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These Chorizo-Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Dates are truly an appetizer you are going to love to sink your teeth into!
These Chorizo-Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Dates were inspired by a trip I took to AVEC Chicago. Their bacon-wrapped dates were one of those appetizers that I wanted to slide right out of my seat it was so good! They were on my mind for months, so I knew I needed to whip up my own rendition.
This recipe features delicious and flavorful chorizo, stuffed into sweet dates, and wrapped with crispy, salty bacon! Served over a creamy roasted red pepper sauce, these little bites will wow your guests and your taste buds!
Ingredients:
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Shallot
- Garlic
- Kosher Salt
- Black Pepper
- Jarred Roasted Red Bell Peppers
- Can of Peeled Whole Tomatoes
- Sherry Vinegar
- Chorizo
- Pitted Medjool Dates
- Bacon
- Fresh Parsley
Step-by-step:
step one: prep the oven
Preheat oven to 350℉ and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
step two: make the sauce
Heat oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add shallot and garlic with a pinch of salt and a few cracks of black pepper. Cook, stirring, until tender, 2-3 minutes. Add the roasted red bell peppers and the juice from the jar and continue to cook, stirring, for 3-4 more minutes. Add the canned tomatoes and vinegar, and bring to a simmer. Once simmering rapidly, reduce heat to low, cover, and let cook, simmering.
step three: stuff the dates
Gently open up the date so that it can easily be stuffed. Place about 1/2 tablespoon of the chorizo in the cavity of the date. Wrap with bacon and secure with a toothpick. Place on the prepared baking sheet and continue until all of the dates are prepared.
step four: bake the dates
Transfer the dates to the oven and cook until the chorizo is cooked through, 12-15 minutes.
step five: carefully broil the dates
Then, turn the oven on high broil and broil (watching carefully so that they don’t burn) until the bacon is just crisp, another 2-4 minutes depending on your broiler!
step six: blend the sauce
Meanwhile, while your dates are baking, transfer the sauce to a blender and blend until smooth and creamy. Set aside, cover, and keep warm until the dates are done.
step seven: garnish and serve!
To serve, spoon and spread desired amount of the sauce across the bottom of a serving platter. Place chorizo-stuffed dates on top and garnish with parsley. Enjoy!
Recipe FAQs:
Yes! It’s important to buy uncured, fresh chorizo sausage rather than the salami-like cured kind. I use the brand San Manuel.
I love Applegate Farm’s No-Sugar Bacon for a cleaner option.
The bacon-wrapped dates themselves will taste best served right away, but you can absolutely store the extra sauce in the freezer as a make-ahead portion of this appetizer!
Your guests are going to absolutely love you for this recipe, trust me! Let me know what you think after you try them.
Looking for more appetizer recipes? Check these out!
Crockpot Party Chili con Queso
Chorizo-Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates
Ingredients
For the Roasted Pepper Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup finely diced shallot
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- pinch of kosher salt
- few cracks of black pepper
- 1 cup roasted red bell peppers, loosely chopped
- 2 tablespoons juice from a jar of roasted red bell peppers
- 1 [14.5-ounce] can peeled, whole tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
For the Chorizo-Stuffed Dates:
- 8 ounces bulk chorizo *see note below I use San Manuel Chorizo and removed from the casing.
- 16 pitted medjool dates
- 8 slices of bacon, cut in half crosswise I use Applegate Farm's no sugar bacon
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350℉ and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Make the Sauce:
- Heat oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add shallot and garlic with a pinch of salt and a few cracks of black pepper. Cook, stirring, until tender, 2-3 minutes.
- Add the roasted red bell peppers and the juice from the jar and continue to cook, stirring, for 3-4 more minutes.
- Add the canned tomatoes and vinegar, and bring to a simmer. Once simmering rapidly, reduce heat to low, cover, and let cook, simmering, while you prepare and bake the dates.
Stuff the Dates:
- Gently open up the date so that it can easily be stuffed. Place about 1/2 tablespoon of the chorizo in the cavity of the date. Wrap with bacon and secure with a toothpick. Place on the prepared baking sheet and continue until all of the dates are prepared.
- Transfer the dates to the oven and cook until the chorizo is cooked through, 12-15 minutes. Then, turn the oven on high broil and broil (watching carefully so that they don't burn) until the bacon is just crisp, another 2-4 minutes depending on your broiler!
- Meanwhile, while your dates are baking, transfer the sauce to a blender and blend until smooth and creamy. Set aside, cover, and keep warm until the dates are done.
- To serve, spoon and spread desired amount of the sauce across the bottom of a serving platter. Place chorizo stuffed dates on top and garnish with parsley. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I accidentally bought cured chorizo! What do I do?
These are my go-to appetizer for parties. They are great hot out of the oven, but just as good at room temp, so great for bringing to a friend’s. I think they are just as good without the sauce so normally skip it!
I added a pinch of sugar and a little smoked paprika to the sauce.
Do you think this recipe would work with other types of sausage?
it would work with bulk italian sausage!
Can you make a portion of this ahead of time
Yes! You can stuff/wrap the dates and you can make the sauce!
Delicious