Butcher’s Guide
Beef Jerky & Sticks
Whole-muscle jerky. Ground-and-stuffed sticks. Made in our Bemidji shop — not in a factory.
Stittsworth Meats · Bemidji, MN · Real beef. Real seasoning. Short ingredient list.
Read the back of most gas-station jerky bags and you’ll find mechanically separated meat, added sugar, MSG, and a list of preservatives long enough to fill a paragraph. The reason gas-station jerky tastes flat and chewy in a weird way isn’t in the meat — it’s in the chemistry.
Butcher-shop jerky and sticks are a different category. Real beef, real seasoning, minimal preservatives. The trade is shorter shelf life. Most people consider that a feature.
Know The Difference
Jerky. Sticks. Strips.
Jerky
Sliced from whole-muscle beef — usually round or flank. Marinated, then dried.
Chewy. Meat-forward. The original portable protein.
Sticks
Ground beef + seasoning, stuffed into casings, smoked, dried.
Softer texture. More uniform seasoning. Easier on the jaw.
Strips
Wider, flatter jerky cuts. Pulls apart in layers instead of breaking off.
The middle ground. More tender than traditional jerky, more bite than a stick.
In Our Shop
How Stittsworth makes it.
01
Whole muscle in
Real beef rounds and flanks. No mechanically separated meat. No mystery trim.
02
Sliced or ground
For jerky: cut against the grain into uniform strips. For sticks: ground fine and mixed with seasoning blends.
03
Marinated or seasoned
House recipes — Original, Peppered, Teriyaki, Honey BBQ. Real soy sauce, real spices. No artificial flavors.
04
Smoked low and slow
Hours in the smokehouse at low temp. Real wood smoke, not liquid smoke flavoring.
05
Dried to spec
Pulled when texture and moisture hit the right window. Vacuum-sealed for shelf life.
The Lineup
Pick your house favorite.
All flavors available in jerky, sticks, and strips. New customer? Start with the Sampler — lets you try the full lineup before you commit.
Original
Clean beef flavor. The benchmark.
Peppered
Cracked black pepper. Heat without sweet.
Teriyaki
Sweet-savory. The crowd-pleaser.
Honey BBQ
Sweet and tangy. Family favorite.
FAQ
Common questions.
What's the difference between beef jerky and beef sticks?
Jerky is sliced from whole-muscle beef, marinated, and dried. Sticks are ground beef mixed with seasoning, stuffed into casings, smoked, and dried. Jerky is chewier and more meat-forward; sticks are softer and more uniformly seasoned.
How long does beef jerky last?
Vacuum-sealed butcher-shop jerky lasts 4–6 months at room temperature. Open packages last 2–3 weeks. Refrigerating extends shelf life.
Is butcher-shop jerky healthier than gas station jerky?
Generally yes — Stittsworth's recipes use real beef, real seasoning, and minimal preservatives. Gas station brands often use mechanically separated meat, added sugars, MSG, and stronger preservatives. Short ingredient lists are usually better.
What's the protein content?
Most beef jerky and sticks deliver 9–12g of protein per ounce. That's why they're a staple for hunters, hikers, and anyone tracking macros.
Do they need refrigeration?
Unopened vacuum-sealed: no. Opened: refrigerate for best shelf life, especially in warm weather.
Real Beef. Real Smoke. Real Short Ingredient List.
Try the lineup.
Ships nationwide. Free shipping over $125.
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