These Pork Burnt Ends are a delicious appetizer that combines savory pork shoulder bites with garlic, honey, and red pepper flakes. They’re perfect for your next barbecue or fourth of July celebration.
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What Are Pork Burnt Ends?
Burnt ends are cubes of point-end smoked brisket that have been seasoned and returned to cook. When allowed to caramelize, they become tender and crispy on the outside.
Why This Smoke Pork Belly Burnt Ends Recipe is a Keeper
You can learn how to cook these burnt ends in 10-15 minutes. So in just a little bit of time you have great ends. The best part is that you can make these rain or shine.
- Easy Ingredients: All of the ingredients for this pork belly recipe can be found in your kitchen or local grocery store.
- 15 Minute Prep: Prepping these honey garlic pork bites only takes 15 minutes, giving you plenty of time to do other things while they cook.
- Party Favorite: You’ll love these pork shoulder nuggets at your next party, barbecue, or cookout. This recipe is great for a crowd.
If you’re looking for more barbecue recipes, try these: Honey Barbecue Wings, Crock Pot Little Smokies, and Brisket Chili.
Can I Make Pork Belly Burnt Ends on the Grill?
Yes; you can make these boneless pork belly cubes on a charcoal grill or pellet grill, or in the oven. But these taste great with no smoker needed!
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Ingredient for Pork Shoulder
- Pork Shoulder: Make sure to trim excess fat off the pork shoulder before cooking it. You can also use pork belly, which, as the name suggests, comes from the belly of the pig. It’s a tender, fatty meat that makes great burnt ends. Smoked pork butt burnt ends are great as well.
- Regular Honey: You can use any kind of honey you want. It will serve as the base for the pork glaze.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Variations and Substitutions for Pork Shoulder Burnt Ends
- BBQ Sauce: Smother your burnt ends in barbecue sauce before cooking for a burst of extra flavor. You can use any kind you want.
- Dry Rubs: Season the pork with a pork rub before cooking for an irresistible smoky flavor.
- Brown Sugar: Add some sweetness to this “meat candy” recipe with a little brown sugar.
- Pulled Pork: After cooking these delicious pork belly bites, you can make pork belly tacos pulling the pork afterwards. Pork belly sandwiches are a favorite BBQ meal as well.
- Cook: Cook on a grill directly on the grill grates or cook low and slow in a smoker. Remove the foil and serve.
How to Make this Pork Belly Recipe Brisket Burnt Ends
These are the basic steps for making pork burnt ends. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions. Tag me on instagram if you try this recipe or check out the links on our site.
Step 1: Cut the Meat
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cut the pork shoulder or belly into bite sized pieces with a sharp knife, trimming off excess fat as needed. If the pork belly is too slippery to slice easily, try sticking it in the freezer for 30 minutes so the fat can firm up a bit, then slice.
Step 2: Season and Bake
Add the cubes of pork belly or shoulder pieces to a bowl, drizzle with 2 tbsp of olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Place the pork belly pieces into a baking dish or disposable aluminum pan, and cover with aluminum foil. Bake the burnt ends in oven for one hour.
Step 3: Make Sauce
In a bowl, whisk together the honey, garlic, onion powder and red pepper flakes. Remove the burnt tips from the oven, uncover, and pour the sauce over the pork. Stir to combine, and cook uncovered for 30 minutes.
Step 4: Recook and Serve
Remove the pork belly again, stir and cook for 30 minutes longer. If there is hardly any water at this point, place a small amount in the bottom of the dish before returning to the oven. Serve garnished with chopped green onions.
Pork Burnt Ends FAQs
Pork Belly Burnt Ends Tips
- Pellet Smoker: If you have an electric smoker, you can make easy smoked pork bites. Make smoked pork belly burnt ends, or use pork butt or shoulder. Using a disposable pan is great for this. Cover pan with aluminum foil.
- Let it Rest: Allow the pork ends to cool and the glaze to harden. Then, serve them with your favorite sides.
- Temperature: While it’s best to check the tenderness when making this burnt ends recipe, you can check the internal temperature by using a meat thermometer. Cook until you reach an internal temperature of the pork reaches 195 degrees F. You want a nice bark on the meat.
- Store: Burnt Ends can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
What to Serve with Barbecue Pork Burnt Ends
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Pork Burnt Ends
Equipment
- 1 Bowl
- Oven
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Pork Shoulder
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 4 teaspoons Minced Garlic
- ⅓ cup Honey
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
- 1 teaspoon All Purpose Seasoning
- Green Onions, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Cut the pork shoulder into bite sized pieces, trimming off excess fat as needed.
- Add the pork pieces to a bowl, drizzle with 2 tbsp of olive oil, and sprinkle with all purpose seasoning.
- Place the pork pieces into a baking dish, and cover with tin foil. Bake for 1 hour.
- In a bowl, whisk together the honey, garlic, onion powder and red pepper flakes.
- Remove the meat from the oven, uncover, and pour the sauce over the pork.
- Stir to combine, and cook uncovered for 30 minutes.
- Remove the pork again, stir and cook for 30 minutes longer. If there is hardly any water at this point, place a small amount in the bottom of the dish before returning to the oven.
- Serve garnished with chopped green onions.
Expert Tips
- Smoker: If you have an electric smoker, you can make easy smoked pork bites. Make smoked pork belly burnt ends, or use pork butt or shoulder.
- Let it Rest: Allow the pork ends to cool and the glaze to harden. Then, serve them with your favorite sides.
- Temperature: While it’s best to check the tenderness when making this burnt ends recipe, you can check the internal temperature by using a meat thermometer. Cook until the internal temperature of the pork reaches 195 degrees F.