How to Make Burnt Ends Without a Smoker

Burnt ends are a popular meat dish that originated in Kansas City. This barbecue delicacy is made by smoking brisket for several hours, then cutting the point of the brisket into bite-sized cubes and cooking it again until crisp and caramelized. While burnt ends are often associated with using a smoker, you can still make them at home with just a few ingredients and an oven.

To make burnt ends without a smoker, you will need to start with a whole brisket and trim off any excess fat. Rub the brisket with your favorite seasoning and cook it in the oven at a low temperature for several hours. Once the brisket is cooked through, separate the point from the flat and cut the point into bite-sized cubes. Toss the cubes in a sweet and spicy BBQ sauce and cook them for a second time until they reach the desired level of crispiness. With this easy recipe, you too can enjoy the flavors of burnt ends without the need for a smoker.

Section: Methods for Making Burnt Ends without a Smoker

1. Use a Slow Cooker

Slow cookers are a great alternative for those who don’t have a smoker. First, start by seasoning and rubbing your meat with your favorite spices. Place the seasoned meat in a slow cooker with a small amount of chicken or beef broth and let it cook for 8 to 10 hours on low heat. After the meat is cooked, remove it from the slow cooker, chop it into small pieces, and put it back into the slow cooker with your favorite barbecue sauce. Let it cook for an another 30 to 45 minutes until the sauce thickens and the meat begins to get crispy.

2. Use a Grill

If you have a grill, you can use it to make burnt ends without a smoker. It’s important to use indirect heat so that the meat doesn’t dry out. Start by preheating your grill and then place your seasoned meat on the cooler side of the grill. Cover the lid and let it cook for 2 to 3 hours. After the meat is cooked, remove it from the grill and chop it into small pieces. Place the meat back on the grill and brush it with your favorite barbecue sauce. Let it cook for an additional 10-15 minutes until the sauce caramelizes and the meat is crispy.

3. Use an Oven

If you don’t have a smoker or grill, an oven could still do the trick. You should start by preheating your oven to 250°F. Line a baking dish with aluminum foil and then place the seasoned meat on it. Cover the dish and let it cook for 3 to 4 hours until the meat is tender and cooked through. Next, remove the meat from the oven, chop it into small pieces, and place it back in the dish with your favorite barbecue sauce. Set your oven to broil and let the meat cook for an additional 10-15 minutes until the sauce caramelizes and the meat is crispy.

4. Use a Dutch Oven

A dutch oven is another alternative that could work for making burnt ends without a smoker. First, start by seasoning and rubbing your meat with your favorite spices. Place the seasoned meat in the dutch oven with a small amount of chicken or beef broth. Cover the dutch oven and let it cook in the oven at 250°F for 4 to 5 hours. After the meat is cooked, remove it from the dutch oven, chop it into small pieces and place it back in the dutch oven with your favorite barbecue sauce. Set your oven to broil and let the meat cook for an additional 10-15 minutes until the sauce caramelizes and the meat is crispy.

5. Use a Sous Vide Cooker

A sous vide cooker is perfect for cooking meat to the perfect temperature. Start by seasoning and rubbing your meat with your favorite spices. Place the seasoned meat in a vacuum-sealed bag and then put it in the sous vide cooker. Set the temperature to 155°F and let it cook for 12 to 24 hours. After the meat is cooked, remove it from the bag and chop it into small pieces. Place the meat in a pan with your favorite barbecue sauce and cook it on high heat until the sauce thickens and the meat is crispy.

6. Use a Smoker Box

If you have a gas grill, you can use a smoker box to create a smoky flavor that mimics the smoker experience. Start by preheating your grill and placing the smoker box over the flames. Add your favorite wood chips and wait until it starts to smoke. Next, place your seasoned meat on the cooler side of the grill and close the lid. Let it cook for 2 to 3 hours until the meat is cooked through. Remove the meat from the grill, chop it into small pieces and put it back on the grill with your favorite barbecue sauce. Let the meat cook for an additional 10-15 minutes until the sauce caramelizes and the meat is crispy.

7. Use a Stovetop and Broiler

A stovetop and broiler are a great alternative to making burnt ends without a smoker. First, start by seasoning and rubbing your meat with your favorite spices. Place the meat on a stovetop grill pan over medium heat and cook it for 2 to 3 minutes per side. Next, remove the meat from the pan and chop it into small pieces. Place the meat on a baking sheet with your favorite barbecue sauce and broil it in the oven for 10-15 minutes until the sauce caramelizes and the meat is crispy.

8. Use a Electric Smoker

Electric smokers are great alternatives to traditional smokers. First, start by seasoning and rubbing your meat with your favorite spices. Place the meat in the electric smoker and set the temperature to 250°F. Let it cook for 3 to 4 hours until the meat is cooked through. After the meat is cooked, chop it into small pieces and place it back in the smoker with your favorite barbecue sauce. Let it cook for an additional 30-45 minutes until the sauce thickens and the meat gets crispy.

9. Use a Cast Iron Skillet

A cast-iron skillet is a versatile tool that can be used to make burnt ends without a smoker. Start by seasoning and rubbing your meat with your favorite spices. Place the skillet on medium-high heat and add a small amount of olive oil. Place the meat in the skillet and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side until it’s brown. Remove the meat from the skillet and chop it into small pieces. Place the meat back in the skillet with your favorite barbecue sauce. Let it cook for an additional 10-15 minutes until the sauce caramelizes and the meat is crispy.

10. Use a Pressure Cooker

A pressure cooker can be used to make tender and juicy meat. Start by seasoning and rubbing your meat with your favorite spices. Place the meat in the pressure cooker with a small amount of chicken or beef broth. Cook the meat on high pressure for 45 to 60 minutes until it’s cooked through. After the meat is cooked, remove it from the pressure cooker, chop it into small pieces and place it back in the pressure cooker with your favorite barbecue sauce. Let it cook for an additional 10-15 minutes until the sauce thickens and the meat gets crispy.

How to prepare the meat

First things first, you’ll need to select the right cut of meat for your burnt ends. A brisket or pork belly are the most traditional choices, but you can choose any cut of meat that has enough fat content to create the crispy texture characteristic of burnt ends.

Next, trim off any excess fat. You want to leave enough fat on the meat to keep it moist and tender, but not so much that it becomes overwhelming. You’ll also want to cut your meat into cubes that are roughly 1-2 inches in size.

Now it’s time to season your meat. Use your favorite rub or marinade to add flavor to the cubes. Be sure to coat all sides of the meat evenly. Let the meat marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight in the fridge to let the flavors really soak in.

How to bake burnt ends in the oven

Preheat your oven to 275°F (135°C). Line a baking tray with aluminum foil to make cleaning up easier. Place your seasoned meat cubes on the tray, making sure they are not too crowded.

Bake the meat for about 3-4 hours, or until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 190°F for beef and 195°F for pork. You can check the temperature with a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the cubes.

During the last 30 minutes of baking, you’ll want to add your favorite barbecue sauce to the meat. Coat each side of the cubes with the sauce and then return them to the oven to bake for another 30 minutes. Be careful not to burn the sauce – it can easily turn black and taste bitter.

How to grill burnt ends

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. You’ll want to use indirect heat, which means placing the meat on one side of the grill and leaving the other side empty.

Place your seasoned meat cubes on the grill over the indirect heat side. Close the lid and let the meat cook for about 2 hours, turning the cubes every 15-20 minutes to ensure they cook evenly.

During the last 30 minutes of grilling, add your favorite barbecue sauce to the meat. Coat each side of the cubes with the sauce and then return them to the grill to cook for another 30 minutes, turning them every 5-10 minutes.

How to smoke burnt ends on a gas grill

While a traditional smoker is the most common way to smoke meat, you can also smoke meat on a gas grill with some aluminum foil and wood chips.

Soak your wood chips in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent them from catching fire. Cut a piece of aluminum foil and add your soaked wood chips to it. Fold the foil to create a pouch and poke a few holes in the top of it to allow the smoke to escape.

Preheat your grill to 225°F (107°C) and place the foil pouch on the grates over the flame. Once the pouch starts smoking, move it to the cooler side of the grill.

Place your seasoned cubes of meat on the grill grates over the foil pouch. Close the lid and let them smoke for about 2-3 hours, or until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 190°F for beef and 195°F for pork.

During the last 30 minutes of smoking, add your favorite barbecue sauce to the meat. Coat each side of the cubes with the sauce and then return them to the grill to cook for another 30 minutes, turning them every 5-10 minutes.

How to use a wood pellet grill for burnt ends

Using a wood pellet grill is an excellent way to achieve that rich, smoky flavor without the use of an actual smoker.

Preheat your wood pellet grill to 225°F (107°C). Add your seasoned meat cubes to the grill grates and let them smoke for about 2-3 hours, or until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 190°F for beef and 195°F for pork.

During the last 30 minutes of smoking, add your favorite barbecue sauce to the meat. Coat each side of the cubes with the sauce and then return them to the grill to cook for another 30 minutes, turning them every 5-10 minutes.

How to make burnt ends in a slow cooker

Slow cookers are a great option for those who prefer a fuss-free approach to cooking.

Add your seasoned cubes of meat to your slow cooker. Pour in 1 cup of beef or chicken broth and 1 cup of your favorite barbecue sauce. Mix everything together well.

Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours, or until the meat is fork-tender and reaches an internal temperature of 190°F for beef and 195°F for pork.

Once the meat is cooked, remove it from the slow cooker and cut it into bite-sized cubes. Place the cubes on a baking tray lined with aluminum foil and brush each piece with additional barbecue sauce.

Bake the cubes in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until the sauce has caramelized and the edges are crispy.

How to add extra flavor to your burnt ends

While great barbecue sauce is key to making delicious burnt ends, there are a few extra tips you can use to amp up the flavor.

Inject your meat with a blend of beef or chicken broth and your favorite seasonings to add flavor from the inside out.

Wrap your seasoned meat cubes in bacon before you bake/grill/smoke/slow cook them. The bacon will not only add flavor but also help keep the meat moist while cooking.

Add a coating of brown sugar and honey to your barbecue sauce for a sweeter flavor profile.

Use wood chips or wood pellets when smoking to add that classic smoky flavor that burnt ends are known for.

Finally, don’t be afraid to experiment with different spice blends and sauces to make the perfect recipe for yourself.

Preparing the Meat for Burnt Ends

Making burnt ends without a smoker is an excellent way to enjoy this delicious snack without spending a lot of money on a fancy cooking appliance. As we discussed earlier, we will be using the oven to cook the meat, but first, we need to prepare the meat for cooking. In this section, we will go over how to prepare the meat for burnt ends without a smoker.

Choosing the Right Cut of Meat

The first step in making burnt ends is selecting the right meat. We recommend using a beef brisket as it is the most popular cut of meat for making burnt ends. Other cuts of meat, such as chuck roast or pork shoulder, can be used, but the results may vary.

When selecting your brisket, look for one with a good amount of marbling. Marbling is the small streaks of fat that run through the meat, which will help keep your burnt ends moist during the cooking process.

Trimming the Brisket

Once you have the brisket, the next step is to trim it. Trim any excess fat from the meat, leaving a thin layer of fat to ensure it stays moist during the cooking process.

Seasoning the Meat

After you have trimmed the brisket, it is time to season it. There are many different rubs and marinades you can use, but for this recipe, we recommend a simple mixture of salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

You can also add some barbeque sauce if you prefer a sweet and tangy flavor. Make sure to rub the seasoning mixture well into the meat, being sure to cover all sides.

Searing the Meat

Before cooking the meat in the oven, it is important to sear it to create a nice crust on the outside. To sear the meat, heat a large skillet over high heat and add a tablespoon of oil.

Once the pan is hot, sear the brisket for a few minutes on each side until it’s browned. This process will seal in the juices and add a delicious smoky flavor to the meat.

Cooking the Meat

After searing the meat, it’s time to cook it in the oven. Preheat the oven to 325°F and place the brisket in a roasting pan. Pour in a cup of beef broth or water to keep it moist during the cooking process.

Cover the pan with foil and roast the brisket for about three hours, or until it’s fork-tender. Once the meat is cooked, remove it from the oven, let it cool for 15 minutes, and then cut it into bite-sized pieces.

Table of Preparing the Meat for Burnt Ends

Following these steps will ensure your meat is ready for the next stage, which is turning it into the burnt ends we all love. In the next section, we will go over how to cut and sauce your brisket to make delicious burnt ends without a smoker.

Cheers to Delicious Burnt Ends!

Those succulent burnt ends are just a few ingredients and an oven rack away. Don’t worry if you don’t own a smoker, because you can still enjoy this Kansas City delicacy from the comfort of your oven. Make sure to follow the steps carefully, with your timings and temperatures right on point. Soon, you’ll have crispy beef cubes that’ll make you say, “wow.” Thanks for reading, and come back soon for some more tasty recipes! Happy cooking!