<![CDATA[All Beef Snack Stick Texture]]>I’ve made about 350 pounds of beef snack sticks within the last couple weeks. The sticks turned out pretty good but I feel that there’s always room for improvement. The snap, smoke, and flavor is good. The thing I’m trying to nail down is the texture. Any master beef stick makers on here have any advice for improving the texture? I’m wondering about the grind size and length of mixing time? Do I need more protein extraction? Would the texture be better with a higher fat to lean ratio? 80/20 compared to 70/30? Also is there any go to additives that would help with the texture? I’m wondering if the amount of water added has a significant effect on the texture as well? A lot to think about here but any help is appreciated!

]]>https://waltonsdev.nodebb.com/topic/5112/all-beef-snack-stick-textureRSS for NodeThu, 10 Sep 2026 21:03:09 GMTSat, 05 Mar 2022 16:23:53 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to All Beef Snack Stick Texture on Mon, 07 Mar 2022 05:04:41 GMT]]>samspade said in All Beef Snack Stick Texture:

Can you over mix? If no encapsulated CA.

By hand it would be very hard, but the meat temp does rise since body heat is being transferred to the meat so in that sense I guess you could say it is possible. Using powered mixing you can start to incorporate air into the batter so “they” say, I cannot say I have ever experienced that problem.

]]>https://waltonsdev.nodebb.com/post/72052https://waltonsdev.nodebb.com/post/72052Mon, 07 Mar 2022 05:04:41 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All Beef Snack Stick Texture on Mon, 07 Mar 2022 01:31:09 GMT]]>samspade pretty tough to hand over mix for protein extraction, especially 350lbs, LOL. On a serious note even mixing a small batch to the over mixing point is something rare, under mixing is more the norm. I spend close to that much time mixing a 10lb meat block for protein extraction.

]]>https://waltonsdev.nodebb.com/post/72028https://waltonsdev.nodebb.com/post/72028Mon, 07 Mar 2022 01:31:09 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All Beef Snack Stick Texture on Sun, 06 Mar 2022 23:48:21 GMT]]>Can you over mix? If no encapsulated CA.

]]>https://waltonsdev.nodebb.com/post/72009https://waltonsdev.nodebb.com/post/72009Sun, 06 Mar 2022 23:48:21 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All Beef Snack Stick Texture on Sun, 06 Mar 2022 23:25:51 GMT]]>BRYARRR_80 my consensus would be like others above, my initial was not enough protein extraction followed by grind and moisture.

]]>https://waltonsdev.nodebb.com/post/72003https://waltonsdev.nodebb.com/post/72003Sun, 06 Mar 2022 23:25:51 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All Beef Snack Stick Texture on Sun, 06 Mar 2022 02:50:50 GMT]]>BRYARRR_80 If you hand mixed 350 lbs of snack sticks, you have my respect, Sir.
You might want to invest in a mechanical mixer if you intend to do the large volumes. A mechanical mixer will allow you to get good protein extraction with considerably less effort.

]]>https://waltonsdev.nodebb.com/post/71922https://waltonsdev.nodebb.com/post/71922Sun, 06 Mar 2022 02:50:50 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All Beef Snack Stick Texture on Sun, 06 Mar 2022 01:33:00 GMT]]>BRYARRR_80 mrobisr summed it up, especially “when you think you have mixed enough, then mix more” for protein extraction
I like Sure Gel as a binder

]]>https://waltonsdev.nodebb.com/post/71911https://waltonsdev.nodebb.com/post/71911Sun, 06 Mar 2022 01:33:00 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All Beef Snack Stick Texture on Sat, 05 Mar 2022 23:16:40 GMT]]>first I think that you don’t have enough protein extraction when you pull it ,it should stretch and not just separate ,pork fat is creamer and fat is a flavor carrier ,grind through the coarse plate then the fine might give you a better texture

]]>https://waltonsdev.nodebb.com/post/71872https://waltonsdev.nodebb.com/post/71872Sat, 05 Mar 2022 23:16:40 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All Beef Snack Stick Texture on Sat, 05 Mar 2022 22:56:09 GMT]]>BRYARRR_80 said in All Beef Snack Stick Texture:

glen I personally feel like it’s still a pretty grainy texture. I’d like it to be a little more uniform and emulsified rather than crumbly.

Lack of a binder or enough, not enough liquid, and the most common problem just not enough protein extraction/mixing. You can add up 10% liquid and that really helps with stuffing small sized casings and then when you think you have mixed enough, then mix more. It sounds like adding more liquid and mixing longer will make the tight stick you want. I just cut this stick and you can see the texture for reference.
20220305_165328.jpg

]]>https://waltonsdev.nodebb.com/post/71867https://waltonsdev.nodebb.com/post/71867Sat, 05 Mar 2022 22:56:09 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All Beef Snack Stick Texture on Sat, 05 Mar 2022 20:02:55 GMT]]>BRYARRR_80 I would grind it one time through the course grind and two times through fine-grained give it better snap

]]>https://waltonsdev.nodebb.com/post/71845https://waltonsdev.nodebb.com/post/71845Sat, 05 Mar 2022 20:02:55 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All Beef Snack Stick Texture on Sat, 05 Mar 2022 19:59:46 GMT]]>BRYARRR_80 20 lbs lean meat 5lb beef fat. Grind fat 1/8” then grind meat 3/8 then thoroughly mix meat and fat then grind mixture 1/8” then add spices,water,cure, and binder. Hand mix very thoroughly . I Only use Con Yeager Circle S binder or Powered Milk as binder. 1 lb per 25 lb of product. Also I keep ingredients very cold throughout process and stuff. This process has consistently given me great results whether snack sticks or summer sausage.

]]>https://waltonsdev.nodebb.com/post/71843https://waltonsdev.nodebb.com/post/71843Sat, 05 Mar 2022 19:59:46 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All Beef Snack Stick Texture on Sat, 05 Mar 2022 18:20:08 GMT]]>glen I personally feel like it’s still a pretty grainy texture. I’d like it to be a little more uniform and emulsified rather than crumbly.

]]>https://waltonsdev.nodebb.com/post/71837https://waltonsdev.nodebb.com/post/71837Sat, 05 Mar 2022 18:20:08 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All Beef Snack Stick Texture on Sat, 05 Mar 2022 18:14:28 GMT]]>Jamieson22 doing a double grind through an 1/8inch plate then mixing for 3-4 minutes while I add in seasoning and cure.

]]>https://waltonsdev.nodebb.com/post/71836https://waltonsdev.nodebb.com/post/71836Sat, 05 Mar 2022 18:14:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All Beef Snack Stick Texture on Sat, 05 Mar 2022 18:09:28 GMT]]>BRYARRR_80 Also describe the texture you get vs what you want

]]>https://waltonsdev.nodebb.com/post/71835https://waltonsdev.nodebb.com/post/71835Sat, 05 Mar 2022 18:09:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All Beef Snack Stick Texture on Sat, 05 Mar 2022 17:30:52 GMT]]>Might help to know your current process. What grind are you doing and how are you mixing it?

]]>https://waltonsdev.nodebb.com/post/71832https://waltonsdev.nodebb.com/post/71832Sat, 05 Mar 2022 17:30:52 GMT