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Watch me Make It!
If you’re craving a unique pickles recipe that’s loaded with flavor, my Bacon Cheeseburger Pickle Poppers are exactly what you need. This is one of my favorite things of all time! If you love pickles, you'll love this! This recipe combines the juicy goodness of a cheeseburger with the tangy crunch of pickles, all wrapped in crispy bacon. It’s one of those easy recipes that comes together with a few simple ingredients, making it a go-to for any occasion.
Use this BBQ Seasoning for the recipe
Lots of people ask me to make these with jalapeno poppers as well - you can find them HERE. Many people love these because they are keto - bacon, cheese, meat, pickles.
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Since there's no cream cheese mixture, or anything to combine here you won't need a mixing bowl, just grab your pickle halves, and slices of bacon and meat and cheese, and we'll make one of your new favorite finger foods. This might just become your new favorite thing, and will be done with minimal prep time.
Also if you love this recipe - you can find it, and 49 others just like it in my cookbook "Oh That's Good!" available now!
If you like pickle recipes, you'll love my Dill Pickle Crackers recipe!
Let's Prep:
Start thinking about those pickle poppers!
Let’s Prep
To start this pickles recipe, grab some large dill pickles. Slice off the ends and cut them in half lengthwise. Use a spoon or knife to remove the seeds and membranes, turning the pickles into perfect little boats. While prepping the pickles, cook your ground beef in a skillet, seasoning it with a bit of BBQ rub seasoning for extra flavor, set aside in a small bowl to cool slightly enough to be able to handle comfortably.
This cheese mixture is what makes these poppers so irresistible, and won't take any longer than 15-20 minutes to get going. I had a follower once try to make these with string cheese on top - didn't work, just stick with the shredded in the recipe!
Let's Cook:
Let's get some heat on these pickle poppers!
Now that your pickles are stuffed with that hot meat mixture and cheddar cheese, it’s time to wrap them up. Take a slice of bacon and wrap it around each stuffed pickle, making sure it’s well-covered. I like to sprinkle a bit more seasoning on top of the bacon for an extra kick.
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If you’re using a pellet grill, set it to 275°F and let it preheat. Place the bacon-wrapped pickles on the grill and smoke them for about an hour. After an hour, increase the temperature to 350°F and cook for another 10-15 minutes until the bacon is crispy.
Make sure the bacon wraps around and has the ends on the bottom else you'll be stuck with a bunch of bacon pieces as you're pulling overly crispy parts off the end as they unravel when you cook. If you wanted you could try a variation of this with dill pickle spears, however I love the canoe shape.
Let's Eat:
Time to devour the pickle poppers
Once your Bacon Cheeseburger Pickle Poppers are cooked to perfection, brush them with your favorite BBQ sauce. Let the sauce glaze on the pickles for about 5-10 minutes before removing them from the heat. What you’re left with is a crispy, smoky bacon exterior with a gooey, cheesy beef filling inside a tangy pickle shell.
These poppers are the perfect appetizers for any gathering. Serve them with a side of ranch dressing for dipping, and you’ve got a delicious treat that’s sure to impress. The combination of the smoky bacon, seasoned beef, and sharp cheddar cheese wrapped in a pickle is truly out of this world.
If by some miracle you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container to keep them fresh. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, reheat in the air fryer to crisp up the bacon, but make sure to drain off any excess grease before storing.
This pickles recipe is a must-try for anyone who loves bold flavors and easy recipes. Whether you’re serving them at a party or enjoying them as a snack, these Bacon Cheeseburger Pickle Poppers will be a hit. So, grab your whole dill pickles, fire up the grill, and enjoy these tasty bites!
If you like this recipe you'll love my "Body by Bacon" shirt in my store
Other Recipes You'll Love:
- Spicy Candied Bacon
- Candied Bacon Wrapped Pretzels
- Snoop Dogg’s Billionaire Bacon Twists
- Apple Pie Candied Bacon
Bacon Cheeseburger Pickle Poppers
Ingredients
- 10 Whole Dill Pickles
- 1 LB ground beef
- Burger/BBQ Seasoning
- 20 slices Bacon
- 1.5 C BBQ Sauce
- 8 oz Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Instructions
- Slice ends off of pickles and slice in half longways
- With a spoon or knife remove the seeds and membrane from inside pickle
- In the canoe-shaped void, add cooked ground beef
- Sprinkle a pinch of your favorite seasoning on top of beef
- Add a generous amount of shredded cheddar cheese on top
- Wrap in one slice of bacon to cover, add more seasoning on top
- Smoke at 275F for 1 hour
- After 1 hour increase temperature to 350F
- Cook for 10-15 minutes until bacon is crisp to your liking
- Add about 1 tablespoon of BBQ sauce and brush on each pickle popper
- Allow to glaze for 5-10 minutes
- Remove from heat and let cool for 10 minutes before serving
Paul W says
Saw this recipe, smoked it and shared this with friends this evening at our first Meat Meet. We all brought smoked meat dishes and enjoyed. Everyone swooned over the Bacon Cheeseburger Pickle Poppers.
Danny Dobrzenski says
This means a lot to hear! I'm glad you and your friends loved them.
Beth B. says
These are so good, I made them this last fall for friends and they loved them. I'm gonna make them again, it would be good out camping this summer at the river.
Danny Dobrzenski says
Thank you! This is a favorite recipe of mine - I'm glad your friends loved them!
Scott Leider says
Don't have a smoker nor barbecue at this time. But love to use my air fryer and will definitely give this a try. If you use an air fryer and you know what temperature and how long that would be great.
Danny Dobrzenski says
Thanks for the note - I haven't tested in an air fryer - typically bacon isn't recommended in an air fryer due to the risk of grease fire. That said, I'm not sure how these would do there.
Keri Bennett says
The Bacon Pickle Cheeseburger IS TO DIE FOR! I recommend this to anyone, even if you don’t have a grill! I baked and broiled the last few minutes! Now let me win that smoker… wink, wink!
Joe says
This stuff looks really good! Pickle wrapped bacon
Danny Dobrzenski says
Thanks! It’s delicious!
Tami Arvin says
It looks absolutelt delicious. Wonder if would be just as good fried??
Danny Dobrzenski says
It'd need a good breading - but I bet it would be!
Daniel Gonzales says
Tried these out and loved them. I'm from south Texas and everyone makes jalapeño poppers, which are good. But it's a nice alternative to those. Plus great for someone that loves cheeseburgers but is counting carbs. Top marks brothers keep grilling.
Danny Dobrzenski says
I really appreciate the positive feedback. It's always nice to hear that these hit the spot with others! Thank you!!
Tom says
NBC’s Today/food.com had this recipe “Bacon BBQ Burger with Homemade Pickles”. They post the link butt don’t allow access. Therefore I did a Yahoo search and yours was available and seemed a close variant and downloaded. The comments seemed highly approval. Haven’t heated anything up as yet, just thought I’d mention the accessibility. I have to do this approach with many recipes from such "vague sites". THANK YOU for yours.
Danny Dobrzenski says
Thanks so much for your note! I hope you love these!
- Danny
Josh Beers says
For those of us who don’t have a smoker, could we cook them in an oven instead? If so, what temp and for how long? Thanks!
Danny Dobrzenski says
You could - same time and temperature - you'll be missing out on the smoke flavor (obviously) but that could be supplemented with a SMALL amount of liquid smoke mixed into the meat if you'd like. Only a couple drops of smoke though - it's stronger than most people think.
- Danny
Stephie says
Hi Danny, i would have to bake them in the oven as well. I'm wondering why the suggestion for liquid smoke in an oven but it doesn't call for it in the air fryer. Does the air fryer actually give it that smokey flavor? I am a fan of smoked foods. However, I am not a fan of liquid smoke. I prefer it the natural way when I am able to.
Danny Dobrzenski says
I never talk about any type of bacon, or bacon recipe going into the air fryer as it's generally recommended to not cook bacon in an air fryer due to the fire risk it poses.
Stephie says
I see that you have had NO response to your question about how long you would bake an oven for. Were you able to come up with an answer on your own? I just saw this for the first time. I don't have a smoker or an air fryer.
I hope the other recipes here have OVEN instructions. This recipe looks delicious. I would love to make it. It would be perfect for Super Bowl coming up.
Danny Dobrzenski says
Is this serious? I replied and said "You could – same time and temperature"
Donna jones says
Nummy love it
Danny Dobrzenski says
Thank you! - Danny
Devin says
Quick, easy, and tasty! Thanks
Danny Dobrzenski says
you can sure say that again... I appreciate your note
Gary Day says
This is simply delicious and easy to make
Danny Dobrzenski says
Thank you very much!
- Danny
Sophie Sawyer says
Got to make it yes!!!!!!
Danny Dobrzenski says
They are a favorite for sure! Thanks!
Francisco Ramirez says
Going to try these
Danny Dobrzenski says
Enjoy!
Mitchell says
Gonna try this
Danny Dobrzenski says
Enjoy!
Kaiden blake says
Can’t wait to make these love the twist you put on stuff
Danny Dobrzenski says
Thank you! These are definitely awesome!
Shawn Martin says
Dude! YES!!!
Danny Dobrzenski says
Boom!!
Tracy Higgins says
Looks amazing can hardly wait to try it!!
Danny Dobrzenski says
Enjoy!
trish swan says
Hi I made theses for a Steeler party, they were a huge hit and not hard to make at all! Really enjoyed them! Keep those recipes coming!
Danny Dobrzenski says
I love it! Thanks for letting me know.
Brooke Leatherbury says
These are amazing
Danny Dobrzenski says
Thank you so much! They're pretty darn tasty!
Heather Boomershine says
I'm definitely making these tomorrow night thanks for the recipe ☺️
Danny Dobrzenski says
My pleasure!
Adrea says
Do you use cooked ground meat or raw?
These look so good. Can’t wait to try them.
Danny Dobrzenski says
The ground beef is cooked prior. Let me know what you think!
Sherry says
Can't wait to try
Danny Dobrzenski says
Hope you love them!
Holly Walter says
Making these this weekend!
Danny Dobrzenski says
You're in for a treat! Enjoy
Laura-Marie Mount says
Cannot wait to make these!!! I love super easy recipes
Danny Dobrzenski says
Hope you enjoy! They're great
Kristie Walker says
I’m going to try these, but use Spicy Jimmy Dean sausage, I bet they would be phenomenal! Thanks for the recipe
Danny Dobrzenski says
That's an awesome idea! Let me know how it comes out.
Cheryl Limbach says
Making these right now and they look amazing! 5 stars to offset the person that didn’t read your oven reply and had a little fit. Can’t wait to get these off the smoker! Happy 4th everyone!
Danny Dobrzenski says
Fantastic! I hope you loved them!