Description
Spicy smoked armadillo eggs blend jalapeño poppers with sausage-wrapped deliciousness. Texas-style appetizers provide hearty flavor combinations for adventurous grill enthusiasts who crave bold southwestern comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 1/4 pounds (0.57 kilograms) ground beef, 80% lean, 20% fat
Cheese Ingredients:
- 3 ounces (85 grams) cheddar cheese, shredded
- 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, softened
Seasoning and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 tablespoons beef seasoning
- 6 jalapeños, about 2–3 inches wide
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) pinot noir BBQ glaze
Instructions
- Prepare the smoker by heating it to a consistent temperature range of 225-250°F, selecting fruit or oak wood chips to infuse a rich, smoky flavor.
- In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly combine ground beef with selected seasonings, ensuring even distribution for balanced taste.
- Create a creamy cheese mixture by blending softened cream cheese and cheddar until smooth and well-integrated.
- Carefully trim jalapeño pepper tops, then meticulously remove seeds and inner membranes using a sharp knife to prevent excessive heat.
- Generously fill each prepared jalapeño with the cheese mixture, pressing gently to eliminate air pockets and ensure complete coverage.
- Roll out ground beef into a thin sheet, dividing it into uniform squares large enough to completely encase each stuffed pepper.
- Carefully wrap beef around each cheese-filled jalapeño, sealing edges completely to form compact, egg-shaped parcels.
- Arrange wrapped peppers on smoker racks, maintaining space between each for consistent heat circulation.
- Smoke the armadillo eggs for approximately 60 minutes, monitoring internal beef temperature until it reaches 165-170°F.
- During final cooking stage, delicately brush BBQ glaze over each egg, allowing an additional 10 minutes for glaze to caramelize and adhere.
- Remove smoked eggs from heat, allowing 5-10 minutes of resting time to stabilize internal temperature before serving.
Notes
- Choose high-quality ground beef with moderate fat content for maximum flavor and juiciness in your smoked armadillo eggs.
- Wear disposable gloves when handling jalapeños to prevent skin irritation from capsaicin oils.
- Consider removing jalapeño seeds and membranes for milder heat if serving to people with sensitive palates.
- Experiment with different cheese combinations like pepper jack or gouda to create unique flavor profiles for your armadillo eggs.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Smoking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg