Smoked Pork Belly Burnt Ends with Brown Sugar Brine

These smoked pork belly burnt ends transform rich cubes of pork belly into smoky, caramelized bites with a crackly bark, buttery interior, and sticky glaze. A brown sugar brine builds flavor from the inside out while helping every piece stay juicy throughout the long smoke. These bad boys are perfect with smoky BBQ beans, creamy Southern style coleslaw, or creamy and tangy potato salad.

What Are Burnt Ends?

Burnt ends typically refer to brisket. Specifically, they are the smoked crispy ends of the point of a brisket that are sauced up and served on bread or just eaten straight up as small bites of finger food.

If you've spent any time in Kansas City, then you've likely had barbecue brisket burnt ends. The fatty ends of the brisket make for the best burnt ends. which have a meat candy vibe to them. For this reason, you have to try smoked pork belly burnt ends. That belly flap of fat that seems to engulf the pork makes pork belly equal or better than brisket depending on your tastes.

Pork Belly Burnt Ends Inspiration

The first time I ever had burnt ends was during a trip to Kansas City which is the 2nd best bbq region in the world. At the time I was at Arthur Bryant's BBQ Restaurant and baptized there with some serious brisket burnt ends. Since I've had them in many of the other top spots in KC. Eventually, I added them to my repertoire.

Recently I bought some pork belly to make homemade cured bacon. I had some extra pork belly so decided to use it as a replacement for brisket in my usual burnt ends recipe.

Recipe Notes

• Pork belly varies quite a bit from one butcher to another. I look for thick slabs with an even balance of meat and fat because they'll cook more evenly and produce consistently tender burnt ends. Warehouse clubs, Asian grocery stores, Latin markets, and independent butcher shops are often the best places to find whole pork belly.
• The brown sugar brine is the foundation of this recipe. It seasons deeply while encouraging better moisture retention throughout the smoke. Dark brown sugar produces deeper molasses flavor, while light brown sugar creates a cleaner sweetness. Maple syrup or turbinado sugar can substitute for part of the brown sugar if you want more complex caramel notes.
• For another alternative to traditional burnt ends, try these "poor man's" beef chuck burnt ends. For whole pork belly recipes try this smoked pork belly dish.

How I Make Smoked Pork Belly Burnt Ends

When I make smoked pork belly burnt ends, I don't rush the process because every stage builds another layer of flavor. I start with a brown sugar brine that seasons the pork belly all the way through while helping it retain moisture during the smoke.

After drying the meat well, I coat every cube with my seasoning, making sure every edge is covered so I get maximum bark. I smoke the pork belly low and slow until the fat begins to render and the exterior develops that deep mahogany color I'm after.

The biggest mistake I see is pulling them too early before the fat has rendered. Tough, chewy bites almost always mean the pork belly needed more time. Another common mistake is wrapping too soon, which softens the bark before it's fully developed. I always wait until the bark feels firm before glazing.

For even bigger flavor, finish the burnt ends uncovered during the last few minutes so the glaze tightens into a glossy, caramelized coating while the edges crisp slightly. Every bite should balance smoky bark, rendered fat, sweet heat, and melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Sticky Pork Belly Bites Cooking Tips

• Use fresh uncured pork belly
• Remove the rind if present. Most grocery store pork belly will come without the rind.
• Cube the pork belly from the start so it can develop a slight bark on all sides.
• Don't forget the foil wrap step when cooking. This provides the necessary steam and pressure to render the fat
• Glaze with your favorite barbecue sauce while cooking or use the recipe for chipotle bbq sauce

Making Homemade Burnt Ends

If you’re looking for a delicious and easy way to cook up some pork belly burnt ends, look no further. This recipe is simple, straightforward, and absolutely mouth-watering. We hope you enjoy it!

If you make this addictive smoky BBQ pork belly please come back and leave me a comment below with your feedback. Definitely take a photo of the dish and be sure to tag #foodfidelity so that I can see them.

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