Pork Belly Burnt Ends

Slow-cooked and smoked, these Pork Belly Burnt Ends have a melt-in-your-mouth texture and rich and tangy-sweet, smoky flavor.

Have you ever enjoyed burnt ends before? I had the pleasure of traveling to Kansas City for a retreat with some friends some years back. The first place we stopped after leaving the airport was a great BBQ place for some lunch.

Because I’m all about the super tender and saucy meat – I ordered the burnt ends at the suggestion of a friend, not knowing what really to expect. I was instantly in love and immediately set out to make my own tried and true recipe when I returned home.

After making it for my family the first time, they were all hooked. So when my son traveled to KC a few years later, he was on a mission to taste test as many different BBQ places he could to try ALL of the burnt ends KC had to offer.

I mean – when you are in KC, you absolutely MUST have BBQ. It’s just the thing YOU DO. But when you can’t be in KC – you recreate your own – I know you’ll love this recipe. It is AMAZING!

Traeger Burnt Ends

Here are some commonly asked questions

What are pork belly burnt ends?

Pork belly burnt ends are a delicious and easy way to enjoy pork belly. It is deliciously tender meat cooked on the Traeger smoker until the edges have a crispy outer crust, caramelized sauce smothering the outside while the insides are so tender it falls apart in your mouth.

This is one of the most tender and flavorful cuts of meats. It does not disappoint. It’s pure heaven on a plate!

What Is Pork Belly?

If you’re not familiar with pork belly, it’s the same cut of meat as bacon. Pork belly is simply uncured, non-smoked, unsliced bacon that comes from the pig’s belly (but not the stomach).

It is a fatty cut of meat that is full of flavor. Pork belly can be cooked in many different ways but is most commonly smoked or roasted.

I discovered that they frequently have it in the back if you ask the butcher. Look for a piece of pork belly with as much meat as you can find.

Pork belly is one of the few proteins that can be cut and smoked in tiny pieces, which makes it stand out. The fat layers in the pork belly keep it juicy and prevent it from drying out during the prolonged, low cook time.

What are some other ways to enjoy pork belly?

Pork belly can be enjoyed in many different ways which is why it is so popular in restaurants around the country. It can be roasted, smoked, or grilled. This delicious recipe can also be served as an appetizer or main course.

Like most pork recipes, it is enjoyed with a variety of side dishes, such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, beans, and rice. But you’ll find it most commonly enjoyed with a variety of sauces and toppings, such as BBQ sauce, hot sauce, ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise.

Can You Eat The Skin On Pork Belly?

Pork belly skin is edible, but it is also very fatty. While the skin is often removed before cooking, for this recipe we are removing the skin but leaving the fat layer which gives the juicy and tender final result. You will definitely want to leave that fat on.

Ingredients for Pork Belly Burnt Ends

• pork belly

Seasoning Rub

• smoked paprika
• ground black pepper
• dry mustard
• chili powder
• garlic powder
• cayenne powder

Sauce

• dark brown sugar
• honey
• Texas BBQ sauce
• unsalted butter

What bbq sauce should I use?

Use any type of bbq sauce you prefer. We make our own Texas BBQ Sauce, which we used when making this recipe. I highly recommend it. But if you are short on time – pick your favorite and sub that in instead.

How to Make Pork Belly Burnt Ends

1. Mix all of the dry rub ingredients together in a small bowl using a fork or a whisk.
2. Slice refrigerated pork belly into 1 ½ inch cubes.
3. Toss the pork belly cubes together with the seasoning rub and transfer them to a baking sheet.
4. Bring the temperature of the smoker up to 225 F. Add the wood chips to start the smoke and place an aluminum drip pan with a few inches of water under the grates to catch drippings.
5. Place the pork belly fat side up on the grates and smoke until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, which will take 1-2 hours.
6. Transfer the Pork Belly cubes to an aluminum pan and top with brown sugar, honey, and BBQ sauce.
7. Slice the butter and add to the top.
8. Cover with aluminum foil and place the pork back on the smoker at 225 F.
9. Stir the Pork Belly cubes every 30 minutes for 2 hours until the Burnt Ends internal temperature reaches at least 190F up to 205F.
10. Serve immediately. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.

What Is The Best Way To Season Pork Belly?

While we prefer to use our homemade seasoning shown here in this recipe – you can always use the tasty rubs made by Traeger. My favorite is the pork and poultry rub. But because we are reducing our sugar lately we have been making a lot of our own spice blends as you see here.

Can burnt ends be reheated?

Yes, these burnt ends can be reheated. Simply place the leftovers in a baking dish and heat it in a 350-degree oven until it is warmed through. You can also steam it in a microwave-safe dish with a lid. Just add a splash of water, cover, and microwave until hot.

How long do these burnt ends last?

The leftover burnt ends will last for 3-4 days in the fridge. Just make sure to keep the leftovers in an airtight container and not let the meat sit out at room temperature for too long while serving.

Pro Tips and Tricks

• Season and prep ahead of time. Get everything ready and place the seasoned meat in the pan the night before. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. It makes getting the pork belly on the smoker super early in the morning.
• Serve this for backyard BBQs, potlucks, picnics, summer holiday parties, game day parties and so much more.
• Change up the flavors by choosing different bbq sauce, make your own sauce, or use different seasonings, rubs, and blends.
• Pair with side salads, dinner rolls, fruit salad, all your favorite potluck dishes, refreshing tea, frozen treats, homemade ice cream and so much more.

Best Traeger model for this recipe

I would say that most standing Traeger models can handle a whole lot of meat. We have the Pro 34 in blue & we take out the swinging rack from the lid when we make large things like a turkey – but I don’t think that is necessary for this pork recipe. We have even made this recipe on our portable Ranger model that we use for camping and it had enough space.

Doubling This Recipe

Yes, even if you don’t have one of the larger grills, you can put 2 of these foil pans side-by-side if you like. I can tell you that we always have to make a double batch because my family LOVES this recipe.

It is never enough for us to make just one batch. Plus – you can’t go wrong with leftovers.

What To Serve With Pork Belly Burnt Ends

Pork belly burnt ends can be enjoyed as an appetizer or main course. This burnt-end recipe is often served with a variety of side dishes, such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, beans, and rice. Enjoy pork belly burnt ends with a variety of sauces and toppings, such as BBQ sauce, hot sauce, ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise.

Do I Need A Smoker To Make Pork Belly Burnt Ends?

No, you do not need a smoker to make pork belly burnt ends. Pork belly burnt ends can be made on a grill or in an oven. For the best flavor and the most tender result, it is recommended that you cook pork belly burnt ends on a smoker.

What kind of wood should I use to smoke Pork Belly Burnt Ends?

We used a blend of apple and pecan pellets for this recipe. I really enjoy the light, sweet flavor the apple pellets give the meat – especially when cooking pork. But the blend of adding the pecan gives a deeper depth of flavor that I think you’ll really love.

What Type Of Smoker Should I Use To Make Pork Belly Burnt Ends?

The best type of smoker to use for pork belly burnt ends is a Traeger smoker. Traeger smokers are easy to use and produce great results.

Use what you have – you do not have to use a Traeger brand if you don’t have that available. That being said, we love Traeger. They are very good to us and we love the quality of their smokers.

Is Pork Belly Good For You?

Pork belly is high in fat and calories, but it is also a good source of protein. Pork belly is a fatty cut of meat, but it can be enjoyed in moderation as part of a healthy diet. Fatty meat does not mean unhealthy. When talking about healthy choices, always err on the side of cutting sugar before cutting your protein options.

Also keep in mind that we are adding honey, brown sugar, and bbq sauce that also contains sugar – so if you are on a low-carb diet, you will want to use sugar-free alternatives to those ingredients.

When watching your sugar intake, enjoy this recipe using sugar-free sauces and ingredients. The pork belly is just as tasty with these healthier swaps.

Products I love when making Traeger pork belly burnt ends…

This bbq pork recipe is SUPER EASY and delicious – and if you’re like me, then you maybe already have some of these items on hand

OR maybe you have never made smoked pork before, & you might be a bit nervous – but you’re going to love it. I have made a list below of the things I absolutely can’t live without when it comes to making this delicious dinner recipe. (you can also SHOP MY FAVORITES in my store)

• Traeger/pellet grille
• Traeger Pork & Poultry Rub
• Traeger applewood pellets
• meat thermometer

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If you love this Traeger pork belly recipe, you’re going to love these other smoked Traeger recipes too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!

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