These viral Grilled Jalapeno Popper Salmon Pinwheels bring big flavor, bold heat, and an irresistible smoky finish. This unique seafood recipe takes everything people love about classic jalapeño poppers, creamy cheese, fresh jalapeños, and just the right amount of heat and roll it all up inside a rich, flaky salmon. Whether you’re planning an easy weeknight dinner, a backyard feast, or holiday meal, this is a recipe that delivers on flavor and presentation every single time.
Love grilled salmon as much as me? Then you have to try this Grilled Chili Glazed Citrus Salmon, a fan favorite the Crab Stuffed Salmon Filet or for an appetizer try these Crispy Cajun Salmon Bites.
The Perfect Upgrade to Seafood Night
Salmon already shines on the grill thanks to its natural richness, but turning it into jalapeno popper stuffed pinwheels creates a next-level meal that feels gourmet without demanding much effort. The grilling process helps crisp the exterior while gently melting the cream cheese mixture inside, creating a combination of smokiness, spice, and creaminess that tastes like it came straight off a restaurant menu. Plus, the spiral shape of the pinwheels makes this dish both eye-catching and easy to portion, which is perfect for entertaining.
Ingredients needed to make the Grilled Jalapeno Popper Salmon Pinwheels
- Salmon: rich, buttery, and naturally flavorful, salmon filet serves as the perfect base for pinwheels
- Cream cheese: smooth and creamy with a mild tang, cream cheese creates the classic jalapeño popper filling.
- Jalapenos: crisp, bright, and spicy, jalapenos add the signature heat and texture.
- Cheese: shredded sharp cheddar boosts the cheesy flavor and gives the filling structure so it stays in place as the pinwheels grill.
- Bacon: smoky, salty, and crispy, bacon adds rich flavor and texture.
Make the Jalapeno Popper Filling
The magic for this Grilled Jalapeno Popper Salmon Pinwheels recipe starts with the creamy mixture. Smooth, seasoned, and just spicy enough. A blend of cream cheese, shredded cheddar, diced jalapenos, bacon, and a touch of seasoning creates the perfect creamy base. The heat from the jalapeños balances the richness of the cheese, while the cheddar melts beautifully inside the salmon.
Start by cooking the bacon. You can do that on the grill or in the microwave.
Next in a large bowl add room temperature cream cheese, shredded cheddar, diced jalapenos, crumbled up bacon bits and Dad’s All Purpose seasoning.
Mix the ingredients together making sure everything is blended evenly. Set aside.
Dad’s Seasonings
Must have grillin seasonings!
How to Prepare the Salmon Pinwheels
To create neat, even pinwheels, start with a large salmon filet and trim any thin edges to prevent overcooking.
Before we start rolling the perfect jalapeno popper filled salmon pinwheels, you have to first remove the skin off the filet.
The easiest and best trick to removing skin off a salmon filet is with a knife separate the meat from the skin about 1-2 inches. Next, place your hand flat under the meat while holding down the skin with the other hand. Slowly push your hand down the filet until all the meat is separated.
Once the salmon is prepped, spread the jalapeño popper filling across the surface, leaving a small border along the edges to prevent overflow when rolling. Roll the salmon firmly, just like a jelly roll, and secure it with butcher’s twine one both ends. Slice the roll down the middle that results in 2 thick pinwheels. Adjust the butchers twine if not centered on each pinwheel.
Season the outside with more Dad’s All Purpose Rub.
Grill for Maximum Flavor
These Grilled Jalapeno Popper Salmon Pinwheels are best cooked over medium indirect heat, allowing the salmon to cook through without burning the exterior.
Preheat the grill and set it up for dual zone cooking. This just means you have a hot side over the charcoal or fire and a cooler side.
I used an untreated cedar plank as my base to hold the pinwheels while on the grill. Before placing them on the planks, char both sides over the hot side of the grill. About 1 minute per side. This will infuse a deeper smoky flavor into the food and to create a non-stick barrier that prevents delicate items like fish from sticking to the grill. Don’t worry, it will not catch on fire since the salmon will be cooked over indirect heat.
Cover the lid and cook for about 30 minutes. Once the internal temperature of the Grilled Jalapeno Popper Salmon Pinwheels reach 135 degrees Fahrenheit, they are done and ready to be removed.
Don’t forget to rest the fish. Letting it sit off the grill for 5 minutes allows the cooking process to slow down, redistribute juices throughout the meat allowing for a tender bite every time.
Serving Suggestions
These Grilled Jalapeno Popper Salmon Pinwheels are great on their own if I’m being honest. However a light salad or some cilantro lime rice are the perfect compliments to this rich, flavorful, creamy main dish.
Why these Grilled Jalapeno Salmon Pinwheels are perfect for any occasion
From backyard barbecues to weeknight dinners, these Grilled Jalapeno Popper Salmon Pinwheels always make an impression. They’re easy enough for beginners but unique enough to impress seasoned grill lovers. Perfect as a main dish, an appetizer, or even part of a seafood spread, their bold flavor and striking presentation make them an instant favorite.
Plus, the combination of jalapeño poppers and grilled salmon is a guaranteed conversation starter. Whether you’re feeding picky eaters or spice lovers, these pinwheels hit the sweet spot between comfort food and gourmet grilling.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready to elevate your seafood game with a recipe that’s creamy, spicy, smoky, and unforgettable, these Grilled Jalapeño Popper Salmon Pinwheels are the perfect choice. They’re packed with protein, loaded with flavor, and designed to make your grill the star of any gathering. Once you make them once, they’ll quickly become a go-to favorite for dinners, parties, holidays, and everything in between. Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions:
How long does salmon take to grill? Cook time for a salmon on the grill will depend on the size of the filet. Usually takes about 20 -25 minutes, however internal temperature is more important. A perfectly grilled salmon should cook to 145 degrees. Pull off the grill at 135 and rest the fish to come up to temperature.
Do you grill salmon directly on the grill or in foil? You can grill salmon on different surfaces. Steam in a foil packet, grill the salmon in a foil boat, place it on butcher paper if it’s grilled in a smoker or cooked in the oven. Cedar planks and citrus rings are also great alternatives to grill salmon on.
Should salmon be flipped when grilling Do not flip the crab stuffed salmon when on the grill. The stuffing will fall out. Grilling salmon over indirect heat will allow the fish to cook evenly throughout with just skin side down.
If you tried this Grilled Jalapeno Popper Salmon Pinwheels or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the📝 comments. I love hearing from you!
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Grilled Jalapeno Popper Salmon Pinwheels
These Grilled Jalapeno Popper Salmon Pinwheels bring everything people love about classic jalapeño poppers, the creamy cheese, fresh jalapeños, and just the right amount of heat and rolls it all up inside rich, flaky salmon for the perfect bite.
Course Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword grilled jalapeno popper salmon pinwheels, grilled salmon, dinner recipe, fish recipe, jalapeno popper filling, grillin with dad recipes, grilling with dad recipes.
Prep Time 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes minutes
Servings 4 People
Calories 893kcal
Untreated cedar plank
Butchers twine
- 1 lbs Salmon filet
- 16 oz Cream cheese
- 4 Jalapenos
- 8 Bacon strips - cooked
- 2 cups Shredded cheddar cheese
- 3 tbsp Dad's all purpose seasoning
Start on the filling. Next in a large bowl add room temperature cream cheese, shredded cheddar, diced jalapenos, crumbled up bacon bits and a tbsp all purpose seasoning. Mix the ingredients together making sure everything is blended evenly. Set aside.
Trim any thin edges off the salmon.
With a knife separate the meat from the skin about 1-2 inches. Next, place your hand flat under the meat while holding down the skin with the other hand. Slowly push your hand down the filet until all the meat is separated.
Spread the jalapeño popper filling across the surface of the salmon, leaving a small border along the edges.
Roll it up keeping the filling on the inside and tie both ends with butchers twine.
Slice down the middle of the roll to create 2 separate pinwheels.
Season all sides with the All Purpose seasoning.
Preheat the grill to a medium heat and set it up for dual zone cooking.
Place an untreated cedar plank on the hot side of the grill for 1-2 minute per side to build a char.
Place the salmon pinwheels on the cedar plank and grill for 30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 135 degrees Fahrenheit.
Remove from the grill and let it rest 5 minutes.
Remove the butchers twine, slice in half and enjoy!
For more heat, add more Jalapenos or include the seeds. Use a hotter pepper for extreme heat.
For a milder flavor, use sweet peppers instead of a jalapeno.
Use turkey bacon for a lighter recipe.
Overcooked the fish? Add a little BBQ sauce or glaze over the top to add moisture. Calories: 893kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 46g | Fat: 71g | Saturated Fat: 36g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 18g | Cholesterol: 234mg | Sodium: 1014mg | Potassium: 900mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 2675IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 679mg | Iron: 7mg
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