Duck Jalapeño Poppers

Are you bored of the same old run-of-the-mill Jalapeño poppers? You have to try my duck jalapeno poppers recipe!

If you love the deep-fried fiery goodness that is the traditional jalapeño popper but want to take it up a notch, simply stack duck on top, and wrap them in slices of bacon.

There are many ways to cook poppers, but I’ve hashed out the best and tastiest recipe and put it below for you

Why You’ll Love This Duck Jalapeño Poppers Recipe

This is by far one of the easiest recipes to follow to make Duck Jalapeño Poppers. The ingredients are simple to source from your local grocer, and you don’t need to be a Tepenyaki master to assemble the poppers.

Just slice, gut, fill and chuck them on the grill or in the oven – so easy.

What You’ll Need to Cook Duck Jalapeño Poppers

• Duck breast 
• Whole Jalapeno Peppers/bell peppers 
• Cream Cheese 
• Bacon Slices
• Black Pepper
• Olive Oil

What To Serve With Duck Poppers

Duck poppers are best served with salads and carby sides. I’d recommend some of the following:

• Grilled corn on the cob with butter or a sweet corn salad
• Spinach artichoke dip
• Guacamole
• Cheesy nachos
• Cheesy garlic bread
• Refried beans

How To Store Leftover Duck Poppers

Like any meat products allow the poppers to cool to room temperature before placing them into an airtight container. Place them in the fridge. They can be stored in the fridge for up to three days. 

How Should I Prepare My Duck?

We use duck breasts for this recipe, so you’ll want to slice duck breasts in thin strips so they sit comfortably on the jalepeños.

You don’t need to do much preparation for your duck for this recipe. It comes down to taste preference and time.

If you want to experiment with additional flavor, you can marinate the duck 4 hours before cooking and it’s up to you what marinate you use.

But this isn’t essential and the recipe below doesn’t include any marinating.

What Temperature to Smoke Duck Poppers At

The duck Poppers need to be smoked at 300°F. Jalapeno poppers are done when they acquire rich maroon/brown/burgundy color, but that all depends on the wood you are using for smoking.

What Internal Temperature You Need to Reach For Duck Poppers

The internal temperature of cooked duck meat (as with all poultry) needs to be 165°F.

What Are The Best Wood Chips To Use For Duck Poppers?

For smoking dark meat like duck meat, it’s recommended to use fruity flavored would chips like maple, apple, cherry, or pecan. They add a sweet flavor to the meat. 

Can I Experiment With Different Cheeses?

You absolutely can. Mozzarella and bocconcini are great for texture. Cheddar is a suited option for extra taste, but cream cheese is the classic filling, only because it’s a wonderful mixing agent that won’t melt outside of the jalepeño while it’s cooking.

It’s slightly risky using stringy cheeses, only because you don’t want the cheese to melt everywhere before the meat is cooked. But if you secure the cheese into the jalepeño and wrap the bacon around firmly, the cheese should stay melted inside.

Another option is mixing grated cheese into the cream cheese, or sprinkling a little bit on top of the filling. This is totally up to your preference or degree of hankering for experimentation. 

What Are The Best Jalapeños to Use?

I think the best jalapenos to use for duck poppers are large poppers with medium heat like the goliath or jalora jalapeños. For something of similar size but extra spicy try the jalafeugo jalapeños.

For something low heat, you can go for the TAM jalapeño.

However it just depends on the season, but you can choose how spicy you want your poppers to be, and what size you’re after. The good news is there’s something in every category. 

If you’re looking for that bite-size extra spicy jalapeño, I’d recommend a yellow jalapeño or a pumpkin spice jalapeño. 

Step 1: Preparing the Jalepeños

Slice the peppers lengthwise and remove the seeds. Don’t cut the tops off because the jalepeño shape creates the boat in which the cream cheese will melt. You can wear gloves to avoid spicy hands.

Step 2: Preparing the Duck

Prepare the duck breast by slicing it into short strips, big enough to cover the pepper. Season both sides with your bbq rub, marinate, or choice of seasoning.

Step 3: Making the Filling

If you want to add different cheeses to your mixture, add these to a bowl and mix the cream cheese and cheese so they combine firmly. If you’re using plain old cream cheese, go to step 3!

Step 4: Assembling the Peppers

Spoon out a tablespoon of cream cheese mixture into the jalapeño. Add the slice of seasoned duck. Wrap it with a slice of bacon and secure it with a toothpick.

Step 5: Cooking the Poppers

Arrange the peppers onto a wire tray. Using a wire tray helps prevent any bits from falling through the grill gaps and is also easier to transport.

Place the tray directly onto your smoker at 300°F for 45min to 1 hour until the bacon crisps up. Turn your tray about halfway through to ensure even cooking.

Cool the poppers on a tray before serving. 

How Long to Smoke Duck Poppers 

You want to smoke the duck poppers for 45 minutes to an hour.

If you’re cooking them in the oven, 25 to 30 minutes at 425°F or until the bacon is crispy. The inside should be melted, and the duck should be brown.

What’s The Better Way To Cook My Duck Jalepeño Poppers: Smoking or Grilling?

In my experience both smoked poppers and grilled poppers are delicious! It just depends on whether you want that smoky taste or not.

What to Serve with Duck Poppers

These are the perfect appetizer for the gameday or as side to a main meal. Here is what I like serving them with;

Smoked Pig Shots

Smoked Brie

SPAM Burnt Ends

Smoked Queso Dip

Corn on The Cob

Smoke On!

Charlie

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