Bacon-Wrapped Dove Poppers
Discover the perfect dove poppers recipe that honors your hunt. Tender dove breast, jalapeños, cheese, and crispy bacon create an ideal post-hunt treat.
Bacon-Wrapped Dove Poppers
Rated 5.0 stars by 1 users
Category
Appetizer
Cuisine
American
Author:
This recipe comes from Matt Pittman, CEO of Meat Church BBQ, YouTube personality, and friend of Montana Knife Company.
Servings
12
Prep Time
20 minutes
Cook Time
15 minutes
Calories
230
Looking for the perfect dove poppers recipe? These bacon-wrapped dove poppers bring out the best in freshly hunted dove.
The combination of tender dove breast, spicy jalapeño, melty cheese, and crispy bacon makes for an irresistible post-hunt treat that honors the birds and the tradition.
Ingredients
These classic dove poppers become a crowd favorite when you use the following ingredients:
- 12 dove breasts, deboned
- 1 package thinly sliced bacon, cut in half
- 3 fresh jalapeños, thinly sliced (bell peppers work for a milder taste)
- 1/2 block Monterey Jack cheese, sliced to match jalapeño thickness
- Your favorite BBQ seasoning
- 24 toothpicks
- Charcoal or wood for grilling
Directions
Making perfect dove poppers is simple when you follow these steps:
Prepare your grill. Set up your grill for direct, high-heat cooking. Lump charcoal works great, creating the perfect sear for bacon-wrapped dove poppers.
Debone the dove breast. Using a sharp, clean kitchen knife, slice along the length of the breastbone. Filet the breast back to the edge of the keel. Using your hands, gently pull the meat off the keel, leaving the two breasts connected.
Assemble the bacon-wrapped dove poppers. Lightly season each breast with your favorite BBQ seasoning. Place one slice of jalapeño and cheese inside each breast. Wrap with half a slice of bacon, then wrap with another half-slice in the opposite direction, creating a ball shape. Secure each with toothpicks. Season the outside lightly.
Grill your bacon-wrapped dove poppers. Place the bacon-wrapped dove poppers over direct fire, keeping them high enough to avoid flare-ups. This allows the bacon to cook properly without burning. Rotate the poppers constantly to cook evenly on all sides. Using an instant-read thermometer, pull the bacon-wrapped dove poppers when the breast reaches 165°F and the bacon looks perfectly crisp.
Rest and serve. Remove from the grill and allow to cool for a few minutes before serving. This helps the juices redistribute throughout the meat.
Recipe Note
Pro Tips for Making the Best Dove Poppers
Want your bacon-wrapped dove poppers to be the highlight of your post-hunt gathering? Follow these tips:
Keep your knife extra sharp when deboning the dove breasts.A clean, precise cut makes preparation easier and results in a better presentation of your bacon-wrapped dove poppers.
If you’re cooking for guests with varying spice preferences, prepare some bacon-wrapped dove poppers with bell peppers instead of jalapeños.This way, everyone can enjoy the harvest.
The key to perfectly cooked bacon-wrapped dove poppers is constant attention.The difference between perfectly crisp and burnt bacon is just a minute or two, so keep rotating and checking your poppers.
When selecting bacon for your bacon-wrapped dove poppers, choose regular-cut rather than thick-cut. It wraps more easily around the small dove breasts and cooks more evenly.
For an extra flavor boost, try marinating your dove breasts for 2–3 hours before assembling your bacon-wrapped dove poppers.A simple mixture of olive oil, garlic, and your favorite herbs works wonderfully.
Whether you’re new to cooking wild game or a seasoned pro, these bacon-wrapped dove poppers will be a hit at your next gathering. The perfect blend of spicy, savory, and smoky flavors makes these dove poppers an unforgettable appetizer that celebrates the hunt and the harvest.
