Do Venison Snack Sticks Need to be Refrigerated?

Venison snack sticks are a tasty and convenient snack that many hunters enjoy making with the meat from their deer harvests. However, there is often some confusion around whether these cured and smoked sausages need to be refrigerated or if they can be safely stored at room temperature. In this article, we’ll take a close look at venison snack sticks and refrigeration to help clear things up.

What are Venison Snack Sticks?

Venison snack sticks are a type of sausage made by curing and smoking strips of venison meat. They are similar to beef jerky in their portability and shelf-stable nature, but have a softer chewier texture thanks to their higher fat content.

The basic process for making venison snack sticks is

• Cut venison into long, thin strips
• Cure the meat by rubbing a mixture of salt, sugar, and nitrite-based curing salt into the strips
• Allow the meat to cure for 1-2 days in the refrigerator
• Optionally apply spices and seasonings like pepper, garlic, etc.
• Smoke the seasoned meat at low temperatures (150-180°F)
• Air dry the snack sticks until the desired texture is reached

The curing process preserves the meat by inhibiting bacterial growth Smoking adds flavor and cooks the meat Air drying at the end firms up the texture.

Do Snack Sticks Require Refrigeration?

Because they are salty, cured, and low in water, venison snack sticks are meant to stay fresh at room temperature for a while after being smoked. But this shelf life is short, and for longer term storage, you still need to keep it cool.

According to experts, venison snack sticks will remain fresh for 1-2 weeks when properly stored in a cool, dry place. The USDA recommends refrigerating opened packages within 1-2 days and unopened packages within 1-2 weeks for maximum safety and quality. For storage beyond 2 weeks, they should be frozen.

Even though snack sticks don’t have to go straight from the smoker to the fridge, they still need to be kept cool for longer than a few days.

Why Refrigeration is Needed

There are two main factors that limit the shelf stability of venison snack sticks:

1. Risk of Pathogen Growth

Dangerous bacteria like Listeria and Salmonella can grow even at room temperature given enough time. Refrigeration at 40°F or below prevents this growth and keeps snacks sticks safe to eat.

2. Loss of Quality

Over time, venison’s fats can oxidize and turn rancid. Refrigeration slows this process down and preserves snack sticks’ flavor and texture.

So for both food safety and quality reasons, venison snack sticks need refrigeration for all but very short term storage.

Proper Refrigerated Storage

To get the most out of refrigerated storage, venison snack sticks should be kept:

• In the coldest part of the refrigerator, ideally at 40°F or slightly below
• In a sealed container or bag to prevent drying out
• Away from high humidity areas like the fridge door where condensation can form
• For no more than 2-3 weeks before freezing

Vacuum sealing snack stick packages can help extend their fridge life by preventing moisture loss. But they should still be used within 2-3 weeks.

Freezing venison snack sticks for storage beyond 3 weeks is recommended. They will keep for 3-6 months in a freezer before quality starts to decline.

Signs Snack Sticks Have Gone Bad

Watch for these signs that your venison snack sticks have spoiled and should be discarded:

• Mold – any colorful mold is a sign of spoilage
• Sliminess – a sticky, shiny, or tacky texture
• Off odors – rancid, sour, or ammonia-like smells
• Discoloration – greenish, grayish, or brownish tinges

When in doubt, remember the old adage – “When in doubt, throw it out!” Don’t take risks with foodborne illnesses.

Storing Unrefrigerated Snack Sticks Safely

If you do want to store snack sticks without refrigeration, follow these guidelines to minimize the risks:

• Keep storage time as short as possible, under 1 week
• Store in a cool, dry, dark place around 70°F
• Monitor closely and discard at any signs of spoilage
• Limit humidity exposure to prevent mold growth
• Never leave unrefrigerated sticks out for more than 2 weeks

Making smaller batches and promptly refrigerating leftovers is the safest approach. Only prepare what you expect to consume within 1-2 weeks.

Drying Snack Sticks for Room Temperature Storage

It is possible to fully dry venison snack sticks into a shelf-stable product similar to beef jerky. However, this requires drying to very low moisture levels of 10-15%.

To dry snack sticks for room temperature storage:

• Smoke at lowest possible temperatures, ideally under 150°F
• Hang sticks without touching and allow air circulation
• Use a dehydrator on the lowest “jerky” setting
• Test moisture levels with a hydrometre before storing without refrigeration
• Expect the drying process to take days or even weeks

Without precise control of temperature and humidity though, achieving adequate drying at home can be difficult. For long term storage, refrigeration or freezing is usually a safer choice.

The Bottom Line

While their salty, smoked nature gives venison snack sticks some shelf stability, refrigeration is still needed for all but very short term storage of 1-2 weeks maximum. To safely preserve quality and avoid pathogen risks, venison snack sticks should be refrigerated for 2-3 weeks and frozen for longer term storage. With proper chilled storage, snack sticks can be safely enjoyed for months after smoking.