This comes down to the fat content in each slice – pieces with more fat tend to stay chewier.
Spicy Dill Mustard Beef Jerky
*Using a dehydrator is highly recommended for this recipe (but using an oven is possible)
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What’s so special about this beef jerky? The secret ingredient: pickle juice! With the perfect blend of tangy, tart, and spicy flavours, this jerky is an irresistible snack, whether you’re hitting the trail, exploring the backcountry, or fuelling up for your next adventure.
Dietary Preferences: High-protein, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, egg-free
Weight (per serving): 30g
Macronutrients (per serving):
Carb Energy
0.1g | 0 kcal
Protein Power
16.3g | 65 kcal
Fat Fuel
6.7g | 60 kcal
Learn more about the importance of macronutrients in your outdoor adventure meal plan
Spicy Dill Mustard Beef Jerky Ingredients
Before you go running to the store, let me give you the inside scoop on the key ingredients:
Lean Beef
Native to: world-wide (*farmed)
Top 3 nutrients: protein, iron, zinc
Using lean beef is a must because fattier meats don’t dehydrate as well and run the risk of spoiling quicker. I recommend top round or eye of round roast; it’s lean and cost effective. But in reality you can use any lean cut of beef.
*Cows are not native to a single specific location but have been bred and developed from wild aurochs over thousands of years. Aurochs were native to various parts of Europe, Asia, and North Africa.
Pickle Juice
Top 3 nutrients: sodium, potassium, magnesium
Use any pickle juice from your favourite pickles in your fridge!
Prepared yellow mustard
Native to: Mediterranean
Top 3 nutrients: vitamin C, selenium, phosphorous
Yellow mustard is best because it’s strong enough to make itself present, but is soft enough to not over power the dill or beef.
Dill
Native to: Mediterranean & western Asia
Top 3 nutrients: vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin K
I recommend using dried dill since fresh dill takes longer to dehydrate than the jerky itself. You can use fresh if you prefer, but keep in mind that the jerky won’t be as shelf-stable (so gobble it up quick!)
Hot Sauce & Cayenne Pepper
Native to: Central & South America (Cayenne)
Top 3 nutrients: antioxidants, vitamin C, vitamin A
These ingredients are optional – skip them if you’re not a fan of heat. But if you love a spicy kick like I do, they’re a must! I recommend a cayenne-based hot sauce for its subtle flavour with just the right amount of heat. For an extra punch, add a dash (or a few!) of cayenne pepper spice.
How to make jerky with a dehydrator or an oven
Basic steps (using a dehydrator):
- Slice beef into unison slices (about 1/4″ thick)
- Marinate for 12 hours in the fridge
- Arrange on a dehydrating tray with enough room for air to circulate between pieces (no over lapping)
- Dehydrate at 160℉ for about 6 hours.
It’s that easy!
- Keep in mind that experimentation may be necessary to find the ideal drying time that suits your preferences and the characteristics of your dehydrator.
- 6 hours is the recommended minimum for jerky to ensure proper drying for preventing spoilage.
More specific instructions are provided in the recipe below.
Basic steps (using an oven):
- Slice beef into unison slices (about 1/4″ thick)
- Marinate for 12 hours in the fridge
- Preheat oven to 160℉ or as low and close as possible (most ovens can go down to 170℉)
- If your oven doesn’t go this low, you can also try using the “warm” setting. If you have a convection oven, I suggest turning convection mode on to allow the most air flow.
- Arrange marinated meat on a parchment paper or silicone mat lined baking sheet or air frying pan with enough room for air to circulate between pieces (no over lapping).
- Dehydrate for about 6 hours.
It’s that easy!
- Keep in mind that experimentation may be necessary to find the ideal drying time that suits your preferences and the characteristics of your oven.
More specific instructions are provided in the recipe below.
How do you know when your jerky is done and properly dehydrated?
When done, beef jerky should:
- be dry and leathery, but slightly pliable. It may crack when bent, but shouldn’t snap.
- be darker in colour than before it was dehydrated
Tip: Take a piece out and allow to cool before testing it’s doneness.
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Storage Instructions
Here are some tips to help you maximize the shelf life of your Spicy Dill Mustard Beef Jerky:
- Ensure jerky is cool before storing
- Keep stored in a sealable container or bag
- Using Mylar bags or vacuum sealing can extend the shelf life by up to three times its normal duration! This is useful if you’re prepping lots for longer term use. Learn the pros and cons of each in our post: The Ultimate Guide to Long-Term Food Storage: Mylar Bags vs. Vacuum Sealing (Bags & Jars)
- Store in a cool, dry and dark place. For longer term storage, it’s recommended to keep stored in the freezer (especially if not vacuum sealed)
When dried and stored properly, your jerky should keep at room temperature for 3-4 weeks, 8 weeks in the fridge, or 6 months in the freezer.
Spicy Dill Mustard Beef Jerky FAQ's
Wait, so I dehydrate the meat raw?
Yes! Dehydrating is a natural preservation method. Dehydrating removes the moisture (water) from food, which inhibits the growth of microorganisms like bacteria, yeasts, and molds that causes spoilage. The acidity in the marinade also create an inhabitable environment for bacteria.
Can I use a different protein?
Yup! Feel free to use any meat protein you prefer.
My jerky came out dry and crunchy - what did I do wrong?
Your meat slices were probably a bit too thin. Achieving the perfect jerky texture is all about finding the right balance – thick enough to retain a satisfying chew, yet thin enough to dehydrate properly for both texture and long-term freshness.
Some of my jerky is nice and chewy, others are more dry - what happened?
Can I use fresh dill instead of dried?
You can, but your jerky won’t be shelf-stable as long. (Fresh dill actually takes longer to dehydrate than the jerky itself).
Can I use an oven instead of a dehydrator?
A dehydrator is the best option since it’s designed for the job—making the process more efficient! While most ovens don’t go as low as 160°F, they typically reach 170°F, which can still work, though dialing in the perfect texture may take some practice. Incase you missed the directions on how to use your oven to make jerky, click here.
Spicy Dill Mustard Beef Jerky
What’s so special about this beef jerky? The secret ingredient: pickle juice! With the perfect blend of tangy, tart, and spicy flavours, this jerky is an irresistible snack, whether you're hitting the trail, exploring the backcountry, or fuelling up for your next adventure.COOKING METHOD: Dehydrating
Notable Equipment
- 1 Dehydrator
- 1 Meat Tenderizer
Ingredients
- 454 g lean beef
- ¼ cup prepared yellow mustard
- ¼ cup pickle juice
- 2 tbsps hot sauce of choice cayenne based hot sauce (such as Franks) recommended; optional
- 2 tsp dried dill optional
- 2 pinches cayenne or to taste; optional
Instructions
- 1. Combine all ingredients (except for beef) in a bowl. Mix well and set aside.
- 2. Slice beef into about ¼" thick slices (length does not matter) and lightly tenderize with meat tenderizer. (Tenderize to obtain proper and even thickness, as well as to best allow marinade to soak into the meat).
- 3. Slice into about 1″ - 2" wide pieces; length to preference.
- 4. Place meat into container with marinade. Gently stir and fold to ensure all meat is coated with marinade.
- 5. Let marinate in fridge for 12 hours. Meat will absorb much of the marinade and appear thicker.
- 6. Arrange on a mesh lined dehydrating tray with enough room for air to circulate between the pieces (no over lapping).
- 7. Dehydrate at 160℉ for about 6 hours. When done, meat should be dry but pliable.
Notes
- Dehydrating time may vary (the thickness, water and fat content of the meat, as well as the humidity and altitude of your environment will impact dehydrating time)
- Using an oven? Click here for directions on how to dehydrate jerky with your oven
- Storage: When dried and stored properly, your jerky should keep at room temperature for 3-4 weeks, 8 weeks in the fridge, or 6 months in the freezer. Click here for more storage tips to prolong the life of your jerky.
- Learn more about dehydrating from our post How to Dehydrate: Learning the Basics
Nutrition
Serving: 30gCalories: 131kcalCarbohydrates: 0.1gProtein: 16.3gFat: 6.7gSaturated Fat: 2.7gCholesterol: 53mgSodium: 283mgFiber: 0gSugar: 0g
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The Foodie Behind the Screen
Hi there! I'm Bri. I'm sharing my love for cooking - and the outdoors - one recipe at a time.
