This is an individual preference. The best method for making beef jerky is to marinate the meat in a mixture of equal parts soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce and liquid smoke. Allow it to rest for 10 minutes before moving on with the process. Grind up some onions, garlic and salt into a fine paste then stir that paste into the ground beef along with your other ingredients as you add them together until they are well combined. Finally form 8-10 small patties using your hands then place them on metal racks or slotted spoons while they dry out at room temperature during 2-3 hours