Your Kids Will Love This Barbecue Beef Cups Recipe

If you have a picky eater at home, they are sure to love these barbecue beef cups. They are fun to eat, easy to hold, and they contain ingredients that almost everyone is sure to love. Best of all, they require only a few ingredients and are super easy to make. Find out more about how you can serve this dish to your loved ones.

Easy Beef Cups Recipe

One of the best things about these beef cups is how easy they are to make. They require four simple ingredients: beef or pork, barbecue sauce, a tube of refrigerator biscuits, and cheddar cheese.

Start by browning the meat and adding barbecue sauce. Press the biscuit dough into the muffin cups and add the beef mixture. Then sprinkle cheese on top for a terrific finishing touch. Finally, just pop everything in the oven and bake for a dish your family is sure to love.

Variations of This Recipe

Of course, there are several variations you can make on the beef cup recipe. Various seasonings can be added like garlic, salt, or pepper. Some may also add onions and pepper to boost the nutritional value and flavor.

You can also get some variety in the meat you use. You can use a combination of chopped beef and ground beef to elevate the dish. Sloppy Joe meat can also make a great substitute.

Some cooks might choose to make their own dough for the muffin shells. This is an extra step to take, but those who prefer to make everything from scratch will find it’s well worth it.

The dough can be made with a yeast and flour mixture, or you can use Bisquick and water for a bit of a shortcut that can be equally delicious.

BBQ Beef Cups and Alternative Sauces You Can Use

Barbecue sauce is often added to this recipe. It gives the meat a great smoky flavor, which most will enjoy. However, if your picky eater does not enjoy the taste of barbecue sauce, there are many other sauces that will make great substitutes. Here are some you might consider:

• Marinara sauce: This is perfect for giving your meat a lighter flavor full of tomato-y goodness.
• Worcestershire sauce: This will give your meat a sweet and savory taste with a vinegar-y tang.
• A1 sauce: This is one of the more popular brands of steak sauce; so popular in fact, that when we think of steak sauce, A1 instantly comes to mind. Like most steak sauces, it is reminiscent of Worcestershire, although this one is more tart in flavor.
• Hoison Sauce: Popularly used in Asian cooking, this has similar flavors to barbecue sauce even though the ingredients are quite different.
• Plum sauce: This is another Asian favorite that has a sweet and sour profile that makes it the perfect barbecue sauce alternative.

Little hands love muffin tin dinners; they’re easy to hold and eat (and these are especially delicious). They’re made with only a few ingredients, all easy to assemble into a hearty dinner without spending all night at the stove.

Cook With Your Kids

Given that this recipe is so kid-friendly, why not include your kids in the cooking process as well? Kids will love getting the chance to try something new, especially when it involves food. As your kids get older, it's important that they learn how to cook.

Many kids grow into adulthood lacking the skills they need to cook their own food. You don't need to sign your kids up for cooking classes or spend all day teaching them as many skills as possible. Simply letting them help you make dinner will give you the opportunity to teach them skills over time.

Plus, it will make the process easier for you, too. Let your kids spoon the mixture into the cups while you watch. It might sound like a small task to you, but to a child this is a big thing. This is especially true if they haven't been allowed to help with dinner previously.

Of course, always make sure safety comes first. Take care to ensure young children are kept away from hot or sharp objects. Make sure to choose age-appropriate tasks that your child can handle without too much difficulty. The key is to find a balance between what will help them learn and what they will enjoy doing.

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The image featured at the top of this post is ©iStock.com/Duy Doan.