Cheddar-Stuffed BBQ Turkey Bacon Bombs

There are some recipes that just stop you in your tracks. You know the ones—those bold, over-the-top creations that make you say, “I need to make that right now.” Well, Cheddar-Stuffed BBQ turkey Bacon Bombs are exactly that. These juicy, cheesy, turkey bacon-wrapped bites of heaven are everything you could want in a comfort food recipe. Imagine tender, seasoned ground beef wrapped around gooey cheddar cheese, then hugged in smoky turkey bacon and glazed with tangy barbecue sauce. It’s flavor overload in the best way possible.

What I love about this recipe is its versatility. It works just as well as an appetizer for game day as it does as the star of your backyard cookout. And let’s be honest—when you bring out a tray of these at any gathering, you instantly become everyone’s favorite person in the room.

They’re also surprisingly simple to make. Don’t let the “turkey bacon bomb” name intimidate you; with a handful of pantry staples, a block of cheddar, and your favorite barbecue sauce, you’ll have everything you need. Plus, you can make them in the oven or on the grill, which means they’re doable year-round.

Before we get into the cooking process, here’s a quick look at what makes this recipe so special:

• Smoky & Cheesy Goodness: The smoked paprika in the beef plus the turkey bacon and barbecue glaze create layers of flavor you won’t forget.

• Crowd-Pleaser Appeal: Perfect finger food, but also filling enough to serve as a main dish.

• Make-Ahead Friendly: Prep them earlier in the day, keep them in the fridge, and cook when ready.

Now let’s dive into the first steps of making these irresistible Cheddar-Stuffed BBQ turkey Bacon Bombs.

this recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 pound ground beef

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon onion powder

• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika

• Salt and black pepper to taste

• 4 ounces cheddar cheese, cut into ¾-inch cubes

• 10 to 12 slices of turkey bacon

• ½ cup barbecue sauce, plus extra for serving

Step 1: Preheat Your Cooking Method

You can go one of two ways here, depending on your mood (or the weather). Preheat your oven to 400°F if you’re baking, or get your grill going at medium heat if you want that smoky outdoor flavor. Either way, these turkey bacon bombs are going to turn out crispy and delicious.

Step 2: Season the Beef

In a large mixing bowl, add your ground beef along with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, plus a pinch of salt and black pepper. Mix everything together until just combined. Don’t overmix—this keeps the beef tender instead of tough. Think of it like handling burger patties; less mixing equals juicier results.

Step 3: Shape the Beef Bombs

Now comes the fun part. Take a small handful of the seasoned beef mixture and flatten it into a patty right in the palm of your hand. Place one cube of cheddar cheese in the center, then carefully shape the beef around it to form a ball. Make sure the cheese is completely sealed inside—you don’t want it leaking out while cooking. Continue this process until all the beef and cheese cubes are used up.

Now that we’ve got our cheesy beef bombs ready to go, it’s time to take them over the top with turkey bacon and barbecue sauce. This is where the magic really happens—crispy turkey bacon on the outside, gooey cheddar in the middle, and tangy-sweet sauce tying it all together. Trust me, once you make these, they’ll earn a permanent spot in your recipe rotation.

Step 4: Wrap with turkey Bacon

Take a slice of turkey bacon and carefully wrap it around one of your beef-and-cheese balls. Tuck the ends underneath to secure it, or if you want to play it safe, use a toothpick to hold everything in place. Repeat the process with the rest of the bombs.

Pro tip: If your turkey bacon slices are especially thin, you may want to double up with two slices per bomb for extra coverage. More turkey bacon never hurts, right?

Step 5: Get Ready to Cook

If you’re baking, place the turkey bacon-wrapped bombs on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. This setup allows the heat to circulate evenly and the turkey bacon fat to drip away, giving you crispy results instead of soggy bottoms.

If you’re grilling, place the bombs directly on the grate over medium heat. Make sure there’s a drip pan underneath to catch the turkey bacon drippings and avoid flare-ups.

Step 6: Brush with Barbecue Sauce

Before cooking, give each turkey bacon bomb a light brush of barbecue sauce. This first layer will caramelize beautifully as they cook, creating a sticky-sweet glaze. Keep some sauce handy—you’ll want to baste again during cooking for maximum flavor.

Step 7: Bake or Grill to Perfection

• Oven Method: Bake for about 25 to 30 minutes at 400°F, or until the turkey bacon is crispy and the beef is cooked through.

• Grill Method: Grill for around 20 minutes, turning occasionally and basting with more barbecue sauce as they cook. You’ll know they’re done when the turkey bacon is crisp and the juices run clear.

Once they’re cooked, let the bombs rest for a few minutes before digging in. This helps the cheese inside settle so it doesn’t all ooze out at once when you cut or bite into them.

Extra Tips for Success

• Seal the Cheese Well: Make sure no cheddar is peeking out before wrapping in turkey bacon, or you might lose some of that gooey goodness during cooking.

• Try Different Cheeses: Sharp cheddar is classic, but pepper jack adds spice, and mozzarella gives you that stretchy cheese pull.

• Switch Up the Sauce: Use a smoky barbecue sauce for depth, or a spicy one for a kick. You can even try honey barbecue for extra sweetness.

• Meal Prep Friendly: These can be assembled a few hours in advance and kept covered in the fridge until you’re ready to cook.