Description

This Air Fryer Beef Jerky recipe offers a homemade, flavorful, and tender jerky option using lean beef sirloin or flank steak. Marinated with a blend of soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, spices, and brown sugar, it’s slowly dried in an air fryer to achieve the perfect chewy texture without the need for smoking or dehydrators. Perfect for snacking or protein-packed treats, this jerky is easy to prepare and stores well.

Ingredients

Scale

Beef

1 ½ lbs beef sirloin or flank steak

Marinade

¼ cup soy sauce
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

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Instructions

Slice the Beef: Freeze the beef for 30 minutes to make slicing easier. Cut the beef into 1/8 to 1/4 inch strips against the grain for the best texture.
Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, combine soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
Marinate the Beef: Coat the beef strips in the marinade, ensuring each strip is evenly covered. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight for deeper flavor.
Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 180°F (82°C) and let it preheat while you arrange the beef.
Arrange and Cook: Lay the beef strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding. Cook for 2-3 hours, flipping halfway through, until the jerky is dry, slightly chewy, and has a firm texture.
Cool and Store: Remove the jerky from the air fryer and allow it to cool completely. Store the jerky in an airtight container or zip-top bag for maximum freshness.

Notes

Freezing the beef slightly makes it much easier to slice thinly and uniformly.
Marinating overnight enhances the flavor and tenderness of the jerky.
Ensure beef strips are arranged in a single layer in the air fryer to promote even drying.
The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the beef strips and your specific air fryer model.
Store the jerky in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week or refrigerate for longer shelf life.
For a spicier jerky, increase the cayenne pepper or add chili flakes.