Do you want to impress your family and friends with a delicious barbecue dish? Burnt ends might be the perfect option for you! These amazingly tasty pieces of meat will leave everyone’s taste buds satisfied. The best part is, they’re easy to make at home, even if you’re not a professional chef.

Burnt ends originated in Kansas City, Missouri, and now you can find them in barbecue restaurants all over the country. Typically made from beef brisket, they have a crispy, caramelized exterior and a tender, juicy interior. You don’t need to be a pitmaster to make burnt ends; all you need is a couple of ingredients and some patience. In this article, we’ll give you the tips and tricks to recreate this tasty dish at home. So, let’s get started!

Tools You Need for Making Burnt Ends

Before venturing into the cooking process, it is crucial to get the perfect cooking tools that will help you achieve the best results. Here are the critical tools that you will need to make your burnt ends:

1. Smoker

If you want to make the best-smoked burnt ends, you will need a smoker. A smoker will help give you the perfect smoky flavor essential in making delicious burnt ends. You can use an electric smoker or a charcoal smoker, depending on your preferences.

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2. Meat Thermometer

A meat thermometer is essential in ensuring that you cook your meat to the required temperature. Getting the correct temperature ensures that you do not overcook or undercook the meat.

3. Sharp Knife

You need a sharp knife to cut the beef brisket into small pieces. A sharp knife ensures that you cut the meat evenly, making it cook uniformly and look aesthetically pleasing.

4. Tongs

You need tongs to turn over the meat while cooking to ensure it’s evenly cooked. Tongs also protect you from getting burned by hot meat or a smoker.

5. Cutting Board

A cutting board gives you a clean and safe surface to cut the meat, reducing the risk of contamination.

6. Aluminum Foil

Aluminum foil is essential in the cooking process as it helps to keep the meat moist. It also protects the meat from direct heat that would otherwise make it scorch and dry out.

7. Basting Brush

A basting brush helps to spread the sauce evenly onto the meat, giving it that delicious, sticky coating.

8. Fireproof Gloves

Fireproof gloves protect your hands from hot surfaces and make it easy for you to handle hot meat.

9. Chimney Starter

If you’re using a charcoal smoker, a chimney starter is a must-have tool to help you start the fire without using lighter fluid.

10. Wood Chips

Wood chips infuse your meat with the perfect smoky flavor, essential in making delicious burnt ends. You can use applewood, mesquite, or oak chips, depending on your preference.

In conclusion, having the correct tools for making burnt ends ensures that you have an easy time cooking and can achieve the best results possible. Make sure you have all the necessary items in your kitchen before embarking on your burnt end journey.

Burnt Ends: What You Need to Know Before You Start Cooking Them

Burnt ends are a BBQ delicacy originating from Kansas City, Missouri. It’s made from the ends of beef brisket, which are slow-cooked until they become dark and smoky on the outside and tender on the inside. Making burnt ends can be a daunting task, so here are some things you need to know before you fire up your smoker:

1. Choosing the Right Cut of Brisket

To get the best burnt ends, you need to select the right cut of brisket. Choose a full packer brisket with a thick layer of fat on one side. The fat will keep the meat moist during the long cooking process.

2. Trimming Your Brisket the Right Way

Before you start cooking, you need to trim your brisket. Remove any excess fat or sinew, but make sure to leave a thin layer of fat on one side to keep the meat moist.

3. Seasoning Your Burnt Ends

Rub your brisket with a BBQ seasoning blend of your choice. Make sure to rub seasoning into all the nooks and crannies, including the ends, which will become the burnt ends.

4. Brining Your Brisket

You can also choose to brine your brisket before cooking. This will help the meat stay moist and add some extra flavor. Mix salt, brown sugar, and your preferred spices in a large pot of water, then add the brisket and let it soak for at least 12 hours.

5. Using the Right Wood and Smoke Flavor

To get the right flavor, you need to use the right wood and smoke. Oak, hickory, mesquite, and applewood are all great choices. Use chunks or chips of wood and add them to your smoker during the cooking process.

6. Low and Slow Cooking Method

Burnt ends need to be cooked low and slow. Set the temperature of your smoker to 225°F and let the brisket cook for at least 10-12 hours. The internal temperature of the meat should reach 195°F before it’s ready.

7. Wrapping Your Brisket

After the brisket has cooked for several hours, wrap it in aluminum foil or butcher paper. This will help the meat retain its moisture and cook more evenly.

8. Resting Your Burnt Ends Before Serving

Once the brisket is fully cooked, remove it from the smoker and let it rest for at least 30 minutes before slicing. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making it more tender and flavorful.

9. Slicing Your Burnt Ends at the Right Angle

When it’s time to slice your burnt ends, make sure to slice against the grain. This will make the meat more tender and easier to chew.

10. Serving Your Burnt Ends

Burnt ends are traditionally served with Kansas City-style BBQ sauce and some pickles on the side. They’re perfect for parties and backyard BBQs and are sure to impress your guests with their smoky and sweet flavor.

Preparing the Meat for the Burnt Ends

Now that you have selected your choice of meat, it is time to prepare it for the burnt ends. Here are the subheadings that will take you through the process:

Cutting the Meat

To begin with, cut the meat into chunks that are roughly one inch by one inch in size. While cutting, you might come across fat that you will have to trim off. However, do not cut too much fat; a little fat is essential for the overall flavor of the burnt ends.

The Rub

Once you have cut up the meat, it is time to add the rub. The rub is what adds great flavors to the meat that you want to savor. Use a rub mixture of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder in equal parts. Rub the mixture onto the meat and then refrigerate for at least an hour to allow the meat to absorb the flavors.

Smoking the Meat

Once the meat has absorbed the flavors, it is time to cook the meat. In a smoker, cook the meat at a temperature between 225 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a hardwood like oak or hickory to create a smoke flavor. It takes approximately six hours to cook the meat.

The Sauce

While the meat is on the smoker, prepare your sauce. Traditional burnt ends are served with a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce. There are many great barbecue sauce recipes available. However, if you prefer something different, try a spicy or fruit-based sauce.

The Finishing Touches

Once the meat is fully cooked, remove it from the smoker and let it rest in a covered dish for about 20 minutes. While the meat is resting, you can brush the sauce you prepared earlier onto the pieces, applying it liberally. Then, return the meat to the smoker for 30 minutes, giving it that caramelized finish. After the meat comes out of the smoker, let it cool for about five minutes before dishing it up.

Meat Rub Mixture Wood for Smoking Cooking Time
Brisket Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder Oak, Hickory 6 hours
Pork Belly Paprika, Brown Sugar, Salt, Black Pepper, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Cayenne Pepper Apple, Cherry, Hickory 4-5 hours
Beef Short Ribs Brown Sugar, Salt, Smoked Paprika, Dried Oregano, Ground Coriander, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Cumin, Cayenne Pepper Oak, Mesquite, Pecan 6-7 hours
Pork Shoulder Brown Sugar, Salt, Paprika, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Mustard Powder, Cayenne Pepper Oak, Apple, Cherry, Pecan 10-12 hours

In conclusion, making burnt ends is not an easy task. However, it is well worth it after you take a bite of the delicious, juicy, and flavorful final product. Follow the steps mentioned above and show off your culinary skills to your friends and family.

Time to Dig In!

Thanks for reading our guide on how to make burnt ends! We hope you enjoyed and got inspired to get your grill sizzling. Now it’s time to gather your friends and family, pop open your favorite drink, and indulge in some mouth-watering burnt ends. Don’t forget to experiment with different sauces and rubs to make your own unique masterpiece. Stay tuned for more delicious recipes, and feel free to visit us again soon! Happy grilling!