These smoked bacon wrapped pickles are the ultimate treat for your next party or BBQ. Dill pickles are wrapped with bacon and smoked, then coated in a sweet savory glaze that packs them with flavor. They're absolutely irresistible and are a huge hit every single time!
I created this recipe for smoked bacon wrapped pickles to mimic the flavor of burnt ends. Basically, burnt ends are the ultra tender, juicy, smoky end pieces of the brisket and they're usually served with BBQ sauce or a sweet glaze to turn them into meat candy (you read that right).
Instead of brisket, this recipe uses pickles and crispy bacon for that savory, smoky flavor and a little tanginess. Add in the sugary glaze and you have the perfect snack for everyone!
I admit, I'm a bit obsessed with pickles. They're tangy and refreshing on their own, but they also balance out rich, hearty flavors so well. That's why I add them as a garnish to these Loaded Pulled Pork Fries, or the star of many of my favorite homemade snacks.
From Bacon Cheeseburger Pickle Poppers to Dill Pickle Cheez-Its, believe me, there is no shortage of pickle-flavored snacks to choose from.
Why you’ve got to try these Smoked Bacon Wrapped Pickles
- All the best flavors in one - smoky, sweet, tangy, and bacon
- Makes a great snack for BBQs and parties
- No plates or napkins needed - just grab a toothpick and go
- Perfect mash-up of the best flavors
- Can't get enough of that sticky, sweet BBQ glaze
Equipment
To make these bacon-wrapped pickles, you really just need a sharp knife and cutting board, grill or smoker, aluminum pan, and toothpicks.
Ingredients
- Whole dill pickles - Instead of pickle chips, I prefer to slice whole dill pickles to get just the right thickness. The pickle slices need to be about ¾" thick. Otherwise, the pickle flavor doesn't stand out with the other bold flavors in this dish.
- Regular cut bacon - You don't want the bacon to be too fatty or thick, or it can turn soggy instead of crispy and juicy.
- Your favorite sweet BBQ seasoning - I used the Meat Church BBQ rub for this recipe and it turned out great. Any sweet rub will do.
- Butter - This will loosen up the sauce and make it spreadable and glossy.
- Brown sugar - To add that sticky sweetness.
- Your favorite BBQ sauce - Use whichever sauce you prefer. I usually like to use a sweet BBQ sauce with plenty of smoke.
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How to Make Smoked Bacon Wrapped Pickles
- Slice a whole dill pickle into roughly ¾” slices.
- Wrap each pickle slice in a piece of bacon that’s been cut to size.
- Place pickles on wire rack.
- Cover liberally in your favorite BBQ rub.
- Set your grill or smoker to 400 degrees F and cook until the bacon is crispy- roughly 30-40 mins.
- Remove and add to an aluminum pan with 4TBSP Butter, ½C brown sugar, and enough BBQ sauce to cover.
- Put back into smoker for about 15 mins.
- Stick a toothpick in each one and transfer to a serving dish. Enjoy!
Pro Tip: I’m a huge fan of using a wire rack to make moving these small bites on and off the smoker easily.
Storing Suggestions
Although you can store the leftovers for later, the bacon will start to soften from the moisture of the pickles. They're best to enjoy ASAP.
Tips & Variations
- Use spicy bacon: Peppered bacon adds a nice heat to balance the sweetness of the glaze. Or, add a few dashes of hot sauce.
- Dip 'em: If you don't want the sweet glaze, skip it and dip the bacon-wrapped pickle pieces into your favorite dipping sauce, like ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing.
- Try different pickles: I usually use dill pickles, but I suspect these would taste great with bread and butter, too. You can even use homemade pickles, if you're into that!
How to Serve
Think of these smoked bacon wrapped pickle bites as an appetizer or finger food for game day, tailgating, backyard parties, and more. Since they're served with toothpicks, they're easy for people to take however many they want quickly.
They pair well with my Dr. Pepper Lil Smokies, burgers, brats, and all the sides.
FAQs
What type of bacon is best for bacon wrapped pickles?
I usually recommend regular cut bacon simply because it is often less fatty and will cook down a little faster. Thick cut bacon can take longer to crisp up and if you rush, you end up with soggy bacon.
Can you bake bacon wrapped pickles?
Absolutely, but expect a different flavor profile. You can bake the pickle bites on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper, but consider adding a little liquid smoke to the glaze to amp up the smoke flavor. It also helps to bake on a wire rack to let the excess bacon grease drain off.
Do you have to glaze bacon wrapped pickles?
Not necessarily. I do like to glaze them because the butter, brown sugar and BBQ sauce add an explosion of flavors that really works with the savory bacon and tangy pickles. But, they're honestly great even without that. You can also dip them in your favorite sauces (ranch dressing, honey mustard, buffalo sauce). As long as it tastes good to you, it works!
Related Recipes
- Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Pickle Shots
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Pickle Poppers
- Pickles in a Blanket
- Fried Pickle Mozzarella Sticks
- Baked Cool Ranch Crusted Pickles Recipe
Let's get cooking!
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Smoked Bacon Wrapped Pickle Bites
Ingredients
- 5 Whole dill pickles
- 1 lb Regular-cut bacon
- Your favorite sweet BBQ rub
- 4 tablespoons of Butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
- BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Slice a whole dill pickle into roughly ¾” slices
- Wrap each pickle chip in a piece of regular cut bacon that’s been cut to size
- Cover liberally in your favorite sweet BBQ rub
- Set your grill/smoker to 400F and cook until the bacon is crispy- roughly 30-40 mins
- Remove and add to an aluminum pan with 4TBSP Butter, ½C brown sugar, and enough BBQ sauce to cover
- Put back into smoker for about 15 mins
Holly Walter says
yes!
Danny Dobrzenski says
Agreed!