Xanthan Gum Free Lemon-Dill Beef Jerky

Total time12 hr 20 min

Prep time20 min

Cook time4 hr

4.9

(20)

Bright, herby, and deeply savory, this beef jerky is the kind of snack that disappears fast once it hits the counter. The marinade leans on coconut aminos for that umami backbone, then layers in fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, dill, garlic, ginger, and turmeric for a flavor combination that feels genuinely unexpected in jerky form. Many commercial jerky products and even homemade seasoning blends sneak in thickeners or stabilizers that can be a problem for anyone avoiding xanthan gum — here, every single ingredient is straightforward and easy to verify. The slow oven-drying method does all the work, pulling moisture out gradually so you end up with that perfect chewy-but-not-brittle texture without any additives doing the heavy lifting. Chilling the beef before slicing is a small trick that makes a real difference, giving you clean, even strips that dry consistently. The long marinade window — anywhere from eight to twenty-four hours — means the lemon and dill have time to really sink in, so every bite carries that bright, aromatic punch all the way through. Make a batch on the weekend and you have a genuinely satisfying, protein-packed snack ready to go for the whole week.

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Ingredients

6 servings

For the jerky

1 ½ lb beef top round or flank steak, trimmed of visible fat

For the marinade

¼ cup coconut aminos
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp lemon zest (from about 1 large lemon)
3 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated
1 tsp ground turmeric
1 tsp fine sea salt

Instructions

1
Place the beef 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. For chewier jerky, slice with the grain.
2
In a zip-top bag or shallow dish, combine the coconut aminos, lemon juice, lemon zest, fresh dill, garlic, ginger, turmeric, and sea salt. Stir or squeeze to mix well.

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