What Makes Dried Beef Different?
Dried beef isn’t quite the same as the sweet or heavily seasoned beef jerky commonly sold as a snack.
Traditional dried beef is usually quite salty and is often used as an ingredient rather than eaten by itself.
One of the best-known dishes made with it is creamed chipped beef on toast, a nostalgic meal that has been enjoyed by generations of American families.
What You’ll Need
For a traditional homemade version, you’ll need:
- About 2–3 pounds of lean beef
- Coarse salt
- Brown sugar
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
You’ll also need a sharp knife or meat slicer, cutting board, refrigerator-safe container or bag, paper towels, and either a food dehydrator or an oven.
A meat thermometer is especially important for food safety.
