Keeping Venison Snack Sticks Fresh: To Refrigerate or Not Refrigerate?

Making tasty venison snack sticks is a favorite project for hunters after a successful deer season. But once you put in the work to makemouthwatering smoked venison sticks, you want to make sure they stay fresh and flavorful. So do homemade venison snack sticks require refrigeration or are they shelf stable?

How Snack Sticks Are Preserved

There are a few ways artisanal meat processors help snack sticks last without constant refrigeration

• Curing – Using nitrites and nitrates inhibits bacteria growth

• Drying – Removing moisture makes it harder for microbes to thrive.

• Cooking – Heating to 160°F kills pathogens and enzymes.

• Acidification – Fermenting lowers pH to make life tough for nasties.

• Packaging – Vacuum sealing prevents recontamination,

For longest shelf life without refrigeration, commercial snack sticks use a combination of these preservation methods.

Do Homemade Venison Sticks Need Refrigeration?

With homemade venison summer sausage and snack sticks, the answer depends on your recipe and process.

Here are some factors that determine if refrigeration is required:

• Curing – Did your recipe contain nitrites/nitrates? If not, refrigeration is necessary.

• Drying – Home drying often doesn’t achieve the same moisture levels as commercial processing.

• Cooking – Internal temperature should hit at least 155°F.

• Fermentation – Allows bacteria like Lactobacillus to grow, inhibiting bad bugs. But home fermentation may not fully acidify.

• Packaging – Vacuum sealing prevents recontamination of dried sticks.

For full shelf stability, advanced techniques and meticulous sanitation are needed to replicate commercial conditions at home.

Best Practices for Venison Snack Sticks

To maximize freshness of homemade venison snack sticks:

• Use curing salts containing nitrite and/or nitrate.

• Allow sticks to fully dry if holding without refrigeration.

• Cook to at least 155°F internal temperature.

• Consider starter cultures to drop pH through fermentation.

• Package in vacuum sealed bags with oxygen absorbers.

• Refrigerate or freeze for longest lasting results.

Curing, drying, cooking and vacuum sealing provide the best insurance against spoilage organisms. But when in doubt, play it safe by keeping venison snack sticks chilled.

Refrigerating Properly

To optimize refrigerated shelf life:

• Let sticks cool completely before packing. Refrigerating when still warm can cause condensation.

• Separate sticks from each other so air can circulate. Prevent close contact and moisture buildup.

• Use breathable packaging like butcher paper or mesh bags. Avoid airtight containers or plastic wrap.

• Store sticks on refrigerator shelves rather than in drawers to allow air flow. Drawers are more humid.

• Refrigerate at 40°F or below. Don’t overcrowd fridge.

• Eat refrigerated sticks within 3 weeks for best flavor, texture and safety. Discard if any odor or sliminess develops.

Freezing for Maximum Freshness

For longest shelf life, venison snack sticks freeze beautifully:

• Flash freeze sticks spread out on trays before vacuum sealing or storing in freezer bags.

• Exclude as much air as possible and use moisture-proof freezer packaging.

• Venison’s leanness makes it perfect for freezing. Very low fat content means no rancidity issues.

• Frozen properly at 0°F, venison sticks easily last a full year without deterioration.

• Thaw refrigerated overnight before eating for food safety.

Freezing locks in the freshly made flavors and texture almost indefinitely.

Storing Without Refrigeration

Is it ever ok to store venison snack sticks at room temperature? Here are a few guidelines:

• Keep sticks as dry as possible. Humidity causes fast spoilage without refrigeration.

• Only leave unrefrigerated up to 2 days. Risk of bacteria grows quickly without chill.

• Discard any sticks that feel sticky or slimy or smell unpleasant. Don’t take chances.

• If you see any mold, toss the entire batch. Mold can harbor dangerous toxins.

Unless you are positive your snack stick recipe and process are proven shelf stable, refrigeration is strongly recommended for homemade venison sticks.

Snack Safely on Venison Sticks

When venison snack stick safety is vital, stick with refrigeration or freezing. But with careful curing, drying, fermenting and sealing, it is possible to store properly made venison sticks without chilling. Just stick to best practices and listen to your nose – if in any doubt, throw sticks out! Follow proper storage and enjoy your venison snack sticks to the very last bite.