This homemade keto beef jerky recipe makes a healthy and delicious snack that can be made ahead of time and taken on-the-go (no dehydrator needed!). With a blend of sweet and savory seasonings, this is the best beef jerky I’ve ever had — much better than the packaged stuff!
Is Beef Jerky Keto?
Traditional beef jerky is not ideal for a clean keto diet, as it is sweetened with sugar (typically brown sugar), but there are some brands without sugar added. Always read ingredient lists to check for added sugars. That being said, some people may be okay eating the versions with sugar if following dirty keto and their macros allow it.
Is Beef Jerky Healthy?
Yes, beef jerky is a great snack that is loaded with protein. Many store-bought versions are made with sugar, MSG, nitrates, and artificial preservatives, which is why I came up with this healthy alternative.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for this homemade beef jerky recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
Steak – The best cuts of beef for jerky are fairly lean, economical, and flavorful. I used flank steak, but top round, bottom round, pectoral, or skirt steak are all great options. I get my grass-fed beef delivered to my door here.Coconut Aminos – This gives the low carb beef jerky a salty, savory flavor. If you don’t mind soy (this is why I don’t use soy sauce), you could also use soy sauce here.Worcestershire Sauce – Also for flavor. It does have a very small amount of sugar but it’s negligible in the whole recipe because we’re only using 1/2 a tablespoon. Omit if you want to.Spices – Garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes Besti Brown Monk Fruit Allulose Blend – This keto-friendly jerky gets its sweet flavor from this keto brown sweetener. 0g net carbs, and no cooling effect or aftertaste! Plus, Besti Brown helps keep it moist, not dry and brittle.
How To Make Beef Jerky
This section shows how to make homemade beef jerky with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below. Simply add 1 tablespoon of liquid smoke like this to the marinade.
Storage Instructions
Store: Keep homemade beef jerky at room temperature in an air tight container in a cool, dark place, such as the pantry, for up to 1-2 months.Freeze: For longer storage, you can freeze jerky for up to 1 year. Thaw to room temperature before enjoying.
More Easy Keto Snack Recipes
If you like this peppered beef jerky recipe, you might also like some of these other keto snacks: Share your recipe picture by tagging @wholesomeyum and hashtag it #wholesomeyum on Instagram, or in our Facebook support group, too – I’d love to see it!
