Poor Man’s Burnt Ends

Poor Mans Burnt Ends are a great recipe when you don’t want to smoke an entire brisket. Instead, you use a roast and apply the same method. The result is tender, fall apart pieces of roast with so much flavor.

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When you think of Burnt ends you usually think of the traditional ones that come from the fat-marbled point of a whole packer brisket. They are slowly smoked until they are nearly fall apart tender and then basted in an amazing homemade BBQ sauce. We apply the same method with these Poor Man’s Burnt Ends, but we use a beef roast so it’s inexpensive, but still delicious.

They are juicy and tender, dripping in delicious homemade barbecue sauce, plus clean up is a breeze!

This recipe is also great when you don’t have time to smoke an entire brisket and are craving burnt ends.

What are Burnt Ends?

Simply put, traditionally burnt ends are flavorful pieces of meat cut from the “point” half of a smoked brisket. They are then slow smoked until they almost fall apart and slathered in BBQ sauce.

Today we are making a twist on them using a chuck roast which is more inexpensive cut of meat. This is why they are called “Poor Man’s Burnt Ends”. They are a bit less intimidating then brisket burnt ends and the perfect recipe to practice with.

Ingredients for Poor Man’s Burnt Ends

• Chuck Roast –
• Beef Rub – You can make it yourself with our recipe here or buy a big bottle to have at home!
• BBQ Sauce – Any BBQ sauce will work, use your favorite. We use Sweet Baby Ray’s.
• Brown Sugar & Honey – Helps give it a sweet finish

How to Make Poor Man’s Burnt Ends

• Preheat – Turn your smoker to 250 degrees Fahrenheit and preheat according to manufacturer’s directions.
• Season – Apply beef rub to chuck roast generously coating it. You may not use it all.
• Smoke – Place on preheated smoker at 250 degrees F. Close lid. Smoke at 250 degrees F for about 4-5 hours or until the internal temperature is 165 degrees F. Remove from smoker and let cool 10-15 minutes.
• Mix Sauce – While roast is cooling prepare BBQ sauce by combining the BBQ Sauce, brown sugar and honey into a small mixing bowl and stirring until it’s combined. Set aside.
• Cut & Season – Cut roast into 1” x 1” cubes. Put in foil pan. Pour BBQ sauce and 1/2 Tbsp beef rub over the top of the roast. Stir to combine. Cover with aluminum foil.
• Finish Smoking – Place back on smoker at 250 degrees F for 1 – 1 1/2 hours or until cubs are tender. Remove and serve immediately.

How do I store leftover Burnt Ends?

Place any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

How to Reheat leftover Burnt Ends

Reheat any leftovers in the microwave in 30 seconds intervals, stir and continue to heat until warmed through.

You can also warm them in a saucepan on the stove top over medium heat until warmed through.

Serving Suggestions

There’s tons of options to serve with these easy chuck roast burnt ends but a few of our favorites are Bacon Wrapped Grilled Brussels Sprouts hot off the grill, paired with easy Instant Pot Potato Salad and for a sweet ending Smoked Crumb Apple Pie.

Grab a chuck roast from your local grocery store and make these easy Poor Man’s Burnt Ends for your next game day, party or dinner!

More easy Burnt End recipes!

• These Pork Butt Burnt Ends are smokey, sticky nuggets of pork are rubbed down with an amazing sweet pork rub, smoked and then brushed with barbecue sauce and smoked on your pellet grill again.
• If you don’t want to make an entire brisket, but want delicious burnt ends make sure to try these Smoked Pork Belly Burnt Ends ends on your Traeger!
• Want an affordable way to make burnt ends? These Hot Dog Burnt Ends are insanely delicious and easy on the wallet!

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4.50 from 12 votes

Poor Mans Burnt Ends Recipe

Tender, juicy, fall apart Burnt Ends recipe that is made with a chuck roast and smothered in a tasty BBQ Sauce!

Prep:25 minutes mins

Cook:5 hours hrs

Resting Time:15 minutes mins

Total:5 hours hrs 25 minutes mins

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Ingredients

• ▢ 3 pound chuck roast
• ▢ 1 recipe Beef Rub

BBQ Sauce

• ▢ 1 cup BBQ Sauce
• ▢ 1 ½ Tablespoon Brown Sugar
• ▢ 1 ½ Tablespoon Honey

Instructions

• Prepare smoker to 250 degrees Fahrenheit according to manufacturer's directions.
• Reserve ½ Tablespoon beef rub and set aside. Apply beef rub to chuck roast generously coating it. You may not use it all. Place on preheated smoker at 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Close lid.
• Smoke at 250 degrees Fahrenheit for about 4-5 hours or until the internal temperature is 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove from smoker and let cool 10-15 minutes.
• While roast is cooling prepare BBQ sauce by combining the BBQ Sauce, brown sugar and honey into a small mixing bowl and stirring until it’s combined. Set aside.
  
• Cut roast into 1'' x 1'' cubes. Put in foil pan. Pour BBQ sauce and reserved ½ Tablespoon beef rub over the top of the roast. Stir to combine. Cover with aluminum foil.
• Place back on smoker at 250 degrees Fahrenheit for 1 – 1 ½ hours or until cubes are tender. Remove and serve immediately.

Tips

• Place any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
• Reheat any leftovers in the microwave in 30 seconds intervals, stir and continue to heat until warmed through.
• You can also warm them in a saucepan on the stove top over medium heat until warmed through.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 252kcal (13%), Carbohydrates: 12g (4%), Protein: 22g (44%), Fat: 13g (20%), Saturated Fat: 6g (38%), Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 78mg (26%), Sodium: 295mg (13%), Potassium: 426mg (12%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 10g (11%), Vitamin A: 61IU (1%), Vitamin C: 1mg (1%), Calcium: 28mg (3%), Iron: 3mg (17%)

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We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. The information in the nutrition box is calculated through a program and there is room for error. If you need an accurate count, I recommend running the ingredients through your favorite nutrition calculator.