If you’ve been craving those sticky, caramelized, smoky nuggets of meat candy known as burnt ends—but don’t have a whole brisket on hand—then smoked chuck burnt ends are your new go-to. Known fondly as poor man's burnt ends, this dish takes the humble chuck roast and transforms it into smoky, tender cubes of joy that are just as flavorful (and frankly easier) than traditional brisket burnt ends smoked. This recipe hits the sweet heat spot perfectly and is a winner for backyard BBQs, easy weeknight suppers, or when you're just on the hunt for dinner ideas easy and crave-worthy.
Sweet Heat Smoked Chuck Burnt Ends
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 6 hours hrs
Total Time 6 hours hrs 20 minutes mins
Course Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine American
Smoker A pellet grill works beautifully for a hands-off approach; ideal for poor man's burnt ends pellet grill style.
Aluminum pan For braising the burnt ends in sauce during the second half of cooking.
Meat Thermometer Crucial for tracking internal temps.
Sharp knife & cutting board To cube up that roast like a pro.
Spray bottle (optional) For keeping the meat moist with apple juice or vinegar.
- 1 3–4 lb chuck roast – well-marbled for best results
- 2 tbsp yellow mustard – acts as a binder for the rub
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper – for that sweet heat kick
- ½ cup BBQ sauce – your favorite sweet or spicy blend
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter cut into small pieces
- Optional: A splash of apple cider vinegar or apple juice for spritzing
Prep the chuck roast
Trim excess fat and cube the chuck roast into 1.5-inch chunks. These will shrink and caramelize beautifully as they cook.
Season generously
Toss the cubes in mustard, then coat evenly with the dry rub mixture (brown sugar, paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne). Let it rest for 15–20 minutes while you heat your smoker.
Smoke 'em low and slow
Set your smoker to 250°F. Place the seasoned meat cubes directly on the grate. Smoke for about 3 hours or until they develop a rich bark and reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Wrap and sauce
Transfer the meat to an aluminum pan. Add BBQ sauce, honey, and butter. Cover tightly with foil and return to the smoker for another 2 hours or until the internal temp hits around 200°F and the meat is fork-tender.
Caramelize the finish
Uncover and cook for 30–45 more minutes to reduce the sauce and get that sticky, sweet heat glaze. Stir occasionally so all sides get coated.
Serve hot
Let the meat rest for a few minutes, then serve while the bark is crispy and the center is melt-in-your-mouth tender.
Perfect Pairings
These roast burnt ends are versatile and pair beautifully with a spread of BBQ classics. Consider serving them with:
- Cornbread or baked beans – classic burnt ends side dishes
- Coleslaw – the crunch balances the sweet and smoky meat
- Mac & cheese – because rich deserves richer
- Grilled veggies – especially if you're turning this into a full backyard supper
FAQs
1. What cut of meat is best for this?
Chuck roast is ideal for poor man’s burnt ends. It's more affordable than brisket but still well-marbled, making it a fantastic pick for chuck roast burnt ends.
2. Can I use a different meat?
Absolutely! Pork shoulder can work, or try pork belly burnt ends in the oven or smoked pork belly burnt ends if you're chasing that fatty, rich texture similar to pork burnt ends.
3. How are these different from brisket burnt ends?
Traditional brisket burnt ends come from the point end of a whole brisket. They're fattier and slightly more tender, but chuck roast recipes like this mimic the texture beautifully—especially when smoked right.
4. Can I cook these indoors?
Yes, you can turn this into a burnt ends recipe oven version by slow-roasting the seasoned meat at 275°F, then finishing it in sauce under the broiler.
