How to Easily Make Delicious Venison Snack Sticks in Your Oven

Venison snack sticks are a tasty, protein-packed snack that is fun to make at home. While snack sticks are traditionally smoked you can achieve delicious results right in your oven with just a few simple steps.

The key is slowly cooking the seasoned venison meat at a low temperature to perfectly dry and develop flavor without overcooking. Follow this guide to learn how to make incredible venison snack sticks entirely in the oven.

Ingredients Needed

• 2 lbs ground venison
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon curing salt (optional)
• 1/4 cup beef broth or red wine
• Hickory liquid smoke
• Collagen casings

Equipment

• Food processor
• Sausage stuffer
• Tray or cooling rack
• Oven thermometer
• Instant read thermometer

Step 1: Mix the Seasonings

In a bowl, combine the brown sugar, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and curing salt if using. Mix well so flavors are distributed evenly.

Step 2: Grind and Mix the Venison

In a food processor grind the venison until it achieves a sticky, paste-like texture. Transfer venison to a large bowl.

Add beef broth or wine, 2 teaspoons of liquid smoke and the seasoning mixture. Mix by hand until thoroughly combined. Refrigerate 30 minutes.

Step 3: Stuff the Casings

Thread the collagen casings onto the sausage stuffer nozzle. Tie off one end. Stuff the ground venison mixture into the casings, leaving room between links. Twist links into 3-4 inch sticks.

Step 4: Prep for Cooking

Lay the stuffed snack sticks on a wire cooling rack placed on a rimmed baking sheet. You can also place them directly on the baking sheet.

Put an oven thermometer in the center to monitor the internal temperature. Preheat oven to 175°F.

Step 5: Cook Low and Slow

Place the baking sheet with the snack sticks in the center of the preheated 175°F oven. Cook for about 90 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 155°F.

Step 6: Brown and Crisp

Once 155°F is reached, increase oven heat to 400°F. Cook for another 5-7 minutes to brown the outside and make them crispy.

Step 7: Test for Doneness

Using an instant read thermometer, double check that snack sticks have reached an internal temperature of 165°F. This ensures they are fully cooked for food safety.

Step 8: Cool Completely

Remove from oven and allow the venison snack sticks to cool at room temperature for 30 minutes. Then refrigerate uncovered overnight to fully dry and cure before eating.

Storage Tips

• Store cooled snack sticks in a sealed container in the fridge up to 1 week.

• For longer shelf life, freeze snack sticks in an airtight freezer bag up to 2 months.

• Let frozen snack sticks thaw overnight in the fridge before eating.

Serving Suggestions

• Enjoy venison snack sticks as a high protein snack.

• Chop up and add to pasta sauce, pizza, eggs or salad.

• Serve alongside crackers and cheese for an easy appetizer.

With this simple oven method, you can easily make incredible venison snack sticks at home. The slow cooking and low temperature perfectly dries the meat while developing amazing flavor.

FAQs

What is the best venison cut for snack sticks?

Ground venison shoulder is ideal for snack sticks due to its good fat content. Avoid extremely lean cuts like loin or leg. Always use 80/20 or 85/15 ground venison.

Do you need to add fat to venison?

If using 80/20 ground venison, additional fat shouldn’t be necessary. For leaner venison around 90/10, add 10-15% ground pork fatback to keep the meat moist and juicy.

Why soak casings before stuffing?

Soaking softens and hydrates collagen casings, making them more pliable and less likely to tear when stuffing. Soak in warm water for 30-60 minutes.

Can you eat venison medium rare?

Venison is often eaten medium rare. However, snack sticks should always reach an internal temperature of 165°F since the meat is ground, not whole cuts.

How long do venison snack sticks last refrigerated?

Properly stored in the fridge, venison snack sticks will keep for 5-7 days. For longer shelf life, freeze venison snack sticks for 2-3 months.

Looking for an easy, budget-friendly homemade snack the whole family will devour? Whip up a batch of scrumptious oven-baked venison snack sticks. Their big flavor and satisfying crunch make them irresistible!