Beef Jerky

Directions

1. 1
   Cut meat into strips a little less than 1/4-inch thick.
2. 2
   Place strips in a shallow bowl.
3. 3
   Combine salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder in a small bowl.
4. 4
   Rub spice mixture into strips.
5. 5
   Cover loosely with plastic wrap, and marinate for 48 hours in the refrigerator.
6. 6
   Remove a rack from the oven.
7. 7
   Preheat the oven to 115 degrees.
8. 8
   Remove the strips from the marinade and lay them directly on the oven rack so that air can circulate around them.
9. 9
   Line the bottom of the oven with aluminum foil to catch the drippings.
10. 10
    Place the rack in the oven, leaving it partially open to maintain a constant temperature of 110 to 115 degrees.
11. 11
    Leave the jerky in the oven until well dried, 6 to 8 hours.
12. 12
    Note: The USDA recommends cooking the beef jerky at 160 degrees for the first 4 hours and then reducing the temperature to 130 degrees during the dehydrating process.