BBQ recipes, product reviews, & how-to's

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How to Cook a Chuck Eye Steak

How to Cook a Chuck Eye Steak

In this recipe, I’m going to teach you how to cook a chuck eye steak on the grill. I’ll also tell you some fun facts about the cut, the other names it goes by, and what else to serve with it. What Makes Chuck Eye…

Animal Style Burger Sliders (In-N-Out Copycat)

Animal Style Burger Sliders (In-N-Out Copycat)

Kick up your mini burger game by making these mouthwatering animal style burger sliders! You may want to double the recipe because they will get gobbled up quick! I’ll walk you through the simple process below. What is Animal Style on a Burger? Animal style…

Buffalo Chicken Jalapeño Poppers

Buffalo Chicken Jalapeño Poppers

Buffalo chicken and jalapeño poppers – two of the food world’s greatest gifts. What if I told you that you could have a mouthwatering appetizer featuring both at once? With these Buffalo chicken jalapeño poppers, it is possible!

These buffalo chicken jalapeño poppers on the grill are a game changer for your next party, tailgate, movie night, or just when you’re in the mood for something ridiculously delicious. Let’s get down to the tips and tricks to make sure these poppers are as perfect as they sound.

Watch the Tutorial Video!

Ingredients for Buffalo Chicken Poppers

Here’s the brief rundown of ingredients for Buffalo chicken poppers:

  • Jalapeños
  • Chicken breast
  • Cream cheese
  • Shredded cheddar cheese
  • Buffalo sauce
  • Blue cheese dressing
  • BBQ seasoning

Aren’t Jalapeños Really Spicy?

Poppers with blue cheese dressing

You want your poppers to have a good balance of flavor without totally burning your taste buds off. The majority of the spice from jalapeños come from the seeds and membranes. When those are removed, jalapeños have very little heat to them.

Cut jalapenos in half long ways, then scoop the seeds and membranes out to make room for the Buffalo chicken stuffing. But if you want extra heat, leave some of the seeds in.

Cooking the Chicken

Since this is a BBQ page, I love using smoked chicken in my buffalo chicken jalapeño poppers. Simply take one chicken breast, season with your favorite BBQ rub (I’m using Chicken Rub from Girls Can Grill), and cook on the grill at 375 degrees over indirect heat. I like using hickory wood for smoking this way.

The target temperature of the chicken breast should be 160 degrees. Remove, let rest, and internal temp should rise to the FDA approved 165 degrees. Shred with forks or with your hands. I like to use food safe gloves for this as it helps provide a little insulation from the hot chicken breast.

Note: You can use cooked chicken from a rotisserie, oven, grill, or slow cooker. The key is to keep that chicken nice and juicy.

Not All Cream Cheese is Created Equal

You know how cream cheese makes everything better? Well, in the case of jalapeño poppers, it’s doing some heavy lifting. It’s the secret to a creamy, dreamy filling that will make you forget you’re eating plain ol’ jalapeño. I’ve used generic and premium brands of cream cheese and I notice a difference in flavor.

With that said, I highly recommend a premium brand of cream cheese such as Philadelphia or Tillamook. An eight ounce package, or “brick” of cream cheese, is just the right amount. Make sure the cream cheese is softened by either pulling it out of the refrigerator an hour beforehand. Or do what I usually do and cut the block up into pieces and microwave for 20 seconds.

Making the Filling

Prepping jalapeño poppers for the grill

In a large mixing bowl, put in the shredded chicken breast, softened brick of cream cheese, 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup of Buffalo sauce (or hot sauce), and some blue cheese dressing. Add in a tablespoon of BBQ seasoning for more flavor.

Mix ingredients by hand or with a large spoon. Once mixed well, spoon the creamy Buffalo chicken filling into the hallowed out jalapeños. This should fill between 16 to 20 jalapeño halves (sizes of jalapeños will vary). Place on a large baking sheet and top the poppers with a light amount of shredded cheddar cheese.

Buffalo Chicken Jalapeño Poppers on the Grill

Jalapeño poppers on smoker.

With the grill preheated to 350 degrees over indirect heat, place baking sheet full of Buffalo chicken poppers in smoker and cook for 25 minutes. Remove from the grill and serve immediately. That’s it!

What to Serve with Buffalo Chicken Poppers

While you can eat this game day appetizer exactly how it is, they do taste great when dipped in blue cheese dressing. Serve alongside carrots and celery to give it a more authentic Buffalo chicken wing effect.

Ranch or Blue Cheese Dressing for Buffalo Chicken?

Folks from Buffalo, where Buffalo wings were created, prefer blue cheese dressing to pair it with. The Midwesterner in me loves ranch and uses it with a lot of foods, so it is tempting to pair it with Buffalo chicken poppers. Ultimately, it is a matter of personal preference.

Other Game Day Appetizers to Try

Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers w/Chorizo

Smoked Queso Dip

Queso Fundido

Smoked Chex Mix

Pulled Pork Nachos

Smoked, Fried Pickle Dip

Buffalo Chicken Jalapeño Poppers Recipe

Buffalo Chicken Jalapeño Poppers

Buffalo Chicken Jalapeño Poppers

Yield: 16-20 poppers
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes

These buffalo chicken jalapeño poppers are a game changer for your next party, tailgate, movie night, or just when you're in the mood for something ridiculously delicious.

Ingredients

  • 10 jalapeños, cut in half and scooped out
  • 1 chicken breast
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 Cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 Cup Buffalo sauce (or hot sauce)
  • 1/4 Cup blue cheese dressing
  • 2 Tbsp BBQ rub or seasoning

Instructions

  1. Preheat grill to 375 degrees over indirect heat with hickory wood. Season chicken breast with one tablespoon of BBQ seasoning. Cook chicken for 30 minutes or until internal temp reaches 160 degrees. Remove, wait 10 minutes, and shred.
  2. While chicken is cooking prepare jalapeños by cutting off stems, cutting in half, and scooping out seeds and membrane. Place jalapeno halves on large baking sheet. Set aside.
  3. In large mixing bowl, combine shredded chicken, softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, Buffalo hot sauce, blue cheese dressing, and a tablespoon of BBQ seasoning. Mix ingredients altogether until consistent.
  4. With a spoon, spread the Buffalo chicken mixture into jalapeño halves and top with shredded cheddar cheese.
  5. Place on grill at 375 degrees with indirect heat for 25 minutes. Remove and serve.

Notes

  1. Have no time to cook chicken? No problem! Simply use a rotisserie chicken from the store and substitute one cup of white meat for one smoked chicken breast.
  2. Buffalo hot sauce is ideal, but feel free to use something hotter (or milder) as your taste buds prefer.
  3. This recipe can be made in the oven instead of the grill.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 Serving Size: 2
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 250Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 48mgSodium: 344mgCarbohydrates: 18gFiber: 2gSugar: 4gProtein: 7g

Note: Nutrition information isn't always accurate.

Easy Baked Beans

Easy Baked Beans

Baked beans are a classic side dish for any barbecue. They pair well with smoked brisket, pulled pork, and ribs. Most baked beans recipes will require soaking dry beans for hours then simmering all of the ingredients together for a few hours more. While the…

Smoked Apple Pie

Smoked Apple Pie

If there is such a thing as dessert comfort food, then apple pie would be it! The balance of sweet and tart in the apples, combined with cinnamon and nutmeg. Add in the smell of it coming fresh out of the oven or grill makes…

Smoked Cream Cheese w/ Apple Cinnamon

Smoked Cream Cheese w/ Apple Cinnamon

This smoked cream cheese with apple cinnamon is the ultimate cream cheese dessert recipe! This dip is very easy to make and is sure to vanish fast at your holiday party or any other gathering! Let’s dig into the process.

The Ingredients

  • Cream cheese
  • Apple pie filling
  • Sugar
  • Cinnamon
  • Confectioner’s sugar
  • Milk
  • Vanilla extract
  • Salt (optional)

Why Cream Cheese in Desserts?

Scoring the cream cheese.

Cream cheese is often used in desserts due to its unique flavor, creamy texture, and appearance. Adding a hint of cherry wood smoke adds another element of flavor!

Smoking Cream Cheese

Cream cheese dessert getting smoke flavor.

To begin, preheat your grill to 250 degrees with cherry wood over indirect heat. While the grill is preheating, take out two 8 ounce bricks of cream cheese and place on a greased cookie sheet. I prefer to use the premium brands of cream cheese as the quality makes a difference in the taste. If you would like a savory smoked cream cheese dip, follow this recipe.

Score the top of the cream cheese with 1/4 inch cuts that are an inch apart in a diagonal direction. Cut diagonally the other direction to make hash marks. We do this to get more smoke flavor into the cream cheese.

Season the cream cheese with a blend of sugar and cinnamon. I like to make this mix in a small bowl by doing four parts sugar and one part cinnamon. Mix together and sprinkle on top of cream cheese. Place the cream cheese on the grill and smoke for 90 minutes.

Tip: line the cookie sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.

Adding that Apple Cinnamon Flavor

Apple cinnamon on cream cheese.

Take a 28 ounce can of apple pie filling and pour it onto a cutting board. With a knife, take the apple slices and cut them into fourths. We do this to get more apple bits with each dipping into the smoked cream cheese dessert.

Do a light sprinkle of cinnamon on your apple pie filling to enhance the flavor. When done, place the filling in a medium sized bowl and pour evenly over the two bricks of smoked cream cheese while they are on the grill. Close the lid and smoke for another 30 minutes to get the apple cinnamon dessert warm.

If you prefer to make an apple pie filling of your own, then by all means do it! I have a recipe for that here. Doing the canned version saves time and is more convenient.

Easy Icing Recipe for the BBQ Dessert

Homemade icing on smoked cream cheese dessert recipe.

The final step in the smoked cream cheese dessert recipe is to make the icing. This is simply done by combining one cup of confectioner’s sugar, two tablespoons of milk, and a half teaspoon of vanilla extract in a small bowl. Stir with a small whisk until ingredients are well mixed together.

Drizzle the icing over the apple cinnamon smoked cream cheese and serve immediately. This recipe is best while it is warm.

Tip: for thicker icing, add more confectioner’s sugar. For thinner icing, add more milk. Also, add a pinch of salt for balance.

What to Serve with this Cream Cheese Dessert

Crostini for dessert dip.

This dessert dip goes great with baked bread slices such as crostini and bagel chips. Feel free to venture out and dip with fruits such as strawberries and …more apples!

Can this Dip be Served Cold?

While it is possible to eat this dip chilled, the cream cheese firms up and will be tougher to eat as a dip. Reheat in the microwave for 30 seconds or until soft.

Other Dips and Desserts

Smoked, Fried Pickle Dip

Cast Iron Apple Crisp

Caramel Apple Empanadas

Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball

Banana Pudding

Smoked Cream Cheese with Apple Cinnamon

Smoked Cream Cheese with Apple Cinnamon

Yield: 16 servings

This smoked cream cheese with apple cinnamon is the ultimate cream cheese dessert recipe! This dip is very easy to make and is sure to vanish fast at your holiday party or any other gathering!

Ingredients

  • 2 8 ounce bricks of cream cheese
  • 1 28 oz. can of apple pie filling
  • 2 tsp sugar
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

For Icing

  • 1 Cup confectioner's sugar
  • 2 Tbsp milk
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat grill to 250 degrees with cherry wood over indirect heat.
  2. Place the two, 8 oz. cream cheese bricks on a greased cookie sheet. Score bricks of cream cheese with diagonal, 1/4 inch deep cuts that are one inch apart. Repeat process in opposite direction to create hash marks.
  3. Season with sugar and ground cinnamon. Place on grill and smoke for 90 minutes.
  4. Empty can of apple pie filling onto cutting board, cutting the slices of apples into smallier pieces. Scoop into bowl and spread evenly on both bricks of cream cheese. Cook for another 30 minutes then remove.
  5. To make icing, combine confectioner's sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl. Use whisk to mix until smooth. Drizzle over the apple cinnamon smoked cream cheese as desired.

Notes

  1. Use premium brands of cream cheese for better flavor. While I use generic brands for some ingredients, cream cheese is one that is worth paying for name brands.
  2. For icing, add a pinch of salt if you want it to be less sweet.
  3. Make your own apple pie filling by following a recipe I have for cast iron apple crisp.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 Serving Size: 2 Tbsp
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 140Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 95mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 1gSugar: 7gProtein: 2g

Note: Nutrition information isn’t always accurate.

Smoked Pork Belly (Brisket Style)

Smoked Pork Belly (Brisket Style)

This smoked pork belly recipe is an absolute must try for any BBQ lover! This pork belly brisket uses simple ingredients and cooks in less time than the traditional beef brisket. As a bonus, it also costs less. Let me show you the process. Watch…

Smoked Spare Ribs (Texas Style)

Smoked Spare Ribs (Texas Style)

Texas style smoked spare ribs are an absolute must for anyone who enjoys BBQ! All you need for this Texas style ribs recipe is smoke, salt, and pepper. In this recipe, I’ll walk you through the of making the best pork ribs! Ingredients for Texas…

Queso Fundido (Queso Flameado)

Queso Fundido (Queso Flameado)

Queso fundido is the easiest dip to make and only takes two ingredients. Also known as queso flameado or chorizo con queso, this melty, cheesy dip recipe is one that you’ll love!

One Dip, Two Ingredients

This Mexican dip only takes two ingredients:

  • Chorizo
  • Oaxaca cheese

That’s it. That’s the list!

Video for Queso Fundido

Cook the Chorizo

Using a meat masher to break up chorizo in cast iron skillet

The first step is to cook the chorizo in a medium or large sized skillet. How much chorizo you cook depends on how much cheese you plan to use. I prefer to have more cheese than chorizo for the dip. So if you’re cooking eight ounces of chorizo, then use at least 10 ounces of that melty Oaxaca cheese.

Cook the chorizo over medium heat until it starts to brown. Easily break up the chorizo by using a meat masher like I use in the video in this recipe. Drain the grease in a colander or use paper towels to soak up grease in the skillet while the chorizo is still in there.

Add the Cheese

Turn the heat source for your skillet down to medium-low heat and add the cheese. Oaxaca cheese is a mild cheese with a similar taste to Monterey Jack, but more melty. Which make this perfect for dipping.

Oaxaca cheese comes in a ball and can be picked apart and put into the skillet. I usually see Oaxaca come in 10 oz. portions and use the whole thing. It melts quickly and should take about three minutes. Once it’s done melting, serve right away!

What to Serve with Queso Fundido

Easy dip with two ingredients in the skillet

This dip is best served with tortilla chips, pretzels, and vegetables such as carrots for dipping. While the cheese is melty, it is thick so using a thicker tortilla chip is preferable. Queso fundido can also be served as a topping on tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and even taco salads.

Other Cheeses to Use for Queso Flameado

Closeup of chorizo con queso

If you don’t have Oaxaca cheese, Monterey jack is very comparable and can be used instead. Another common cheese that can be used is mozzarella, for it does melt well and has a similar taste. Other Mexican cheeses, such as queso fresco or asadero, can be substituted as well.

How Long Can I Store it?

This Mexican dip is good for up to four days when stored in an airtight container and placed in the refrigerator. Can be reheated in the microwave, oven, or even on a stovetop.

Similar Recipes to Try

Smoked Queso Dip

Mexican Street Corn Dip

Griddled Chorizo Breakfast Burritos

Chorizo Jalapeno Poppers with Bacon

Grilled Elotes

Queso Fundido (Queso Flameado) Recipe

Queso Fundido (Queso Flameado)

Queso Fundido (Queso Flameado)

Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

Queso fundido is the easiest dip to make and only takes two ingredients. Also known as queso flameado or chorizo con queso, this melty, cheesy dip recipe is one that you'll love!

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces ground chorizo
  • 10 ounces Oaxaca cheese

Instructions

  1. Cook chorizo in skillet over medium heat until brown. Drain grease.
  2. Reduce heat to medium low and place pieces of Oaxaca into skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until melted.
  3. Serve.

Notes

  1. No Oaxaca cheese? Substitute with one of the following: Monterey jack, mozzarella, queso fresco, or asadero.
  2. Drain grease from chorizo by either using a colander or patting grease in skillet with paper towels.
  3. Serve very warm for easier dipping.
  4. Garnish with cilantro or parsley optional.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 18 Serving Size: 2 Tbsp
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 68Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 124mgCarbohydrates: 1gSugar: 0.5gProtein: 4g

Note: Nutrition information isn’t always accurate.

Smoked, Fried Pickle Dip

Smoked, Fried Pickle Dip

Pickles have grown in even more popularity recently and the fried pickle dip recipe is now the perfect dip to try! This easy pickle dip recipe stands out as it uses smoked cream cheese, ranch seasoning, and bacon. And dill pickles, of course (amongst other…


All Time Favorites

How to Cook a Chuck Eye Steak

How to Cook a Chuck Eye Steak

In this recipe, I’m going to teach you how to cook a chuck eye steak on the grill. I’ll also tell you some fun facts about the cut, the other names it goes by, and what else to serve with it. What Makes Chuck Eye…

Animal Style Burger Sliders (In-N-Out Copycat)

Animal Style Burger Sliders (In-N-Out Copycat)

Kick up your mini burger game by making these mouthwatering animal style burger sliders! You may want to double the recipe because they will get gobbled up quick! I’ll walk you through the simple process below. What is Animal Style on a Burger? Animal style…

Buffalo Chicken Jalapeño Poppers

Buffalo Chicken Jalapeño Poppers

Buffalo chicken and jalapeño poppers – two of the food world’s greatest gifts. What if I told you that you could have a mouthwatering appetizer featuring both at once? With these Buffalo chicken jalapeño poppers, it is possible! These buffalo chicken jalapeño poppers on the…

Easy Baked Beans

Easy Baked Beans

Baked beans are a classic side dish for any barbecue. They pair well with smoked brisket, pulled pork, and ribs. Most baked beans recipes will require soaking dry beans for hours then simmering all of the ingredients together for a few hours more. While the…

Smoked Apple Pie

Smoked Apple Pie

If there is such a thing as dessert comfort food, then apple pie would be it! The balance of sweet and tart in the apples, combined with cinnamon and nutmeg. Add in the smell of it coming fresh out of the oven or grill makes…