For approx 4lbs of lean cut-with-the-grain venison you should mix the following-
1 cup Worcestershire
1 cup Soy sauce
1 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1 level tablespoon onion powder
1 level tablespoon of powder garlic
1 level tablespoon meat tenderizer.
2 tablespoons of liquid Hickory smoke (I've tried mesquite...it's not the same)
Texas Pete to taste (If you like it, add more, but not too much) but at least 1 tablespoon
1 tablespoon coarse ground black pepper
Once all ingredients are mixed, place on stove and simmer until the sugar is completely melted and steam begins to rise on the marinate. Don't let it boil.
Let the marinate cool down completely.
Once marinate is cool, place meat in a covered container. A metal cook pot with a lid is OK. Pour marinate over meat. Stir meat thoroughly to get all meat separated and the marinate surrounding all pieces. Once it's mixed well, use a potato masher or similar kitchen tool to push the meat down in the container to get the marinate over all of the venison with as much meat submerged as possible. Place it in the fridge to soak. Occasionally stir over the next 24 hours. After each stir, push the meat down again. Once marinate session is complete, none of the meat should have any redness to it. All the meat should look the same color as the marinate as it was soaked into the meat. If any redness is present, that's OK.
Place in your dehydrator with each piece not touching the other and sprinkle lightly with coarsely ground black pepper. I use a smoker without wood chips to cure my jerky. Low heat setting is key. You're drying the venison, not cooking it. Dry the venison until almost all moisture has been evaporated from it. I set my smoker at 115 degrees for 13 hours.
I hope you enjoy this recipe.