Chipotle Pepper and Cherries make for a slightly sweet smoky bite in beef jerky.
Most commercially available Beef Jerky is loaded in MSG and nitrates, but this recipe is junk free with no weird ingredients and calls for Tamari or Coconut Aminos instead of soy sauce making this Paleo friendly, gluten freen and lower in sodium. But don’t let that fool you- this beef jerky is the REAL THING!
Cherries and Chipotle are a flavor match in heaven, pairing tart and sweet with smoky- the perfect Paleo and Keto treat to have on hand when hunger strikes! I developed this recipe for my cookbook, the Healthy Electric Smoker Cookbook, but these are easy to make on any smoker or dehydrator.
Chipotle Cherry Beef Jerky
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: serves 10-12 1x
Description
-Serves: 10-12
-Prep time 1 hour, plus 12 hours overnight
-Cook time 4-5 hours
-Smoking wood: Cherry
-Smoker temp 160
-Rest time: n/a
Ingredients
Beef cut
- 2 lbs eye of round or bottom round, cut into 3/4” wide strips
Marinade
- 1 1/4 cup cherry juice (look for natural, not from concentrate, no sugar added)
- 3/4 cup liquid aminos or Tamari (Gluten free) or Coconut Aminos (Paleo)
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1/2 tbsp fresh ginger
- 1/2 cup dried cherries
- 1 1/2 tbsp chipotle Powder
- 1/4 cup molasses
Additional
- ¼ cup dried cherries- for putting on the smoker with the jerky
Instructions
- Combine cherry juice with remaining ingredients in a pot and let reduce over medium high heat for 20 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes, then transfer to a blender or food processor and puree the mix until all ingredients are liquified.
- Marinate the beef overnight for up to 12 hours.
- Place the beef strips on a frog mat, as well as the remaining cherries making sure that no strips are touching.
- Smoke the beef jerky and cherries for 4 hours at 160 degrees until the liquid has dried off the meat and the meat is dried but still pliable, about 4-5 hours.
- Remove the jerky and cherries from the smoker. Finely chop the cherries and rub onto the jerky strips for additional cherry flavor.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a month.
Notes
For anyone with gluten intolerance, opt to use Tamari which is made with just soybeans, not wheat- look for gluten free label. Those following paleo diets should use coconut aminos since soy is not accepted in the paleo diet.
Beef jerky can go into “paleo trail mix” by combining bits of jerky, dried coconut, almonds or cashews and dried fruit. Beef jerky can also make for a fun swizzle stick in my smoked Bloody Mary!
- Prep Time: 1 hour plus 12 hours overnight
- Cook Time: 4-5 hours
- Category: Jerky
If you’re looking for more smoked meat recipes, You’ve come to the right place! If you make this recipe make sure to tag me and share! #grillgirlrobyn @grillgirlrobyn
