Smoked Paprika: Adds smoky complexity and vibrant color to the filling.
For Optional Finishing:
BBQ Sauce: Adds tangy, sweet glaze for extra flavor dimension; choose your favorite style.
For Cooking Accessories:
Toothpicks: Help secure bacon around stuffed peppers if needed.
Wood Chips (Hickory, Cherry, Pecan): Provide distinctive smoky undertones during cooking.
Gear For Smoked Beef Bacon Jalapeno Poppers Recipe
Smoker: Essential for infusing smoky flavor and cooking poppers evenly at 250F.
Mixing bowl: Perfect for combining cream cheese, meats, and spices smoothly.
Sharp knife: Needed to halve jalapenos and prepare ingredients cleanly.
Cutting board: Provides clean surface for preparing ingredients.
Toothpicks: Helpful for securing beef bacon around jalapeno poppers.
Pastry spoon or small spoon: Great for filling jalapeno halves with cheese mixture.
BBQ brush: Optional tool for applying BBQ glaze during final smoking stage.
How To Make Smoked Beef Bacon Jalapeno Poppers
Fire Up The Smoker Unleash smoky magic by cranking your smoker to a sizzling 250F. Grab hickory, cherry, or pecan wood chips to infuse mouthwatering flavor.
Create Creamy Explosion Mix cream cheese, cheddar, pepper jack, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and cooked ground beef in a bowl. Blend until silky smooth.
Jalapeno Transformation Slice jalapenos and generously stuff them with your killer cheese mixture. Don't hold back on the filling!
Bacon Wrap Hug Drape each stuffed jalapeno with a strip of beef bacon. Secure with a toothpick if needed, creating a crispy flavor fortress.
Smoky Infusion Place poppers directly on smoker grates. Let them dance in smoky goodness for 1½ to 2 hours until bacon turns irresistibly crispy and peppers become tender.
Glaze And Elevate During the final 15 minutes, brush poppers with BBQ sauce for an extra flavor punch that'll make taste buds sing.
Devour And Celebrate Pull poppers from the smoker, let them cool slightly, and prepare for a flavor explosion. Dig in while they're hot and incredible!
Tasty Ideas For Smoked Beef Bacon Jalapeno Poppers
Heat Management Hack: Remove jalapeno seeds and membranes to reduce spiciness while keeping delicious pepper flavor intact.
Bacon Brilliance: Choose thin-cut beef bacon for crispier wrapping and more even cooking around jalapeno poppers.
Make-Ahead Magic: Assemble poppers up to 24 hours in advance and store refrigerated, then smoke just before serving for maximum convenience.
Dietary Flexibility: Swap beef bacon with turkey bacon for lower-fat version or use plant-based bacon alternatives for vegetarian guests.
Cheese Creativity: Experiment with different cheese combinations like goat cheese, blue cheese, or smoked gouda to create unique flavor profiles that complement the smoky essence of the dish.
Serve Smoked Beef Bacon Jalapeno Poppers Hot
Flavor Explosion Platter: Create a rustic wooden board with the poppers artfully arranged, sprinkled with fresh chopped chives or cilantro for a vibrant color pop and herbal freshness.
Dipping Delight Station: Prepare complementary sauces like cool ranch, zesty chipotle aioli, or tangy sour cream to balance the poppers' spicy and smoky profile.
Game Day Companion: Serve alongside crispy tortilla chips, coleslaw, or grilled corn to turn these poppers into a complete crowd-pleasing appetizer spread perfect for sports gatherings or backyard parties.
Cocktail Pairing Magic: Match these smoky poppers with cold Mexican beer, spicy margaritas, or a crisp white wine that cuts through the rich, bold flavors of the dish.
Store Smoked Beef Bacon Jalapeno Poppers Properly
Smart Meal Prep Magic: Slice peppers and prepare filling mixture up to 24 hours before smoking, storing separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator to save time on cooking day.
Freezer-Friendly Batch: Assemble uncooked poppers, layer between parchment paper in freezer-safe containers, and store up to 3 months for quick future appetizers that reheat beautifully.
Leftover Love Strategy: Refrigerate cooked poppers in sealed containers for 3-4 days, reheating gently in oven at 350F to maintain crispy bacon and prevent soggy texture.
Temperature Safety Tip: Always keep dairy-based fillings and beef bacon below 40F when storing, and consume within recommended food safety timeframes to guarantee delicious, safe eating experience.
Classic jalapeno poppers with smoked beef bacon elevate game-day appetizers to new heights. Spicy peppers stuffed with creamy cheese and wrapped in smoky bacon create an irresistible snack you cannot resist.
Ingredients
Scale
12 large jalapenos, halved and seeds removed
8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, softened
½ cup (120 ml) shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup (120 ml) shredded pepper jack cheese
½ cup (120 ml) cooked ground beef (or smoked brisket, finely chopped)
12 slices beef bacon (cut in half)
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
½ tsp smoked paprika
¼ cup (60 ml) BBQ sauce
Toothpicks (to secure bacon)
Instructions
Prep Smoker: Ignite the smoker to a consistent 250F, utilizing aromatic woods like hickory, cherry, or pecan to impart deep, smoky undertones into the dish.
Craft Filling: Thoroughly blend cream cheese, cheddar, pepper jack, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and finely chopped cooked ground beef or brisket until achieving a velvety, homogeneous texture.
Prepare Jalapeños: Slice peppers lengthwise, delicately removing seeds to control heat intensity, then lavishly fill each half with the rich, creamy meat mixture.
Bacon Wrap: Encase each stuffed jalapeño with a half slice of beef bacon, securing with toothpicks if needed to maintain structural integrity.
Smoke and Glaze: Position bacon-wrapped poppers on smoker grates, allowing them to slowly transform over 1.5 to 2 hours until bacon turns golden and crisp, jalapeños become tender. During the final 15 minutes, brush with tangy BBQ sauce for an additional flavor dimension and glossy finish.
Serve: Remove from smoker, let rest momentarily, and present while still warm, inviting guests to experience the complex interplay of smoky, spicy, and savory notes.
Notes
Manage Jalapeño Heat: Carefully remove all seeds and white membranes to reduce spiciness, ensuring a milder experience for heat-sensitive guests while maintaining the pepper’s signature flavor.
Select Quality Bacon: Choose thick-cut beef bacon with good marbling to guarantee crispy texture and prevent burning during the extended smoking process.
Cheese Mixture Consistency: Mix cheese filling thoroughly but avoid overmixing, which can create a dense texture; aim for a smooth, spreadable consistency that holds its shape when stuffing peppers.
Smoke Wood Pairing: Match wood selection carefully – hickory provides bold flavor, cherry adds subtle sweetness, and pecan offers a balanced, mild smokiness that complements beef and cheese without overwhelming the dish.
Nutritional Analysis, Dietary Accommodations, Food Writing and Blogging,
Education
University of Texas at Austin
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nutrition
Focus: Emphasis on dietary planning, food science, and the relationship between nutrition and health.
Institute of Culinary Education, New York, NY
Program: Plant-Based Culinary Arts Certificate
Focus: Specialized training in vegetarian and vegan cooking techniques, emphasizing whole foods and sustainability.
Olivia Bennett is Cooking Crusade’s go-to expert for nutritious, feel-good food. Based in Austin, she blends her degree in Nutrition from the University of Texas with plant-based culinary training from the Institute of Culinary Education.
Olivia’s recipes are all about balance: vibrant, wholesome, and easy-to-love dishes that work for all kinds of eaters. Her mission is simple: to make healthy eating approachable and genuinely tasty, with tips that support your lifestyle, not complicate it.
Olivia Bennett
Co-Founder & Content Creator
Expertise
Nutritional Analysis, Dietary Accommodations, Food Writing and Blogging,
Education
University of Texas at Austin
Institute of Culinary Education, New York, NY
Olivia Bennett is Cooking Crusade’s go-to expert for nutritious, feel-good food. Based in Austin, she blends her degree in Nutrition from the University of Texas with plant-based culinary training from the Institute of Culinary Education.
Olivia’s recipes are all about balance: vibrant, wholesome, and easy-to-love dishes that work for all kinds of eaters. Her mission is simple: to make healthy eating approachable and genuinely tasty, with tips that support your lifestyle, not complicate it.