Grilled Jalapeño Bacon Beef Pinwheels (with Chipotle Crema)
Crispy grilled jalapeño bacon beef pinwheels — thin 80/20 ground beef pressed over a flour tortilla with diced jalapeño, chopped bacon, and freshly shredded Pepper Jack and sharp cheddar, rolled, frozen, sliced, skewered, and grilled at 375-400°F until golden. Served with blended chipotle crema.
Equipment
- Metal Skewers
- Grill or Pellet Grill
- Sharp knife
- Plastic Wrap
- Blender or Food Processor
Ingredients
Pinwheels
- 2 large burrito-size flour tortillas
- 1 lb 80/20 ground beef
- 2 tbsp burger seasoning
- 2 fresh jalapeños, finely diced
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
- 1 cup shredded Pepper Jack cheese freshly shredded from a block
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese freshly shredded from a block
- avocado oil spray
Chipotle Crema
- 1 cup Mexican crema
- 1 chipotle pepper in adobo, seeds removed
- 1 tbsp adobo sauce
- 1 lime, juiced
- 3-4 cloves garlic
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
Instructions
- Lay each tortilla flat on a cutting board. Spread the ground beef evenly across the entire tortilla surface in a thin layer about a quarter-inch thick. Season generously with burger seasoning.
- Sprinkle the diced jalapeños evenly over the beef. Add the chopped bacon, then the shredded Pepper Jack and sharp cheddar on top.
- Roll each tortilla tightly into a log starting from one edge. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Place in the freezer for 20-30 minutes to firm up.
- Remove from the freezer and slice into 1½-inch thick pinwheels. Thread several onto metal skewers with a little space between each.
- Add Mexican crema, chipotle pepper, adobo sauce, lime juice, garlic cloves, and salt to a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high (375-400°F). Spray the outside of the pinwheels with avocado oil. Place directly over the heat. Flip every 90 seconds until the beef is cooked, the cheese is melted, and the tortillas are golden brown and crispy.
- Pull the pinwheels off the grill and let them rest a few minutes. Serve with the chipotle crema for dipping.
Video
Notes
Freeze Before Slicing: The freezer step is non-negotiable. It keeps the roll tight and helps create clean pinwheel cuts.
Use 80/20 Ground Beef: The extra fat renders and keeps the pinwheels juicy while crisping the tortilla.
Freshly Shred Your Cheese: Block cheese melts significantly better than pre-shredded and gives you the epic cheese pull.
Flip Every 90 Seconds: Prevents hot spots and ensures a perfectly crisp exterior on every side.
Don't Overload the Filling: Too much filling causes the pinwheels to unravel while grilling.
Let Them Rest: A few minutes off the grill before serving keeps the cheese from running out immediately.
Pellet Grill: Same temperature, same flip rhythm. Cherry or apple pellets pair well.
Nutrition
Calories: 520kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 29gFat: 34gSaturated Fat: 13gSodium: 790mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2g
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