Okay, who else struggles with finding a snack that’s actually good for you AND stops you from raiding the pantry non-stop? I used to be that person, always on the hunt for something satisfying. That’s how I fell in love with making my own jerky! And let me tell you, this Beef and Green Bean Power Jerky is a total game-changer. It’s packed with protein, which keeps me full for ages, and the secret ingredient – finely chopped green beans! – adds this subtle something extra and a boost of nutrients. Seriously, it’s so easy, and way better than those store-bought bags with a million preservatives.
Why You’ll Love This Beef and Green Bean Power Jerky
Seriously, who doesn’t need a go-to snack that’s actually good for you and actually keeps you full? This Beef and Green Bean Power Jerky is my secret weapon. It’s loaded with protein, which is perfect for staving off hunger pangs. Plus, those finely chopped green beans? They add a cool, subtle savory note and a little extra something-something nutritionally that just makes it stand out. You’ll love how simple it is to whip up, and you can totally tweak the flavors to your liking!
Gather Your Ingredients for Beef and Green Bean Power Jerky
Alright, let’s get our game faces on for some delicious jerky-making! You’ll want to grab these goodies before you start. First off, you need about 2 pounds of lean ground beef. And I really mean *lean*, trust me, it makes a world of difference in the final texture. Then comes the star behind “power” – 1 cup of finely chopped fresh green beans. Chop ’em up small, like tiny little flavor gems! For the savory kick, we’ve got 1/4 cup of soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce (that stuff is liquid gold!), 1 tablespoon of brown sugar for just a hint of sweetness, and for our spice buddies: 1 teaspoon each of garlic powder and onion powder, plus 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. That’s it! Simple, right?
Essential Equipment for Making Beef and Green Bean Power Jerky
Okay, so before we dive into making this awesome jerky, let’s make sure you’ve got the right tools ready to go! You’ll definitely want a couple of large baking sheets because we’re spreading this mixture out nice and thin. And for easy cleanup (because nobody likes scrubbing stubborn beef bits!), grab some parchment paper to line those sheets. That’s pretty much it – simple stuff for making some seriously delicious jerky!
Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Beef and Green Bean Power Jerky
Alright, let’s get down to business and make some incredible jerky! It’s really not complicated at all, I promise. My method is pretty straightforward, and it always turns out just right. So grab your bowl and let’s do this! If you’re looking for more amazing recipes, check out this awesome collection for inspiration!
Preparing the Beef and Green Bean Mixture
First things first, get a big ol’ bowl and toss in that lean ground beef. Now, add your finely chopped green beans – make sure they’re super tiny! Pour in the soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, garlic and onion powders, and black pepper. Now, here’s the fun part: get your hands in there and mix everything *really*, really well. You want to make sure every single bit of beef is coated in that yummy marinade. It should feel sticky and well-combined, with no dry spots peeking through.
Shaping and Baking Your Beef and Green Bean Power Jerky
Once everything is mixed perfectly, grab your baking sheets that you’ve already lined with parchment paper. Now, take handfuls of the meat mixture and spread it out super thin, like a nice, even layer about 1/4 inch thick. I usually just use my hands or even a rolling pin if I’m feeling fancy. The thinner and more even you spread it, the better it will dry out. Pop these babies into a preheated oven at 170°F (77°C). This low and slow heat is key! We’re going to let it bake for about 4 to 6 hours. Don’t worry, the time can change depending on your oven, so we’ll check on it.
Drying and Cooling the Jerky
You’ll know it’s ready when the jerky is dry and feels leathery to the touch. It shouldn’t be brittle or snap; it should bend. If it’s still a little moist, give it another hour or so. Once it’s perfectly dried, take those sheets outta the oven and transfer the jerky onto a wire rack. Let it cool down completely. This is super important because you don’t want any moisture trapped inside when you store it. Once it’s totally cool, you can break or cut it into whatever size pieces you like!
Tips for the Best Beef and Green Bean Power Jerky
Alright, wanna make this jerky absolutely *amazing*? Here are my little secrets that make all the difference! First off, seriously, use the leanest ground beef you can find. I’ve tried with not-so-lean beef, and let me tell you, it just ends up greasy, which is not what we want in jerky. Stick to 90% lean or even higher if you can find it. Also, when you’re spreading the mixture on the baking sheets, try to get it as even as humanly possible. If it’s patchy, some parts will dry out way faster than others, and nobody wants a jerky situation like that! For more awesome snack ideas, you have to check out this collection – it’s full of winners!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Okay, so let’s talk about those ingredients for a sec. That lean ground beef is super important, but if you *really* can’t find anything super lean, just know you might end up with a little more grease, which is fine, you can just blot it off later! If you’re out of regular soy sauce, a lower-sodium version works great, you just might need a tiny pinch more brown sugar to balance it. And for sweeteners, maple syrup or even honey could work in place of brown sugar, giving it a slightly different, but still delicious, flavor profile.
Storing Your Homemade Beef and Green Bean Power Jerky
So you’ve made this amazing jerky – yay! Now, how do you keep it tasting delicious? The trick is airtight containers. Store your completely cooled jerky in a good quality airtight container or a zip-top bag. If you’re going to eat it within two weeks, you can totally keep it right there on your counter. But if you want it to last longer, pop it into the fridge. It’ll stay tasty for a good while longer in there!
Frequently Asked Questions about Beef and Green Bean Power Jerky
Got questions about whipping up this awesome jerky? I’ve got answers!
Can I use a dehydrator for this recipe?
You sure can! If you’ve got a dehydrator, it works like a charm. Just follow the manufacturer’s instructions for beef jerky. It might even be a little quicker and uses less energy than the oven. For more dehydrator tips, check this out!
How long does it *really* take to make this jerky?
So, the actual prep is super fast, maybe 20 minutes tops. But the magic happens in the oven! Baking can take anywhere from 4 to 6 hours, or even a bit longer depending on how thick you spread it and how dry you like it. So, plan for a good chunk of your day, but trust me, it’s worth it!
Is this Beef and Green Bean Power Jerky spicy?
Nope, not unless you want it to be! The recipe as written has a nice savory flavor with just a hint of sweetness from the brown sugar. If you’re feeling spicy though, totally toss in some cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes with the other seasonings. For some awesome spicy snack ideas, take a peek here.
My jerky looks a little greasy, what did I do wrong?
Don’t sweat it! The most common reason for greasy jerky is using ground beef that wasn’t lean enough. Next time, try to grab the leanest you can find, like 90% or 93% lean. If it’s already a little greasy, you can carefully blot off any excess oil with a paper towel once it’s cooled a bit before storing.
Nutritional Information
Just a little heads-up, these numbers are estimates, okay? Since we’re all using slightly different brands and maybe tweaking things just a *tiny* bit, your actual counts might vary. But as a general idea, a 1-ounce serving of this delicious Beef and Green Bean Power Jerky usually comes in around 120 calories, with a fantastic 18g of protein! You’re looking at about 4g of fat and 4g of carbs, too.
Share Your Beef and Green Bean Power Jerky Creations!
Alright, now it’s YOUR turn! I’d be absolutely thrilled to hear how your Beef and Green Bean Power Jerky turned out. Did you try any fun flavor twists? Did it disappear in minutes? Drop a comment below and let me know all your delicious deets! If you snapped some pics, tag me on social media – I can’t wait to see your amazing jerky creations! If you have any questions or need a little extra help, feel free to reach out via our contact page. Happy snacking!
Beef and Green Bean Power Jerky
- Total Time: 6 hours 20 min
- Yield: Approximately 1 pound 1x
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
A high-protein jerky made with beef and green beans for added nutrients.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 cup finely chopped fresh green beans
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 170°F (77°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, chopped green beans, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Press the meat mixture onto the prepared baking sheets in a thin, even layer, about 1/4 inch thick. You can use a rolling pin or your hands.
- Bake for 4 to 6 hours, or until the jerky is dry and leathery. The exact time will depend on your oven and the thickness of the jerky.
- Once dried, remove the jerky from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack.
- Break or cut the jerky into desired pieces.
- Store the jerky in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, or in the refrigerator for longer storage.
Notes
- Ensure your ground beef is very lean to prevent greasiness in the jerky.
- For a spicier jerky, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the mixture.
- You can also use a dehydrator for this recipe, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ounce
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: beef jerky, green bean jerky, homemade jerky, high protein snack, dried beef, healthy snack