Meat and Protein Products

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Flavor. Function. Food-Safety Confidence.

At Alchemy in the Kitchen, we develop and commercialize meat snacks and protein-forward products that balance flavor, texture, and shelf stability with USDA and regulatory compliance. From jerky and meat sticks to hybrid protein innovations, we help brands bring safe, scalable, and delicious products to market.

 

Our experience spans both culinary product design and plant-level operations—ensuring your product runs smoothly through formulation, processing, and packaging.

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Turnkey Commercialization

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Brand-Owned IP

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Deep Supplier Network

Meat and Protein Product Development Services

Custom Formulation and Development

  • Jerky, meat stick, and dried meat snack development (beef, poultry, alternative proteins)

  • Marinade, cure, and flavor system design for optimal taste and texture

  • Formulation for specific nutritional targets (high-protein, low-sugar, low-sodium)

  • Development of hybrid and flexitarian protein formats

Food Safety and Regulatory Compliance

  • USDA process review and labeling guidance

  • HACCP and PCQI program development and support

  • Water activity, pH, and lethality validation for shelf stability

  • Ingredient and additive compliance (nitrate/nitrite alternatives, natural preservatives)

Shelf Stability and Texture Solutions

  • Optimized water activity for shelf-stable or refrigerated formats

  • Moisture migration prevention and structure retention

  • Anti-staling strategies for extended freshness and quality

Production and Commercialization Support

  • Co-manufacturer sourcing for bar and extruded product lines

  • Ingredient sourcing, vetting, and vendor alignment

  • On-site or remote support during bench and line trials

  • Final specification, QA documentation, and transfer-ready formulation handoff

Close-up of a gourmet meat platter with dried peppers and an orange slice on a black slate.
Close-up of savory beef jerky slices with a spicy powder on a wooden spoon creating a flavorful combination.

Let's Build Your Next Meat or Protein Snack Together!

From jerky to hybrid protein formats, we’ll help you create a product that meets today’s clean-label, high-protein demand—and runs flawlessly at scale.

Start Your Project

Our Specialties

Bakery and Savory Snacks

Clean-label crackers, chips, biscuits, and baked snacks designed for great taste, texture, and manufacturability.

Snack and Protein Bars

High-protein, functional, and better-for-you bars built for stability, shelf life, and cost efficiency.

Gummies and Fruit Snacks

Natural, pectin- or gelatin-based gummies and fruit snacks—clean label claims, great chew, and nutritional integrity.

Beverages

Ready-to-drink (RTD), functional, and wellness beverages—from concept through formulation, pilot, and scale-up.

Meat and Protein Products

Jerky, meat sticks, and protein-forward snacks formulated for flavor, shelf stability, and USDA compliance.

Fruit-Based and Clean Label

Real fruit derived ingredient products–optimized for clean-label positioning and scale.

"I wholeheartedly endorse Gabriel Claycamp (Founder & CEO of Alchemy in the Kitchen) as a skilled innovator and formulator in any category of better-for-you consumer products. His unique blend of expertise, creativity, and commitment to excellence make him an invaluable asset to any organization."
Icon Foods, IncThom King, CIO
I really enjoyed working with Gabriel on my product, After Burner Hot Agave. It was definitely a test of grit with all the extra hoops we had to jump through for approval, but we got it done. I’d be glad to work with him again on future Hot Agave projects!
Saria's KitchenSara Springer, CEO
Gabe is a powerhouse. He has incredible ingredient knowledge, a creative genius, and a passionate chef’s palate. Gabe brings a wide array of unbelievable food product development experience to the table—all of which shine through in his work.
NewTree Fruit Co.Chad Anderson
Gabe is a true innovator—creative, knowledgeable, and a skilled facilitator. He not only develops exceptional recipes but also bridges the gap with co-manufacturers to ensure production at the right cost. When challenges arise, like switching manufacturers, Gabe acts quickly, minimizing downtime and keeping operations on track. His unique combination of expertise in formulation, packaging, and co-manufacturing is rare in this industry and saves both time and money. The depth of his knowledge is remarkable—he’s worth his weight in gold.
TastiZack Smith, CEO
Working with Gabe at Alchemy has been an incredible experience. I’m a creator who knows very little about the business side of CPG, and the services they’ve provided have allowed me to reach nearly a $1M run rate while staying focused on what I do best, which is simply creating content around the product. Any setbacks or obstacles have been handled immediately, with Gabe even booking flights on 1-day notice to resolve issues in person. The hands-on support I’ve received has truly made my dream become a reality. 10/10 would recommend.
Care Free KitchenIrick Wiggins, CEO

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Alchemy in the Kitchen helps CPG brands bring new food and beverage products to market by providing R&D, commercialization, and operational support. Our services include formulation, sample development, co-manufacturer alignment, bench and line trial coordination, packaging consulting, and fractional product management.

Food product development is the process of transforming a food or beverage idea into a market-ready product. It includes recipe formulation, ingredient sourcing, packaging design, shelf-life testing, and scaling with manufacturers to ensure the product is safe, profitable, and ready for commercial launch.

Yes. We support early-stage founders who are still shaping their first SKU as well as established brands scaling into commercial production. Our services are tiered so we can meet you wherever you are — whether you’re building your first formula or preparing for your third line trial.

Absolutely. Alchemy helps source, vet, and align with co-manufacturers that fit your product and scale goals. We’ll facilitate introductions, manage technical handoff, and support you through bench and line trials so you’re not navigating the process alone.

Yes. We offer flexible consulting support for brands that need help solving a particular challenge — whether it’s a formulation that won’t scale, a co-man trial that failed, or ingredient sourcing trouble. You don’t need to sign on for a full package to work with us. Take a look at all of our services here. 

We do. Our Fractional Product Operations service is designed for brands that need experienced help managing production, co-man relationships, vendor communication, and supply chain logistics — without hiring a full-time operations team.

A bench trial is a small-batch test at your co-manufacturer’s facility to adjust the formula for their equipment and processes. A line trial is a full production run that validates your product under commercial conditions — using real packaging, timing, and QA processes. Alchemy supports you through both.

No — and that’s intentional. We stay focused on technical execution, product feasibility, and launch readiness. If you need help with branding, sales, or go-to-market strategy, we’re happy to refer you to trusted partners.

No. All formulas created through our engagements are 100% client-owned. You maintain full rights to use, scale, or transfer your product however you choose.

We work across a wide range of food and beverage categories, including baked goods, condiments, sauces, ready-to-drink, snacks, functional foods, and plant-based products. Not sure if your product is a fit? Contact us and we’ll be happy to discuss it.