24 Beef Jerky Recipes That Offer a Flavor Explosion

August 7, 2024
Written by Kristy J. Norton

Store bought beef jerky can be pretty limiting with the flavors. If you want to broaden your jerky horizons, you are in the right place. Here you can find a ton of different flavor combinations, all perfectly suited to your taste buds! 

Beef Jerky

1. Classic Beef Jerky

Fans of traditional beef jerky are going to love this recipe. The jerky has that perfect chewy texture and is lightly seasoned. This jerky is taken to the next level thanks to the addition of some liquid smoke. 

Get the recipe here.

Classic Beef Jerky

2. Smoked Beef Jerky 

The best part of making smoked beef jerky is, well, the smoky flavor. It completely infuses the beef, adding a delicious depth of flavor. You can also switch up the flavor of the jerky by using different smoking woods although cherry, pecan, and oak are popular options. 

Get the recipe here.

Smoked Beef Jerky

3. Black Pepper Beef Jerky

If you love the taste of black pepper on your jerky then you are in luck! Not only does this recipe use cracked black pepper in its marinade, it also lets you liberally sprinkle black pepper on top. You get a nice crunchy and peppery finish! 

Get the recipe here.

Black Pepper Beef Jerky

4. Sweet and Spicy Beef Jerky

There is just something about sweet and spicy that work in perfect harmony with one another. In this recipe, the red chili pepper and habanero peppers lend some heat while brown sugar and citrus juice balances things out. It is a match made in heaven! 

Get the recipe here.

Sweet and Spicy Beef Jerky

5. Hot Honey Garlic Beef Jerky

The flavors in this hot honey garlic jerky are just out of this world! The hot sauce adds some spice to the honey while fresh garlic and black garlic sauce takes the flavor up a notch! Best of all, this jerky can be made in a smoker in a matter of hours! It is a great option for a faster beef jerky. 

Get the recipe here.

Hot Honey Garlic Beef Jerky

6. Dr. Pepper Jalapeño Beef Jerky

Can you believe that this recipe takes just two and a half hours to make in a smoker? And, the taste is also pretty incredible. You have that signature flavor of Dr. Pepper combined with the spiciness of the peppers. It is certainly a fun combination! 

Get the recipe here.

Dr. Pepper Jalapeño Beef Jerky

7. Teriyaki Beef Jerky

If you prefer a more savory flavor in your beef jerky but don’t want any heat then you need to try out this teriyaki recipe. This is a pretty straightforward recipe as you use store-bought teriyaki sauce. Oh, and you can also bake it in your oven, making it even easier to prepare! 

Get the recipe here.

Teriyaki Beef Jerky

8. Chili Lime Beef Jerky

Do you love Mexican food? Then this is a must-try recipe for you! The mild spice comes from a chili garlic sauce and it is beautifully brightened up with lime juice and lime zest. For the best flavor make sure to use fresh lime juice! 

Get the recipe here.

Chili Lime Beef Jerky

9. Honey and Lemon Beef Jerky

This is a great recipe for anyone looking for milder flavors for their beef jerky. This beef jerky is just a little bit salty and a little bit sweet with a hint of brightness from the lemons. You can make this recipe in an oven or a dehydrator! 

Get the recipe here.

Honey and Lemon Beef Jerky

10. Maple Sriracha Beef Jerky

The sweetness of the maple complements the spicy tanginess of the sriracha sauce. The result is a beef jerky that is not too sweet or spicy. Of course, you can easily customize this recipe to suit your taste buds. No need for a dehydrator as this jerky can be made in the oven. 

Get the recipe here.

Maple Sriracha Beef Jerky

11. Hickory Maple Beef Jerky

The cool thing about this beef jerky is that it gets its flavor from the marinade as well as the wood that you use to smoke it. So, you get a beef jerky that is smoky, sweet, and has a hint of spice to it. 

Get the recipe here.

Hickory Maple Beef Jerky

12. Coffee Break Beef Jerky

It turns out that you can get your caffeine fix from beef jerky! Here, the beef strips are marinated in strong coffee with cola, soy sauce, brown sugar, and hot sauce to help balance things out. If you are looking to experiment with unusual flavors, then this is the recipe to try!  

Get the recipe here.

Coffee Break Beef Jerky

13. Red Wine and Fish Sauce Beef Jerky 

This is definitely a recipe for those with more adventurous taste buds. If you love fish sauce, then you are going to love this recipe. The red wine and the fish sauce tone down each other, ensuring that you get a sweet, briny, and tangy flavor. 

Get the recipe here.

Red Wine and Fish Sauce Beef Jerky 

14. Vietnamese Beef Jerky 

If you are looking to branch out with your beef jerky flavors but don’t want something too unusual, then this is the recipe for you. The Thai chilies, lemongrass, and Asian sauces all blend together beautifully to create something that is savory but has a hint of tartness to it. 

Get the recipe here.

Vietnamese Beef Jerky

15. Bourbon Peppered Beef Jerky 

Jerky and bourbon are such a great fit! The bourbon and pepper are the stars of this recipe but there are plenty of other flavors that pull their weight to ensure that this is a balanced and well-spiced jerky! 

Get the recipe here.

Bourbon Peppered Beef Jerky

16. Jack and Coke Beef Jerky 

Wish you could turn your favorite drink into a beef jerky flavor? Well, wish granted! Here, the beef is marinated in spices, Jack, Coke, and some jalapenos for a little bit of heat. For the best flavor, cook the jerky on the grill for a few hours. 

Get the recipe here.

Jack and Coke Beef Jerky

17. Pepper Crusted Pineapple Jerky 

This recipe is just right for someone who likes the spicy and sweet combo but wants to tone down the elements in both of those. Here, the pineapple juice adds some sweetness and helps to make the meat nice and tender. The pepper crust adds a bit of heat as well as crunch. 

Get the recipe here.

Pepper Crusted Pineapple Jerky

18. Jerky Lover’s Jerky

There is so much flavor to this beef jerky. The spiciness of the black and red pepper, sweetness of the pineapple juice, and the umami of the teriyaki sauce. This jerky is just the gift that keeps on giving! 

Get the recipe here.

Jerky Lover's Jerky

19. Bloody Mary Beef Jerky 

Don’t worry, there’s no booze in this beef jerky but that doesn’t stop it from being super tasty. Here, the beef is marinated in tomato juice, celery salt, horseradish, and more! It is a unique treat that is packed full of flavor! 

Get the recipe here.

Bloody Mary Beef Jerky

20. Ground Beef Jerky 

Ground beef is a more budget-friendly way of making beef jerky. While you are taking an unusual route here, this beef jerky still has the same chewiness and flavor that you know and love with your traditional jerky. 

Get the recipe here.

Ground Beef Jerky

21. Chipotle Cherry Beef Jerky 

Sweet, tart, and savory, this beef jerky is a true masterpiece. Best of all, you really double down on the cherries in this recipe. You use cherry juice and cherry pieces in the marinade and then add even more cherries into the smoker. This is great if you want a fruit forward jerky recipe. 

Get the recipe here.

Chipotle Cherry Beef Jerky

22. Kentucky Bourbon Beef Jerky 

If you think that it couldn’t get any better than jerky being marinated in Kentucky bourbon, just take a look at all the other spices. They all combine to create a warm and delicious jerky that is great for all occasions. 

Get the recipe here.

Kentucky Bourbon Beef Jerky

23. Chipotle Lime Beef Jerky 

If you are in the mood for tacos, then you can just reach for this beef jerky instead. The chipotle in adobo sauce offers some spiciness and smokiness while the limes add a sweet, tart, and refreshing twist into the mix. 

Get the recipe here.

Chipotle Lime Beef Jerky

24. Texas Beef Jerky 

Do you love the flavors of Texas BBQ? Well, now you can create those in this beef jerky! All it takes is some chipotle powder, chile powder, and a few other flavorings. Since this jerky can be whipped up in the oven it is less effort for you! 

Get the recipe here.

Texas Beef Jerky

Can you imagine all the different flavor combinations there are with beef jerky? And they are so easy to create as well! Now you can fill your snack cupboard with as many varieties as you want! 

By Kristy J. Norton
I'm Kristy – a chef and connoisseur of all things BBQ! You can find me either in my kitchen (or someone else's) or at a big outdoor barbecue surrounded by friends and family. In both my professional and personal life I’ve picked up more than a few tips and tricks for turning out delicious food. I consider it a privilege to share it with others!
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