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Traeger Beef Jerky

Never buy Jerky from the store again. Buy a Traeger and make your own. Traeger Beef Jerky is the only jerky allowed in my house.

Traeger Smoked Beef Jerky

Howdy partner. It’s time to saddle up and head on down the dusty trail. Don’t leave the homestead without some sourdough in one saddlebag, and some beef jerky in the other.

Ever since man started killing animals and eating them, they’ve been trying to find ways of preserving them. Jerky, which is basically salt-cured dried meat, has been the most popular method forever. Drying it prevents spoilage, and salt curing it pulls the moisture out and prevents bacterial growth.

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Traeger Beef Jerky

Modern man has very little actual need to preserve meat this way, but as we all know jerky is insanely delicious. There are multi-billion dollar companies whose main source of revenue is beef jerky.

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While their products are fine to feed the masses and are easily accessible and available at literally every grocery and convenience store in the US, they lack the depth of beef and REAL smoke flavor that you can achieve by making it on a Traeger.

The only thing close to this stuff is going to come from an owner-operator at your local butcher shop. I’ve had some great jerky from places like that and will still eat it if offered, but I can’t spend my hard-earned money on it when I can make it at home.

I have much the same feeling about prime rib. You may have tried our Traeger Prime Rib over the holidays. If so, hats off to you because it was the highlight of the season for me.

There is also our Traeger Tri-Tip to consider as well for your next cookout for the beef fans in your life. For chicken lovers, these Traeger Chicken Wings are always top of my list!

More Traeger Beef Recipes here!

Traeger Beef Jerky

How spicy is this beef jerky?

I almost forgot to give this small warning. This jerky has some heat to it. There is Sriracha and crushed red pepper in the recipe. Like, a lot. If you can’t take the heat, you can always reduce the amounts of each of those ingredients or omit altogether, just never admit to it.

I like it spicy. It warms my belly. A lot of the spiciness is offset by the slight sweetness, so you tender bellies just might be able to handle it anyway.

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How to make beef jerky on your pellet grill

  1. Choose a leaner cut of beef, (top sirloin, London broil, flank, etc.) fattier cuts will spoil faster.
  2. Make your cuts about 1/4″ thick slicing the meat across the grain.
  3. Marinate your meat after slicing for at least 6 hours, but not more than 24.
  4. Watch the edges of your grill for hot spots and move pieces away as needed.
  5. Never, and I mean never, use liquid smoke in the marinade. Unless you insist.
  6. Put it on smoke and leave it on smoke the whole time. (180 degrees)
  7. Make enough to share.
Traeger Beef Jerky

Why make beef jerky at home?

More is better.

Make sure you double or even triple the recipe when you make this stuff because it isn’t gonna last long. Your spousal unit will love it, as will your kids. You’ll be a hero at work if you bring in a bag for everyone to share on break. I usually make three or four pounds at a time and it lasts for only two to three days, tops. I should probably follow my own advice.

It’s easier than you think.

I always wanted to make my own jerky and had intentions of doing it many times before I had a Traeger grill, but I never pulled the trigger as it seemed like a complicated thing. Once I got my T and started reading about it in a couple of Traeger Facebook groups it seemed like it was something I could do without too much trouble. I was right. Once I came up with the recipe for the marinade, making it on the Traeger was easy. If the recipe is followed, success is assured.

It’s less expensive than store-bought.

I know beef can be pricey, but you don’t need or want to use the fattier, pricier cuts to make jerky. Make sure to look for deals and coupons as ways to save as well. The cost of the rest of the marinade ingredients is minimal. If you try this recipe once, you’ll be hooked for life and will have eaten your last bag of mass-produced, store-bought jerky.

The Traeger does many, many things well, and some things exceptionally well. Beef jerky is one of those things. Don’t waste another $15-20 dollars on subpar mystery meat jerky ever again. Get your ingredients together, follow the recipe, and try your hand at making your first batch of easy, tasty, and affordable Traeger beef jerky.

Traeger Beef Jerky

Check out our other beef jerky recipes too!

If you like this jerky recipe, you’ll want to check out our other jerky recipes as well!

More of my favorite recipes

Traeger Beef Jerky
Yield: 10 servings

Traeger Beef Jerky

Traeger Beef Jerky

This homemade beef jerky is cooked on the Traeger or other wood-pellet grill, and will have you whipping up batches on the regular because it is just SO good.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 hours
Total Time 5 hours 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds sirloin steaks or another cut of choice or prime meat (Sliced 1/4" thick)
  • 2 cups soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup pineapple juice
  • 2 tablespoons sriracha
  • 2 tablespoons red pepper flake
  • 2 tablespoons hoisin
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons minced garlic

Instructions

  1. Mix all marinade ingredients into a one-gallon zip-lock bag along with the sliced beef. Seal the bag, making sure to get as much air out of the bag as possible. Put the bag into the refrigerator and let marinate for 6-24 hours before cooking. Remove the bag from the fridge 1 hour prior to cooking. 
  2. Startup your Traeger grill and put it on the smoke setting. If you don't have a smoke setting, 180-190° is ideal. Layout your meat on the grill with at least a half-inch space between all the pieces. Leave on the grill 4-5 hours turning once after 2 - 2 1/2 hours. 
  3. Remove from grill when finished and let cool for thirty minutes to an hour before putting it into the refrigerator for storage. Make sure to get some for yourself before it's all gone.

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Nutrition Information:


Amount Per Serving: Calories: 309Saturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 2832mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 1gSugar: 15gProtein: 34g

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Jeremiah

Jeremiah is Mr. Or Whatever You Do, and is finally joining the writing team here at the site after 7 long years of his wife telling him he'd be a great blogger. The time is finally here, folks. Buckle up. Many of the recipes on OrWhateverYouDo already have been developed, tested, and cooked by him – now hear what he has to say about the process and his thoughts behind the recipe as well!

Chris C.

Monday 15th of January 2024

Wow...this came out so good! Reminds me of the jerky my dad used to make on his Little Chief smoker when I was a kid in the late 70's (which, until now, was the best jerky I'd ever had)!

I followed the directions as written (minus 1 tablespoon of red pepper flakes), and it was perfect!

Can't wait to make again!

Nicole Johnson

Monday 15th of January 2024

Wonderful! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

Pam

Friday 8th of December 2023

I’m going to use my dehydrator, you please tell me a temp & time limit to dehydrate this jerky?

Nicole Johnson

Friday 8th of December 2023

I cannot advise on time and temp for a dehydrator. I have not tested this recipe with a dehydrator. Sorry!

Staci

Sunday 5th of November 2023

Love this recipe! I’ve made it multiple times and vacuum pack then freeze! We love it! Thank you

Nicole Johnson

Sunday 5th of November 2023

Awesome! So glad you like it. We like to freeze it like that too. Great idea!

Andrew Ingram

Monday 4th of September 2023

I can adjust the smoker. Put it on skewers and threaded through the top rack grill so it’s all hanging - no flipping. Questions - I can adjust smoke 1-10, so ding 10. Would you do high smoke the whole time or just a few hours to get the smoke flavor? Doing 180 degrees planning on 5 hrs. Thanks can’t wait to try it!

Nicole Johnson

Monday 4th of September 2023

It depends on how intense you want the smoke flavor to be. I love a lot of smoked, especially in jerky, so I'd probably opt for 10 the whole way. Let me know how it goes!

Lisa Z

Sunday 2nd of July 2023

We tried your recipe as is, and it was amazing! Our first time making Jerky!! Thank you from BC ??

Nicole Johnson

Saturday 23rd of September 2023

Awesome! So glad you liked it. Thanks for stopping by!

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