Beef Stick Clone (Jack Links/Old Wisconsin)

[Whisky]

I'm a sucker for greasy, tangy, mass produced store bought snack sticks. Two companies that come to mind that I really like are Jack Links Original sticks, and Old Wisconsin. I don't know if they are a "WI style" stick, or if such a thing even exists. Whatever they are, I like them, and would like to try to produce my own, to be used with game meat. I would practice with beef until I feel I have a decent product, and than move to a bigger batch with game.

Things that stand out:
Casing size??? They are small, thin.
Finley ground?
High in fat.
Fermented tang.
Firmer texture.

Has anybody done anything like this? Or have a starting place for recipe/work flow? What cut of beef/fat to use?

I would likely ferment in sous vide as I did that for some summer sausage before, and it worked great.

Jack Links

INGREDIENTS & NUTRITION
Ingredients:
BEEF, WATER, SALT, CORN SYRUP, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF FLAVORS, DEXTROSE, SUGAR, SODIUM ERYTHORBATE, LACTIC ACID STARTER CULTURE, CITRIC ACID, SODIUM NITRITE, BHA, BHT, COLORS (CARAMEL, RED 3, ANNATTO).

Serving Size: 1 EA
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 190
Calories from Fat: 140
% Daily Value
Total Fat: 16g (25%)
Saturated Fat: 6g (30%)
Trans Fat: 1g

Old Wisconsin

INGREDIENTS: BEEF, SALT, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: CORN SYRUP SOLIDS, NATURAL SPICES, DEXTROSE, LACTIC ACID STARTER CULTURE, NATURAL FLAVORINGS, SODIUM ERYTHORBATE (MADE FROM SUGAR), GARLIC POWDER, SODIUM NITRITE, WATER. GLUTEN FREE.

Thanks

 

[toys4dlr]

There is some great information on how to make snack stick on the Walton's Inc youtube channel. The tang your are getting is most likely from the ECA (encapsulated Citric Acid) and does firm the meat up. It has to be added last in the meat and right to stuffing. I usually leave it out, as I don't really like the tang.

I historically have mixed my own spices, but I was Covid bored needed casings and order 4 different spice blends (and hi Temp cheese) from Walton's. They were all good, but the habanero BBQ and Jalapeno were really good. I used it exactly as recommended for a 5 lb batch (the spice blends makes 25 lbs), with the pre ground 80/20 chuck chubs from Sam's as the base, and some of their Sure Jel in the mix to hold in the moisture. It was some of the best Snack Sticks I have made. It is a fun hobby.. I give more away than I eat, but that is the fun of it. Good Luck