One of my favorite things about Thanksgiving dinner is the big selection of appetizers. You gotta have something to munch on while you’re waiting on the meal to get ready. These little BBQ hot dog appetizers are very easy, but also very tasty. Sure you can cheat and just toss some dogs with store-bought BBQ sauce. But, you’ll find that this homemade version is oh so much better.
The Perfect Super Bowl Snack
Of course, you can eat these any time of the year. They’re the perfect kind of treat that can be thrown together quickly when watching the big game.
This same recipe for BBQ hot dog appetizers would also be great with smoke sausages cut into bite-sized pieces.
These little BBQ hot dog appetizers are very easy, but also very tasty. Sure you can cheat and just toss some dogs with store-bought BBQ sauce, but you’ll find that this homemade version is oh so much better.
Note: This recipe was developed using the Char-Broil Big Easy Oil-Less Fryer. If you are cooking using the Char-Broil Smoker-Roaster Grill you should cook with the lid open and the temperature set to High. You might also need to adjust the cooking time.
These bacon BBQ chicken bombs on the Char-Broil Big Easy have been on my to-do list for a while now. I was definitely looking forward to making them on my Big Easy, which is about as fuss-free as you can get. Good doesn’t even come close to describing them. Each bite pops with tender, moist chicken, cheese-stuffed jalapenos, bacon and BBQ sauce.
Not A Spicy As You Think
Don’t fear the jalapenos if you’re not into spicy foods. They mellow out a lot while cooking. If you’re still not sure about using them, you can substitute poblanos. Just halve them lengthwise, remove the seeds, then halve them again depending on how big the peppers are. You’ll still get that great pepper flavor but without any heat.
Easier Than You Think
These bacon BBQ chicken bombs may seem to be complicated to make on the Char-Broil Big Easy, but they are not. You’re just pounding out some chicken breast, wrapping it around cheese-stuffed jalapenos, rolling it up and wrapping it in bacon. Then onto the Big Easy until done, basted with BBQ sauce, and devoured. That’s it. They’re highly addicting. I recommend making extra because they’re just as good leftover.
Note: You want each piece of chicken to be approximately the width of the length of the jalapenos.
Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
In a bowl, combine the cream cheese and cheddar.
Spoon the cheese mixture into each jalapeno half.
Working in batches, place the jalapenos onto the chicken and roll up. Place seam-side down when done so they don’t unroll. If you’re chicken pieces are too big you might have to trim them a bit.
Wrap 2 pieces of bacon around each rolled chicken. Tuck ends under the bacon to seal. The first few might not be pretty, but once you get a hang of it they’re fun to make. And they’ll taste great no matter what when they are done!
Fire up your Big Easy.
Add the chicken bombs to the Big Easy basket (and bunk bed basket(s) if using). Do not let them touch. If you have to, cook them in batches.
Lower the basket into the Big Easy and cook for 20-30 minutes, basting with the BBQ sauce every 10 minutes. Note: I use a very long basting brush to get down inside the basket and get the sauce on all of the chicken bombs. Be careful to not burn yourself. If you can’t reach them, just baste them after they are cooked.
Remove and check for doneness (165 F) on all cooking levels.
Let rest for 5 minutes then serve.
Notes
Note: You’ll need at least one Bunk Bed basketfor your Big Easy, or even two, or you might have to cook these bombs in batches.
Oh, I’ve made my share of pulled pork sandwiches. And I love them. Sometimes you want something a little different, but still with that great BBQ flavor. BBQ pinwheels are an excellent alternative to sandwiches. They’re easy to make, easy to eat, and very tasty. They also make for the perfect party appetizer.
A Nice Change From BBQ Sandwiches
You can use anything from pulled or shredded pork, chopped brisket, smoked chicken, or even rotisserie chicken. For a spicier kick, substitute pepper jack or habanero jack cheese for the cheddar and use a spicy BBQ sauce.
If I’m reaching for a bottled BBQ sauce, I often go for Sweet Baby Ray’s.
BBQ pinwheels are an excellent alternative to sandwiches. They’re easy to make, easy to eat, and very tasty. They also make for the perfect party appetizer.
There’s nothing I love more than pulled pork, made on my Weber Smokey Mountain Smoker, mixed with a fantastic homemade sauce. My favorite sauce, for everything from chicken wings to pulled pork to burgers is my Bourbon Street sauce. For topping the perfect pulled pork sandwich I add either coleslaw or sliced onion and dill pickle. Either one gives the Bourbon Street pulled pork sandwiches a great crunchy, and the vinegar helps tone down a bit of the sweetness in the sauce. Every bite is perfect.
Sauce It Now Or Later
You can sauce the pork before mounding it high on the buns for these Bourbon Street pulled pork sandwiches. Or you can add the pork first, then pour the sauce over the top. Or heck, don’t put any sauce on, serve it on the side and dip your sandwich in it! When I am eating out I prefer to add the sauce myself. I order it ‘dry’, and ask for the sauce on the side. That way I can add as little or as much as I want. I’d rather be the one that makes the decision instead of someone in the kitchen. No offense to the fine folks in the kitchen! It’s a personal preference thing.
I’ve made a few variations on hobo packets. They’re easy to make, tasty, and make for easy cleanup. This BBQ hobo packets version uses BBQ sauce and has quickly become one of my favorites. Cheesy goodness, with potatoes and onion, all cooked with sausage in a BBQ sauce. All of the ingredients get all steamy happy inside the packet while they cook and the flavors melds perfectly.
Dinner In A Bite
I made these BBQ hobo packets a few times for the crew that was remodeling our kitchen. They liked them with sausage or chicken, but I think they favored the chicken one the most!
I’ve made a few variations on hobo packets. They’re easy to make, tasty, and make for easy cleanup. This BBQ hobo packets version uses BBQ sauce and has quickly become one of my favorites.
Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Add potatoes and boil until just starting to get tender, 15-20 minutes. Remove from water and let cool slightly then cut into wedges.
Spread out foil pieces and drizzle with 1 teaspoon of oil each.
Add the remaining ingredients, splitting them between the two pieces of foil, drizzling with however much BBQ sauce you prefer (a tablespoon or so each should be enough). Also add half of the potatoes to each.
Seal foil into tight packets and place on a grill over indirect heat for about 10-15 minutes or until the onion has started to soften.
Remove from grill and open to let cool before serving.
Notes
If you aren’t careful the bottoms of the packets can get very hot. Let them cool before serving!
This is a simple twist to the old classic. BBQ pigs in a blanket will have your party guests wondering why anyone ever made them the ‘old way’. Great BBQ flavor, served up with a nice creamy honey mustard dipping sauce.
A Tasty Twist On The Class
For ‘normal’ BBQ pigs in a blanket, I use Weber’s Original BBQ sauce. Any old-school flavored BBQ sauce works just fine. But for kicked up bites I use a spicier sauce. If I’m serving both spicy and non-spicy I’ll put a little table sign by them. That way people will know which is which.
I love putting coleslaw on my pulled pork sandwiches, so why not take that same idea and completely amp-up a hot dog? A grilled all-beef dog. Tender moist smoked pulled pork. Tangy Carolina coleslaw. These Carolina hot dogs were a big hit in our house.
The idea for these Carolina hot dogs came from watching the show Eat Street, where the host does what I want to do every day: eat from food trucks. In this case, it was the Evil Weiner truck in Austin, Texas, that caught my eye. What a fantastic hot dog menu!
Crunchy Is Good
Don’t use a creamy slaw on these dogs. You want that vinegar hit from a good ole Carolina slaw. It’s easy to make or just pick up some pre-made slaw at the grocery store. Same goes for the pulled pork. I found some pulled pork in the freezer leftover from a recent smoke session, but if you don’t have any on hand, grab some from your local BBQ joint. They’d love to sell you a pound or two. Heck, grab some slaw while you’re there too!
I love putting coleslaw on my pulled pork sandwiches, so why not take that same idea and completely amp-up a hot dog? A grilled all-beef dog. Tender moist smoked pulled pork. Tangy Carolina coleslaw. These Carolina hot dogs were a big hit in our house.
Why have boring canned green beans when with the addition of just a few ingredients you can have outstandingly good green beans. These barbecue green beans have a great barbecue flavor. A hint of bacon (with a bit of crunch). And a bit of sweet. You will absolutely devour these.
These Are Not Boring Beans
I may add a small pinch of red pepper flake to these barbecue green beans next time I make them. Not too much, but I love a little heat with my sweet. If you have a favorite BBQ sauce you can use it in place of the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce and brown sugar. Start with about 1/2 cup of the sauce and taste to see if you might want a bit more.
This is the perfect BBQ pasta salad side for a cookout. It’s a nice twist on your standard traditional macaroni salad (it has BBQ sauce in it!). Great with burgers, hot dogs, ribs, chicken… anything!
This Isn’t Grandma’s Pasta Salad
Use a spicier BBQ sauce for more kick in your BBQ pasta salad. You can use homemade sauce, too. I was in a bit of a rush so I grabbed a bottle of store-bought sauces. I also think cubed pepper jack cheese would go great in this salad, so I’ll add some next time I make it (which will be soon!). Roasted red pepper (or chopped pimentos) also adds a fantastic flavor.
I almost always use Blue Plate mayonnaise in the dishes I make. I think it is the best around. If you can’t find it locally you can pick it up online for a fair price.
The best? Really? Quite the bold claim saying that these are the best BBQ beans on the planet. So, being the skeptical person that I am, I figured these would be lame, middle-of-the-road, and nothing really to talk about.
My Goodness, They Are The Best!
Well, I was wrong. These are the best BBQ beans on the planet and the best I’ve ever had. Now, to be fair, I’ve had some that were close seconds. But these are amazing. So are they the best on the planet? Inspired by Steven Raichlen, these are the best beans in the galaxy. Raichlen introduced me on to a world outside of just firing up some charcoal and tossing on a rubbery steak. And he gave me grill envy. I mean, really, have you seen his shows? He has the BEST toys!
Be cautious when lifting the pan of beans on and off the grill. Always support the pan on the bottom. I use oven mitts.
The only way to make these is on the grill, over indirect heat. Although you can make them in the oven, but you’d really be missing the point (and some flavor).
Add the bacon pieces to a large skillet or Dutch oven over high heat and cook until starting to crisp. Remove bacon to a plate. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the bacon drippings (I strained the rest and refrigerated it for oiling my grill grates).
Place all remaining ingredients into a 9" x 13" disposable pan with 3" sides. Stir.
Drizzle reserved bacon drippings over the top of the beans.
Place pan on grill over indirect heat.
Cook for at least 1 hour, monitoring to see if the beans get too hot or dry out (you might have to add water).
Remove beans once they and the vegetables are tender.
Cover grill
Notes
You’ll need a 9″ x 13″ disposable pan with 3″ sides.
