3 beef jerky snack ideas to put an end to snack attacks
More time at home means easy access to the kitchen and snacks, which may lead to more distracted eating in between meals as we blend work and the kids staying home. Beef jerky is a popular pantry staple that packs a punch of protein and essential nutrients. Need some snack inspiration? Look no further than your pantry and beef jerky!
reasons beef jerky is the ultimate snack hack
1. Keep kids fueled through the day
Are your kids raiding the kitchen all day long? Keep the lid on the cookie jar and instead cure your kids’ snack hangries with beef jerky packed with protein, zinc, iron and b-vitamins.
2. Avoid the workday energy slump
Grab a portion of beef jerky to stop yourself from trolling the kitchen when you hit that workday wall – beef jerky’s protein will help keep you full until dinnertime.
3. Get unexpected post-workout benefits
Add beef jerky (“nature’s protein bar”) to your post-workout recovery to help build and repair muscle and enhance recovery after sweating it out.
4. Stay lively on the trail
Drop beef jerky in your pack to power your hike, knowing you have 10 essential nutrients to make it all the way back. It's also a great protein option in a "trail mix" if you have a nut allergy.
1. jerky and Clementine
Sometimes simple is better. The sweet and savory combination of protein-rich beef jerky and a refreshing clementine will give you the fuel you need to conquer the day and the satisfaction to curb your next trip to a bag of chips.
- 1 oz beef jerky
- 1 clementine
- Calories: 150/ Protein: 10g
2. beef jerky trail mix
Customize your trail mix by mixing pieces of beef jerky with your choice of nuts, dehydrated fruit and seeds. This is also a great way to built a trail mix around nut allergies.
- ½ cup chopped beef jerky
- ¼ cup whole almonds
- 2 Tbsp dried cranberries
- 2 Tbsp sunflower seeds
- Calories: 268/Protein: 12g
3. beef jerky potato skins
A protein-rich variation of your traditional potato skin.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup dairy sour cream
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 3 small sweet potatoes (about 6 inches long) or russet potatoes cooked and cooled
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 3/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
- 3/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped peppered beef Jerky
- 1/2 cup chopped jalapeno beef jerky
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Combine sour cream, lime juice, garlic powder, onion powder and smoked paprika in small bowl; mix until incorporated. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Slice potatoes in half lengthwise. Hollow out each potato half using a spoon, leaving 1/4 thick shell. Save potato flesh for another use. Brush inside of potatoes with oil; season with salt and pepper, as desired. Place potatoes on shallow-rimmed baking sheet; bake in 400°F oven for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
- Meanwhile, mix cheeses with jerky in medium bowl. Fill potato skins with cheese mixture; bake 5 to 8 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.
- Top potato skins with sour cream mixture and green onions, as desired.
- Cook's Tips: You may substitute hickory smoked beef jerky for peppered beef jerky. You may also substitute Russet potatoes.
how to make your own beef jerky at home
Now that your mouth is watering at the thought of some delicious beef jerky, what if you knew how to prepare it in your own kitchen? Thanks to our friends at the Texas Beef Council and Hardcore Carnivore Jess Pryles, we have just the recipe for you.
