Smoked beef jerky has earned its place as a flavour-packed snack, celebrated for its rich taste, long shelf life, and high-protein benefits. Using a smoker brings out deeper, more authentic flavours that oven-drying cannot match, making it a rewarding process for food lovers.

Beyond flavour, making jerky at home gives you complete control over every stage, from selecting quality beef to seasoning with spices that suit your taste.

This guide provides a clear, step-by-step process to help you create jerky that is both delicious and satisfying.

What You Need to Get Started

Making beef jerky in a smoker requires a few essentials. Here are the key items that ensure a smooth, successful process.

• Smoker: Maintains low, steady heat for proper drying and smoky flavour.
• Racks: Provide airflow so slices dry evenly on all sides.
• Thermometer: Ensures temperatures stay within the safe 70–80°C range.
• Sharp Knife: Makes clean, even cuts for consistent jerky texture.
• Wood Chips: Hickory for bold smoke, applewood for sweetness, mesquite for intensity.
• Mixing Bowls: For blending marinades and seasoning evenly.
• Resealable Bags: Ideal for marinating beef strips thoroughly.
• Airtight Containers: Keep finished jerky fresh and safe for storage.

Step-by-Step Process

Making jerky in a smoker is simple when you know each stage. Here are the essential steps to follow for consistently tasty results.

Step 1. Select and Prepare the Beef

The foundation of good jerky is lean beef. Cuts such as top round, flank, or brisket work well because they have less fat and hold flavour beautifully. Trimming visible fat is essential, as it spoils quickly and affects shelf life.

Semi-freezing the beef makes slicing easier and keeps pieces uniform. Aim for strips about 3–5 millimetres thick. Cutting across the grain produces tender jerky, while slicing with the grain creates a chewier, more traditional texture.

Step 2. Craft the Marinade

A well-made marinade brings flavour to life. Classic bases often include soy sauce, Worcestershire, salt, and sugar, which balance savouriness and sweetness. Extra elements such as garlic, pepper, chilli, smoked paprika, or honey deepen complexity and create signature flavour notes.

Once blended, coat every strip thoroughly and seal in a bag or container. Allow the beef to marinate in the fridge for 6–24 hours, turning occasionally, so the flavours soak evenly into the meat.

Step 3. Preheat and Set Up the Smoker

Getting the smoker ready is crucial for consistent results. Preheat to a low, steady temperature of 70–80°C, which gently dries the beef while locking in flavour. This temperature range ensures the meat stays safe and evenly cooked.

Add your chosen wood chips for character. Hickory provides bold smoke, applewood gives a sweet, mellow finish, and mesquite delivers intensity. Arrange beef strips in a single layer with space between them for airflow.

Step 4. Smoke the Jerky

Patience is essential during this stage. Smoke the beef for three to six hours, keeping the chamber temperature steady. Flip strips and rotate racks every hour to ensure even drying and prevent any hot spots from overcooking.

Keep smoke thin and steady rather than heavy, which can create bitterness. Test readiness with the bend test: jerky should flex and crack without snapping, showing it’s dried properly yet still retains chewiness.

Step 5. Cool and Store

Once finished, let the jerky cool on racks for 20–30 minutes. Resting equalises moisture and prevents condensation from forming inside storage containers, which can shorten shelf life or cause spoilage.

When cooled completely, pack the jerky in airtight jars, containers, or vacuum-sealed bags. Store at room temperature for a week, refrigerate for two to three weeks, or freeze for up to three months.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even small missteps can ruin the flavour or texture of your jerky. Here are the most common mistakes to avoid when smoking beef jerky at home.

• Cutting Beef Too Thick or Unevenly: Thick slices dry unevenly, leaving some tough and others chewy. Consistent, thin cuts ensure even cooking, balanced texture, and a uniform flavour profile across the entire batch.
• Using Fatty Cuts of Beef: Fat does not dehydrate properly and spoils faster, reducing shelf life. Lean cuts like flank or round dry evenly, keeping jerky fresher, healthier, and full of rich flavour.
• Over-Smoking the Meat: Too much smoke makes jerky taste bitter and unpleasant. Thin, steady smoke enhances beef naturally, producing depth and character without overpowering or masking the clean, savoury flavour.
• Skipping the Drying Check: Jerky that isn’t fully dried risks mould and spoilage. Always test with the bend method to confirm flexibility, correct moisture levels, and long-lasting, safe storage.
• Ignoring Temperature Control: Allowing smoker temperatures to fluctuate can ruin jerky. Stable low heat keeps drying steady, ensures food safety, and prevents strips from becoming tough or brittle.
• Storing Jerky Incorrectly: Leaving jerky in open air or warm places encourages mould. Use airtight containers or vacuum sealing to maintain freshness and extend storage life.

Why Smoked Jerky Is Worth the Effort

Making jerky in a smoker takes time and care, but the rewards are undeniable. Here are the reasons smoking jerky at home is truly worthwhile.

1. Delivers Deeper Flavour

Smoked jerky carries complexity from hickory, applewood, or mesquite, blending savoury, smoky, and sweet notes. This depth transforms beef into an irresistible snack that stands apart from oven-dried or store-bought alternatives.

2. Encourages Ingredient Control

Smoking at home means you choose every detail, from beef cut to seasoning. This ensures clean ingredients, balanced flavour, and no unwanted additives, supporting nutrition and empowering you to create jerky matching personal dietary preferences.

3. Provides Lasting Energy

Packed with protein, smoked jerky delivers sustained energy for hours.Its long shelf life makes it practical for travel, outdoor adventures, or work, offering nourishment, convenience, and reliability without requiring refrigeration.

4. Expands Flavour Variety

Smoking enables experimentation with countless flavour combinations. Sweet glazes with honey, bold rubs featuring chilli, or savoury blends with garlic create unique tastes, making each batch special and perfectly suited to modern snacking preferences.

5. Builds Personal Satisfaction

Crafting smoked jerky offers satisfaction and pride. Every stage, from slicing beef to managing wood smoke, reflects personal effort, producing a finished snack that feels rewarding, authentic, and worth sharing proudly with others.

How 3099 Jerky Does It Differently

3099 Jerky stands out by focusing on quality, simplicity, and bold flavour. Every strip begins with 100% grass-fed Australian beef, delivering clean protein, a natural richness, and a wholesome foundation that supports every crafted recipe.

Unlike many mass-produced brands, 3099 Jerky avoids artificial additives or unnecessary fillers. Instead, it uses simple ingredients such as soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and chilli. These are blended thoughtfully to complement the beef’s character, ensuring balance, authenticity, and nutritional integrity.

Each flavour, including the refreshing tang of Salt & Vinegar, the smoky depth of BBQ, the fiery heat of Chilli, and the savoury richness of Garlic and Teriyaki, is carefully designed to satisfy different tastes. Together, they showcase tradition while catering to modern preferences.

Convenience remains central. With vacuum-sealed packaging and ready-to-enjoy strips, 3099 Jerky provides premium quality without the hassle of preparation, delivering consistent flavour, freshness, and trust in every single bite.

Order Authentic Jerky Today

Smoking beef jerky at home is rewarding, but it demands time, patience, and practice. The good news is that you can still enjoy the same rich, smoky depth without the effort.

3099 Jerky delivers premium quality with grass-fed Australian beef, simple seasonings, and bold flavours crafted for every craving. Whether you prefer the refreshing tang of Salt & Vinegar, the fire of Chilli, or the classic Original, there’s a taste for you.

Order now through our website or contact us today to secure jerky packed with authentic flavour and freshness.