Midg's Mouth Watering Beef Jerky

Prepare the Beef: Slice the beef sirloin into uniform 1/4-inch thick slices against the grain. This ensures tenderness. (Prep time: 20 minutes)

Craft the Marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, water, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and liquid smoke until the sugar and salt are fully dissolved.

Marinate the Beef: Place the beef slices into a heavy-duty resealable bag or a non-reactive container. Pour the marinade over the beef, ensuring each slice is fully submerged. Seal the bag or cover the container, and refrigerate for at least 12 hours, or preferably 24 hours, to allow the flavors to deeply penetrate the meat. (Marinating time: 12-24 hours)

Prepare for Smoking: Remove the beef from the marinade and pat each slice completely dry with paper towels. Discard the used marinade. Arrange the beef slices on wire racks, ensuring they are not overlapping. Allow the beef to air dry at room temperature for 30 minutes to form a pellicle (a slightly tacky surface) which will help the smoke adhere. (Prep time: 45 minutes)

Soak the Wood Chips: While the beef is air-drying, soak your chosen wood chips in water for at least 30 minutes. This will prevent them from burning too quickly and create a smoldering smoke.

Preheat the Smoker: Preheat your smoker to a low temperature, ideally between 160°F and 180°F (71°C to 82°C). (Preheating: 10 minutes)

Smoke the Beef: Arrange the drying racks with the beef in the preheated smoker. Add the soaked wood chips to the smoker's wood chip box according to the manufacturer's instructions. Smoke the beef for 5 to 7 hours, or until it reaches your desired level of dryness and chewiness. Replenish the wood chips as needed to maintain a consistent smoke. (Smoking time: 5-7 hours)

Cool and Store: Once the jerky is done, remove it from the smoker and let it cool completely on the drying racks. Store the cooled beef jerky in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, or in the refrigerator for longer storage.