Per pound of raw meat, cut with the grain, marinate in...

1/2 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp meat tenderizer
1 tablespoon brown sugar

soak it overnight or longer. lay out the strips on drying rack, dry at 150 or so until firm, not brittle.

thats about it. I mess around with the measurements above, depending what Im in the mood for. Never tried the ground stuff. If i grind it, its for burger.

That smoker might be the trick with a little hickory