What Are Burnt Ends?
This grilled pork recipe is dedicated to all the meat lovers out there, especially pork belly fans! Pork belly is seasoned in a dry rub mixture consisting of brown sugar, smoked paprika, chili, garlic, and onion powders. Then you grill the pork belly for nearly 3 1/2 hours and in the process it also simmers in a barbecue sauce and butter mix. The result are crispy, sticky pieces of pork belly burnt ends that are tender and moist with a sweet-and-savory flavor. I promise you that if you serve these at a holiday get-together for Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, for game day parties, or as a special dinner treat for your family, there will be no leftovers! Despite the rather dark, err burnt, look of these grilled burnt pork belly ends, people go nuts for them – particularly anyone who likes the darker pieces or more burnt pieces of anything!
Ingredients in Pork Belly Burnt Ends
To make these pork belly ends that people just can’t keep their hands off, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Dry Rub
Wood chips, optional Light brown sugar Smoked paprika Salt Chili powder Garlic powder Onion powder Freshly ground black pepper Pork belly (brisket may be substituted)
Barbecue Sauce Mixture
Barbecue sauce Light brown sugar Unsalted butter
Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.
How to Cook Burnt Ends
Making burnt ends at home is easy! To make the best pork belly burnt ends, follow these easy steps:
Recipe Tips
When you’re cubing the pork belly, cube it in large-ish bite-sized pieces. After cooking for hours, it definitely reduces in size so don’t start out with something too small at the onset or you’ll end up with dried out little Chiclets. For those of you using a grill to make your burnt pork belly ends, you will only use one side of the grill for the bulk of the recipe. Meaning, don’t fire up both sides of your grill because you will be cooking the pork on the cold, or non-flame side of the grill. However, if you’re using the optional wood chips for smoky flavor, you will place them over the hot, or flame, side of your grill. There are a few twists and turns with the cooking process but in a nutshell cooking your smoked pork belly burnt ends on the grill is as follows: It should go without saying, but whatever pans you use should be old and lined with foil since they will never look the same. And won’t be the ones you reach for the next time you want to bake cookies or impress company. And you could probably get away with using an old 9×13-inch pan instead of a disposable 9×13-inch foil pan but the disposable pans are easier and more practical for me. Especially the clean up! Finally, don’t be scared to cook your burnt pork belly ends for the full cooking time of 3 hours 20 minutes. I know that the pork will be burnt looking but it doesn’t taste burnt! It’s wonderful, chewy, crispy, sweet, sticky, juicy and fabulous despite its dark appearance.
Get The BEST Grilling Recipes eBook!
For all my grillers and grilling fans out there, I have a new grilling ebook! I am grateful for your support! The Best 35 Grilling Recipes 📖🔥 – Unlock the full potential of your grill with my ebook! From juicy steaks to flavorful veggies, this cookbook is your guide to mastering outdoor cooking. With expert tips and mouthwatering recipes, elevate your grilling game and create unforgettable meals every time.
More Easy Pork Dinners:
Slow Cooker Cherry Cola Pulled Pork – Super juicy, smoky, tangy-and-sweet pulled pork that is just bursting with flavor and moisture thanks to Cherry Coke and barbecue sauce! Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes! Easy Pulled Pork Sliders — Moist and tender pulled pork topped with barbecue sauce and coleslaw, and sandwiched between soft Hawaiian rolls! Best Grilled Pork Chops —Learn how to make juicy and tender pork chops on a gas grill thanks to a super simple homemade marinade that provides the perfect amount of savory flavor! Slow Cooker Hawaiian Pulled Pork — Pork is slow cooked to perfection and has Hawaiian-inspired flavors from pineapple and teriyaki sauce! Sweet, tangy, tender, and juicy! It makes the best pulled pork sandwiches that everyone loves! Slow Cooker Pulled Pork — The EASIEST recipe for pulled pork because your Crock-Pot does all the work for you! Set it and forget it for this AMAZING pulled pork that’s super flavorful and so tender and juicy! Air Fryer Pork Chops — Coated in Parmesan cheese and a rich spice rub, these air fried pork chops are perfectly crispy on the outside while staying tender and moist on the inside! French Onion Pork Chops — If you love French onion soup, you’re going to adore these pork chops! They’re ready in under an hour and can be made in just one skillet! Elegant, EASY, and sure to be a new family FAVORITE recipe!
