Xanthan Gum Free Whole30 Beef Snack Sticks
Homemade snack sticks hit differently when you know exactly what went into them — and this recipe delivers serious deli-counter flavor using nothing but real spices, ground beef, and collagen casings. Smoked paprika, garlic, onion, mustard powder, and a kick of cayenne build a bold, layered seasoning that gets even better after an overnight rest in the fridge. The beauty here is that the ingredient list is completely clean — no fillers, no binders, no thickeners of any kind, so anyone avoiding additives like xanthan gum can snack without a second thought. Collagen casings do the structural work naturally, giving you that satisfying snap without anything artificial holding things together. Whether you run them through a smoker for deep, woodsy flavor or use your oven on its lowest setting, the slow cook brings the internal temperature up safely while keeping the texture firm and chewy all the way through. These are the kind of protein-packed snacks that make road trips, lunchboxes, and post-workout hunger feel a lot more manageable.
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Learn more →Ingredients
12 servings
- 2 lb ground beef (80/20)
- 1 tsp curing salt (prague powder #1)
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper, coarsely ground
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp mustard powder
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 2 tbsp cold water
- 12 collagen casings (19mm), soaked per package directions
Instructions
- 1
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, curing salt, kosher salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, mustard powder, red pepper flakes, and cayenne (if using). Add the cold water. Mix with your hands or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on low speed for 2–3 minutes, until the mixture is tacky and holds together when pressed between your fingers.
- 2
Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight to allow the curing salt to work through the meat and the flavors to develop.
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