Armadillo Egg

If you have ever wondered if a jalapeño popper can get any better? The answer is yes, it's called an armadillo egg! I've made jalapeño poppers my whole life the traditional way until I discovered these Texan Armadillo Eggs! There's no match for these.

Armadillo eggs take the basic principles of a jalapeño popper and up the ante in a big way! They are wrapped in a layer of ground beef and bacon then smoked to perfection. These are typically sliced in served as a side or appetizer, but they could absolutely be a meal all on their own. Serve them with a another side dish or salad and you're all set. But if you're looking to create the ultimate game day spread, serve these with some wings or sliders!

What are the other variations?

You'll find a bunch of variations, but this smoked and bacon wrapped version is my favorite. Show me the bacon! I've seen people leave out the meat layer completely...Or they substitute the meat layer for a breadcrumb layer and still wrap it in bacon. I've even seen them fried instead of grilled or smoked. I like to think of these as a next level Jalapeño Popper. A "top shelf" version if you will.

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Helpful Supplies and Equipment

• Knives I love - 40% off Flint and Flame using code ChefTim40
• Parchment Paper - The pre-cut sheet are so handy too!

Ingredients You'll Need

• 1 Jalapeno
• ½ lb Ground Beef (lean)
• 2 oz Cheddar Cheese frozen, and long cubed
• 2 Chipotles, puréed
• 3 Tbsp Cream Cheese
• 12 Strips Bacon
• Dano's Seasoning

I would love to have your honest feedback or review of this dish if you made it and or tell me what additions or changes you made to it to adjust to your palate.

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Detailed Instructions for a Smoked Armadillo Egg

Step 1 : Preheat smoker to 225℉. Next, let's prepare our stuffed jalapeño. Slice the end off of jalapeño. Core it removing all the seeds. (If you'd like a spicier 'egg', don't completely core the pepper)

Step 2 : Mix together cream cheese and 1 puréed chipotle. Place this mixture into the jalapeño. Then, stuff cheddar cheese spears into the center of jalapeño. I place these in the jalapeño frozen so that the cheese doesn't melt as easily during the cooking process.

Step 3 : Prepare your meat layer by seasoning your ground beef with your favorite rub or seasoning mix. I used Dano's! It's one of my favorites. Then, add in one pureed chipotle and mix together.

Step 4 : Using parchment paper, press down meat into a rectangle or oval shape that's large enough to wrap around your stuffed jalapeño.

Step 5 : Roll up your jalapeño in the meat mixture. Lay out strips of bacon and begin to tightly wrap bacon around the 'egg' (meat roll). Make sure all sides are covered.

Step 6 : Load your 'egg' on the smoker at 225℉ for 1 hour and 45 minutes or until internal meat temp reaches 165℉.

Allow the Armadillo Egg to cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing into it and serving. Enjoy as an appetizer or side dish.

@cookitwithtim

Armadillo Egg #learnontiktok #smoke #bbq #beef #jalapeño #cheese #happy #bacon #flavor #bbqtiktok @danosseasoning

♬ Life Goes On - Oliver Tree

Recipe

Customizations and variations:

I always encourage home cooks to get creative in their kitchens. Here are some options to try but, remember, the options are limitless!

• Experiment with different varieties of tomatoes
• Alter rations to see what you like best - less cream, more basil, etc
• Try roasting your garlic and/or onions first
• Have fun with different toppings! Croutons, cheeses, fresh herbs, crackers, etc.
• Brainstorm ways to get creative with the texture, flavor profile, and consitency.

Tell us how you made this recipe your own in the comments below!

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