The Iconic Texas BBQ Appetizer That Gives 'Twinkies' A Whole New Meaning - Tasting Table

Texas BBQ features a signature appetizer called a Texas Twinkie, made to showcase Texas brisket. A Texas Twinkie is a brisket-stuffed, bacon-wrapped jalapeño popper rather than a packaged snack. The appetizer originated in 2014 at Hutchin's BBQ in McKinney, Texas, created to use leftover brisket. Extra-large jalapeños are seeded and pith removed, then filled with chopped marbled brisket and cream cheese, wrapped in thick-cut bacon, and finished with a sweet barbecue sauce glaze. Slow-smoking for hours adds smokiness to the bacon and tenderizes the pepper and filling. The size can make it nearly a full meal, and the concept has spread to other Texas BBQ menus.

"A Texas twinkie is essentially a brisket-stuffed, bacon-wrapped jalapeño popper. Texas Twinkies first appeared on the menu at Hutchin's BBQ in McKinney, Texas, in 2014. According to owner Tim Hutchins, the appetizer idea came about as a way to use up leftover brisket. Hutchin's BBQ's Texas Twinkies feature extra-large jalapeños that have been stripped of their seeds and pith and stuffed with chopped, beautifully marbled brisket and cream cheese, all wrapped in thick-cut bacon and finished with a sweet barbecue sauce glaze."

"What makes the Texas Twinkies even more decadent is that they are slow-smoked for hours in the smoker, infusing a smokiness to the savory bacon while making the pepper and stuffing melt-in-your-mouth tender. Plus, in true Texas fashion, a giant Texas Twinkie could almost be a meal in and of itself. After the Texas Twinkie debuted at Hutchin's BBQ, other Texas BBQ joints followed suit, and now it's a popular Texas favorite on many menus."

"Leftover brisket isn't a problem exclusive to BBQ joints. You're bound to have leftover brisket after you've smoked your own at home. And you can utilize your own backyard smoker to repurpose brisket into Texas Twinkies. Making them Texas-sized by buying extra large jalapeños is important if you're going to stuff them with brisket and cream cheese."

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