Grilled Jalapeños

These Grilled Jalapenos are stuffed with sausage, soft queso fresco, and wrapped in crispy bacon. They’re a perfect summertime appetizer, but so tasty you could turn them into a meal!

Grilled Jalapenos

Stuffed jalapenos are a summertime staple, but adding sausage and bacon to your peppers takes this classic dish to an intense new level. Don’t worry, the time it takes to prepare this grilled jalapeno recipe won’t cut into your relaxing summer vibe, and the creamy queso and crispy bacon create a luscious combination that won’t weigh you down.

Looking for other ideas for the grill? Try our take on a classic with Corn on the Cob with Jalapeno Lime Sauce, some marinated Smoky Curry Chicken Kebobs, or add some Steak Fajita Kebabs to your menu!

These are also a great starter and pair well for a game day meal with Pulled Pork Tacos.

Why you will love Grilled Stuffed Jalapenos

• Grilling your bacon allows the grease to drip right off the jalapenos. No need to drain or soak up the bacon grease, and your grill grates will gain some seasoning and flavor in the process.
• Only a few ingredients that are easy to find at your grocery store. You might even have all of these ingredients at home right now!
• Quick prep and easy cleanup. You’ll need a few kitchen tools and your grill. Plus, cutting back on the indoor cooking will keep your house from heating up on those hot summer days!
• Grilling cooks your food faster. Since you can place your food closer to the heat source, it takes less time for that energy to reach your food.
• Easily control the level of heat: you can find jalapeno peppers and sausage on the sweeter OR the spicier side.

How to Make Perfect Grilled Jalapenos

Step One: Heat your grill. For medium-high heat, your grill temperature will be between 375-400 F.

Step Two: Prepare your peppers. Be sure to choose peppers that are large enough to house a couple teaspoons of filling. If you like spicier peppers, look for ones with fine lines: peppers get hotter as they age! After you slice off the tops, scrape out the seeds and the ribs with a small spoon.

Step Three: Wrap a slice of bacon around each pepper and try not to overlap your bacon more than once. Too many layers of bacon will create uneven cooking, keeping the innermost layers from crisping up. Toothpicks should be placed to keep the bacon from moving while also allowing for the bacon to shrink as it cooks.

Step Four: Before you place your peppers on the grill, brush the grates with canola or grapeseed oil. These oils have high smoke points to withstand higher temperatures. Place peppers directly on the grill or in a grill-safe stand or tray.

Step Five: As your jalapenos are cooking, brown the sausage in a pan and break up into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Smaller sausage pieces will mix more easily with the remaining ingredients. Once the sausage is browned, drain the grease and let the sausage cool slightly before transferring to a bowl with the cream cheese, queso fresco, and chives.

Step Six: Remove cooked jalapenos from the grill. When cool enough to touch, stuff the peppers with sausage mixture. Serve immediately or cover loosely with aluminum foil until you’re ready to eat.

Pro Tips

• Avoid thick sliced bacon for this grilled jalapeno recipe if you prefer crispier bacon. Thicker bacon takes longer to cook and you may not get a consistently crispy texture throughout.

• Use spicy sausage for a little more heat with your grilled jalapenos!

• Use ½ teaspoon of dried chives instead of using fresh ones. While fresh is always preferred, the dried chives will do the trick if that is the only option.

Add these grilled jalapenos to one of our 9 Easy Summer Salads or this Chicken Beet Salad for a perfectly light, summertime feast.

Frequently asked Questions about Grilled Stuffed Jalapenos

Does grilling jalapenos make them spicier?

Cooking jalapeno peppers does not increase the ‘heat’ of the pepper. In fact, the temperature level of the peppers is decreased when you cook them. This is due to destroying some of the capsaicin, a substance that is naturally found in hot peppers. 

Will my jalapeno peppers burn on the grill?

When peppers are placed directly on a grill, the delicate skin does not take long to soften and sometimes char. However, the bacon wrapped around these peppers protects the skin and gives the flesh of the pepper more time to safely stay over the heat, without the threat of burning the skin.

Are grilled jalapenos good for you?

Jalapenos are a good source of vitamins A and C. Cooking jalapenos actually boosts the amount of vitamin C as well as potassium which is also naturally found in jalapeno peppers. Other nutrients found in jalapenos include vitamins K and B, folate and carotene- an antioxidant that can aid in cell repair.