Texas Twinkies – Jalapeños Stuffed with Smoked Brisket 🌶️🍖

Bring some bold flavor to your holiday gatherings with these mouthwatering Texas Twinkies! These jalapeños are stuffed with a rich mixture of smoked brisket, cream cheese, and gouda, wrapped in crispy bacon, and finished with a glaze of barbecue sauce. Perfect as an appetizer or a fun party snack!

Ingredients:

  • 12-16 extra-large jalapeños
  • 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 lb smoked brisket, shredded
  • 1 lb chorizo (optional, for extra flavor)
  • 2 cups smoked gouda, shredded
  • ½ cup Jeff’s original rub (or your favorite rub)
  • 12-14 slices thick-cut bacon
  • Jeff’s original sauce (or your favorite barbecue sauce)

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Jalapeños:
    Cut a “T” into each jalapeño by cutting halfway through the pepper just below the stem, then cutting a slit from the top of the “T” to the tip of the pepper.
  2. Deseed the Peppers:
    Carefully pry open the pepper and use a thin, sharp knife to deseed and devein the peppers. Rinse them under cold water to remove any remaining seeds.
  3. Make the Stuffing Mixture:
    In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of pulled smoked brisket, 16 ounces of softened cream cheese, 2 cups of shredded smoked gouda, and ½ cup of Jeff’s original rub. Mix well until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
  4. Stuff the Jalapeños:
    Generously stuff each jalapeño with the stuffing mixture, pressing down slightly to ensure they are filled.
  5. Wrap with Bacon:
    Stretch thick slices of bacon and wrap a single piece around each stuffed jalapeño. Secure the bacon with a toothpick to keep it in place during cooking.
  6. Prepare the Smoker:
    Set up your smoker for cooking at 225°F with indirect heat. Use pecan wood for a delicious smoky flavor. If your smoker has a water pan, fill it up to maintain moisture.
  7. Cook the Peppers:
    Place the stuffed jalapeños directly on the smoker grate and cook for about 3 hours, or until the bacon is crispy and the peppers are soft to your liking.
  8. Glaze and Finish:
    When the peppers are ready to eat, glaze them with thinned barbecue sauce and increase the heat to 350°F. Cook for an additional 15 minutes to caramelize the glaze.
  9. Serve:
    Remove the peppers from the smoker and serve immediately while they’re hot and cheesy. Enjoy the burst of flavor in every bite!

Prep Time: 45 minutes | Cook Time: 3 hours | Total Time: 3 hours 45 minutes

These Texas Twinkies are sure to be a hit at your holiday celebrations, offering a unique and delicious twist that everyone will love! Enjoy the smoky, cheesy goodness wrapped in crispy bacon!

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