How to Achieve Perfect BBQ Pork Belly Burnt Ends Every Time!
Pork belly burnt ends are tender, succulent cubes of pork belly that have been seasoned, smoked, and glazed to perfection. They are a delightful barbecue delicacy with a perfect balance of smoky, sweet, and savory flavors.
Feeds 2-4 People
Prep time 15-20 minutes
Cook time 4-5 hours
Why Pork Belly Burnt Ends Is A Staple BBQ Recipe
Fat Content: Pork belly is a fatty cut of meat, and when cooked low and slow, the fat renders out, leaving behind tender and juicy meat. The fat also helps to keep the meat moist during the cooking process, making each bite rich and flavorful.
Caramelization: The process of cooking pork belly burnt ends involves a final step of glazing the meat with a sauce and then returning it to the smoker or grill. This step allows the sugars in the glaze to caramelize
Smoke Flavor: Smoking the pork belly at a low temperature allows the meat to absorb the smoky flavors over an extended period. This adds depth and complexity to the flavor profile, making the burnt ends more savory and aromatic.
Texture Contrast: Pork belly burnt ends have a crispy, caramelized exterior with a tender and juicy interior. This contrast in textures makes them incredibly satisfying to eat.
Ingredients
- 4-6 pounds of pork belly
- BBQ seasoning (Ill leave a recipe for a simple BBQ seasoning down below)
- 1-2 sticks of butter
- Brown sugar
- Honey
- BBQ sauce
Instructions for Pork Belly
Set your smoker to 250 degrees(121°C)
Trim any excess fat from the pork belly and cut it into bite-sized cubes, about 1 inch
Season your pork belly on all sides with BBQ seasoning
Place the pork belly cubes on a wire rack or directly on the smoker grates, leaving some space between them for smoke and heat circulation.
Smoke the pork belly cubes at 250 degrees(121°C) for about 2 to 3 hours, or until they have a nice golden-brown color and have rendered some fat.
After the initial smoking time, remove the pork belly cubes from the smoker and place them in a disposable aluminum pan or a baking dish.
Slice your butter in multiple pieces and spread throughout the whole dish
Spread your brown sugar over the top of the pork belly
Drizzle honey and cover with aluminum foil and place back into your smoker for 1-2 more hours
Increase the temperature of your smoker or grill to 275 degrees(135°C) place your aluminum pan back on your smoker
Continue cooking for another 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the pork belly cubes are tender and caramelized
Drain the liquid from the tray
Drizzle your BBQ Sauce over the top and give them a light toss
Place the pork belly back on your smoker for 15 minutes
Once the pork belly burnt ends are done, remove them from the smoker and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.
Serve the pork belly burnt ends as an appetizer or main dish. They are delicious on their own or served with coleslaw and pickles.
Ingredients for a simple BBQ Seasoning
- Paprika: 2 tablespoons
- Brown sugar: 2 tablespoons
- Salt: 1 tablespoon
- Black pepper: 1 tablespoon
- Garlic powder: 1 tablespoon
- Onion powder: 1 tablespoon
- Chili powder: 1 tablespoon
- Cayenne pepper (optional, for heat): 1/2 to 1 teaspoon
These measurements are approximate and can be adjusted based on your personal preference. You can also add or omit certain ingredients based on your taste. Feel free to experiment and customize the seasoning to suit your preferences.
My hot dog burnt end recipe is a lot cheaper to make and requires less time!
This Cooking method also works on Smoked Party Ribs!
If you are looking for beef version i love Chuck Roast Burnt Ends.
Pork Belly Burnt Ends
Smoked pork belly burnt ends are a delicious barbecue treat that combines the rich, fatty goodness of pork belly with the smoky, caramelized flavors of burnt ends. These bite-sized pieces of pork are typically smoked low and slow until tender, then coated in a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce before being returned to the smoker to develop a sticky, flavorful glaze. The result is a perfect combination of crispy edges and melt-in-your-mouth interior, making them a popular choice for barbecue enthusiasts. Ideal for appetizers, party snacks, or a decadent addition to any meal, smoked pork belly burnt ends are sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
- 1 slab of pork belly approx. 10 pounds (Skin off)
- 2-3 tablespoons of BBQ seasoning
- 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- 1 ½ sticks of unsalted butter
- ½ cup of BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Cube up all your pork belly in 1x1 inch cubes
- Season pork belly cubes on all sides with bbq seasoning
- Place your pork belly on a chicken rack (this will make it easier to transport the pork belly on and off the smoker)
- Smoke your pork belly at 250 degrees for 3 hours
- After 1 hour of cook time spritz the pork belly every 30 minutes
- Once you get the bark you are looking for place all the pork belly cubes into a deep dish bbq tray
- Slice up your butter into pads and place them throughout the tray
- Sprinkle your brown sugar & drizzle with honey over the top of the pork belly
- Cover with aluminum foil
- Bump up the heat to 275 and let the pork belly braise for 1 hour
- After 1 hour drain all the liquid out of the tray and drizzle bbq sauce over the pork belly
- Toss the pork belly gently and place back in your smoker for 10-15 minutes
- Once your sauce is sticky the pork belly burnt ends are done!
Notes
Fat Content: Pork belly is a fatty cut of meat, and when cooked low and slow, the fat renders out, leaving behind tender and juicy meat. The fat also helps to keep the meat moist during the cooking process, making each bite rich and flavorful.
Caramelization: The process of cooking pork belly burnt ends involves a final step of glazing the meat with a sauce and then returning it to the smoker or grill. This step allows the sugars in the glaze to caramelize, creating a sweet, sticky, and slightly crispy exterior that contrasts beautifully with the tender meat inside.
Smoke Flavor: Smoking the pork belly at a low temperature allows the meat to absorb the smoky flavors over an extended period. This adds depth and complexity to the flavor profile, making the burnt ends more savory and aromatic.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size: 4 ouncesAmount Per Serving: Calories: 480Total Fat: 45gSaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 0gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 423mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 0gSugar: 7gProtein: 15g