Pineapple Cream Cheese Pig Shots
On August 31, 2020 (Updated May 11, 2024)
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These Pineapple Cream Cheese Pig Shots are the perfect appetizer for holiday dinner parties and potluck summer BBQs. Everybody loves a good appetizer and when that appetizer includes bacon, well, let’s just say you’d better make a double batch just to be safe. These pig shots are beyond tasty and won’t last long.
What are Pig Shots?
In a nutshell, pig shots are like a little BBQ shot of pork goodness. I don’t know the true origin of the “Pig Shot” as a recipe. I searched deep into the underbelly of the internet yesterday and found some pretty awesome versions (like these guys with green chiles and cheese), but I couldn’t determine who created them originally. Maybe pig shots are just one of those BBQ recipes that have become common intellectual property, like Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers or 3-2-1 Ribs.
Wherever they came from, I am grateful, because these little bites of heaven are going to be a permanent fixture at our BBQ spreads from here on out.
Smoked Pig Shots
These pig shots are small rounds of sausage wrapped up in bacon to form perfect little shot glasses of meat. (Just being able to write that sentence means that I officially have the best job in the universe.) Our meaty shot glasses are filled with a sweet and savory filling of cream cheese, pineapple, and brown sugar. YUM!
Next, each cup gets a pineapple topping and a gorgeous dusting of my Homemade Sweet Rub. If you’ve been around a while, you know this rub is my go-to rub for a ton of my recipes and I keep it on hand at all times. I recommend you make a big batch and do the same! You can also save yourself some time and purchase this rub (plus many of my other award-winning rubs and sauces) pre-made from Patio Provisions.
How to Make Pineapple Cream Cheese Pig Shots
Ready to make your own amazing pig shots? Follow the instructions below, and scroll to the bottom of the page for a full printable recipe.
- Assemble the “shot glasses.” Slice sausage into 1/2-inch thick rounds, and wrap each slice of sausage with half a slice of bacon. Season with a few sprinkles of Sweet Rub.
- Fill the shots. Beat together cream cheese, brown sugar, and pineapple chunks in a bowl. Pipe the pineapple cream cheese mixture into the “shot glasses.” Top with additional crushed pineapple and extra Sweet Rub.
- Smoke. After the assembly process, these bites get lots of love from my grill. I cook these over indirect heat in my Camp Chef pellet grill, but you can cook them on any indirect grill you like. I recommend using fruit or hardwoods like apple, cherry, hickory or maple to add smoke to these beauties.
- Serve. Allow the pig shots to cool slightly before serving warm.
Tips for Making Pig Shots
Before you dive into this recipe, here are a few tips I’ve found help the process of making these appetizers that much easier.
- Use thick cut bacon. The thick cut stuff stands up better on the smoker and holds all the filling in good and tight.
- Don’t forget the toothpicks! I recommend using a toothpick or two to secure the bacon. Remember how many you used so you can remove them prior to serving them to your guests.
- Assemble on a flat cooling rack (like you use for cookies). Use a flat cooling rack to assemble your pig shots. This makes it easier to get them on and off the smoker.
There you have it! You should be good to go! Make sure to scroll below to leave me a comment after you make these bad boys. I’d love to hear how they turned out for you!
Can You Make Pig Shots in the Oven?
Pineapple cream cheese pig shots are excellent on the smoker, but if you are holed up inside for the winter or you don’t have a smoker you can make these in the oven as well.
To cook these pig shots in the oven, simply follow the time and temperature instructions in the recipe below. Keep an eye on the pig shots as they cook to make sure they don’t burn.
More BBQ Bacon Recipes
Bacon, man. It’s a glorious addition to any grilled or smoked meat (and it tastes pretty darn good on its own, too!). For more awesome bacon recipes from Hey Grill Hey, check out these links below:
Pineapple Cream Cheese Pig Shots Recipe
Pineapple Cream Cheese Pig Shots
Video
Ingredients
- 1 package smoked pork sausage or kielbasa
- 2 8 oz packages cream cheese softened
- 1 cup crushed pineapple
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 Tablespoons Signature Sweet Rub
- 1 pound bacon cut in half width wise
Instructions
- Preheat the smoker. Preheat your smoker to 300 degrees F. This method is also adaptable for the oven if you don't own a smoker. Simply preheat to the same temperature.
- Make the pig "shot glasses." Slice the sausage into 1/2 inch thick rounds. Wrap each slice of sausage with a half of a slice of bacon so it forms a little "shot glass" of meat. Season the shots with the sweet rub.
- Make the pineapple cream cheese filling. In a medium bowl, beat together the cream cheese, brown sugar, and most of the pineapple chunks, reserving a couple of tablespoons of the pineapple to top the shots with later.
- Fill the pig shots. Transfer the cream cheese mixture to a quart sized zip top bag and snip off the bottom corner. Fill each shot glass with some of the mixture, leaving just a little room at the top. Spoon the remaining crushed pineapple into the top of each shot and season them all again with a little sweet rub.
- Smoke the pig shots. Carefully transfer the shots to the grill grates (or a foil lined pan if using your oven) and cook for 75-90 minutes, or until the bacon gets crisp.
- Serve warm. Serve the pineapple cream cheese pig shots warm with plenty of napkins. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
**This post was originally published in December 2016. We recently updated it with more information and helpful tips. The recipe remains the same.
SO delicious!!! The neighbors were peaking over the fence to see what I was smoking due to the aroma wafting their way. I added a round of jalapeño on top of the sausage so you got salty, sweet and spicy all in one bite! Thanks for the recipe Susie!!
I’ll be making these for the first time for Super bowl party. I’ll get back to you. They sure sound tasty 🙂 Can’t wait.
I used homemade pear preserves in place of apricot. These were great so thanks for the recipe.
Made these for part of Christmas dinner. Not a big fan of pineapple so I made a different filling. Cream cheese, chopped pickled jalapenos, grated sharp cheddar, garlic powder, and worcestershire sauce. Yeah, they were a big hit.
5 star all the way!These are a party favorite!
These didn’t last long, my only suggestion is to use skinless sausage or peel the skin off them before slicing. I was worried, I didn’t think I drained my pineapple enough and the mixture seemed too liquidity but they still turned out yummy! I’ve enjoyed watching all your videos so far and can’t wait to try more recipes.
My sister made a version of these for our 4th of July picnic stuffed with Pulled Pork and Cream cheese instead of the Pineapple.
Tried pig shots for the first time this weekend and it’s a new go-to recipe! I followed except added some blueberry jalapeño jam to the cream cheese pineapple mixture. Also shook the shots in meat church Honey Hog prior to smoking. Boyfriend said it’s one of the best things he’s ever ate. Thanks for the great recipe!
I did these and they were fantastic. In fact I’m doing these again today I think.
My only question is how much cream cheese.
The recipe calls for two blocks but in the video it’s just one block. I think one block of cream cheese is the right amount.
I tried these the other day on a whim, but didn’t have thick cut bacon so they all “leaned over”. I loved them. My wife isn’t all into the sweetness and only ate one. I ate the rest!! So the next time they will be made with less brown sugar. I’m going to try them again tomorrow for Memorial day but using jalapenos, cheddar cheese, pepper jack cheese, and cream cheese instead of the brown sugar and pineapple.