The summer grilling season is upon us, and that means lots of opportunities to entertain! These BBQ Stuffed Jalapeno Peppers are easy to make from a variety of ingredients, use your favorites or just what you have on hand. You can use brisket, pulled pork, smoked sausage, bratwurst, whatever meat you prefer, as well as whatever combination of cheeses. This round I used shredded smoked chicken that I smoked in the #Smokinlounge at the Double N Ranch the day before and a blend of equal parts cream cheese and grated cheddar, and topped it with my own Chipotle BBQ sauce. Watch for that one available for sale as soon as MasterChef allows!
These tasty little peppers can be made the day before and refrigerated until ready for the final cook, or frozen for up to 2 months and brought to room temperature and finished off on the grill, in the oven or even the microwave when you are ready to serve. Super easy, and parboiling and removing the seeds and ribs of the jalapenos takes a bit of the bite out of them. Use your favorite bacon and barbecue sauce to personalize them even more! Y'all enjoy, and let me know how you personalize yours! ~ Newton
BBQ Stuffed Jalapenos
Ingredients:
1 dozen medium sized fresh Jalapenos 1 C Grated Cheese – any combination you’d like, I prefer equal parts Grated Cheddar and Cream Cheese 1 C Smoked Pulled Pork, Chopped Brisket, Smoked Sausage, Bratwurst or Smoked Chicken 1 t Kosher Salt 1 t Fine Ground Black Pepper 1 t Garlic Powder 12 slices Bacon, cut in half 24 Toothpicks 1 C Barbeque Sauce
Instructions: 1. Preheat grill to 350° or oven to 400°. 2. In large stock pot, boil water to pre-cook Jalapenos. 3. Par-boil Jalapenos for 1-2 minutes until they turn pale green, remove and drain, then slice in half lengthwise and remove seeds and ribs. 4. In medium mixing bowl, combine Meat, Cheese, Salt, Pepper and Garlic Powder. 5. Stuff Jalapenos with Smoked Meat and Cheese mixture, wrap with Bacon, secure with Toothpicks. 6. Place Stuffed Jalapenos, cheese side up, on preheated Grill racks or baking sheet (use baking sheet if cooking with direct heat, place on grill racks if using indirect heat) or in 400° oven and cook until bacon is crisped to your liking. In a pinch, you can microwave these guys for about 1 ½ - 2 minutes on high to finish them off. 7. In last minute or two of cooking, drizzle Stuffed Jalapenos liberally with your favorite Barbeque sauce.
* These may be prepared and stuffed the day before and refrigerated on baking sheet, then baked just before serving. May also freeze for up to 2 months, then brought to room temperature and baked when ready to serve.