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How to Make Pig Shots

If you are looking for an easy appetizer that will disappear almost as soon as you set it on the table, you have to try these Pig Shots! They are smoky, cheesy, a little spicy, and packed with so much flavor in one delicious bite.

Pig Shots get their name from their fun little “shot glass” shape. Slices of smoked sausage form the bottom, bacon is wrapped around the outside, and the center is filled with a creamy, cheesy filling. Once baked, the bacon gets crispy while the filling becomes warm, bubbly, and irresistible.

These are perfect for game day, tailgating, backyard cookouts, holiday parties, or anytime you need a hearty appetizer.

What Are Pig Shots?

Pig Shots are a popular BBQ appetizer made with smoked sausage, bacon, and a cream cheese filling.

A thick slice of sausage serves as the base. A strip of bacon is wrapped around it and secured with a toothpick, creating a small cup. The bacon cup is then filled with a seasoned cream cheese mixture and cooked until everything is hot and the bacon is crisp.

Think of them as a cross between a jalapeño popper and a bacon-wrapped sausage bite.

And yes—they are every bit as good as that sounds!

Ingredients You'll Need for Pig Shots

One of the best things about this Pig Shots recipe is that you only need a handful of ingredients.

• Smoked sausage or kielbasa
• Bacon
• Cream cheese, softened
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Jalapeños
• Your favorite seasoning
• BBQ sauce, optional
• Toothpicks

You can easily adjust the filling depending on how spicy or cheesy you want your Pig Shots.

How to Make Pig Shots

Start by slicing the smoked sausage into thick rounds. You want the slices thick enough to create a sturdy base for your Pig Shots.

Next, cut the bacon strips in half.

Wrap one piece of bacon around each sausage slice so that the sausage sits at the bottom and the bacon extends above it, creating a little cup. Secure the bacon with a toothpick.

Continue until all of the sausage slices have been wrapped.

Make the Cream Cheese Filling

In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, diced jalapeños, and a little of your favorite BBQ seasoning.

Mix everything together until well combined.

Transfer the cream cheese mixture to a piping bag or zip-top bag. If using a zip-top bag, simply snip off one corner.

Pipe the cream cheese mixture into the center of each bacon-wrapped sausage cup.

Don't be afraid to fill them generously!

Sprinkle a little additional BBQ seasoning over the top.

Bake Until Crispy

Arrange the Pig Shots on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil. A wire rack placed over the baking sheet works especially well because it allows some of the bacon grease to drain away as they cook.

Bake at 375°F until the bacon is cooked and crispy and the filling is hot and bubbly, about 35 to 45 minutes, depending on the thickness of your bacon.

For even crispier bacon, you can place them under the broiler for a minute or two at the end. Just keep a close eye on them because bacon can go from perfectly browned to burned very quickly.

If you like, brush or drizzle the finished Pig Shots with your favorite BBQ sauce before serving.

Can I Make Pig Shots on the Smoker?

Absolutely!

Pig Shots are fantastic on a smoker because the bacon, sausage, cheese, and wood smoke are such a good combination.

Prepare them exactly the same way, then place them on your smoker at around 250°F to 275°F.

Smoke until the bacon is cooked to your liking and the filling is hot. Depending on your smoker and the thickness of the bacon, this can take around 1½ to 2 hours.

You can brush them with BBQ sauce during the last few minutes of cooking for a sticky, sweet-and-smoky finish.

Try Different Pig Shot Fillings

Once you know how to make basic Pig Shots, there are so many ways to change them up.

For extra heat, add finely diced fresh jalapeños or pickled jalapeños to the cream cheese.

You could also add pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar.

For a sweet and spicy version, drizzle them with hot honey after cooking.

You can even mix a little BBQ sauce into the cream cheese filling or top each Pig Shot with brown sugar before baking for a sweet, caramelized finish.

Tips for the Best Pig Shots

Use regular-cut bacon. Thick-cut bacon can take much longer to crisp and may still be chewy by the time the filling is finished.

Soften your cream cheese. Room-temperature cream cheese is much easier to mix and pipe into the bacon cups. You can also use the whipped cream cheese in the tub if you prefer that instead of the blocked cream cheese.

Don't slice the sausage too thin. The sausage needs to be thick enough to hold the bacon in place and create the bottom of your Pig Shot.

Use a piping bag. You can spoon the filling into the cups, but piping it in is much quicker and less messy.

Line your baking sheet. Bacon releases quite a bit of grease, so foil or parchment makes cleanup much easier.

Are Pig Shots Spicy?

They don't have to be.

If you want mild Pig Shots, remove the seeds and membranes from your jalapeños or leave the peppers out altogether.

If your crowd likes some heat, leave a few seeds in the jalapeños or add cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper, hot sauce, or a spicy BBQ rub to the filling.

You can also serve hot sauce on the side so everyone can adjust the heat themselves.

Can You Make Pig Shots Ahead of Time?

Yes! This is one reason they're such a great party appetizer.

Assemble the Pig Shots, fill them with the cream cheese mixture, and place them in an airtight container or covered baking dish in the refrigerator.

When you're ready to serve them, simply bake according to the recipe.

You can prepare them several hours ahead of time, making them especially convenient for game day or holiday entertaining.

What to Serve With Pig Shots

These little bacon-wrapped appetizers work with just about any BBQ or game-day spread.

Serve them alongside chicken wings, sliders, BBQ meatballs, chips and dips, baked beans, potato salad, or your favorite grilled meats.

I also like putting out a few dipping sauces. BBQ sauce is the obvious choice, but ranch, spicy ranch, honey mustard, or hot honey are all delicious with them.

How to Store Leftovers

If you happen to have any Pig Shots left—and that's a big if!—store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheat them in the oven or air fryer until warmed through. The air fryer is especially good for bringing some of that crispiness back to the bacon.

I wouldn't recommend microwaving them unless you're in a hurry because the bacon will become much softer.

The Perfect Game Day Appetizer

There is a reason Pig Shots have become such a popular BBQ appetizer. You get smoky sausage, crispy bacon, creamy cheese, jalapeños, and BBQ flavor all packed into one bite-sized snack.

They're also easy to customize, which means you can make them mild for the whole family or turn up the heat for anyone who loves spicy food.

Make a batch for your next football party, tailgate, cookout, or family get-together and watch how quickly they disappear.

Just make sure you grab one before you put the platter out—you might not get another chance!

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