Go Back Email Link
+ servings
South Texas jalapeno jerky on white dish with fresh jalapenos cut in half
Print

South Texas Jalapeno Jerky

South Texans love their Jalapenos, and this easy to make jerky will satisfy that craving! So get your spice on and make some jerky!
Course Beef Jerky, Jerky, Snack
Cuisine American, Beef Jerky
Type Beef Jerky
Flavor Spicy
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 30 minutes
Servings 5
Calories 150kcal
Author Will

Ingredients

Lean Beef:

Marinade:

  • ¼ cup worcestershire sauce
  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ cup beef broth
  • 1 diced jalapeno
  • 2 teaspoon liquid smoke mesquite

Optional

Topping:

  • ½ tablespoon ground jalapeno pepper

Instructions

  • Pick a lean cut of beef and trim off all visible fat. After trimming the fat, place the beef in the freezer for an hour or two to partially freeze.
  • While the meat is hardening in the freezer, add worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, garlic powder, black pepper, salt, beef broth, liquid smoke, and jalapeno in a blender and blend until jalapeno pieces are very small. Pour marinade into zip lock bag.
  • After meat has hardened, but is not fully frozen, take out of freezer to slice. Using a sharp knife, slice the meat ¼" to ⅛" thick.
  • Add beef strips to your marinade and shake the bag coating meat evenly. Allow 6-24 hours to marinate the jerky. Shake/mix the bag every couple hours to allow the marinade to evenly soak in to each piece of meat.
  • After the meat has finished marinating, remove from refrigerator and pat dry with paper towels. Sprinkle on ground jalapeno pepper (optional). Add heavily for a real kick, or light for a nice spice.
  • Dry with your favorite jerky making method. A dehydrator was used when making this recipe. The slices were placed on dehydrator racks so they were not overlapping or touching. Dried for 3 hours at 165 degrees and another 1 hours at 145 degrees.
  • Jerky will be finished when it bends and cracks, but does not break in half. Allow to cool for several hours before storing in air tight containers.

Notes

Old Pro Tips:
  • Trim all fat from the meat before marinating for longer lasting jerky once it’s finished drying
  • Use curing salt or celery juice powder to extend the life of the jerky
  • Marinate closer to 24 hours for the most intense flavor
  • Using a blender really helps incorporate the jalapeno flavor in the recipe
  • Keep the seeds in the jalapeno for more of a spice

Nutrition

Serving: 70g | Calories: 150kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 56mg | Sodium: 1277mg | Potassium: 464mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 41IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 3mg