SMOKY COLA JERKY

Smoky Cola Jerky image

Provided by Brandy Bender

Time 4h

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 c cola
1/3 c soy sauce
1/3 c rice vinegar, not seasoned
1/4 c honey
kosher salt
1 - 2 chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, coarsely chopped
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp onion powder
2 lb boneless beef sirloin, about 1 inch thick

Steps:

1. Bring the Cola, Soy sauce, Vinager, Honey, and 1 tablespoon salt simmerin a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring, until reduced to 1 cup, about 12 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the chipotles, paprika, and onion powder; let cool completely.
2. Trim the excess fat from the beef and slice on an angle into 1/4-inch-thick strips. combine the strips and cola mixture in a resealable plastic bag and shake to coat. Press air out of the bag, seal and let marinate in the refridgerator at lease 24 hours and up to 3 days.
3. Position rack in center of the oven; line the bottom of the oven with foil. Drain the meat, discarding the marinade. Stick a toothpick through the end of each strip of meat. starting at the back of the oven and working forward, arrange each piece of meat between the grates of the oven racks so the toothpicks rest on the grates and the meat dangles below (do not let the meat touch the rack) Alternately, cook the beef in a dehydrator according to the manufacturer's instructions.
4. Heat oven to 200 degrees, bake until the derky is dry but still bendable, 2 to 3 hours. Carefully remove from the oven and remove the toothpicks. Let cool completely. Refridgerate in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.