What Is the Best Cut of Meat for Beef Jerky?

There’s a variety of beef cuts that would make for delicious beef jerky. Preferably, these cuts should come from lean and flavorful beef to achieve their full taste potential. When meat is lean, you can expect that it dries faster and lasts longer. Today, we’ll give you a rundown on the top five best cuts of beef for that homemade beef jerky recipe.

Best Beef Cuts for Beef Jerky

There’s good quality beef, and there’s beef that’s just absolutely perfect for beef jerky. The latter can provide all the following meat cuts ideal for your recipe.

1. Brisket

As far as premium cuts are concerned, it rarely gets any better than brisket. These are prime cuts that give off the beefiest flavor and toughest texture, which are qualities ideal for beef jerky. When prepared well, it gives you a succulent steak chewing experience perfect for making small batches of jerky.

Any of the reputable meat shops in your area should be selling brisket cuts. The top beef-jerky cuts providers in the country make use of superior quality meat when making their original beef jerky. Hence, it would help to research what these businesses are. After all, our family and friends only deserve the best!

2. Tri-Tip

Down in Southern California, the tri-tip is hailed as the king of barbecue meats. It’s right up there with the brisket in terms of flavor, making it an excellent main ingredient to use for a beef jerky recipe. One thing to note about this particular meat cut is that it can easily burn a hole through your pocket if you’re producing big batches.

We know there’s no such thing as “going overboard” when it comes to cooking, especially when one has a big family. However, for practicality’s sake, you want to sample a renowned meat shop’s tri-tip recipe first before ordering in bulk.

We don’t doubt you’ll be buying more, but in this way, you can estimate a volume that doesn’t damage your budget. Take your tri-tip to the grill during one of those relaxing summer barbecues and see how much it can improve your dining experience.

3. Filet Mignon

How could a cut of meat named after two French words not be delicious? Filet Mignon brings about the beefiest flavors that simply melt in your mouth. Its texture brings to mind thoughts of dining in bistros along the river Seine.

Smoked to perfection, a filet mignon cut can produce the perfect smoky flavor that’s difficult to replicate with other beef cuts. If you’re looking to give your beef jerky that “steakhouse twist,” this truly is the cut to go for.

Of course, Filet Mignon is as expensive as it sounds. It’s quite high up there in the price spectrum for meats that people usually only reserve these cuts for special occasions, like first dates and anniversary dinners. That said, if you haven’t sampled this beef cut ever, you should remedy that this instant.

4. Flank Steak

When cut in longer strips, flank steak can make for a perfect beef jerky recipe. Once this particular steak is trimmed, it achieves an even tougher, drier, and more flavorful texture. And in case you’re wondering, yes, that’s the perfect combination for creating that sumptuous homemade jerky.

We recommend going against the grain when slicing and going for thin slices. You’ll also want to marinade the cuts for a day or two to get the flavors to really seep in. A good thing about this type of beef is that it holds up exceptionally well to marinating, so you’ll get extra-tender and juicy slices.

You will find several beef jerky recipes online using flank steaks. They are even the official meal of certain professional sporting associations, including the PGA tour. Visit Carnivore Snax for premium meat snacks.

5. Rib Steak

Most who know about beef jerky likely know it in the form of the rib steak cut. It is among the most popular beef jerky cuts today and is more affordable than other prime cuts. Of course, this doesn’t mean it’s cheap by any stretch of the imagination, as it comes from premium beef.

Meat shops claim to sell “premium” cuts of this beef all the time, but it’s your job to find out if they’re speaking the truth. The rib steak is also more flavorful, even when compared to other beef-jerky cuts. That’s because the fat marbling in its meat releases that extra bit of flavor that takes your recipe to the next level.

So, Which Beef Cut Should You Go For?

When it comes to choosing meat cuts for beef jerky, it really is a matter of preference. While there’s a standard for delicious beef jerky, nuances in our palettes may alter what we consider truly delicious. That said, any of these fine cuts should be more than acceptable to use in any beef jerky recipe. Give each a try and see what your palette craves best.