Tips from the Grill: BBQ Pig Shots

Kick off tailgate season with grilled pig shots made with kielbasa, bacon, creamy cheese, jalapeños, and Kingsford™ Charcoal. Cook indirect, then finish with hot honey or grape jelly for a smoky, sweet bite.

Grilled bacon-wrapped pig shots topped with jalapeño slices

1Food Prep20 min
2Grill Prep20 min
3The Cook45 min

Cooking for 8 people

Ingredients

1 lb.
Colby Jack cheese, shredded
2 blocks
cream cheese, softened
2 tbsp
barbecue rub, plus more to taste
2 lb.
kielbasa, sliced into ½-inch rounds
2 lb.
thick-cut bacon, strips cut in half
jalapeño slices, fresh or pickled, enough to top each pig shot
hot honey or grape jelly, enough to drizzle before serving

1Food Prep

Shred the Colby Jack cheese. Add the softened cream cheese, shredded cheese, and barbecue rub to a large bowl, then mix until combined.
Transfer the filling to a resealable plastic bag and cut one corner so it can be used as a piping bag.
Slice the kielbasa into ½-inch rounds to form the base of each pig shot.
Cut the bacon strips in half. Wrap one half-strip of bacon around each kielbasa round to form a cup, securing as needed.
Place the assembled pig shots on a wire rack for easier transfer to and from the grill.
Pipe the filling into each pig shot just to the top, then top each one with a fresh or pickled jalapeño slice.

2Grill Prep

Fuel: We recommend Kingsford™ Original Charcoal Briquets.
Method: Two-Zone Method
Temp: 350°F using a two-zone charcoal setup

3The Cook

- Light a charcoal chimney and let the coals ash over. Set up the grill for indirect cooking by pouring the hot coals onto one side of the grill, leaving the other side as the indirect cooking zone.
- Wearing heat-resistant gloves, set the grill grates back on and open the top and bottom vents. Let the grill come to about 350°F.
- Place the rack of pig shots on the indirect side of the grill. Close the lid and cook for about 45 minutes.
- Remove the pig shots from the grill when the bacon is cooked and the filling is hot and set. Let them cool for a few minutes so the filling can firm up.
- Drizzle with hot honey or grape jelly before serving.