Snack Sticks

Fireline Jack Sticks

Jalapeño Pepper Jack Style Snack Sticks

Fireline Jack Sticks
Internal temp
152°F (67°C)
Smoker temp
130-175°F (54-79°C)
Casing size
19-21 mm
Casing
All Natural Sheep Casings
Bloom
1-2 hours

What goes in it

Amounts are calculated for your batch weight in the app — including the cure, which is held at a fixed, food-safe rate.

The meat

Lean Wild Game · Lean Beef · Pork Butt · Pork Shoulder

How it's made

  1. Grind meat through a 1/4" plate.
  2. Add dry seasonings to ground meat and mix to distribute evenly.
  3. Dissolve cure in ice cold water, then add to meat. Mix until tacky — the meat should feel sticky and cling to your hand.
  4. Fold in high-temp pepper jack cheese by hand — do not over-mix.
  5. Stuff into 19-21mm all natural sheep casings.
  6. Hang at room temperature for 1-2 hours to bloom. The casings should feel dry to the touch.
  7. Place in smoker and dry at 130°F for 1 hour.
  8. Raise to 150°F and apply smoke for 2 hours.
  9. Raise to 175°F until internal temp reaches 152°F. Important: Do not let your smoker exceed 180°F. Even if your smoker is set at or below 180°F, the actual temperature can spike higher — monitor closely.
  10. Cold shower immediately to prevent cheese from melting out. (Optional — an ice bath is not required. It is personal preference; many just let them cool at room temp, or outside in cold weather. Just cool them down promptly.)
  11. If snack sticks are softer than you prefer, hang them in the fridge or a cool dry area for a few days to firm up and dry out to your liking.

Wood

Hickory · Cherry · Mesquite

Safety

  • Keep meat below 40°F during grinding and mixing
  • Do not exceed 175°F smoker temperature or fat may render
  • Cook to 152°F internal temperature