness on each tray and then stack them from the thickest cuts on the bottom to the thinnest on top. This way you may not even need to rotate the trays.
Set the temp to 160 degrees Fahrenheit. The time will depend on your dehydrator. I have several, and they all take a different amount of time despite being set to the same temperature. It will typically take anywhere between 4-8 hours. You will have to keep an eye on it during this time. With my presto dehydrator, it takes anywhere between 4-5 hours.
The jerky is done once you can hold it horizontally and it stays perfectly straight. Another way to tell it is done is by ripping it with the grain- you will see some white stringy stuff in the center.
Let it cool down completely before storing in an airtight container for one day before eating. You do not have to wait if you don't want to, but after a day the jerky will develop a nice glaze and incredible flavor. Cut into small strips against the grain for easy & mess free snacking.

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This Post Has 41 Comments

Anonymous June 18, 2024Reply
Recipe is delicious! We make biweekly. Also, used your recommendation for dehydrator , also works fantastic
Stevn April 6, 2024Reply
I would love to see a video of you making this recipe. It’s easier for me to watch & see than to read.
1. Stella April 7, 2024Reply
  There are a few videos on my instagram account @stellanspice. Working on getting a video on YouTube so I can integrate it into this recipe post!c
Mercy March 15, 2024Reply
By any chance do you sell your Beef jerky?
1. Stella March 16, 2024Reply
  Hi, sorry I do not. Lots of regulations around selling beef so I shared my recipe instead 🙂
Tetilon February 28, 2024Reply

One of the first recipes I made after getting a dehydrator. 10/10!! Will be making it again one of my families favorites!
@California_terry_hale February 22, 2024Reply

Great recipe. perfect jerky!
Anonymous February 22, 2024Reply

Such a great recipe! It turned out amazing!
Thanks!!
Sheila D February 22, 2024Reply

I have made several variations of this jerky and it’s a hit every single time. The tip for where to find the perfect sliced beef was solid, easier than slicing my own or using hot pot sliced meats. The finished glaze on the jerky is sweet, spicy, salty, and utterly divine! Thank you for sharing!
Gianna Fierro February 21, 2024Reply

I love this recipe!! My family don’t buy beef jerky since some of the ingredients in them so this was wonderful. Great recipe and taste amazing!
Lien February 21, 2024Reply

A labor of love, but so worth it!
Cheyenne Yang February 21, 2024Reply

I love this recipe!! Sweet, spicy & savory, all my favorites!!
LaDona Wheatley February 21, 2024Reply

Hands down best beef jerky recipe I’ve ever eaten. Do yourself a favor and make this!
See Also
Hot and Spicy Beef Jerky Recipe: Turn Up the Heat (Step by Step) - Beef Jerky Hub
Dave linehan February 16, 2024Reply
I made the sweet heat jerky wow my new favorite thank you 😀
Steve November 4, 2023Reply
Hi Stella, I was thinking about trying this. Instead of sliced meat do you think it would be possible to use ground meat and run it threw a jerky shooter?
1. Stella November 6, 2023Reply
  Hi Steve, today I learned what a jerky shooter is haha. I’m honestly not too sure how well it would work since I’ve never used one, but I imagine it would be just as good if not more tender. I would only suggest that you get good quality ground beef from a trusted butcher, not the grocery store. If you do try it out, please update us on how it turns out!
Marcus G Tiggs October 21, 2023Reply
Joy so spot on. Simple recipe to follow! Made about 20 batches and consistently GREAT. I tried adding bourbon the late 5 and this was a a crowd favorite I must say. Thanks for sharing. Curious on u not marketing…is it because USDA stuff?
Shaheen October 21, 2023Reply

The combination of intense spiciness and savory beef was a taste sensation that left me craving more.
Jason September 16, 2023Reply

its 10am and i basically had this for breakfast. It is amazing and hence forth my go to jerky recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Don September 1, 2023Reply

Excellent recipe! My only change is I eliminate the liquid smoke and use the smoker.
Mark August 29, 2023Reply
Hi Stella,
Do you leave the seeds in the peppers beforehand blending?
1. Stella September 1, 2023Reply
  Hello Mark, yes I do leave the seeds in. You can take them out if you prefer! I really like the heat so I don’t remove them.
  1. Barbara April 5, 2024Reply
    i am only doing 3 pounds of eye roast so do i cut down on marinade and seasoning
Anonymous August 28, 2023Reply

Absolutely the best beef jerky I have ever made!!! I have made this 3 times now. once I only used 1 cup of brown sugar and it was still amazing. If you make beef jerky and do not try this recipe you are missing out.
1. Rex November 9, 2023Reply
  
  I’ve been using a similar recipe for decades now and it always turns out fantastic! I do use a little bit more brown sugar I also add soy sauce in addition to the Worcestershire and teriyaki sauce. I’ll even tell you my secret ingredient – cola!
  My friends and family call this meat candy and if I don’t give it to them at Christmas time, then I’m the jerk!
  Thanks for your recipe.
Rick August 13, 2023Reply
back in the day we would use Pepsi as a sweetener along with the hot.
Mark July 11, 2023Reply
Hi Stella,
Trying your recipe for the first time. Have not made jerky in years, gave my hydrator to a friend and just never got back into it until now.
Quick questions, I’ve read a lot of people pat their jerky dry before putting it onto the hydrator trays so it doesn’t drip through the hydrator, no mention of that here?
Also, there is no mention of rotating trays throughout the drying process anywhere, is that not required anymore?
Last, I have a Presto with temp control and timer, my old one you just plugged it in and you rotated trays every couple hours and watched it. In the manual it discusses baking the jerky at 265 for 10 minutes after it’s done in the hydrator? Is that necessary, never heard of that?
Thanks, looking forward to the finished product!
1. stellanspice July 11, 2023Reply
  Hello Mark, no need to pat the jerky dry but I do shake off any excess marinade.
  You only need to rotate trays if you have a dehydrator that doesn’t dry the jerky evenly, which I find to be the case with most circular shaped dehydrators. I will make a mention of this in my blog post- thank you for bringing it to my attention.
  I have never done an additional bake after dehydrating. Sounds like maybe this is a safety precaution. If you plan to eat the jerky within a week, I don’t really see a need for this but its your call! I’ve made and eaten this jerky for years and never had any issues.
  Good luck with your batch, I hope you love it as much as we do!
Jane April 24, 2023Reply

I have made 30lbs of jerky so far with your recipe and it’s SO good. You weren’t kidding about it being addictive because my family’s jaw hurts from eating it so much. I have been gifting the to my neighbors and friends and they are all in love with it as well. LOVE your recipes!!!!
Clyde March 12, 2023Reply

I have fallen in love with this recipe. I am making it for the 4th time. I have to try it with the habinaro. So far I have just used the red pepper flakes. I also keep the solution that I marinade from use to use ,by boiling it to kill germs and freezing it for future use . I cut the recipe in half and add it to my depleting marinade and keep it up as needed. The results are excellent. Also, I don’t have a dehydration unit so I use the oven technique, but it comes out wonderfully. I have trouble not eating it right away, so I will try to let it sit for a few days so I can see how it gets.
Ron January 29, 2023Reply

Hi Stella, We love all your recipes, you’re amazing! My question is do you think I could substitute a different acid other than grapefruit? We are not able to eat grapefruit due to our medications. I plan on making this soon and I am sure it’ll be delicious and 5 star worthy. Thank you for all your awesome recipes.
1. stellanspice January 29, 2023Reply
  Hi Ron, thank you so so much! I have not tried it, but I think it would be ok to substitute blood orange or pomelo if your medication allows, and if not then just use all orange juice. Hope that helps!
Shannon Shaffer January 20, 2023Reply

Used this recipe for venison jerky and I think I ate the whole batch in a day! It has a perfect balance with the sweet and heat! I will be using this from here on out!
Colby Raimer December 24, 2022Reply
Do you think this recipe would work well in a smoker? Big fan of you Stella!!
1. stellanspice December 25, 2022Reply
  Hello Colby, thank you so much! I have never tried in a smoker but I bet it would be even better! Just got my Kamado Joe and planning to try it out too 🙂
Jenny November 19, 2021Reply
How do I store leftovers? And for long do they last?
1. stellanspice November 27, 2021Reply
  You can store in an air tight container for up to two weeks at room temperature or 1 month in the refrigerator. It could probably go even longer than that, but I’m not sure because the jerky never lasts too long in my home. It is usually all gone within the first week!
Joy August 13, 2021Reply

Oh my GOD Stella!! I made this for my family and they ate all of it in one sitting! I also bought the dehydrator you used ? this recipe is HOT FIRE!! I will be making this jerky for the rest of my life. Thank you!
1. stellanspice August 18, 2021Reply
  Hi Joy, thank you so much for making it! I’m glad your family liked it 🙂