• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Vindulge

BBQ and Grilling Recipes with Wine Pairings

  • Home
  • About
    • About Mary
    • Portfolio
    • TV Appearances
    • Work With Me
  • Cookbook
  • Wine
    • Food and Wine Pairing
  • All Recipes
  • Travel
  • Resources
    • Fundamentals For Learning How to Grill
    • Guide to Pellet Grills – Common Q and A
    • Best Pellet Grill – MAK Two Star General – Versatile American Made Pellet Smoker
    • Blogger Resources
  • Contact
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • About
  • Shop Wines
  • Cookbook
  • All Recipes
  • Travel
  • Wine Guides
  • Blogging Resources
  • Connect with us!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    You are here: Home » Food » Appetizers

    Smoked Beef Armadillo Eggs With Red Wine Glaze

    September 10, 2021 By Sean Martin 3 Comments

    Sharing is caring!

    1.6K shares
    • Facebook48
    • Twitter
    Jump to Recipe
    Smoked Ground Beef Armadillo Eggs Pin
    Smoked Ground Beef Armadillo Eggs Pin
    Smoked Ground Beef Armadillo Eggs Pin
    Smoked Ground Beef Armadillo Eggs Pin

    Smoked Armadillo Eggs are a delicious twist on jalapeño poppers. Take the classic popper stuffed with cream cheese mixture, wrap it up with some Ground Beef, and then finish with a red wine glaze. These also make a great tailgating recipe, because you can prepare them in advance and then smoke them in your favorite portable grill.

    Beef Armadillo Eggs in a cast iron pan with a wine bbq sauce.
    Armadillo eggs with beef make a great appetizer or tailgating bite.

    This recipe and video is sponsored by Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. on behalf of the Beef Checkoff. All opinions are our own.

    What makes a jalapeño popper taste even better? How about taking some amazing seasoned Ground Beef and wrapping it around the cheese filled jalapeño. Then, the final touch is adding a savory red wine glaze to give a rich, cheesy, and slightly spicy egg shape appetizer. The best part is that we slowly smoke these incredible appetizers for even more flavor and to get the pepper nice and tender.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Preparation
    • Smoked Armadillo Eggs Instructions
    • Substitutions
    • Top tip
    • Food Safety
    • Smoked Beef Armadillo Eggs Recipe

    Ingredients

    When it comes to Armadillo Eggs, the two most important ingredients are the right size jalapeño peppers and for us it’s using good Ground Beef as our meat of choice. This recipe yields 6 eggs with 1 ¼ pounds of beef.

    Size gradient of jalapeno poppers.
    Jalapeños come in a wide range of sizes. Strive for 2 – 3-inch-long jalapeños and consistent size.
    • Jalapeños – Look for peppers that are 2 to 3 inches long. If the peppers are too small, you won’t get enough of that cheesy filling in there. If they are too big, they won’t be easy to eat AND they will require more Ground Beef and more filling than this recipe states.
    • Ground Beef – The best ratio is 80/20 Ground Beef. This means 80% is lean and 20% is fat. Not only does this mean amazing flavor, the fat ratio helps the Beef stay intact around the pepper as it slowly smokes. If you use lean Beef (90/10 or higher), you’ll need to add another binding agent like egg. For seasoning use a bold beef seasoning, which in our case is equal parts kosher salt, coarse black pepper, and granulated garlic.
    • Cheese – Cream cheese and shredded cheddar are our two favorites. The cream cheese makes for a soft texture and tanginess while the cheddar adds flavor and color.
    • Wine Glaze – The final ingredient is a wine-based glaze. We use our Pinot Noir BBQ sauce, but you can also use any BBQ sauce you like plus wine. Just use equal parts BBQ sauce to red wine.

    See recipe card for quantities.

    Preparation

    1. Combine the softened cream cheese and cheddar in a bowl and mix with to combine.
    2. In a separate bowl, combine the beef with the seasoning and mix.
    3. Next, cut the stem/top off the jalapeño and discard. Then using a narrow sharp knife, remove the seeds, membrane, and ribs so the jalapeño is hollow (this also minimizes the heat).
    4. Stuff the jalapeño with the cheese mixture. Be sure to pack it in tightly to avoid air pockets.
    5. Layout the seasoned Beef in a large rectangle and divide into six squares. Using your hands, gently press the pepper into the Ground Beef and work the Ground Beef around the pepper forming the “egg”. Be sure that all sides are surrounded and that you have enclosed and pinched any seams.
    Process steps on how to make armadillo eggs.
    Steps for making beef armadillo eggs.
    6 uncooked beef Armadillo Eggs on a baking sheet

    If Tailgating – Place the uncooked eggs in a storage container and then keep in cooler or refrigerator until you are ready to smoke them. Make the sauce in advance as well so all you need to do is smoke and glaze.

    Softening Cream Cheese – Consider leaving the cream cheese out of the fridge for an hour to soften. If you use a microwave, do not go longer than 10 second increments to soften or it could melt (and we want soft cream cheese, not melted).

    Smoked Armadillo Eggs Instructions

    Preheat Grill/Smoker: Start with preheating your smoker to 225 degrees Fahrenheit using oak or a fruit wood. The low temperature is important to keep the beef from shrinking. If the smoker runs hotter, the beef will pull back and shrink, exposing the pepper and making for an uneven cook.

    Smoke Armadillo Eggs: Place the Beef Armadillo Eggs on the smoker for one hour. After one hour the internal temperature of the beef will be between 165 and 170 degrees F, which means they are cooked through.

    Armadillo eggs on the smoker at 225 - 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
    Smoke at low heat to avoid the Beef from shrinking away from the jalapeño.

    Glaze Eggs: Next glaze the eggs with the wine glaze and continue smoking for an additional 10 minutes. This lets the sauce set and darken for more flavor.

    Glazing armadillo eggs with a wine glaze.
    Glaze after one hour and then continue smoking to let it set.

    Remove: Remove and then let them rest for 5 – 10 minutes until they are cool enough to touch. Serve and enjoy.

    Hint: When cleaning the grill after use, remember to use a non-wire-based grill cleaner while the grill is still warm to clean the grates.

    Substitutions

    If you don’t have time to make the wine glaze from scratch you can use any barbecue sauce you like.

    • Wine Glaze – Any dry red wine will work. Instead of using our own recipe, you can put ½ cup of wine and ½ cup of your favorite BBQ sauce in a pan over medium heat. Stir to combine until bubbling and let cool.

    Top tip

    If all you can find is large jalapeños (over 3 inches long), increase the amount of Beef to 2 pounds to account for the size. And then plan an additional 30 minutes of cooking time before glazing.

    Smoked Armadillo Eggs in a pan with sauce.
    Time for a bite.

    Food Safety

    Things to keep in mind while cooking with Ground Beef.

    • Cook Ground Beef to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
    • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food that previously touched raw meat
    • Wash hands after touching raw meat

    See more guidelines at USDA.gov.


    beef Armadillo Eggs in a cast iron pan with sauce.

    Smoked Beef Armadillo Eggs Recipe

    A classic jalapeño popper wrapped in seasoned ground beef and then finished with a delicious red wine BBQ glaze.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved!
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
    resting time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
    Servings: 6 eggs
    Calories: 671kcal
    Author: Mary Cressler | Vindulge
    Cost: $15

    Ingredients

    • 1 ¼ pounds Ground Beef, 80/20 mix (80% lean 20% fat)
    • 1 ½ tablespoons Beef rub
    • 4 ounces softened cream cheese
    • 3 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
    • 6 whole jalapeños (2 – 3 inches in width)
    • 1 cup Pinot Noir BBQ Sauce
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Preheat Smoker: Prepare smoker targeting 225 – 250 degrees Fahrenheit using oak or fruit wood.
    • Prep Ingredients: In a large bowl combine Ground Beef and beef seasoning and mix. In a separate bowl mix the cream cheese and cheddar cheese together.
    • Prep Jalapeños: Cut the stem/top off the jalapeño and discard. Then using a narrow sharp knife, remove the seeds, membrane, and ribs so the jalapeño is hollow (this also minimizes the heat). Stuff the jalapeño with the cheese mixture. Be sure to pack it in tightly to avoid air pockets.
    • Make Eggs: Layout the seasoned Beef in a large rectangle and divide into six squares. Using your hands, gently press the pepper into the Ground Beef and work the Ground Beef around the pepper forming an "egg". Be sure that all sides are surrounded and that you have enclosed and pinched any seams.
    • Smoke Armadillo Eggs: Place the Beef Armadillo Eggs on the smoker for one hour. After one hour the internal temperature of the beef will be between 165 and 170 degrees F, which means they are cooked through.
    • Glaze: Next glaze the eggs with the wine glaze and continue smoking for an additional 10 minutes. This lets the sauce set and darken for more flavor.
    • Remove and then let them rest for 5 – 10 minutes until they are cool enough to touch. Serve and enjoy.

    Video

    Notes

    If Tailgating – Place the uncooked eggs in a storage container and then keep in cooler or refrigerator until you are ready to smoke them. Make the sauce in advance as well so all you need to do is smoke and glaze.
    Softening Cream Cheese – Consider leaving the cream cheese out of the fridge for an hour to soften. If you use a microwave, do not go longer than 10 second increments to soften or it could melt.
    Wine Glaze – Any dry red wine will work. Instead of using our Pinot Noir BBQ Sauce recipe, you can put ½ cup of wine and ½ cup of your favorite BBQ sauce in a pan over medium heat. Stir to combine until bubbling and let cool.
    Find the perfect wine pairing at the Vindulge Wine Shop

    Nutrition

    Calories: 671kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 46g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 154mg | Sodium: 1053mg | Potassium: 623mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 810IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 245mg | Iron: 4mg
    Tried this recipe? We would love to see!Mention @vindulge or use the hashtag #vindulge

    « The Best 15 Smoked Chicken Recipes
    Our Favorite Chili Recipes + 6 more! »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tim says

      July 23, 2022 at 9:06 am

      Instead of leaving the cream cheese out to be softened, you can smoke it before hand. It’ll add some flavor to the egg.

      Reply
      • Sean Martin says

        July 23, 2022 at 1:51 pm

        That’s a great idea. Smoked cream cheese is pretty awesome.

        Reply
    2. Kathryn Larson says

      September 24, 2021 at 2:13 pm

      Mary, thanks for sharing your recipes and knowledge. Everything I’ve tried has been excellent . Im an accomplished cook, but new to the smoking arena. I just bought your book and plan to purchase a smoker soon. Love your book!

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Mary-Cressler-Sept-2015-smI'm Mary, a wine/food/travel writer, Certified Sommelier, mom of twins, former vegetarian turned BBQ fanatic, runner, and founder of Vindulge and author of Fire + Wine cookbook.  Thanks for stopping by!

    Learn More...

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter

    Fire and Wine Cookbook Cover.

    Get Ready for Summer

    Smoked Brisket

    What’s on our Grill

    Tri Tip fajitas and peppers in a cast iron skillet.

    Easy Grilled Tri-Tip Fajitas Recipe

    Verde chicken tacos on a serving platter

    Super Easy Verde Chicken Tacos

    Vegetarian Chili in a bowl with cheese and a spoon.

    The Ultimate Vegetarian Chili Recipe

    Pulled pork breakfast hash in a cast iron pan.

    Pulled Pork Breakfast Hash

    More

    As Seen On

    Products we love

    taking the temperature of a porchetta roast on the grill
    We use Thermoworks Signals BBQ Alarm to monitor the internal temperature of the meat while it’s cooking, then double check with an instant read thermometer, like the Thermapen One.

    Vindulge Wine Club

    join the wine club side bar

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Portfolio
    • TV Appearances
    • Work with Me

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2021 Vindulge

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
    Cookie SettingsAccept All
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
    CookieDurationDescription
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
    viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
    Functional
    Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
    Performance
    Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
    Analytics
    Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
    Advertisement
    Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
    Others
    Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
    SAVE & ACCEPT
    1.6K shares
    • 48