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Dips are always a great and easy food solution when entertaining.  Pair it with chips, homemade tortillas or veggies and you’ve got a crowd pleaser.  With the super bowl just around the corner, I made this delicious  Smoked Jalapeno Popper Dip which is a great alternative to the actual poppers themselves.  You can feed a larger crowd without compromising on flavor.

What are Jalapeno Poppers?

Traditional Jalapeno Poppers are pitted half sliced jalapenos stuffed with a cheesy filling all wrapped in bacon. Grilled or fried, these little bites are perfect as appetizers especially for tailgating.

I have made different versions on a jalapeno popper over the years. I stuffed them in a chicken breast,  made popper topped hashbrows and more. And if you’re sensitive to heat, try it with sweet peppers instead! From stuffing to wrapping, there are a lot of fun ways to experiment with this dish.

Ingredient list for a Jalapeno Popper Dip.

Jalapeno popper dip ingredients including jalapeno peppers, cooked bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, canned green chilies and a block of cream cheese.
  • Jalapeno Pepper: a freshly chopped pepper gives this recipe the kick similar to a traditional popper recipe.
  • Bacon: adds fattiness and savory crunch to the dip.
  • Cream Cheese: provides the cheesy creaminess needed to make the dip.
  • Shredded Cheese: adds additional cheese and creamy mild flavors.
  • Diced Green Chilis: adds a roasted flavor profile to the dip.
  • Blue Cheese: (optional) this aged cheese adds bold savory flavors to balance the creaminess and heat of the other ingredients. Add 1/4 cup.

Step 1: How to prepare bacon for the Jalapeno Popper Dip.

greasy cooked bacon on a griddle held in the air by tongs.

One of the components to a jalapeno popper is the crispy bacon.  Either in a cast iron skillet or a flat top, cook a few strips of bacon and set aside to cool off.  

Next, chop them up into small pieces.  This will be later incorporated into the dip mixture.

Love bacon, you have to try these Sweet Candied Bacon Strips or Bacon Wrapped Chicken Skewers!

Step 2: How to make a Jalapeno Popper Dip.

In a mixing bowl, add cream cheese, blue cheese (optional 1/4 cup), shredded cheddar, diced jalapenos, diced green chiles, Dad’s All purpose rub and the chopped up bacon. Mix the ingredients together and place them in a cast iron skillet. Top it all off with more shredded cheddar cheese and sliced jalapenos.

Cast iron skillet filled with all the raw ingredients for a dip.
Raw jalapeno popper dip in a cast iron skillet on the grill

Preheat the grill to 350 degrees and set for indirect heat. Place the skillet on the grill and let it cook for 20-30 minutes.  Once all the cheese has melted it’s time to remove and serve.  Let the dip cool down for a few minutes, top it off with more crispy bacon and serve!

Jalapeno popper dip in a cast iron skillet with a football bowl filled with tortilla chips and two jalapenos.

Recipe Tips

  • Make the dip on the grill.  It adds a nice layer of smokiness.
  • Add flavor with different cheese varieties.  Don’t be scared of the smelly ones.  
  • Do NOT season the bacon with any spices.  This is a very savory dish from the cheese and seasoning.  Any more, and it will be too salty.

Dad’s Seasonings

Must have grillin seasonings!

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Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Jalapeno Popper Dip in the oven?

Yes, the Jalapeno Popper Dip can be replicated in the oven or any other grill. Use the same temperature and time for the recipe.

Can you add meat to the Jalapeno Popper Dip?

Have any leftover pulled pork? Use it in a dip. It’s the perfect addition of protein to your dish. Other substitutes to make a dip more meaty are chorizo, ground beef or Italian sausage.

What does a Jalapeno Popper Dip taste like?

A jalapeno popper dip has all the elements in texture and flavor as a traditional Jalapeno Popper. Each mouthful has the creaminess from the cheese, followed by the savoriness from the bacon and blue cheese and finished with mild heat for the jalapeno peppers.

More Game Day Dip Recipes to Try:

If you tried this Jalapeno Popper Dip or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the📝 comments. I love hearing from you!

4.67 from 6 votes

Jalapeno Popper Dip

This jalapeno popper dip with the perfect appetizer for yournext game day party. Packed with spicy and savory flavors, it's a winner.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 8 People

Ingredients 

  • 6 strips Thick cut bacon
  • 4 Jalapeno peppers, diced
  • 8 oz Cream cheese
  • 8 oz Shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 4 oz Diced mild green chiles
  • 1 tbsp Dad's All Purpose rub
  • 2 tbsp Freshly chopped cilantro

Instructions 

  • Start by cooking the strips of bacon to get the crispy. You can use a cast iron skillet, microwave or a griddle. When done, let them cool and chop them up.
  • In a mixing bowl, add cream cheese, shredded cheddar (leave 1/2 cup to the side), diced jalapenos, diced green chiles, Dad's All purpose rub and the chopped up bacon. Mix the ingredients together and place in a cast iron skillet. Top it all off with a handful of shredded cheddar and a few jalapeno slices.
  • Preheat the grill to 350 degrees and set for indirect heat. Place the skillet on the grill and let it cook for 20-30 minutes until the cheese has melted.
  • Remove the skillet from the grill, allow it to cool down, garnish with fresh cilantro, more crispy bacon, serve and enjoy!

Notes

    • Make the dip on the grill.  It adds a nice layer of smokiness.
    • Add flavor with different cheese varieties.  Don’t be scared of the smelly ones.  
    • Do NOT season the bacon with any spices.  This is a very savory dish from the cheese and seasoning.  Any more, and it will be too salty

Nutrition

Calories: 371kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 83mg | Sodium: 623mg | Potassium: 157mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 831IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 286mg | Iron: 0.2mg
Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

Check out the Recipes Page for other tasty ideas!

About Maciek

I make easy meals that anyone can replicate at home. I’m not a professionally trained chef, just your average guy that likes to fire up the grill. So follow along and see what’s cooking today!

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4.67 from 6 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




6 Comments

  1. Maciek,

    You mention blue cheese in the description, but it’s not listed in the ingredients. How much blue cheese should be added?

  2. 5 stars
    Savory, spicy, salty and creamy! This is the perfect dip for your next tailgate or game day. I hope you like it as much as we do!

  3. 5 stars
    If you love jalepeno poppers, but hate all of the prep work associated with stuffing the peppers, then this is the recipe for you. Easy, delicious, and a great dip to bring to your next party.

  4. 5 stars
    Made this for the Super Bowl and it was a hit…gone within an hour. Thought it was particularly good using pork rinds as scoops!

  5. 4 stars
    I haven’t tried this yet. It looks like at least 4 stars though. hadn’t seen it untill I went to your website. But I enjoy your recipes and your style and presentation of all your videos.