How to Make Delicious Venison Snack Sticks

Venison snack sticks are a delicious and nutritious snack that you can easily make at home. These meat sticks are perfect for those who are looking for a high protein snack that can keep them going throughout the day. Making venison snack sticks may seem like a challenging task, but it’s not as complicated as it seems. Here is a simple guide on how to make venison snack sticks with easy-to-follow instructions that anyone can understand.

First, you’ll need to choose the type of venison you want to use. Venison is a lean meat that’s high in protein and low in fat. If you have access to wild venison, that’s even better, as it’s free from hormones and antibiotics. Once you’ve got the venison, it’s time to mix it with the necessary ingredients. You can add spices, additional meats, or other flavorings to suit your taste. Roll the mixture into sausage casing and smoke it in the oven or on the grill until cooked. Making venison snack sticks is fun, easy, and perfect for sharing with friends and family.

Subheading 1: Gather Your Ingredients

Gather Your Ingredients

Before you start making venison snack sticks, you need to gather all the necessary ingredients. The ingredients for making the perfect venison snack sticks include ground venison, high-quality beef fat, curing salt, spice mix, and natural or synthetic casings.

When selecting ground venison, ensure that it is fresh and free from bacteria. High-quality beef fat will also give your snack sticks a good flavor. Curing salt is also important as it helps to preserve the snack sticks by inhibiting the growth of bacteria. The spice mix which could be any combination of paprika, garlic, onion, mustard seed, coriander, and many others, is what gives your snack sticks their unique flavor.

Natural or synthetic casings are a must-have as they help to shape the snack sticks and keep them intact during the smoking and cooking process. The natural casings are made from animal intestines while the synthetic casings are made from collagen. It is recommended that you use natural casings as they give more texture and natural flavor to the snack sticks.

Subheading 2: Prepare the Meat Mixture

Prepare the Meat Mixture

The next step is to prepare the meat mixture by combining the ground venison, beef fat, and the spice mix in a large mixing bowl. Mix the ingredients well until they are fully combined. You can use your hands or a mixer to ensure that the mixture is evenly distributed.

After mixing, it’s time to add the curing salt to the mixture. Curing salt helps to preserve the meat and prevents the growth of harmful bacteria. Make sure to mix the curing salt well into the meat mixture.

Subheading 3: Soak the Casings

Soak the Casings

Before stuffing the mixture into the casings, you need to soak them in water. Soaking the casings helps to soften them and makes it easier to stuff the meat mixture. Use warm water and let the casings soak for about an hour.

After an hour, remove the casings from the water and rinse them thoroughly. Check for any holes or tears in the casings, discard any damaged casings, and set the rest aside for stuffing.

Subheading 4: Stuff the Casings

Stuff the Casings

After soaking the casings, it’s time to stuff them with the meat mixture using a sausage stuffer or a meat grinder. Start by attaching the casing to the stuffer or meat grinder and then fill the casing with the meat mixture.

Make sure to not overstuff the casing as it may cause the snack stick to burst during cooking. You can use a skewer to prick any air bubbles that may form inside the casing.

Subheading 5: Form the Snack Sticks

Form the Snack Sticks

After stuffing the casings, it’s time to form the snack sticks. You can form the snack sticks by twisting the casing into small links measuring about six inches or less.

Make sure to knot the end of each casing to prevent the meat mixture from coming out. After forming the snack sticks, hang them on a drying rack or place them on a baking sheet.

Subheading 6: Dry the Snack Sticks

Dry the Snack Sticks

After forming the snack sticks, it’s time to dry them. You can air-dry the snack sticks by hanging them on a drying rack for about an hour or in a dehydrator for about six hours.

Drying the snack sticks helps to remove excess moisture and prepares them for smoking or cooking.

Subheading 7: Smoke the Snack Sticks

Smoke the Snack Sticks

Once the snack sticks are dry, it’s time to smoke them. You can use a smoker or a grill to smoke the snack sticks. Set the smoker or grill to about 180 degrees Fahrenheit and smoke the snack sticks for about 3-4 hours.

Smoking the snack sticks helps to add flavor and color to them. You can use different types of wood chips to give your snack sticks a unique taste.

Subheading 8: Cook the Snack Sticks

Cook the Snack Sticks

After smoking the snack sticks, it’s time to cook them. You can cook the snack sticks in the oven or on a stovetop. Set the oven to about 300 degrees Fahrenheit and place the snack sticks on a baking sheet. Cook them for about 40-60 minutes until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Alternatively, you can cook the snack sticks on a stovetop by simmering them in water for about 10-15 minutes. This method helps to keep the snack sticks moist and tender.

Subheading 9: Store the Snack Sticks

Store the Snack Sticks

Once the snack sticks are cooked, it’s time to store them. You can store the snack sticks in an airtight container or vacuum seal them for longer shelf life.

Store the snack sticks in a cool and dry place away from direct sunlight. They can last for several weeks in the refrigerator and several months in the freezer.

Subheading 10: Enjoy Your Venison Snack Sticks

Enjoy Your Venison Snack Sticks

Congratulations! You have successfully made your venison snack sticks. Sit back and enjoy your delicious and flavorful snack sticks. They are perfect for sharing with family and friends or as an on-the-go snack.

Ingredients Needed to Make Delicious Venison Snack Sticks

Making venison snack sticks requires a few ingredients that are easily obtainable. Here are the essential ingredients:

1. Venison: You need to have 2 to 4 pounds of ground venison for making one batch of venison snack sticks.

2. Pork Fat: Pork fat provides moisture and helps to bind the venison sticks. One pound of pork fat is required for every 4 pounds of venison.

3. Curing Salt: Curing salt or Prague Powder #1 helps to preserve the meat and gives it a unique flavor. Use 1 teaspoon of curing salt for every 5 pounds of ground meat.

4. Spices: Spices are responsible for the taste and flavor of venison snack sticks. You can add garlic powder, coriander, black pepper, mustard seed, and other spices of your choice.

5. Binder: A binder such as powdered milk, soy protein concentrate, or corn syrup solids is essential to prevent the venison snack sticks from crumbling.

6. Water: You need to add water to the ground meat mixture to make it moist and easy to form into sticks.

7. Snack Stick Casings: Natural or collagen casings are necessary for shaping the meat mixture into snack sticks.

8. Smoker: A smoker is required for smoking the venison snack sticks at a low temperature.

9. Wood Chips: Wood chips impart a unique smoky flavor to the venison sticks. Use applewood or hickory wood chips for best results.

10. Meat Grinder: A meat grinder is required for grinding the venison and pork fat into a fine mixture that can be easily formed into snack sticks.

Now that you have a list of all the necessary ingredients, let’s proceed to the next section to learn the step-by-step process of making delicious venison snack sticks.

Choosing the right equipment

Before you start making your venison snack sticks, it’s essential to ensure that you have the right equipment. Here are the things you need to consider:

Sausage stuffer

A sausage stuffer is a crucial tool when making venison snack sticks. It helps you stuff the meat mixture into the casings, ensuring that each stick has the right amount of filling. There are two types of sausage stuffers: electric and manual.

Electric stuffers are more convenient because they are faster and require less effort. However, they are also more expensive than manual ones. If you’re making small batches, a manual stuffer will work just fine.

Mixing bowl

A large mixing bowl is essential when making venison snack sticks. You’ll need it to mix the ground meat with the spices and curing agents before stuffing the mixture into casings.

Choose a bowl that is large enough to hold all the ingredients. Glass and stainless steel bowls are the best options as they are easy to clean and don’t absorb odours like plastic bowls.

Casings

Casings are another essential component when making venison snack sticks. They are used to hold the meat mixture together and give the snack sticks their shape.

When it comes to casings, natural casings made from animal intestines are the best option. They are more durable, have a natural look, and can be twisted or tied at the end to make individual snack sticks.

Dehydrator

A dehydrator is used to dry the venison snack sticks. While it’s possible to use an oven to dry the snack sticks, a dehydrator is a more efficient option.

When choosing a dehydrator, look for one with adjustable temperature settings, a timer, and enough trays to accommodate the number of snack sticks you plan to make.

Conclusion

Choosing the right equipment is essential when making venison snack sticks. Ensure that you have a sausage stuffer, a large mixing bowl, natural casings, and a dehydrator before you start making your snack sticks.

That’s It, Folks!

And with that, we’ve reached the end of our venison snack stick-making journey. I hope this article has been useful to you and that you’ll give this recipe a try. And if you do, I’d love to hear about your experience! Be sure to stop by again for more tips and tricks on cooking with venison and other meats. Thanks for reading, and happy snacking!