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Pork Belly Burnt Ends

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Ever wondered what to do with that pork belly lurking in your freezer? These simple oven-baked pork belly burnt ends transform them into a delicious and addictive appetizer.

Pork belly burnt ends on a white plate.

Ok, so what are bacon ends? You are probably familiar with the burnt ends found in nearly every BBQ joint, which are cut from the tips of beef brisket.

But this is pork, and we are talking about bacon ends. So, how do we go about cooking them? Do we cook them the same way as beef burnt ends? Ah, no.

So go ahead and get started! Pair it with your favorite pulled pork recipe, and the sweet, tangy BBQ glaze is sure to be a hit!

Recipe ingredients

Ingredients for the pork belly burnt ends lined out on a white wooden table.
  • Bacon Ends: Don’t toss those leftover bacon ends! These little gems are packed with flavor and perfect for transforming into juicy, caramelized burnt ends.
  • BBQ Sauce: We’ll use BBQ sauce as the base for our glaze. Choose your favorite store-bought variety, or whip up a homemade batch for a truly customized flavor like I did with my pan-fried pork steaks.
  • Teriyaki Sauce: A splash of teriyaki sauce adds a touch of sweetness, umami, and a beautiful glaze. You can adjust the amount to your preference โ€“ more for a sweeter and stickier result.
  • Dry Rub: I create a simple blend with brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, and ground pepper.

Pork belly burnt ends recipe

Combining the dry rub onto the bacon belly ends in a glass bowl with a wooden spoon.

Step 1: Toss bacon ends in dry rub.

Stirring in the bbq sauce and terriyaki sauce.

Step 2: Add BBQ sauce and teriyaki sauce, tossing to coat.

Adding the bacon ends to a dutch oven.

Step 3: Transfer to a Dutch oven and bake uncovered at 375ยฐF for 45 minutes.

Crispy pork belly burnt ends after they are baked in a dutch oven.

Step 4: Let cool slightly before serving.

Expert tips

To ensure bite-sized pieces, trim the pork belly ends before preparing the dish. Local butchers may leave them untrimmed in larger pieces, so check with them before purchasing.

To ensure your pork belly is cooked perfectly, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The ideal temperature is 195ยฐF. This will ensure that the pork belly is fully cooked and tender.

Serve your pork belly burnt ends with your favorite sides, such as dutch oven french fries, lamb potstickers, or egg rolls, for a complete and satisfying meal.

Oven baked bacon ends in a dutch oven.

Recipe FAQs

Is pork belly just bacon?

So, yes and no. Bacon can come from the pork belly, but it can also come from the sides and jowl.

Is pork belly cured?

No, pork belly isn’t always cured. While bacon ends are a cured product, pork belly can be purchased fresh and uncured.

Are bacon ends cheaper than regular bacon?

Yes, at least where we are, they practically give them away.

What are bacon ends?

Bacon ends are cut from the same bacon we find in grocery stores everywhere.

After the bacon strips have been cut from the bacon slab, also called pork belly, you are left with random bits and pieces from the irregular-shaped piece of meat.

These pieces of meat are then usually cut up into bite-size pieces, and we end up with bacon ends!

Depending on where you source your bacon ends, they may not be cut into bite-size pieces.

Burnt ends pork belly on serving platter sprinkled with parsley.

Related recipes

If you tried this Pork Belly Burnt Ends Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!

Sticky pork belly burnt ends piled high on a white plate with a checkered tea towel next to it.

Pork Belly Burnt Ends

Laura Ascher
Tired of the same old appetizers? Give these pork belly burnt ends a try! They're crispy, sweet, and savory, and they're surprisingly easy to make.
4.66 from 49 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Appetizers
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 683 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb bacon ends
  • 1 cup hickory smoke bbq sauce
  • 2 tbsp terriyaki sauce I like P.F. Changs

for the dry rub

  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ยฝ tsp ground black pepper
  • ยผ tsp cayenne pepper optional

Instructions
 

  • Toss bacon ends in dry rub.
  • Add BBQ sauce and teriyaki sauce, tossing to coat.
  • Transfer to a Dutch oven and bake uncovered at 375ยฐF for 45 minutes.
  • Let cool slightly before serving.

Notes

  • For the most tender meat, remove from heat at 195ยฐF internal temperature.
  • I make this with cured bacon ends. You can make this with a whole pork belly and cut it up yourself.ย 
  • If you use uncured pork belly, add 1 tsp of salt to the dry rub.ย 

Nutrition

Serving: 1ozCalories: 683kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 39gFat: 40gSaturated Fat: 14gPolyunsaturated Fat: 25gCholesterol: 112mgSodium: 2673mgFiber: 1gSugar: 29g
Tried this recipe?Mention @castironskilletcooking on Instagram
This website provides approximate nutrition information based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands, measuring methods and portion sizes per household. We recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer.

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4.66 from 49 votes (49 ratings without comment)

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