Prepare to amaze your loved ones with these mouth-watering Smoked Pig Shots. With bold flavors that are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser at your upcoming tailgate, barbecue, or gathering, these bacon-wrapped Kielbasa shots stuffed with cheese and diced jalapeños are simply irresistible. Although this recipe requires a bit of effort, once you have a few prepared, you’ll quickly get the hang of it. This article will walk you through each step, and the only regret you’ll have is not making more!
What are Pig Shots?
These irresistible Pig Shots are bacon cups filled with a medley of flavorsome ingredients. Our recipe includes Kielbasa sausage, creamy cheese, cheddar cheese, diced jalapeños, and your go-to BBQ rub, all smoked to crispy perfection. The end result is a delectable and savory bite that will leave your taste buds singing with delight.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- ¼ cup jalapeños, diced
- 2 tbsp Squeal Hog Rub by Cowtown or your favorite BBQ rub
- 12 oz Kielbasa sausage or 1 packet
- 10 oz bacon
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
To begin assembling your Pig Shots, it’s important to have all your ingredients prepared. Be sure to have everything you need on hand, including a thick-cut bacon that can stand upright in the shape of a shot glass, toothpicks to secure the bacon to the Kielbasa, and apple or pecan wood for smoking.
For the delicious cheese filling, combine softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, diced jalapeños, and BBQ rub until well mixed. A piping bag or sandwich bag with the corner cut off works great for filling the Pig Shots. When smoking, the apple or pecan wood adds a sweet flavor that perfectly complements the bacon and cheese.
Step 2: Preheat Your Smoker
To achieve perfectly crispy Pig Shots, it’s important to preheat your smoker to 350°F. This ensures even cooking throughout the dish.
Step 3: Assemble Your Pig Shots
Begin by cutting your Kielbasa into one-inch slices, ensuring they are smaller than the width of the bacon. Next, cut the bacon slices in half lengthwise. Wrap each Kielbasa slice with half of a bacon slice and secure the two with a toothpick. The resulting “shot glass” should be ready to fill with the cheese mixture.
To fill the shots, use a piping bag or a sandwich bag with the corner snipped off to gently fill each shot with the cheese mixture. Be sure to fill them just below the top of the bacon to avoid any overflowing during cooking. Overfilling will cause a mess and leave you with less-than-perfect Pig Shots.
Step 4: Smoke Your Pig Shots
Smoke your Pig Shots for 45 minutes to an hour on the smoker, ensuring that the bacon is cooked through and the cheese filling is golden and puffy. In case the bacon cooks too quickly, spritz it with water to slow down the cooking process.
Step 5: Enjoy!
Once the bacon appears crispy to your liking and fully cooked, take the Pig Shots off the smoker and allow them to rest for a few minutes before serving. This resting period helps the cheese mixture cool down and solidify, making it more manageable to eat without the risk of burning your mouth.
These flavorful bites are ideal for any event, whether it’s a laid-back gathering with friends, a tailgate party, or a backyard barbecue. They’re straightforward to assemble, and their irresistible taste is bound to impress everyone who tastes them.
Perfecting your smoked pig shots starts with the preparation. It’s important to use a thicker cut of bacon that can hold the shape of a shot glass, and to secure the bacon and Kielbasa together with toothpicks to prevent them from falling apart while smoking.
For the filling, feel free to customize with your preferred cheeses, spices, and seasonings. The recipe above combines cream cheese, cheddar cheese, diced jalapeños, and The Squeal Hog Rub by Cowtown, but you can modify the ingredients to match your taste buds.
To simplify the process, use a piping bag or a sandwich bag with the corner cut off to fill each shot with the cheese mixture. This guarantees a neat and even filling distribution.
When smoking your pig shots, try using apple or pecan wood for a sweet and smoky flavor that complements the bacon and cheese perfectly. Explore our comprehensive guide to the best wood for smoking for additional ideas.
In summary, smoked pig shots are a delightful appetizer that will definitely wow your guests. With some fundamental preparation and basic ingredients, you can create an incredible and delicious dish that everyone will savor. Remember to use the appropriate bacon, secure the bacon and Kielbasa with toothpicks, and experiment with various cheeses and spices to achieve your desired flavor. And don’t forget to smoke them with apple or pecan wood for an appetizing outcome.
We hope you enjoy making and devouring these scrumptious smoked pig shots!
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