The Best Keto Beef Jerky Recipe
Smoky, chewy, and packed with flavor, this keto beef jerky recipe is the ultimate zero-sugar low-carb snack for road trips and busy days!
Servings: 5 lbs
Print
Ingredients
- 1 liter Diet Dr Pepper
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- ¾ cup brown sugar Swerve
- 1 Tbsp coarse black pepper
- 2 Tbsp coarse salt
- ½ tsp dried rosemary
- 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- ½ tsp steak spice
Instructions
- Begin by gathering your ingredients. You will need 6-7 pounds of beef, diet Dr Pepper, lemon juice, brown sugar Swerve, coarse black pepper, coarse salt, rosemary, garlic cloves, and steak spice.
- Add the marinade ingredients to a 9x13" aluminum pan or large baking dish.
- Cut the beef to 1/4" thickness, being sure to trim off excess fat and tendons. Layer this in the marinade and allow to rest for 12-24 hours in the refrigerator. We purchased a whole sirloin from Costco when it was on sale and made two batches of beef jerky with it.
- Remove the beef from the marinade, pat it dry with paper towel, sprinkle with salt and pepper (if desired), and place in a single layer on the smoker.
- Cook at 160°F for 4-6 hours, flipping the beef once halfway through. Keep an eye on any hot spots (our Traeger is hotter at the front) and thinner slices of beef that may smoke faster.
- Remove from the smoker and enjoy. We store this for up to a month in the fridge or longer in the freezer.
Video
Notes
- You can easily make this recipe using regular Dr Pepper and brown sugar for a non-keto version.
- We used our Traeger grill to make this jerky, but this can easily be done in a traditional smoker, dehydrator, or in an oven.
- Always slice against the muscle fibers to keep the jerky tender, not tooth-breaking.
- Use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce for an extra keto-friendly marinade twist.
- Experiment with seasonings. Add a pinch of chili powder, smoked paprika, or extra garlic powder to customize the jerky’s flavor to your taste.
- Thinner strips will dry faster, so keep an eye on them during the 4–6 hours.
- Line trays or racks with foil for easy cleanup.
- Store jerky in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to two weeks.
- Skip the artificial sweeteners — stick to monk fruit, stevia, or Swerve for the best taste.
Nutrition
Serving: 1oz | Calories: 86kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 2g