Happy Valentine’s Day! What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than with some beef heart jerky. Candy and sweets might be the norm but over here at Nourish the Littles, I know we are a little strange and like to focus on nutrient density when possible. So why not eat heart on the day of hearts?
This recipe was born when I was trying to find a creative way of using up a beef heart I was too afraid to eat. If consuming organ meats frightens or disgusts you, then this recipe is for you. It tastes just like regular beef jerky. I know this because I served it to a room of 50 people who unknowingly devoured it, then later found out they had eaten beef heart.
If you have a dehydrator, great, if not an oven works just as well. This recipe is super simple and you can personalize it by using your favorite spice blend to marinate the beef heart. Initially, I copied the ingredients on the back of The New Primal beef thins and then played around with the spices until I found a combination that my family enjoyed. Feel free to do the same and use my recipe as a guide.
Tips for making the jerky
- Use a very sharp knife when slicing the beef heart
- Make sure to trim the beef heart of the connective tissue, excess fat, and valves
- Cut the meat into thin strips similar to regular beef jerky
- It will be easier to cut into thin strips when the meat is frozen
- For optimal flavor, marinate the meat in the spice mixture for 24hrs before dehydrating
Valentine’s Day and Beef ❤️ Jerky
- Prep Time: 20min and 24hrs to marinate
- Cook Time: 4hrs
- Total Time: 1 day and 4hrs and 20min
Description
Meat jerky using beef heart
Ingredients
Scale
1 beef heart trimmed and frozen (usually 2-3lbs)
1/2 cup of coconut aminos
1 tsp of paprika
1/2 tsp of garlic powder
1/2 tsp of chili powder
1/2 tsp of salt
1/4 tsp of pepper
Instructions
- Begin by trimming the frozen beef heart of excess connective tissue, fat, and valves.
- Once the beef heart has been cleaned, slice the meat into thin strips or pieces.
- Place the beef slices into a glass bowl and add the coconut aminos and spices.
- Cover, refrigerate, and marinate for 24hrs.
- The next day, if using the oven, preheat the oven to the lowest heat setting possible (usually 150-170 degrees F).
- Place the beef slices onto parchment paper and onto the dehydrator shelves. Or if using the oven, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the beef slices onto the parchment paper. Make sure there is space between the slices.
- Turn on the dehydrator to 150 and dry out the meat for 2hrs.
- At the two hour mark, use tongs to flip the jerky and dry out the other side. Dry for 2 more hours.
- The jerky is ready when it is dry, chewy and crispy. Serve with pats of butter for extra deliciousness.
- Store in an airtight container in the pantry to preserve freshness.
Keywords: Beef, organ meats, meat, snack