Description
Beef armadillo eggs pack a spicy punch that’ll make your taste buds dance with joy. Wrapped in crispy bacon and stuffed with jalapeño cheese, these meaty morsels are perfect for your next game day gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 lbs ground beef
- 5–6 fresh jalapenos
- 12 oz cream cheese
Binding and Flavor Ingredients:
- ⅔ cup shredded cheese
- 16–24 slices bacon
Seasoning and Sauce Ingredients:
- 2 cups BBQ sauce
- 1.5 tablespoons BBQ rub
- 0.5 cup BBQ rub
Instructions
- Blend 12 oz cream cheese, ⅔ cup shredded cheese, and 1.5 tablespoons BBQ rub until thoroughly mixed and creamy.
- Carefully slice 5–6 fresh jalapeños with a “T” shape, meticulously removing all seeds and inner membranes.
- Carefully fill each jalapeño with the prepared cheese mixture, ensuring complete and even stuffing.
- Take 4 lbs ground beef and wrap each stuffed jalapeño completely, forming smooth, uniform meatballs.
- Drape 2-3 bacon slices around each beef-covered jalapeño, securing with toothpicks if necessary.
- Generously sprinkle ½ cup BBQ rub across the exterior of each wrapped meatball for enhanced seasoning.
- Prepare smoker with wood chips and preheat to precisely 250°F for consistent cooking environment.
- Place armadillo eggs in smoker and cook for 45-60 minutes, monitoring until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- During final 10-15 minutes, brush 2 cups BBQ sauce generously over eggs, allowing sauce to caramelize and set.
- Remove from smoker, let rest 5 minutes to redistribute juices, then serve warm for maximum flavor.
Notes
- Choose fresh jalapeños that are firm and bright green for the best flavor and texture.
- Wearing gloves while handling jalapeños prevents skin irritation from capsaicin.
- Pat ground beef dry before wrapping to help bacon crisp up perfectly and prevent excess moisture.
- If smoker isn’t available, bake at 375°F on a wire rack for 25-30 minutes, checking internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes - 1 hour
- Category: Beef
- Method: Smoking
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 798
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 840 mg
- Fat: 59 g
- Saturated Fat: 23 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 32 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 11 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 49 g
- Cholesterol: 190 mg