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You're going to love every bite of my Smoked Pork Belly Burnt Ends recipe. The pork belly turns out tender and juicy, with that "meat candy" flavor you want in a good pork belly recipe! It takes just 3 hours to make in your smoker and serves a crowd easily.
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Smoked Burnt Ends
If this is your first time trying smoked pork belly burnt ends, let me tell you… you are in for the treat of a lifetime! One of my most popular dishes is my recipe for burnt ends in the oven, and I have been making it for years, but I look for every opportunity to prepare pork belly in the smoker, too.
If this isn't your first time trying smoked pork belly burnt ends, then you already know: they are truly delicious, with a sweet and smoky flavor that earns the name "meat candy". So tender and juicy, this recipe for pork belly burnt ends in the smoker requires hardly any prep at all. Just check on them once while they cook, and that's all the work you'll be doing.
Candied Pork Belly Ingredients
- Pork Belly: You want a pork belly slab that's sliced into cubes. When you're shopping for it at the store, it will look like thick chunks of bacon. You can buy the slab and cut it into cubes yourself, but you may also be able to find it cut into cubes in the package.
- BBQ Sauce: I use my own homemade barbecue sauce for the best flavor, but you can use your favorite bottled sauce.
- Paprika: Regular paprika is all you need.
- Coarse Sea Salt: Use coarse sea salt or kosher salt for best results.
- Black Pepper: Freshly cracked black pepper is best.
Can I use other cuts of meat to make burnt ends?
Another option for candying burnt ends is to use brisket. This recipe is for pork belly, but here is my Texas smoked brisket recipe for an example.
How to Smoke Pork Belly Burnt Ends
- Preheat the smoker to 225°F. Using a sharp knife, cut the pork belly slab into one-inch cubes and place the pork belly cubes in a disposable aluminum pan or large bowl.
- Combine paprika, salt, and pepper in a small bowl to form a dry rub.
- Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the pork belly pieces and toss to coat.
- Line the pork belly up on the smoker grate. Cook for 2.5 hours.
- Remove the pork belly and place it in a disposable metal pan. Toss with BBQ sauce.
- Place the pork belly back in the smoker, still in the foil disposable pan, and cook for another 30-45 minutes.
- Allow the pork belly burnt ends to rest for 20 minutes off the heat before serving. Then, enjoy!
Do you have to trim pork belly fat for burnt ends?
You can trim the fat if you want, but don't trim all of it. It melts as the pork belly cooks, adding a ton of flavor to the meat!
Pork Candy Recipe Tips
- Burnt ends are almost impossible to mess up. But, make sure to keep an eye on the temperature of the pork.
- I use hickory pellets, but pecan or apple are also great for pork belly.
- For sweeter burnt ends, use apple juice instead of apple cider vinegar. You can add one tablespoon of honey.
- If you want your burnt ends spicier, add chili powder!
Smoked Pork Belly Temperature
As a general rule, the minimum internal temperature for pork, such as chops or roasts, is 145°F as recommended by the USDA. I recommend smoking pork belly until the internal temperature, using a meat thermometer, reaches 190° F so it falls off the bone and is so incredibly tender! Keep an eye on it because you do not want to smoke pork belly until it is too dry!
I always refer to this pork internal temp chart.
Smoked Burnt Ends FAQ
Smoke pork belly burnt ends for approximately 3 hours at 225°F. First smoke them for 2.5 hours, then toss them with BBQ sauce and add them back for another 30-45 minutes for best results.
Technically, you can also use brisket meat to make burnt ends. However, in this case, I'm using pork belly, which has earned the name "meat candy" for how delicious it is!
How to Store Smoked Burnt Ends
- Cool Them Down: Let smoked burnt ends cool to room temperature.
- Wrap Them: Wrap the pork burnt ends in aluminum foil or an airtight container.
- Refrigerating: Place the container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: You can also freeze the burnt ends in a freezer-safe container. Burnt ends can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Make sure you let them cool down before freezing.
Candied Pork
Love pork belly burnt ends in the smoker? You're going to adore my recipe for candied bacon, too! Give it a try!
Smoked Recipes
- Burgers on the Smoker
- Tomahawk Steak Smoked
- Beef Short Ribs on the Smoker
- Smoked Ribs 3-2-1 Method
- Smoked Prime Rib Recipe
Burnt Pork Ends
There is something truly special about smoked burnt pork ends. You need to taste it to really understand how they got the name "meat candy"! Pork belly candy is tasty and perfect for serving at a party or for a fun dinner. Let me know what you think in the comments below and with a rating!
Smoked Pork Belly Burnt Ends
Equipment
Ingredients
- 5 ½ Pounds Cubed/Sliced Pork Belly
- 1 Cup BBQ Sauce
- 3 Tablespoons Paprika
- 2 Tablespoons Coarse Sea Salt
- 2 Tablespoons Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the smoker to 225°F. Place pork belly pieces in a disposable metal pan or large bowl.5 ½ Pounds Cubed/Sliced Pork Belly
- Combine paprika, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.3 Tablespoons Paprika,2 Tablespoons Coarse Sea Salt,2 Tablespoons Pepper
- Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the pork belly pieces and toss to coat.
- Line the pork belly up on the smoker grate. Cook for 2.5 hours.
- Remove the pork belly and place in a disposable metal pan. Toss with BBQ sauce.1 Cup BBQ Sauce
- Place the pork belly back in the smoker, still in the disposable pan, and cook for another 30-45 minutes.
- Allow the pork belly burnt ends to rest for 20 minutes off the heat before serving. Then, enjoy!
Notes
- You can trim the fat if you want, but don't trim all of it. It melts as the pork belly cooks, adding a ton of flavor to the meat.
- Burnt ends are almost impossible to mess up. But, make sure to keep an eye on the temperature of the pork.
- I use hickory pellets, but pecan or apple are also great for pork belly.
- For sweeter burnt ends, use apple juice instead of apple cider vinegar. You can add one tablespoon of honey.
- If you want your burnt ends spicier, add chili powder!
- Want to make them in the oven? Try my oven pork belly burnt ends!
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