Smoked Pork Belly Burnt Ends
How to Make Smoked Pork Belly Burnt Ends – Tender, flavorful, meaty, and utterly mouthwatering BBQ burnt ends are an absolute dream. This easy recipe can be made in a smoker or oven!
What are Burnt Ends?
The term “burnt ends” refers to the dense and tough ends of a piece of meat that has been slow smoked. They are typically a bit chewy and on the drier side after cooking… Which makes them absolutely perfect to drench with tangy barbecue sauce, and cook a second time to tenderize!
If you love classic beef brisket burnt ends you are going to go crazy over decadent Pork Belly Burnt Ends. Similar to beef, these pieces of smoked meat are thick and meaty, but with a slightly softer and melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Amazing Pork Belly Burnt Ends
These little morsels of porky perfection are smoked and kissed with barbecue sauce. The recipe starts with a slab of pork belly, cut into generous “bite-size” cubes. We coat them with our classic pork rub seasoning blend that is made with brown sugar and a few key spices, and then slowly smoke.
The smoked pork is tossed with barbecue sauce and apple cider vinegar, then finished in a 250 degree oven for another hour. Once they are done, each piece is fork-tender and bursting with delightfully intense sweet and smoky flavors.
Pro Tip: Smoked pork belly burnt ends are best made on a smoker, but if you don’t have one, you can replicate this process entirely in the oven with a little bit of liquid smoke.
Ingredients You Need
- Pork belly slab – the boneless and fatty underside of the pig
- Light brown sugar – packed
- Spices – salt, ground black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder
- Texas-style BBQ sauce – your favorite brand
- Apple cider – tenderizes the smoked pork
How to Smoke Pork Belly
First, preheat the smoker to 250°F. In a small bowl mix together the spice rub ingredients: brown sugar, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Cut the pork belly into 1 1/2 inch cubes. Toss the pork belly cubes with the dry rub.
Set out two large rimmed baking sheets and place baking racks on top. Spread the seasoned pork belly cubes over the baking racks.
Set the baking sheets on the smoker. Close the lid and smoke for 2 1/2 hours.
Get the Complete (Printable) Smoked Pork Belly Burnt Ends Recipe Below. Enjoy!
Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°F. Set out a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Mix the barbecue sauce and apple cider in the baking dish.
Once the pork belly comes off the smoker, placed the cubes in the baking dish. Toss to coat the pork belly cubes in barbecue sauce.
Then cover the baking dish tightly with foil in place in the oven for one hour.
Once done, remove them from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes. Uncover and serve the pork belly burnt ends warm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Serve this as a main dish piled on top of white bread and southern sides. We love to pair luscious, meaty smoked pork belly with collard greens, mac and cheese or macaroni salad, and creamy potato salad.
Or serve as an appetizer with sharp cheddar cheese cubes, spicy mustard, pickles, and Ritz crackers or saltines.
To “smoke” the pork belly burnt ends in the oven, preheat the oven to 250°. Toss the pork belly cubes With 1 tablespoon of liquid smoke, before you toss them with a dry rub. Then place them in the oven for 2 1/2 hours. Follow the remaining instructions as directed.
Smoked pork will keep well for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Let the burnt ends cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge.
Looking For More BBQ Recipe? Be Sure To Also Try:
- Grilled Pork Chops + Carolina BBQ Sauce
- Crock Pot Brisket Sandwich Recipe
- Coffee Brushed Barbecue Ribs
- Smoked Pork Loin (+ Tenderloin)
- Chipotle BBQ Chicken Skewers
Smoked Pork Belly Burnt Ends
Ingredients
- 4-5 pounds pork belly slab
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoon salt
- 2 tablespoons ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 ½ cups Texas-style BBQ sauce
- ¾ cup apple cider
Instructions
- Preheat the smoker to 250°F. In a small bowl mix together the brown sugar, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Cut the pork belly into 1 1/2 inch cubes. Toss the pork belly cubes with the dry rub.
- Set out two large rimmed baking sheets and place baking racks on top. Spread The seasoned pork belly cubes over the baking racks.
- Set the baking sheets on the smoker. Close the lid and smoke for 2 1/2 hours.
- Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°F. Set out a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Mix the barbecue sauce and apple cider in the baking dish.
- Once the pork belly comes off the smoker, placed the cubes in the baking dish. Toss to coat the pork belly cubes in barbecue sauce. Then cover the baking dish tightly with foil in place in the oven for one hour.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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