Deep-Fried Jalapeño Beef Poppers Recipe

cream cheese

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: ricotta cheese

Greek yogurt reduces calories while maintaining creaminess

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: reduced-fat cheese

💰Cheaper: monterey jack

Monterey jack is often less expensive and melts well

bacon

🥗Healthier: turkey bacon

💰Cheaper: pork belly

Turkey bacon is lower in fat and calories

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is leaner, while ground pork is often cheaper

Dice jalapeños, removing the inner pith and seeds, or keep some seeds for extra heat.

Cut long slices of jalapeños before turning and cutting into a fine dice.

Combine diced jalapeños with 12 ounces of ground chuck, 12 ounces of shredded cheddar, coarse salt, black pepper, and mustard seeds in a bowl.

Mix the ingredients evenly without overworking the ground beef.

Use a teaspoon to form the mixture into little football shapes and place them on a sheet tray.

Refrigerate the formed poppers to firm them up.

Make a honey-lime cream sauce by mixing sour cream with lime zest and juice, honey, and chopped fresh cilantro.

Dust the poppers with flour to create a foundation for the crust.

Prepare an egg wash with 1 cup of whisked eggs and set up a breading station with panko and regular bread crumbs.

Bread the poppers by dipping them in the egg wash and then coating them with bread crumbs, keeping one hand dry during the process.

Heat vegetable oil to 360-375°F for frying.

Carefully place the poppers in the hot oil, working in batches of six or eight to avoid splashing.

Fry until golden brown, adjusting time if the oil is too hot or too cool.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens