Meat PinwheeIs of Joy! - Instagram-Inspired Meat Pinwheels: Beef, Sausage, Bacon and Flavor

After a long break, Derek is back on Old School Eats serving up some seriously creative Meat Pinwheels inspired by Instagram. In this episode, you'll see new takes on burgers, Italian sausage, and breakfast sausage – all rolled up with bacon and smoked to perfection.

Here’s what you’ll see in this video:

The inspiration for the pinwheel burgers and a quick look at the original Instagram recipe.
Three delicious pinwheel variants: classic bacon and beef, hot Italian sausage, and a breakfast sausage version.
Tips on assembling and seasoning each pinwheel for the best flavor and texture.
Smoking techniques, temperature tips, and troubleshooting bacon rendering.
Final assembly and taste test with a creative lineup of condiments, including cheese sauce and pepper jellies.

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and check out the links to the recipes that inspired this episode!

Meat Pinwheels (Three Ways)
Inspired by Instagram's Backyard Barbecue Mama

Ingredients
For All Pinwheels:
Thin-sliced bacon (applewood or hot honey bacon recommended)
Toothpicks (to secure rolls)

Beef Pinwheels:
Ground beef (Kobe crafted brisket blend suggested, but any ground beef works)
Burger seasoning (Kosmo Q’s Dirty Bird, plus a burger salt—chargrilled, or your choice)
White American cheese & half-and-half (for the cheese sauce)
Egg bread, for serving

Italian Sausage Pinwheels:
Hot Italian sausage (Publix or your favorite brand)
Shredded mozzarella cheese (Tillamook or similar)
Hot honey bacon
Barbecue rub (Malcolm Reed’s The BBQ Rub or your favorite)
Egg bread, for serving
Cream cheese
Pepper jelly (berry/jalapeno recommended)

Breakfast Pinwheels:
Maple breakfast sausage (such as Johnsonville)
Hot honey bacon
Maple sugar (as a finishing rub)
Canned biscuits, for serving
Cream cheese (optional)
Pineapple jalapeno pepper jelly

Instructions
1. Prep the Meat & Bacon
Beef: Season your ground beef generously with your preferred burger seasoning and a pinch of burger salt. Don’t overmix. Smash and evenly layer onto strips of bacon laid flat.

Italian Sausage: Mix sausage with mozzarella cheese and The BBQ Rub. Spread onto hot honey bacon strips.

Breakfast: No extra seasoning needed, just spread maple sausage over hot honey bacon strips.

2. Roll & Secure
Carefully roll the bacon and meat into a pinwheel (like a cinnamon roll).

Secure the ends with toothpicks so they don’t unravel during cooking.

3. Season the Outside
Optionally, lightly season the outside with your chosen rub (beef & Italian sausage versions).

For the breakfast version, dust generously with maple sugar.

4. Cook
Preheat your smoker or pellet grill to 350°F (pecan wood pellets suggested).

Place the pinwheels on a rack with a drip tray underneath.

Smoke for about 1 to 1.25 hours, or until internal temp reaches between 145–155°F for pork and 155–170°F for beef (go higher if you want crispier bacon). Check with a thermometer.

If bacon isn’t as rendered as you like, you can finish by bumping up to 375°F for the last 10–15 minutes.

5. Assemble & Serve
Beef: Top egg bread buns with pinwheels. Drizzle with a simple cheese sauce (melt white American cheese and half-and-half in the microwave—the consistency should resemble cinnamon roll icing).

Italian Sausage: Top egg bread buns with the pinwheel, spread cream cheese on the bun, and add a generous spoonful of pepper jelly.

Breakfast: Place on split canned biscuits, spread with cream cheese (optional), and top with pineapple jalapeno jelly.

6. Enjoy!
Slice, serve, and dig in! Get creative with toppings and sauces.

For extra tips (and outtakes), check out the full video—these are "big dude-eats" for breakfast, lunch, or your next barbecue!

Timestamps:
00:00 "Layered Pinwheel Burgers Masterclass"
04:42 Smoked Half-Pound Burger Guide
07:30 Cooking Pinwheel Bacon Barbecue
11:42 Gloving Up for Cheesy Assembly
14:30 "Grilling Tips: Bacon Pinwheels"
18:07 "Burgers, Rain, and Experiments"
23:03 "Barbecue Pinwheel Creation"
24:14 "Beef Burger Cinnamon Roll Twist"
27:30 Taste Test: Risky Brisket
30:05 "Pineapple Pepper Jelly Delight"