Looking for something new and delicious to throw on the grill? These Grilled Avocado Bombs are an explosion of flavor, combining creamy avocado, smoky bacon, savory beef, and gooey pepper jack cheese. Perfect for your next BBQ, these bites are easy to make and will be the talk of the party!
Ingredients:
- 4 large avocados (or 6-8 small ones for individual servings, depending on size)
- 1 lb ground beef (lean or turkey) — You can also use chicken or sausage for a variation.
- 8-10 slices of bacon — Thick-cut bacon is recommended for extra crispiness.
- Pepper jack cheese (about 1 cup) — Cube the cheese into small, bite-sized pieces. You can also use cheddar, mozzarella, or your favorite cheese.
- BBQ sauce (optional) — For basting and drizzling at the end for extra flavor.
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Avocados:
- Cut the avocados in half and carefully remove the pit. Scoop out a little of the flesh to create a larger cavity for the filling. You want the avocado halves to be sturdy enough to hold the cheese, meat, and other ingredients, but not so thick that they won’t cook through.
- Cube the pepper jack cheese into small 1/2-inch pieces. You’ll need just enough to fill the cavity of each avocado half. You can use your hands to stuff the cheese into the center of the avocado, or just drop the cubes in as you go.
2. Prepare the Ground Meat:
- Season your ground beef: In a large bowl, season the beef with salt, pepper, and any additional seasonings you like. You could use garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or even a bit of chili powder for some heat. Mix it all together well.
- Form the meat into patties: Take the seasoned ground beef and form small patties that will fit around your stuffed avocado halves. Each patty should be just large enough to completely cover the avocado and cheese. Think of it like a little meat blanket for the avocado.
3. Wrap the Meat Around the Avocado:
- Wrap the meat around the stuffed avocado: Place one of the meat patties over each avocado half. Gently mold the beef around the avocado so that it’s fully encased. Be sure the cheese doesn’t fall out or become exposed.
- Secure with toothpicks: If the patties are having trouble holding together, use toothpicks to secure the meat around the avocado. You’ll remove them before serving, so don’t worry about them being visible.
4. Wrap in Bacon:
- Wrap with bacon: Lay two slices of bacon across each beef-wrapped avocado. You’ll want the bacon to overlap slightly to ensure it stays in place while cooking. Wrap it tightly around the meat and avocado. You can also use toothpicks to help secure the bacon if needed.
- Tip: For extra flavor, you can sprinkle the bacon with a little brown sugar or black pepper before wrapping it, or even brush it with BBQ sauce for added sweetness as it cooks.
5. Grill the Avocado Bombs:
- Preheat your grill: Set your grill to 375°F for indirect heat. If you have a two-zone grill, keep one side on low heat and place the avocado bombs on the cooler side. If using a single-zone grill, make sure to monitor the temperature so the bacon doesn’t burn before the meat is cooked.
- Place the bombs on the grill: Arrange the bacon-wrapped avocado bombs on the grill and close the lid. Let them cook for about 1 to 1.5 hours. The goal is to cook the beef all the way through and crisp the bacon without burning it.
- Turn occasionally: Every 20 minutes or so, rotate the bombs to ensure even cooking. The bacon should turn golden and crispy, while the beef cooks through and the cheese inside melts.
- Baste with BBQ sauce: About 1 hour into cooking, baste the bombs with BBQ sauce if you want a little extra sweetness and smokiness. Brush the sauce over the bacon, and then let it cook for another 15-20 minutes for that caramelized glaze.
- Check doneness: For larger avocados, you’ll need closer to 1.5 hours for everything to cook properly. For smaller ones, start checking after 1 hour. The bacon should be crispy, and the internal temperature of the meat should reach 160°F.
6. Serve and Enjoy!
- Rest and remove toothpicks: After grilling, let the avocado bombs rest for a few minutes before serving. Don’t forget to remove the toothpicks to avoid any mishaps!
- Garnish and serve: If desired, top with a drizzle of more BBQ sauce, fresh cilantro, or a squeeze of lime for added freshness. These are great served with a side of coleslaw, grilled vegetables, or even some extra avocado slices.
Tips for Perfect Grilled Avocado Bombs:
- Grill over indirect heat: The key to perfect avocado bombs is cooking them over indirect heat so the bacon crisps slowly without burning. If you cook them directly over the flames, the bacon can burn before the meat is fully cooked.
- Customize the filling: Add some fun ingredients to the meat mix—like jalapeños, onions, or chopped herbs—for extra flavor. You could also experiment with different cheese types, like cheddar, mozzarella, or even blue cheese.
- Watch your bacon: Bacon cooks at different rates depending on thickness, so keep an eye on it! If it starts to get too crispy before the meat is cooked, you can cover the bombs loosely with foil to protect the bacon while the meat finishes cooking.
Why You’ll Love Grilled Avocado Bombs:
- Smoky & Flavorful: The grilled meat, crispy bacon, and creamy avocado make for an irresistible flavor combination.
- Customizable: You can adjust the filling to suit your tastes. Want something spicy? Add jalapeños or hot sauce. Want it cheesier? Use more cheese, or experiment with different types of cheese.
- Impressive but Easy: This recipe might sound complicated, but it’s pretty simple and sure to impress your friends and family. It’s perfect for grilling season, BBQs, or a fun weekend treat.
- Healthy-ish: Packed with healthy fats from the avocado, protein from the beef, and crispy bacon goodness, these bombs are a great indulgence without too much guilt.
Grilled Avocado Bombs are the ultimate BBQ treat that you won’t find anywhere else. Give this recipe a try the next time you fire up the grill—you’ll be hooked after the first bite!