BEEF SNACK STICKS

If you love high-protein snacks but prefer something clean and simple, these homemade BEEF SNACK STICKS hit the mark. They’re made with minimal ingredients—just ground beef, salt, black pepper, garlic, and thyme—and dehydrated to chewy perfection. Best of all, you don’t need casings or fancy equipment—just a piping bag (or heavy-duty baking bag or even a ziplock bag) and your dehydrator.

These snack sticks make the perfect grab-and-go fuel for workouts, travel, or everyday snacking. They’re also completely grain-free, sugar-free, and keto- or carnivore-friendly.

Schools often ask parents to pack “dry” snacks, and these fit the bill perfectly—much healthier than the usual Goldfish, chips, or cookies.

These no-casing beef snack sticks are an easy and satisfying way to make your own protein snacks at home—no preservatives, fillers, or sugar needed. Whether you eat keto, carnivore, or just want to ditch processed snacks, this recipe gives you pure flavor and lasting energy.

Carnivore purist: Skip the herbs and season with just salt.

Prep Time5

Cook Time6

Total Time6 5

Course: Snack

Keyword: beef dehydrator, beef snack sticks, carnivore, carnivore and keto friendly, healthy snack, homemade beef jerky, keto

Servings: sticks

Calories: 66kcal

Equipment

1 dehydrator

Ingredients

2 lbs ground beef extra lean
1 ⅓ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried thyme

OPTIONAL

¼ tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp smoked paprika

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine the ground beef with salt, pepper, garlic, and thyme. Use your hands to mix thoroughly until the seasonings are evenly distributed. Kneading well helps the protein bind, giving you firmer sticks after drying.
Fill a sturdy piping bag or zip-top baking bag with the beef mixture. Cut a ½-inch opening at the tip. (If you have a jerky gun, that works perfectly too.) Keep the meat mixture cold for easier piping (store it in a fridge in the bag until ready to pipe).
On your dehydrator trays, pipe long, even sticks to desired length. Leave space between each one for air circulation.
Set your dehydrator or oven to the lowest setting, about 160°F to 170°F. Let the sticks dry for 4–6 hours, or until they feel firm and have lost their pink color. Just keep in mind that the exact time will depend on your dehydrator and how thick your sticks are.
Let the snack sticks cool completely, then transfer them to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to a week, or freeze for longer storage.

Video

Nutrition