Spicy Jalapeno Bacon Beef (Print Version)

Fiery jalapenos stuffed with creamy cheddar blend, wrapped in smoky bacon and beef for a bold snack.

# What You'll Need:

→ Jalapenos

01 - 12 large jalapeno peppers

→ Filling

02 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened
03 - ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
04 - 1 clove garlic, minced
05 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
06 - ¼ tsp ground cumin
07 - ¼ tsp salt
08 - ¼ tsp black pepper

→ Wrapping

09 - ½ lb ground beef
10 - 12 thin slices bacon
11 - 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
12 - ½ tsp chili powder

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
02 - Slice jalapenos lengthwise; remove seeds and membranes carefully, using gloves for protection.
03 - In a medium bowl, blend cream cheese, cheddar, garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
04 - Fill each jalapeno half gently with the cheese mixture.
05 - In a separate bowl, mix ground beef with Worcestershire sauce and chili powder; divide into 12 equal portions.
06 - Flatten each beef portion and wrap it around each stuffed jalapeno, covering the filling completely.
07 - Encase each beef-wrapped jalapeno with a bacon slice; secure with toothpicks if needed.
08 - Arrange poppers seam side down on the baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes until bacon is crisp and beef is fully cooked.
09 - Allow poppers to cool for 5 minutes before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • They taste like you spent hours in the kitchen, but you actually won't.
  • The bacon-wrapped beef combination makes them feel fancy enough for a party but casual enough for a Tuesday night snack attack.
02 -
  • If your peppers are extra thick-walled, they might need a few minutes longer in the oven to get tender—watch them closely after minute 20.
  • The bacon wrapping is what keeps everything together, so don't skip it or use a substitute unless you're prepared for things to come apart.
03 -
  • Brown the ground beef mixture quickly in a skillet before wrapping if you want extra flavor depth and to ensure it's fully cooked through.
  • If the filling is escaping from the sides, your peppers might be too thin or you overstuffed—use less filling next time or pick thicker peppers.

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