This buffalo sauce beef jerky is so easy to make at home, healthier and much cheaper than anything from the store. It has all the great flavor of your favorite buffalo wing too!
When we went out west last year to Zion, Bryce and Horseshoe Bend I’m not even exaggerating when I say collectively, we probably spent about $250 on jerky alone.
For 6 days we subsisted off beef jerky, Cliff bars and sports drinks and hiked 50+ miles.
If only I had gotten my act together in the beef jerky making department a year ago, I’d be that much richer.
To say we like beef jerky in this house is an understatement.
Trader Joe’s runs are made solely for either coconut oil, nut butter or jerky each month (ok, and their bacon) because if we run out and I have no go-to protein snack on hand, things get ugly.
I was fully prepared to make this in my oven since I don’t own a dehydrator until Brandy offered up hers and I happily obliged knowing it’d probably be a bit faster.
Guys, for someone who has sworn completely off clutter and unnecessary gadgets in the house, I’m seriously contemplating buying my own dehydrator after this experience.
Life changing.
In just four hours, I had perfectly crisp buffalo sauce beef jerky.
I spent $10 on 1.8 pounds of top round beef (you can also use shaved beef for a quicker recipe), used a cup of buffalo sauce I had on hand and easily made 5-6 bags worth of Trader Joe’s sized beef jerky.
Those bags cost $4.99 each. Do the math.
The flavor combinations are endless (and I have oh so many running through my head for next time starting with lime + jalapeno because how good does THAT sound?!) but for this first go-around I decided to do all the flavor of your favorite buffalo wing (or air fryer buffalo chicken tender) in beef jerky form. It came out as amazing as you’d imagine.
Go forth and get your jerky on.
And if you do pull the trigger on a dehydrator think of all the things you can make in it besides jerky, like pizza kale chips and tart cherry fruit leather!
Don’t miss out on this lamb jerky recipe either, it’s super tasty! If you prefer a regular beef jerky, try this plain beef jerky recipe.
Buffalo Sauce Beef Jerky
Ingredients
- 1.5-2 pounds top round beef, London broil
- 1 cup buffalo sauce
- kosher salt
Instructions
- Freeze beef for about 1 hour so that it’s easier to slice.
- Remove from freezer and cut into long thin slices.
- Place the beef in a large bowl, add the buffalo sauce and salt to taste and toss to make sure each piece is coated in the buffalo sauce. Let marinate overnight or for at least 6 hours.
- Place each piece of beef in the tray of a dehydrator (*see note below for alternative oven method) and dehydrate according to your machine, usually around 160 degrees. Check beef after 3-4 hours for crispness. Depending how thin you sliced it, it may be ready at this point. Leave any thicker, soft pieces in the dehydrator until fully dried.
- Store in an airtight container for 3-4 weeks.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
I went on a road trip a few years ago where we did the same thing and spent an absurd amount on subpar jerky. I wish we had this recipe!
Going to make this, Gina- I love jerky and I hate how expensive it is!!!
I bought my husband a dehydrator for Christmas but so far all we’ve made are chips. We’ll be making this jerky soon! I totally know what you mean about Trader Joes runs. Coconut oil and bacon. Their bacon is the BEST!
My husband has no problem dishing out hundreds of dollars on jerky. It’s his favorite. Love this recipe!
Brilliant with the buffalo sauce!
I love Beef jerky but refuse to dole out that kinda cash for it from the store – and it’s usually not even that good! I would definitely try yours first!! YUM!
My boys love beef jerky!! I never actually thought about making my own! What a great idea! I don’t have a dehydrator but I wonder if someone I know does…
I asked my husband and boys for a food dehydrator for Christmas last year… they forgot. If you really like yours I may just buy one for myself because home made jerky is CRAZY expensive! Thanks so much for reminding me :)
I never in my life would have thought to make homemade beef jerky, I can’t believe how easy it is!
I am SO excited to try this!