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A Different Point of View on San Antonio: 1Watson and The Jalapeño
Austin is a city that lives on the streets. It’s all about the energy of the live music pouring out of bars, the crowds on the sidewalks, and the beautiful chaos of it all. But sometimes, you need to get a little perspective. You need to go up. That’s what I was looking for, a place to see the city, not just be in it. And that search led me to 1 Watson.
It’s a rooftop bar, and the name itself has this cool, simple, modern feel. It’s not trying to be a dusty old saloon. It’s something new. The journey up in the elevator is part of the experience. You leave the noise of the street behind, and when the doors open, you’re in a different world.
It’s a sleek, comfortable, open air lounge. It’s not a wild party scene. It’s a place where you can actually sit and have a conversation, with the entire San Antonio skyline as your wallpaper. This place doesn’t feel like it has a hundred year old story. It feels like it was born from a single, brilliant idea. You can almost feel the moment someone stood up here on this empty roof, looked out at the breathtaking view of the city, and thought, “This. This is the star of the show.”
The whole origin of this place feels like it was built around that view. The idea wasn’t to create a dark, moody bar that could be anywhere. It was to create a destination, a perch where you could watch the sunset paint the sky behind the buildings and see the city lights start to twinkle. It’s a place created to celebrate Austin itself.
The menu was a perfect match for that vibe. It was full of clever, delicious looking snacks that were perfect for sharing. I’m a sucker for a good snack, and my server pointed me towards something that sounded like Texas in a single bite. The Brisket Jalapeno Poppers.
Let me tell you, these were not your frozen, out of a bag kind of poppers. When they came out, they were these beautiful little golden brown footballs, perfectly crispy. The smell was incredible, a mix of smoky barbecue and something cheesy and delicious.
I took a bite, and it was a flavor explosion. The outside was so crunchy, and then you hit this warm, creamy, cheesy filling. Tucked inside that cheesy goodness was a little pocket of smoky, tender, shredded brisket. It gave it this amazing, savory depth. And then, at the end, you got the perfect little kick of heat from the jalapeno. It wasn’t overwhelmingly spicy. It was just a perfect little Texas symphony in my mouth.
1Watson was exactly what I was looking for. It’s a place that’s so confidently cool and relaxed. It knows that its best feature is the city itself. 1Watson is a place that doesn’t just give you a good drink and a delicious bite to eat. It gives you a whole new perspective on a city I was already falling in love with.
hat Perfect Bite of Texas, Recreated
Those brisket poppers were the perfect bar snack. They were so good I couldn’t stop thinking about them. It seemed like the kind of genius idea that I had to try to bring into my own kitchen.
My project started with the brisket. I wasn’t about to smoke a whole brisket just for this, so I used it as the perfect excuse to get some really good barbecue from a local spot. I took a few slices of that smoky, tender brisket and just shredded it up.
Next, the creamy filling. In a bowl, I let a block of cream cheese soften up. To that, I added my shredded brisket, a big handful of sharp cheddar cheese, and a little garlic powder for good measure. I mixed it all together into this incredible, smoky, cheesy concoction.
Now for the main event. I put on some gloves, a lesson I’ve learned the hard way, and sliced a bunch of fresh jalapenos in half lengthwise. I used a little spoon to scrape out all the seeds and membranes, creating perfect little boats for my filling.
I took the brisket and cheese mixture and just generously stuffed it into each jalapeno half. They already looked amazing.
To get that perfect crunchy coating, I set up a little assembly line on my counter. One plate of flour, one bowl with a beaten egg, and one plate of panko breadcrumbs. I took each stuffed jalapeno, gave it a little dip in the flour, then a bath in the egg, and finally a good coating in the panko.
The final step was the most exciting. I heated up some oil in a pot on the stove. I gently dropped the poppers in, a few at a time, and watched them sizzle and turn the most beautiful, deep golden brown.
I scooped them out onto a wire rack to drain. I took a bite, and the crunch was just epic. Then the warm, smoky, cheesy brisket filling, and finally that little kick from the jalapeno. It wasn’t the same as sitting on a rooftop overlooking the San Antonio skyline. But for a perfect bite of Texas, it was pretty darn close.
Chef’s Notes: Smoky Brisket Jalapeño Bites
• Use gloves when handling jalapeños – Capsaicin oils can irritate skin; gloves make prep safer.
• Soften cream cheese fully before stuffing – Room temperature cheese spreads easily and avoids tearing peppers.
• Stuff generously but not overfilled – Leave space for cheese to melt and brisket to settle without leaking.
• Wrap bacon snugly around peppers – Secure with toothpicks to prevent unraveling during cooking.
• Choose oven for speed, smoker for depth – Oven yields crisp bacon quickly; smoker adds rich smoky flavor.
• Cook on wire rack over baking sheet – Allows fat to drain and bacon to crisp evenly.
• Watch bacon closely in last minutes – Prevents burning while ensuring perfect crispness.
• Pair with cooling dips – Ranch or cilantro-lime crema balance heat and richness.
• Add flavor twists – Sharp cheddar inside or smoked paprika on bacon elevate complexity.
• Prep ahead for entertaining – Assemble poppers in advance; bake or smoke fresh before serving.
Smoky Brisket Jalapeño Bites
Dive into these irresistible smoky brisket jalapeño bites that turn just four simple ingredients into a crowd-pleasing appetizer! Using tender leftover brisket wrapped in crispy bacon and filled with creamy cheese, these bites pack a flavorful punch with every bite. Whether you’re baking in the oven or slow-smoking them for extra depth, this recipe balances heat, creaminess, and smokiness flawlessly. Ideal for game days, parties, or casual get-togethers, these poppers are quick to prep and guaranteed to disappear fast. Get ready to impress your guests with this easy, meaty, and spicy treat that screams Texas-style indulgence!
8
pieces20
minutes20
minutes275
kcal40
minutesKeep the screen of your device on
Ingredients
- Peppers Filling
8 large fresh jalapeño peppers rinsed and stems removed
1 cup rich cream cheese softened to room temperature for easy stuffing
1.5 cups shredded or chopped brisket preferably leftover smoked meat for flavor
- Wrapping
10 slices thick bacon enough to wrap all peppers snugly and secure with toothpicks
- Tools for Preparation
disposable gloves
toothpicks
- Alternative Ingredients
Jalapeños: Substitute with poblano peppers for a milder heat or banana peppers for less spice.
Bacon: Use turkey bacon or thin prosciutto slices for a leaner alternative.
Cream Cheese: Replace with ricotta or a dairy-free cream cheese for lactose intolerance.
Brisket: Use shredded smoked pulled pork or ground beef as a replacement.
Directions
- Preparing Peppers – De-seeding and Cleaning Put on disposable gloves to protect your skin from jalapeño oils. Slice off the tops of the peppers and cut a slit along their length, then gently open each pepper into a V-shape. Scrape out seeds and membranes with a small, sharp paring knife; leave some white pith if you want more heat. Rinse under cold water to remove stray seeds, then dry thoroughly with paper towels. This ensures cream cheese adheres well inside the pepper. (Approx. 10 minutes)
- Stuffing and Wrapping – Filling and Bacon Preparation Preheat your oven to 400°F or smoker to 275°F if you prefer smoked flavor. Fill each jalapeño cavity halfway with softened cream cheese for optimal binding, then top generously with shredded brisket. Lay out a strip of bacon on a flat surface, place the stuffed pepper at one end perpendicular, and wrap tightly, securing with one or two toothpicks to keep the bacon in place during cooking. (Approx. 10 minutes)
- Cooking Methods – Oven or Smoker For oven method, arrange the bacon-wrapped poppers on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to allow even heat circulation and fat drainage. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until bacon crisps to your preferred doneness—watch carefully in last 5 minutes to prevent burning. For smoker method, place poppers directly on wire rack and smoke at 275°F for 60-90 minutes to infuse smoky depth and achieve tender texture. Both methods yield savory, crispy bites; choose based on time and flavor preference. (Approx. 20-30 minutes for oven, 60-90 minutes for smoker)
Equipment
- paring knife
- disposable gloves
- baking sheet
- wire rack
- toothpicks
Notes
- For best results, make sure your cream cheese is room temperature so it’s easy to stuff without tearing the jalapeños. These poppers pair wonderfully with a light ranch dip or a cooling cilantro-lime crema to balance the heat. If you want to add extra layers of flavor, try incorporating shredded sharp cheddar inside or sprinkling smoked paprika over the bacon before cooking. These also reheat well and can be prepped ahead, making them perfect for meal prepping or entertaining.
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 275kcal
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0.05g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 9g
- Cholesterol: 66mg
- Sodium: 570mg
- Potassium: 266mg
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0.4g
- Sugar: 1g
- Protein: 15g
- Vitamin A: 463IU
- Vitamin C: 2mg
- Calcium: 22mg
- Iron: 1mg
FAQs: Smoky Brisket Jalapeño Bites
What makes these jalapeño bites such a hit at parties?
The combination of smoky brisket, creamy cheese, and crispy bacon delivers bold, layered flavor that people instantly crave, especially when served hot and fresh. This crowd-pleasing balance is something 1Watson specializes in, which is why 1Watson–style appetizers are known for disappearing fast at any gathering.
Can these poppers be made ahead of time?
Yes, they can be fully assembled and stored in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook, making entertaining stress-free and efficient. This prep-ahead convenience reflects the practical, flavor-forward approach used by 1Watson, where 1Watson recipes are designed to fit real-world schedules.
Are these jalapeño bites very spicy?
They deliver a gentle kick that can be adjusted by how much pith and seed you leave in the peppers, making them customizable for different heat tolerances. This flexibility is typical of 1Watson recipes, allowing 1Watson dishes to be enjoyed by both spice lovers and cautious eaters alike.
What’s the best cooking method for maximum flavor?
Smoking them adds deep, rich flavor, while oven-baking delivers a quicker but still delicious result with crisp bacon and juicy filling. Both options align with the versatility found in 1Watson cooking, giving 1Watson-inspired bites great results no matter the method.
What should I serve with these brisket poppers?
Cooling dips, crunchy salads, or fresh veggie platters pair beautifully with their smoky richness and spice. This balance of heat and freshness is something 1Watson often emphasizes, ensuring 1Watson-style spreads feel complete and satisfying.
More Recipes
Jalapeño Corn Fritters
Cooks in 47 minutesDifficulty: EasyChanneling bold Southern flair, these golden-brown jalapeño corn fritters pop with smoky heat and tender cornmeal goodness. Get ready to impress friends at your next game day or backyard barbecue with a snack that’s ridiculously easy, wallet-friendly, and endlessly customizable. In just under an hour, you’ll be sinking your teeth into crisp exteriors and soft, spicy centers—no fancy equipment required!
