Poor Man’s Burnt Ends
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Posted: 04/08/26
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I love making Poor Man’s Burnt Ends when I want that classic BBQ flavor without smoking a whole brisket. Instead of brisket, this recipe uses chuck roast that’s seasoned, smoked, then tossed in a sweet and smoky barbecue sauce. The result is tender, juicy bites of beef that taste just like traditional burnt ends but are much easier to make.
Smoked chuck roast burnt ends are also great when you don’t have time to smoke an entire brisket and are craving burnt ends.
Today I’m 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.
When I think of burnt ends, traditional ones that come from the fat-marbled point of a whole packer brisket come to mind. They are slowly smoked until they are nearly fall apart tender and then basted in an amazing homemade BBQ sauce. I apply the same method with this Poor Man’s Burnt Ends recipe, but I use a beef roast so it’s more affordable, but still delicious.
They are juicy and tender, dripping in delicious homemade barbecue sauce, plus clean up is a breeze!
Key Ingredients
- Chuck roast – This is a super affordable cut of beef to use for tender, saucy burnt ends.
- BBQ Sauce – Any BBQ sauce will work, use your favorite. I use Sweet Baby Ray’s.
- Brown sugar and honey – Combined with the BBQ sauce, these sweeteners will give the burnt ends that delicious caramelization.
Find the ingredient list with exact measurements in the recipe card below.
Pro Tips
- Pick a roast with as much marbling as you can. You want that roast to have small, white flecks of fat within the muscle. This will help give you those juicy bite size pieces.
- It can come in handy to buy an extra large cut of beef, divide it and freeze half for another time.
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.
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @gimmesomegrilling or #gimmesomegrilling so I can see your grilling masterpieces!
Poor Mans Burnt Ends Recipe
These Poor Man’s Burnt Ends are smoky, tender, and loaded with BBQ flavor! Made with chuck roast instead of brisket, they’re an easier and more affordable way to enjoy classic burnt ends.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 pound chuck roast
- 1 recipe beef rub
BBQ Sauce
- 1 cup BBQ Sauce
- 1 ½ Tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 ½ Tablespoons honey
Instructions
- Prepare smoker to 250 degrees Fahrenheit according to manufacturer's directions.
- Reserve ½ Tablespoon beef rub and set aside. Generously apply remaining beef rub to chuck roast. You may not use it all. Place on preheated smoker. 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 rest 10-15 minutes.
- While roast is resting 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. Serve immediately.
Tips
Fridge: Place any leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days.
Freezer: Store in a freezer bag and thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
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%)
More Burnt Ends Recipes
- These Pork Butt Burnt Ends are smokey, sticky nuggets of pork. I rub them down with an amazing sweet pork rub, let the smoker do it’s thing and then brush with barbecue sauce and smoke 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 even more affordable way to make burnt ends? These Hot Dog Burnt Ends are insanely delicious and easy on the wallet, perfect for feeding a crowd.
- Don’t knock it ’til you try it! Spam Burnt Ends are a hit around my house and they’re so simple to put together, you’ll be making them all the time.
Cora says
I would like to make these, but I don’t own a smoker. Any suggestions?
Brooke Kill says
Absolutely! You can make Poor Man’s Burnt Ends in the oven. Bake the seasoned meat at 275°F until tender, then toss with BBQ sauce and brown sugar and return it to the oven uncovered until the sauce is thick and caramelized. You won’t get quite as much smoky flavor, but a little smoked paprika or liquid smoke can help!