Can I use ground meat instead of sliced meat for alien fresh jerky?

Yes! Ground meat jerky (sometimes called "shooter's jerky") can be made with this same alien fresh jerky marinade. You'll need a jerky gun to extrude the meat into strips, and drying times may be shorter.

How do I know if my alien fresh jerky is dry enough to be safe?

Properly dried jerky should bend and crack but not break completely. When you tear a piece, you shouldn't see any moisture. For safety, make sure the meat reaches 160°F during the drying process.

Can I make alien fresh jerky without liquid smoke?

Absolutely. Liquid smoke adds that distinctive smoky flavor, but you can omit it if you prefer. Alternatively, using smoked salt or increasing the smoked paprika can add similar depth of flavor to your alien fresh jerky.

My jerky turned out too salty. How can I fix this?

For your next batch, reduce the soy sauce by half and adjust the salt accordingly. You can also rinse the marinated meat lightly before drying, though this will remove some flavor too.

Is homemade alien fresh jerky safe for kids?

Yes, homemade jerky is safe for children as long as it's properly dried and prepared following food safety guidelines. You might want to reduce the spice level for younger palates.

Alien Fresh Jerky: Discover the Out-of-This-World Snack Craze 2025

Alien Fresh Jerky: Discover the Out-of-This-World Snack Craze

Print Recipe

Inspired by the legendary roadside snack, this homemade alien fresh jerky recipe delivers bold, spicy, and smoky flavor with none of the preservatives. Perfect for road trips, hiking, and cosmic snacking!

Author: Harmony
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 4–8 hours
Total Time: 12–32 hours (includes marinating)
Yield: 10–12 oz jerky 1x
Category: Snacks
Method: Dehydrating
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

2 pounds lean beef (eye of round, top round, or flank steak)
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon liquid smoke
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons onion powder
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
1 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

Partially freeze meat for 1-2 hours. Trim all visible fat, then slice into 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick strips.
Whisk all marinade ingredients in a large bowl until sugar dissolves. Add beef and coat well. Marinate in refrigerator 8–24 hours, turning occasionally.
Remove meat and pat dry thoroughly. Arrange strips on dehydrator trays or wire racks.
Dehydrator: Dry at 160°F for 4–6 hours. Oven: Set to 170°F, prop door open, and dry for 6–8 hours.
Check doneness: Jerky should bend and crack without snapping and show no moisture inside.
Cool completely before storing in airtight containers.

Notes

Trim fat thoroughly for better shelf life. For game meats or tofu variations, adjust marinating and drying times accordingly. Always ensure internal temp reaches 160°F for safety.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 oz
Calories: 70
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 380mg
Fat: 2g
Saturated Fat: 0.5g
Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 2g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 13g
Cholesterol: 25mg

Keywords: alien fresh jerky, homemade jerky, spicy jerky, dehydrated beef, road trip snacks

Find it online: https://harmonymeal.com/alien-fresh-jerky/