Black Pepper Free Coconut Aminos Beef Jerky
Homemade beef jerky is one of those snacks that feels almost too good to be true — chewy, deeply savory, and packed with protein you can actually feel good about. The problem with most store-bought or even homemade versions is that black pepper shows up in virtually every marinade recipe out there, making it a frustrating category for anyone who needs to avoid it. This one sidesteps that entirely by building bold, complex flavor through coconut aminos, apple cider vinegar, honey, garlic, fresh ginger, and turmeric — no pepper required, and no flavor sacrificed. The coconut aminos bring a rich, slightly sweet umami depth that does a lot of the heavy lifting, while the ginger and turmeric add warmth and a subtle earthiness that makes each strip genuinely interesting. Partially freezing the flank steak before slicing is a small trick that makes a real difference, giving you clean, even strips that dry uniformly in the oven. After a long marinade and a slow low-temperature dry, you end up with jerky that's deeply browned, satisfyingly chewy, and completely free of the usual ingredient landmines. It keeps well in the fridge or freezer, so making a big batch is absolutely worth the effort.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
For the jerky
- 2 lb flank steak or top round, trimmed of visible fat
For the marinade
- ⅓ cup coconut aminos
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp fine sea salt
- ¼ tsp ground ceylon cinnamon (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Place the flank steak in the freezer for 30–45 minutes, until it is firm but not frozen solid — this makes slicing much easier. Using a sharp knife, slice the beef against the grain into strips about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick. Pat the strips dry with paper towels.
- 2
In a zip-top bag or shallow dish, whisk together the coconut aminos, apple cider vinegar, honey, garlic, ginger, turmeric, onion powder, salt, and Ceylon cinnamon, if using, until combined.
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