Atomic Buffalo Turds

Get ready to make the most addictive BBQ appetizer you’ve ever tasted. These Atomic Buffalo Turds (ABTs) combine fresh jalapeños, creamy filling, smoky sausage, and crispy bacon into one incredible bite. Despite their quirky name, these stuffed peppers are a BBQ competition favorite that’ll steal the show at your next cookout.

What Are Atomic Buffalo Turds?

Don’t let the playful name fool you – these are seriously delicious appetizers that have become legendary in BBQ circles. ABTs are essentially elevated jalapeño poppers: fresh jalapeños stuffed with seasoned cream cheese and a smoky cocktail sausage, all wrapped in bacon and slow-cooked to perfection. The combination creates an irresistible blend of heat, smoke, and creamy richness that keeps people coming back for more.

The Perfect Balance of Flavors

What makes ABTs special is the way each component contributes to the final flavor. The jalapeños provide a fresh, spicy base that mellows during cooking. The cream cheese mixture cools the heat while adding richness. Little Smokies add a savory depth, and the bacon wrapper crisps up to provide texture and smoky flavor. When cooked properly, all these elements meld together into perfect, bite-sized morsels.

Ingredient Selection Tips

For the best results, choose jalapeños that are uniform in size and have thick walls. Fresh peppers will hold up better during cooking and provide better flavor. When selecting bacon, go for regular cut rather than thick-cut – it will wrap more easily and crisp up better. The cream cheese should be fully softened to make mixing and stuffing easier. For the sausages, Little Smokies are traditional, but any small smoked sausage will work.

Preparation Techniques

The key to great ABTs lies in the preparation. When cleaning the jalapeños, wear gloves to protect your hands from the oils. Make a single cut lengthwise and carefully remove the seeds and membranes – this is where most of the heat resides, so remove more for milder ABTs or leave some for extra kick. When wrapping with bacon, stretch it slightly as you wrap to ensure it stays tight during cooking.

Cooking Methods

While ABTs can be cooked on any grill or smoker, indirect heat is crucial for proper cooking. This allows the bacon to render and crisp while the peppers cook through and the cheese melts perfectly. Maintain a temperature between 250-300°F for best results. If using a smoker, hickory or apple wood provide complementary flavors without overwhelming the other ingredients.

Serving and Storage

ABTs are best served hot off the grill, but they can be prepared in advance. Assemble them up to 24 hours ahead and store covered in the refrigerator. Let them come to room temperature before cooking. While they can be reheated, the bacon won’t be quite as crispy, so try to make only what you plan to serve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble ABTs up to 24 hours in advance. Store them covered in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before cooking. The bacon may not wrap as tightly after storing, so secure well with toothpicks.

How do I control the heat level?

The heat level can be adjusted by how thoroughly you remove the jalapeño membranes and seeds. For milder ABTs, remove all seeds and white membranes. For spicier versions, leave some membrane intact. You can also adjust the amount of cayenne in the cream cheese mixture.

What’s the best way to wrap the bacon?

Start at one end of the jalapeño and wrap the bacon at a slight angle, slightly overlapping each wrap. Secure both ends with toothpicks. The bacon should be snug but not so tight that it tears when the cream cheese expands during cooking.

Can I cook these in the oven?

While traditionally grilled or smoked, ABTs can be baked in an oven at 350°F for about 25-30 minutes. Place them on a rack over a baking sheet to allow the bacon fat to drain. You’ll miss some of the smoky flavor, but they’ll still be delicious.

Atomic Buffalo Turds (ABTs)

A BBQ favorite featuring jalapeños stuffed with cream cheese and cocktail sausages, wrapped in bacon and slow-cooked to perfection. These elevated jalapeño poppers are the perfect blend of spicy, creamy, and smoky flavors.

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Prep Time 20

Cook Time 25

Total Time 45

Course Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine American, BBQ

Servings 10 pieces

Calories 180 kcal

Equipment

Grill or Smoker indirect heat capability needed
Toothpicks for securing bacon wrap
Disposable gloves for handling peppers
Sharp knife for preparing peppers

Ingredients

10 whole jalapeño peppers fresh, medium size
10 slices bacon cut in half crosswise
10 whole Little Smokey Sausages or similar cocktail sausages
1 cup cream cheese softened
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper adjust to taste

Instructions

Cut jalapeños in half lengthwise and remove seeds and membranes.
Mix softened cream cheese with cayenne pepper until well combined.
Fill each jalapeño half with cream cheese mixture.
Place one Little Smokey sausage in each stuffed pepper.
Wrap each stuffed pepper with half a slice of bacon, securing with toothpicks.
Prepare grill or smoker for indirect cooking at 250-300°F.
Cook ABTs for 20-30 minutes until bacon is crispy and peppers are tender.
Let cool slightly before serving.

Notes

Wear gloves when handling jalapeños. Control heat level by amount of membrane removed. Can be assembled ahead and refrigerated before cooking.

Keywords ABTs, atomic buffalo turds, bacon wrapped jalapeños, jalapeño poppers

5/5 - (1 vote)

Contents

What Are Atomic Buffalo Turds?
The Perfect Balance of Flavors
Ingredient Selection Tips
Preparation Techniques
Cooking Methods
Serving and Storage
Atomic Buffalo Turds (ABTs)

Chris Johns

Chris is the founder of BBQ Report® and has been an avid barbecue fan for over 20 years. His mission is to make grilling and smoking the best food possible easy for everyone. And each year, he continues to help more people with grilling, smoking, and barbecue recipe recommendations.

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