Artificial Flavors Free Orange-Garlic Beef Jerky
Homemade jerky hits differently when every ingredient in the marinade is something you actually recognize. Store-bought versions are notorious for long ingredient lists packed with smoke flavoring, MSG alternatives, and mystery "natural flavors" that aren't always as natural as they sound ā so making your own is a genuinely smart move. Here, the bold flavor comes entirely from real food: fresh orange juice and zest, minced garlic, grated ginger, coconut aminos, and a touch of honey that caramelizes beautifully during the low-and-slow oven dry. The result is savory, citrusy, and just a little sweet, with a satisfying chew that rivals anything you'd find in a gas station bag ā except you know exactly what went into it. Slicing the beef partially frozen is a clever trick that makes thin, even strips easy to achieve without any special equipment. After a long overnight marinade and a few hours in the oven, you've got a protein-packed snack that keeps in the fridge for two weeks or the freezer for three months, ready whenever hunger strikes.
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Learn more āIngredients
6 servings
For the jerky
- 1 Ā½ lb flank steak or top round, trimmed of visible fat
For the marinade
- ā cup fresh orange juice (from about 1 large orange)
- 1 tsp orange zest
- 3 tbsp coconut aminos
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated
- Ā½ tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
Instructions
- 1
Place the steak in the freezer for 30ā45 minutes, until firm but not frozen solid. This makes it much easier to slice thinly and evenly.
- 2
While the beef chills, whisk together the orange juice, orange zest, coconut aminos, apple cider vinegar, garlic, ginger, turmeric, honey, and salt in a bowl until the salt and honey are fully dissolved.
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