Sweet Java Beef Jerky

On March 22, 2021 (Updated May 16, 2024)

9 reviews

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Sweet Java Beef Jerky is the newest sensation in homemade jerky. Sweet, savory, and rich with the tiniest kick, this is the jerky you can’t stop snacking on!

Sweet java beef jerky wrapped in Hey Grill Hey butcher paper in a glass mason jark with a bottle of Coca-Cola in the background.

Java Beef Jerky

If you have read my post for Dr. Pepper Jalapeno Beef Jerky, much of this post will be a repeat for you. If this is your first time to my site or trying out homemade jerky on your own, read on!

This post is so full of jerky knowledge, it should probably be a book. We are going to be talking cuts of meat, slicing tips, marinating basics, and dehydrating vs. smoking. I’m going to give you all of the info you need to master making perfect jerky from home.

Years ago I worked in recipe development for Traeger Grills and published a recipe for Coffee Break Jerky. That base recipe still serves as inspiration for this one, but I’ve been working on it and tweaking it for about the last 5 years and I think it’s pretty much perfect now! I hope you enjoy it!

Best Cuts of Meat for Beef Jerky

Let’s start with the best cuts of beef for jerky-making. Begin with a nice roast with very little fat marbling. For this batch, I used a London Broil. Another amazing choice is an eye of round roast. Other options that work well include a top round, sirloin roast, or rump roast. These last three do have a bit more fat/gristle, but they are often a budget-friendly option.

If you’re into making ground meat jerky, check out my recipe for Ground Beef Jerky. This requires a jerky guns and a little extra effort, but the result is absolutely delicious!

How to Slice Meat for Jerky

Now that you’ve got your cut of meat selected, let’s talk about getting that perfect jerky thin slice!

I own a meat slicer, and have sliced my own meat for jerky before. I understand this is not an option for many. If you plan on slicing your own meat, I recommend putting your roast in the freezer for 30 minutes to an hour before slicing. The chilled roast will be more firm and you will get a much better result with more even slices.

If you aren’t slicing at home, find a good butcher and buy your roast from them. They will be more than happy to do the slicing for you! Now, here is a point of debate for jerky makers. Slicing with or against the grain? I slice my jerky against the grain. In my opinion, this makes the jerky easier to chew and eat.

Some folks prefer slicing with the grain because once it is dry you get those nice long strands of jerky that you can tear off and work through. I’ve also heard that slicing with the grain can cause your jerky to fall apart, but I haven’t experienced that personally. It might be best to try out both and determine what you like best.

Sweet Java Jerky Marinade

Now while you can purchase marinades pre-made, these marinades lack that little extra somethin’ somethin’ you get with a homemade marinade. Specifically, the sweet, savory, heat flavors from this Sweet Java Beef Jerky marinade are one of a kind. It’s like a meat party in your mouth! The real basis for any great marinade, in my opinion, is a good combo of flavors. Savory, sweet, spice. Perfection!

Here’s what you’ll need for this marinade (scroll below to the recipe card for full amounts):

Brewed coffee
Cola
Soy sauce
Dark brown sugar
Worcestershire sauce
Morton TenderQuick
Molasses
Cayenne pepper
Black pepper

This marinade calls for Morton TenderQuick. This is an instant curing powder with small amounts of salt and sugar mixed in, usually available in grocery stores or online. The correct ratio is 1 Tablespoon per 1 pound of meat. The recipe, as written, calls for 2 Tablespoons for 2 pounds of meat.

If you like to use other curing salts in your jerky you can use 1 level teaspoon of Prague Powder #1 or instacure #1 in the marinade recipe. This proportion cures up to 5 pounds of meat. If you increase the recipe beyond 5 pounds, you will need an additional teaspoon of the cure.

The jerky with Morton TenderQuick will last up to two weeks on your counter. If you want to skip adding the cure entirely, add one level Tablespoon of Kosher salt in place of the 2 Tablespoons of curing salt. This jerky will last 2 weeks in the refrigerator.

How to Make Sweet Java Beef Jerky

Finally, let’s talk cooking method. You can make beef jerky in a smoker, dehydrator, or oven.

Smoker. I have several smokers at my disposal and my favorite for jerky is my pellet grill. Feel free to make your jerky on whatever smoker you have, just ensure it can maintain temperatures around 160-180 degrees F. This allows the jerky to slowly cook through while smoking.
Dehydrator. If you are using a dehydrator, please read the instructions accompanying your machine. Every dehydrator works differently and the timeline will be unique to your machine.
Oven. If you’re without a smoker or dehydrator, you can still dehydrate your jerky in your oven. Lay out the jerky on a cooling rack before cooking. Follow the same time and temperature listed in the recipe, but leave the door of your oven slightly cracked so the moisture can escape and your jerky can dry properly.

The real secret, whether smoker or oven. is to prep your jerky before drying. After you marinate your meat, remove it from the marinade, and pat off the excess moisture. This step is crucial for even cooking. I like to layer my jerky strips between paper towels and thoroughly pat dry. If you want a little extra spice, now is a great time to dust with some additional black pepper.

Finally, be sure to use a thermometer to gauge the doneness of your meat. You don’t want any pieces to be removed from the oven, smoker, or dehydrator if they are under 165 degrees F. I use a good instant read thermometer to monitor my temperatures.

More Beef Jerky Recipes