Table of Contents
Who said jerky has to be plain? Take your jerky game to the next level with this Maple Jalapeno Jerky main course. The recipe was developed owing to the inconsistency in the prepared peanut butter flavor. This jerky has a good mixture of sweet maple syrup and spicy jalapenos. Great anytime of the year, it is perfect for all occasions, travel, hiking or anytime when you get a savory craving. The jerky is mouthwatering and definitely has some heat in it.
Jerky has been a popular snack since forever due to its convenience and extended oxidation. By preparing it yourself, one has the ability to choose the components and play wild with the taste. This recipe is not only about sweetening up the maple syrup, rather seasoning it reasonably so it makes you want to munch it again. Both flavour as well as texture makes this jerky different from the rest. Lets explore the making process of this flavoursome Maple Jalapeno Jerky!
Ingredients for Maple Jalapeno Jerky
- 1 pound beef (flank steak or sirloin), thinly sliced
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2-3 fresh jalapeños, finely chopped (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Directions for Maple Jalapeno Jerky
- Begin by slicing the beef thinly against the grain. Aim for about 1/4-inch thick slices.
- In a large bowl, combine maple syrup, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, chopped jalapeños, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes.
- Add the sliced beef to the marinade, ensuring each piece is well-coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight for best flavor.
- Preheat your oven or dehydrator to 160°F (70°C).
- Remove the beef from the marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off.
- Arrange the beef slices in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or on dehydrator trays.
- If using an oven, prop the door open slightly to allow moisture to escape. Bake for 4-6 hours, or until the jerky is dry and chewy.
- Store the finished jerky in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.
How to Prepare
To get started with Maple Jalapeño Jerky, begin with the preparation of the meat by slicing the beef. The cuts should go across the grain and be no thicker than 1/4-inch. This is to provide a tender bite of the jerky.
Afterward, prepare the marinade by placing organic maple syrup, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and finely chopped jalapeño peppers in a large bowl. For additional flavors, integrate garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, smoked paprika and red pepper flakes as well. The marinade will not only season the meat but will help in breaking it down.
For this step, pour enough marinade into a bowl to completely cover the meat pieces. Once this marinade is done, the next procedure is to take the slices of beef and soak them in the marinade to ensure they are well coated. After this, cover the bowl and refrigerate the beef after marinating for a minimum of 4 hours, although overnight is preferable.
Subsequently, immerse your meat in the flavor and remove it from the refrigerator after marinating. Soaked meat is ready for the next step, which is dehydrating. Before doing this, ensure the oven or dehydrator has been preheated to 160 degrees F (70 degrees C).
Ordinarily, moisture buildup can result in inconsistent temperatures within the oven, affecting cooking outcomes. Thus, the best option is to keep the oven door slightly open if using one for this process. IOtherwise, bake at the desired temperature for about four to six hours checking from time to time until it is 1ninimum moist with some chewiness residue.
Preparation Time for Maple Jalapeno Jerky
The preparation time for this Maple Jalapeño Jerky is about 15 minutes, with an additional marinating time of at least 4 hours. The drying process takes 4-6 hours, so plan accordingly. Overall, you can have delicious homemade jerky ready in a day!
Servings
This recipe yields approximately 4 servings, depending on how much you enjoy snacking!
You can also visit our Pinterest by for more recipes and more ideas and also try our special Blueberry Moonshine Mash Recipe.
FAQs for Maple Jalapeno Jerky
Can I use chicken or turkey instead of beef?
Yes, you can use chicken or turkey, but adjust the marinating time since poultry may require less time.
How can I make the jerky less spicy?
To reduce the heat, use fewer jalapeños or remove the seeds and membranes before chopping.
How do I store the jerky?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks, or in the fridge for longer freshness.
Can I freeze the jerky?
Yes, jerky can be frozen for extended storage. Just ensure it’s sealed tightly in a freezer-safe bag.
What if I don’t have a dehydrator?
You can use an oven, as described in the recipe, or look for a makeshift drying method if necessary.
Conclusion:
Maple Jalapeño Jerky will appeal to anyone in search of a delicious snack because it is both sweet and spicy. Thanks to this recipe you will not only taste something good but also will have a great sense of accomplishment making your own food. It’s perfect hot weather food for road trips and hiking, but also when you just want to snack around the house. This home made variation is definitely great ina place of store bought jerky.
Get more adventurous and play with what level of spiciness and sweetness is appropriate for you. With rich and flavourful taste of maple and salty sweet juicy pieces of meat, I’m sure Maple Jalapeno Jerky will be a regular go-to snack in your house. So assemble your ingredients and lets go through the recipe step by step.