YaYa’s BBQ Beef Cups
Ingredients
- 3/4 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup commercial barbecue sauce
- 1 t. instant minced onion
- 1 10 oz can refrigerated biscuits
- 1/2 cup 2 oz. shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Brown beef in a skillet, stirring to crumble; drain.
- Add barbecue sauce and onion; stir well. Set aside.
- Separate biscuits and place one in each muffin cup, pressing up the sides.
- Spoon meat mixture evenly into biscuit cups; sprinkle with cheese.
- Bake at 400°F for 8 minutes or until golden brown.
Yaya’s Tips for Success
Now listen, these are called Easy BBQ Beef Cups for a reason, but a few extra touches make them even better. The key here is in the biscuit placement and getting that beef mixture seasoned and tucked in just right. I like to use my fingers to gently press the biscuit dough up the sides of each muffin cup so you get a nice little pocket that holds the filling without spilling over. Be sure to drain your beef well before adding the sauce, or the bottoms can get a little soggy.
- Use lean ground beef to avoid excess grease
- Don’t overfill the biscuit cups, just a heaping tablespoon will do
- Use a good quality BBQ sauce with a smoky or sweet note depending on your taste
- Shred your own cheese if you have time because it melts better than pre-shredded
- Serve warm right from the oven or keep covered in foil to transport
Yaya’s Customization Ideas
If you’re like me, you’ll find ways to make this your own. These little cups are a blank canvas for all kinds of flavors. My family loves them spicy, so I sometimes toss in a pinch of red pepper flakes or chopped jalapeños right into the meat mixture. For my grandbabies, I’ll swap out the beef for ground turkey and use a honey BBQ sauce for a milder flavor. You can even make a breakfast version with scrambled eggs, crumbled sausage, and a little cheddar if you’re feelin’ creative.
- Swap cheddar for pepper jack or smoked gouda for a flavor twist
- Add chopped bell pepper or onion while browning the meat for texture
- Make it Tex-Mex by stirring in taco seasoning and topping with salsa
- Try Hawaiian BBQ sauce and a bit of pineapple tidbits for a sweet twist
If you like these little cups, you’ll probably enjoy my Chuck Wagon Wraps for another grab-n-go beefy bite. And for another muffin tin crowd-pleaser, take a look at the Cheesy Potato Casserole too. Folks go back for seconds every time!
Yaya’s Original Recipe Card
