Wendy - Smoky Orange Beef Jerky

I was researching flavors that would pair well with the Smoked Paprika & was attracted to the potential of citrus. I decided on a Smoky Orange (thinking of how orange growers use smoking “smudge pots” to save their crops when a cold snap hits).

Steps

1. Slice beef roast to desired size & thickness (set aside)
2. Mix spices
3. Blend all other ingredients
4. Add spice mix to taste (yields approximately 6 c. Marinade)
5. Add sliced beef to marinade (I like to use gallon freezer bags) & mix thoroughly ensuring all sides of every piece gets exposure to the marinade
6. Refrigerate a minimum of 12 hours, turning & remixing occasionally to ensure even marination
7. When meat is ready, preheat oven to 175 degrees F
8. Line several baking sheets with foil & place baking racks in the pans
9. Drain the marinade off the beef & lay strips in a single layer across the baking racks
10. Bake strips for 3-4 hours, until reaches desired texture (If you have 2 trays in the oven, make sure to rotate between oven racks to ensure an even bake)
11. At the 3-hour mark, take one piece out of the oven and cool to test for texture, continue baking if needed
12. Once done, allow to cool before storing in an airtight container