If you want the ultimate cookout recipe, try my Pepper Jack Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Barbecue Glazed Brats. This easy dish comes together in a little over an hour, perfect for the dog days of Summer.
These brats contain some of the best things in life; bacon and cheese! Add my one-of-a-kind rub and sauce for a winning combination. Serve this recipe at your next BBQ or to celebrate baseball season's opening day (go, Braves!)
Brats are among the best things to cook on the Weber Kettle Grill. They’re foolproof and have so many possibilities. Why have ordinary brats when you can have Pepper Jack Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Barbecue Glazed Brats? Once you try these jazzed-up brats, you’ll never go back.
The Ingredients
These tasty Pepper Jack Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Barbecue Glazed Brats come together with just five ingredients. Here’s what you need to add to your shopping list.
- Uncooked bratwurst links. Uncooked bratwurst is where the flavors at! These dogs are big enough to hold lots of filling, like zesty pepper jack cheese. When cooked on the Weber Kettle Grill, the brats pick up a hint of deep smoke.
- Pepper jack cheese sticks. I kept things easy by using pepper jack cheese sticks. This cheese created an outstanding balance of spicy and sweet, especially when paired with Heath Riles BBQ Sweet Rub. You can substitute your favorite cheese stick if you're not into heat.
- Uncooked bacon strips. Everything tastes better with bacon! When wrapping your brat, cover every bit in bacon. This keeps the brat juicy and ensures every bite is infused with a salty-sweet flavor profile.
- Heath Riles BBQ Sweet Rub. This rub was the first I ever perfected. It’s a classic blend of savory and sweet with a bit of heat on the back end. I use this blend on hot dogs, brats, ribs, pork, and bloody marys.
- Heath Riles BBQ Sweet BBQ Sauce. If you’re looking for a decadent ketchup-based sauce, try this one. It contains the best proprietary blend of sugar and spices. Use it to jazz up your pork chops, BBQ chicken sandwiches, or baked beans.
The Smoker Setup
Here’s the main equipment I used for this recipe. More of my grilling favorites are in the Equipment and Tools section.
- Kettle Grill. I cooked these Pepper Jack Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Barbecue Glazed Brats on the Weber Kettle Grill. This is an excellent pick if you want a simple, sturdy setup. Beginners love this pit because there are only a few bells or whistles to mess with. Weber produces high-quality pits that last for ages. This model is easy to store, making it perfect for small spaces. There are also a lot of fun accessories you can purchase, like the Vortex Chimney.
- Charcoal. I stoked the pit with Royal Oak Charcoal and Royal Oak Tumbleweeds. I used Royal’s new super-size charcoal and was so impressed. This charcoal doesn’t use any fillers and produces pure, clean smoke. I use them just about every time with fabulous results.
The Process for Making Pepper Jack Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Barbecue Glazed Brats
The video and recipe card show this recipe's detailed demonstration. Here’s a quick rundown of how I made this delectable recipe.
- Fire up the grill. I stoked the Weber Kettle Grill with Royal Oak Charcoal and Royal Oak Tumbleweeds. I used my Vortex Chimney to create a two-zone fire. I cooked at a temperature range of 350℉-375℉
- Stuff the brats. To prep the Pepper Jack Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Barbecue Glazed Brats, I sliced the bratwurst lengthwise. I used my fingers to create a pocket shape, perfect for holding cheese! I placed a pepper jack cheese stick in each brat and molded the meat around it.
- Add bacon. Once the brats were stuffed with cheese, I wrapped each piece of meat with bacon. One piece of bacon is rarely sufficient, so be prepared to use at least two slices per brat. To finish the brats, I added a good layer of Heath Riles BBQ Sweet Rub, rotating the meat to coat it evenly.
- Start smoking. Once the grill got up to temp, I laid the meat directly on the cool zone of the fire. At the 30-minute mark, I moved the brats to the hot zone of the fire so the bacon could crisp. Be mindful of this step, as crisping the bacon will take just a few minutes. Last, I moved the meat back to the cool zone for another 15 minutes.
- Glaze and finish. Once the brats were golden, I glazed them with Heath Riles BBQ Sweet BBQ Sauce. I let the Pepper Jack Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Barbecue Glazed Brats go for another 15-20 minutes, so the sauce could tack up.
- Build the dogs. Everyone has their favorite way to build a dog, but if you’re looking for inspiration, here’s mine. I spread a thin layer of mustard on the brat bun. Then, I laid the Pepper Jack Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Barbecue Glazed Brats on top.
The Results
This recipe was a home run! The combination of pepper jack cheese, Heath Riles BBQ Sweet Rub, and Heath Riles BBQ Sweet BBQ Sauce was out of this world.
Serving Suggestions for Pepper Jack Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Barbecue Glazed Brats
These brats are a showstopper. You can keep things simple by whipping up a batch of Mississippi Coleslaw. Add a bag of potato chips and a Miller Lite for the perfect easy meal.
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftovers, store them in the fridge for 3-4 days. You can also freeze leftovers for 2-3 months. If heating from frozen, you may have to broil the meat at a higher temp to crisp the bacon.
Equipment and Tools
Weber Kettle Grill, Royal Oak Charcoal, Royal Oak Tumbleweeds, Vortex Chimney, disposable cutting board, metal tongs, ThermoWorks Hi-Temp Basting Brush, Yeti Rambler, Victorinox Fribrox Pro Chef’s Knife, Nechtik BBQ Gloves.
