Jerky is the on-the-go snack that has fueled Native Americans, pioneers, and astronauts alike. And it’s easy to make at home. This method, popularized by Alton Brown, uses an ordinary box fan and air filters to dry the meat.
Buy your desired cut of beef (sirloin is a good choice), and slice it into thin strips using a long, thin blade.
Choose a marinade and let the meat soak in the refrigerator for 6–8 hours. Make sure to include ingredients that help the meat stay moist and tender. Honey is a good choice.
Remove the meat from the marinade and pat dry with a paper towel. Place the strips on top of a large, clean air filter (make sure it contains no fiberglass). Continue stacking meat and filters until you run out of meat. Place one final air filter on top and put the stack of filters on a box fan. Use a bungee cord to secure the filters, then turn on the fan.
Let the fan run and enjoy that sweet, sweet meat smell for 8–12 hours. Once the meat is dehydrated, enjoy!
