Beef Jerky Marinade Recipes

There are many reasons why Australians love beef jerky. When consumed in moderation and as part of a healthy and well balanced diet, beef jerky is actually quite healthy. It is a very high protein food with a low fat content. The better the product and the more organic the ingredients, the better the health value, too.

Beef jerky can be enjoyed in its original flavour, which is obviously a beefy taste. There are also many variations that manufacturers sell. These include flavours such as garlic, chili, pepper, or honey teriyaki.

The great thing about beef jerky is that it can be bought, or it can be made at home. It is easy enough to make if you buy good quality beef and have a food dehydrator. The best thing about this is that it means you have total quality control over what you put into the marinade to add more flavour to your beef jerky.

There are some really great ideas available for beef jerky marinade recipes. Why not get inventive and try some new flavours the next time you want to make your own healthy and nutritious beef jerky snack or meal.

“Making jerky is something I love to do. It’s the perfect snack for hiking and camping as it is compact, has a great shelf life, and also provides a high level of protein, which is crucial when on extended trips outdoors.” Andy, Brightcamping.com

So whether you are looking to start your own beef jerky business, or just making jerky at home, try out some of these never-fail beef jerky marinade recipes:

Beef jerky marinade recipe:

Soy Sauce – 180ml

    • Contains plenty of salt which is useful for food preservation.
    • Gives jerky a dark colour while also improving the texture.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar – 35ml
    • Acids can be helpful for food safety as they inhibit microbial growth and keep the jerky safe.
  • Water – 35ml
    • This is simply to create enough marinade to completely cover your meat.
  • Ground Black Pepper – 2g
    • That hint of pepper in the background is too good to pass up!

Smoked marinade recipe:

Use the base marinade recipe and add the following

  • Hickory sauce – 30ml
  • Worcestershire sauce – 20ml
  • Spice
    • Garlic powder 2g
    • onion powder 2g
    • smoked paprika 2g
    • cumin 2g

Spicy marinade

Use the base marinade and add the following

  • Base marinade +
  • Spice
    • Chili powder – 4g
    • Cayenne Powder – 4g
    • Paprika – 2g
    • Cumin – 2g
    • Onion powder – 2.5g
    • Garlic powder – 2.g
    • Celery seed – 1g
    • Chilli flakes – 2g (these look good although they might add inconsistency to the taste)

Teriyaki recipe

Use the base marinade recipe and add the following ingredients

  • Teriyaki sauce* – 200ml
  • Spice
    • Garlic powder – 2g
    • Sesame seeds – 8g
    • onion powder – 2g

It is, of course, possible to get even more creative with beef jerky marinade. Ultimately, there is no right or wrong way to go with flavours. When you make your own marinade, you can add or subtract things, put more or less of something, according to your own tastes.

Starting with the base marinade recipe listed here, you can really expand out. Think about flavours that you enjoy with beef, such as certain herbs, spices, or seasonings. You can add these into the marinade as you wish. Why not experiment and get creative – you never what amazing flavour you’ll create. You might even make the next big recipe! For more beef jerky reviews and recipes check out The Jerky Joint.