Meanwhile in the world of homemade jerky, or with all drying snacks for that matter, no other recipe really brings home the bacon for the meat lovers like the homemade venison snack stick recipe. Perfect for anyone looking for a tasty and nutritious snack. Venison is low in fat and high in flavor, making it ideal for delicious snack sticks. We’re going to cover everything you need to know, along with step-by-step instructions, so that you can make your own venison snack sticks at home, properly from start to finish – seasoning to equipment, and tips to make them the best every time.
What You Need For Your Venison Snack Stick Recipe
Before we walk through the process of how to cook your venison snack sticks, take a few minutes to make sure you have the necessary ingredients and equipment. You will need the venison of course, and a few key spices that will allow the meat to do its own talking.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs venison, (either ground or lean cuts)
- 1 pound pork fat (for more moisture)
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 3 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (if you like heat)
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon curing salt (optional and for preservation)
- 1 tbsp liquid smoke (optional, for more flavor)
- 1/2 c beef or venison broth (optional for more moistness)
- Rings or links: Hog casings or collagen casings (if using to stuff)
Equipment
- Meat grinder (if you’re grinding your own deer meat)
- This is a sausage stuffer or a manual sausage stuffing machine.
- Sharp knife
- Food-safe gloves
- Large mixing bowl
- Drying rack or dehydrator
How to Make Your Venison Snack Stick Recipe – a step by step guide
Making the Venison and Pork Fat
The first thing you will do is grind your venison as well as pork fat. If you are grinding your meat (and it’s best to do this yourself if you can), make sure the venison and fat are very well-chilled, so that the grinder doesn’t clog. To make it easy to mix them together just mix the two in a large mixing bowl.
Stir the spices and seasonings into the deer and fat. The secret to a really good venison snack stick is well-seasoned meat. Include salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika and any optional elements such as cayenne pepper or curing salt. Stir until the spices are well blended into the meat.
Stuffing the Snack Sticks
Prepare your casings. Prior to stuffing, soak your hog or collagen casings in warm water for 30 minutes or so. And when you do, they will be far more manageable and easier to stuff. If you are using collagen casings, be sure they will be the right size for the diameter you are planning for your snack sticks.
Fill the casings with the venison mixture by using a sausage stuffer. Pack everything down nice and tight so that there are no air pockets that might leave you with uneven drying. Twist the casings into consistent snack stick lengths of approximately 6-8 inches.
Drying the Venison Snack Sticks
Dry your snack sticks. Drying is a very important part of producing venison snack sticks. You can dehydrate them or hang the sticks up in a smoker. Keep their temp in the 130°F to 150°F range so you can dry the sticks, but not cook them.
Air dry the snack sticks for 12-24 hours, depending on the size of your sticks and the method of drying. Check for firmness and dryness. Once they are fully dried, the sticks will be rigid but slightly flexible.
Storing and Serving
How to Store Venison Snack Sticks While best stored elsewhere, how you keep deer meat the sticks are made from is important. When the snack sticks are fully dry, take them out of the casings. Keep the completed snack sticks in an airtight container or vacuum-seal bag to extend their shelf life. Refrigerate or freeze them if you wish them to last more than a few days.
Best Venison Snack Stick Recipe – Tips
- With the lean venison, you’ll have the best texture and flavor. Stay away from fattier cuts, the snack sticks will end up greasy.
- Experiment with spices. Taste and season to your preference. To give it a little twist, you can also add various other herbs or spices such as crushed red pepper, thyme or mustard powder.
- Add fat carefully. Fat contributes to moistness, but too much fat smears into sticks’ greasiness. Try to use a 70/30 venison-pork fat ratio for the ideal balance.
- For added flavor, smoke or dehydrate. Smoking imparts a rich flavor that is difficult to achieve with drying alone. If you’re using a dehydrator, you can work some liquid smoke into the mix to approximate the smoky flavor.
Why You Need To Start Making Your Own Venison Snack Sticks
Not only does creating your own venison snack sticks ensure high-quality, fresh ingredients are involved, it also means you’ll have full control over the flavor. Whether you prefer your snack sticks mild or spicy, you can customize the seasoning to your liking. Not to mention it’s a great use of venison if you hunt or have access to fresh game.
The Advantages of Venison in Your Snack Stick Recipe
Venison is a great meat to use when making snack sticks as it has many health benefits and one of a kind properties. There are 3 huge reasons you need to use venison in your snack stick recipe:
Lean Protein
It’s super-super lean and boasts some of the lowest overall fat content of any meat, so you’re already ahead of the curve in terms of sticking to an unapologetically high-protein, low-fat diet. While beef or pork tend to have larger fat contents, venison is naturally low in fat but high in protein. This makes it a good meat for dieters and body builders. It contains high levels of protein that are good for muscle growth, repair and general well-being, so venison snack sticks aren’t just a delicious snack, they’re good for you.
Rich in Nutrients
Not only is venison protein-rich, it’s packed with vital vitamins and minerals that keep your pup feeling good. Iron: Venison is rich in iron, which is essential for oxygen transport throughout the body, and so prevents the occurrence of anemia. It’s also a rich source of B vitamins, including B6 and B12, which are critical for the generation of energy, brain function and formation of red blood cells. They are fundamental for metabolism, energy and skin and nervous system health.
Sustainability
If you are taking your own venison, you are supporting a sustainable food source and you can cut out the middle man. Hunting provides local access to meat, organic by default, and from wild sources with a low environmental footprint. This is real, practical, venison that you’re eating and its free range with no need of factory farming techniques. When you choose venison, you vote with your dollars in favor of a more sustainable food system that is fundamentally respectful of your game meat and that privileges ethical hunting over industrial-scale livestock production and all of its attendant ecological costs.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making Venison Snack Sticks
Venison Snack Stick Even seasoned makers can face issues making venison snack sticks. Here are some pitfalls to steer clear of, which will mold your snack sticks pretty much perfectly every time:
Not Chilling the Meat
The number one key when making venison snack sticks is keeping the meat and fat as cold as possible during grinding and mixing. If the blend becomes too warm, it may cause the fat to break and yield greasy, lumpy snack sticks. Cold meat and fat also contribute to that texture and inhibit the growth of bacteria. To prevent that, you should chill your venison and pork fat in the freezer for 30 minutes to an hour before running it through the grinder. You can put the bowl of meat back in the fridge to keep it cool while you grind and mix, if needed. This one simple step could be the difference between you nailing the perfect texture of your snack sticks.
Under-Seasoning
You take it for what it is: lean, flavorful venison that requires seasoning to thrust some of its assets to the fore. One big mistake that a lot of people make is to under-season the meat. Gamey flavor Deer has a distinct, strong flavor which is over powered by other types of seasoning if not cooked correctly. Be sure to taste the mix before you stuff the casings. If your seasoning isn’t powerful enough it may not be able to stand up to the drying process and you could end up with a snack stick that’s quite bland. Feel free to season according to your personal preference, with just a little more salt, pepper or what other flavorings will make you happy. Flavouring is crucial to ensuring that your venison snack sticks taste great.
Not Drying Thoroughly
Drying is essential to the shelf life and safety of your venison snack sticks. If the sticks aren’t completely dry, they will spoil in no time. A problem of this dryer is that if the drying is not sufficient, it will be held by the moisture and the bacteria will multiply. Keep an eye on it to make sure your snack sticks dry out all the way and that the temperature stays between 130-150 degrees F. It will probably take anywhere from 12-24 hours depending on size. The sticks are done when they feel firm but have a little give when you push them with your finger.
Conclusion
This venison snack stick recipe is, well, more than just a snack; it is a snack made from healthy, hearty meat that can be consumed in new and fun ways! With the instructions provided in this product, you can return your snack sticks to your desired taste preferences. If you’re creating these to give to your own family or to give to a friend, I promise that these homemade venison snack sticks will have your loved ones falling at your feet. So get out your venison and prepare to create the ultimate homemade snack.
FAQs
How long do homemade deer snack sticks last?
Dry your venison snack sticks all the way so they don’t mold, and they can be stored at room temperature for up to a week. But for longer, refrigerate or freeze them. (Store the frozen disks for a few months and they will retain their flavor and texture.)
Is it possible to make venison snack sticks without a smoker?
Yes! You don’t need a smoker to make venison flavor sticks. A dehydrator is effective for drying the snack sticks, and can provide an excellent texture for them. If you like a smoky taste, you can add liquid smoke to the seasonings, or you can smoke them in a standard oven using wood chips to get most of the flavor.
How do you season venison snack sticks?
Seasoning your Venison Snack Sticks Of course, you have to season your venison snack sticks to give them some taste. Seasonings – salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika are a must! For those who like it hotter, add cayenne or chili flakes. You might play around with mustard powder, thyme or even brown sugar, if you’re in the mood for sweet-savory. Taste it before stuffing – it needs to be well-seasoned.