Craving something rich, smoky, and utterly mouthwatering? These Pork Belly Burnt Ends are delectable bites of pork are slow-cooked to perfection, giving you tender meat with a crispy, caramelized exterior. Whether you’re a barbecue aficionado or a home cook looking to impress, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your culinary repertoire.

Pork belly is a boneless cut of fatty meat that comes from the belly of a pig. It’s a versatile cut of meat that can be cooked in a variety of ways, including roasting, smoking, braising, and grilling.
Helpful Tips
- Choose Quality Pork Belly: Opt for a piece of pork belly with a good balance of meat and fat. This ensures your burnt ends will be juicy and flavorful.
- Low and Slow Cooking: Patience is key. Cook the pork belly slowly at a low temperature to achieve that perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Rest Before Serving: Allow the burnt ends to rest for a few minutes after cooking. This helps the juices redistribute, making each bite even more succulent.
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Pork Belly Burnt Ends
Ingredients
- 3 pounds (1 kg) pork belly skin removed and cut into 2-inch cubes
- 1/4 cup (18 g) your favorite BBQ rub
- 1/4 cup (55 g) brown sugar
- 1/4 cup (59 ml) honey
- 1/2 cup (118 ml) BBQ sauce
- 4 tablespoons (56 g) unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) hot sauce optional
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your grill to 275°F (135°C) for indirect cooking.
- Season the pork belly cubes with the BBQ rub, ensuring they are evenly coated. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
- Place the seasoned pork belly cubes on the grill over indirect heat, and close the lid. Let them smoke for 2-3 hours, or until they develop a rich, mahogany color and are beginning to render their fat.
- In a saucepan, combine the brown sugar, honey, BBQ sauce, butter, apple cider vinegar, and hot sauce (if using). Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is dissolved and the sauce is well combined.
- Carefully transfer the smoked pork belly cubes to a disposable aluminum pan or a grill-safe pan. Pour the sauce over the pork belly cubes, ensuring they are evenly coated.
- Increase the grill temperature to 325°F (163°C) and place the pan of pork belly cubes back on the grill over indirect heat. Close the lid and let them cook for an additional 1-2 hours, or until the pork belly is tender and caramelized, stirring occasionally.
- Once the pork belly cubes are tender and caramelized, remove them from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes.
- Serve the pork belly burnt ends as a delicious appetizer or main dish, and enjoy the irresistible combination of smoky, sweet, and savory flavors.
Notes
- Look for a piece of pork belly with a good balance of meat and fat. This ensures your burnt ends will be juicy and flavorful.
- Patience is key. Cook the pork belly slowly at a low temperature to achieve that perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Allow the burnt ends to rest for a few minutes after cooking. This helps the juices redistribute, making each bite even more succulent.
Nutrition
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Angie is a dedicated grilling aficionado who has experimented with a wide variety of techniques, equipment, and ingredients, to discover the endless possibilities of flavors and textures that grilling can achieve.