Pork Belly Burnt Ends [Easy Oven Recipe] (2024)

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Have you found yourself staring down at that last package of pork labeled “bacon ends” in the freezer, wondering exactly what to do with it?

I tried a simple pork belly burnt ends oven recipe, and the results were astonishing!

Pork Belly Burnt Ends [Easy Oven Recipe] (1)

Ok, so what are bacon ends? We are probably familiar with the ever-popular 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.

Let us start with what a bacon end is to understand better how that intriguing, undoubtedly delicious package made it into our freezer.

Pork Belly Burnt Ends [Easy Oven Recipe] (2)

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.

Bacon Burnt Ends

No matter the day of the week, bacon is always a good idea.

And if you buy a whole or half hog, you’ll surely end up with bacon ends to make those delicious bacon burnt ends.

I’ve tried a number of bacon ends recipes and have yet to have a complaint with any of them.

Whether it’s smoked, barbequed, skillet seared, or cooked in the oven like these oven-baked burnt ends; it will always be a crowd-pleaser.

Pork Belly Burnt Ends [Easy Oven Recipe] (3)

Pork belly burnt ends

Making pork burnt ends in the oven is the perfect party appetizer or game day side. Pair it with your favorite pulled pork recipe, and the sweet, tangy bbq glaze is sure to be a hit!

What you will need:

  • Bacon ends
  • Bbq sauce
  • Teriyaki sauce
  • Dry rub (or make your own, see below)

How to make bacon burnt ends in the oven

We are going to make these bacon burnt ends in the oven with a dutch oven. While it might just possibly be the most unconventional bacon ends recipe ever, once you try it, you’ll see why we make it this way!

  • Begin by trimming the ends into bite-sized pieces. Local butchers may leave the pork ends untrimmed in large pieces unless requested otherwise.
  • Next, add your dry rub.
  • I made a super simple dry rub to coat the bacon ends by combining smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, ground black pepper, and brown sugar in a mixing bowl.
  • Then, toss the ends in the dry rub until well-coated.
  • If you have a personal favorite dry rub, by all means, I made my own in order to omit the salt since the burnt ends are salty enough being cured in salt and all.
  • Next, add the bbq sauce and teriyaki sauce in with the meat, and toss again until well coated.
  • Transfer the bacon ends to the dutch oven, leave uncovered, and bake for 45 minutes at 375°F. No need to preheat the oven for this one!
Pork Belly Burnt Ends [Easy Oven Recipe] (4)
Pork Belly Burnt Ends [Easy Oven Recipe] (5)

Serving suggestions for bacon burnt ends

I’ve mentioned that cooking pork burnt ends in the oven makes an excellent party appetizer.

So, with that, think french fries, potstickers, or egg rolls.

And come to think of it, while we are on the topic of pork, why not use your trusty dutch oven to cook up some spare ribs as well?

Frequently Asked Questions

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 is not cured. It can be cured, in which case it becomes bacon.

Are bacon ends cheaper than regular bacon? You betcha! Well, at least where I am from, they practically give the stuff away.

How long should you cook pork belly burnt ends in the oven? Pork belly burnt ends in the oven take anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour to cook through.

How to reheat bacon ends? If you are lucky enough to have leftovers, which is unlikely, these burnt pork ends are just as good the next day. Simply reheat in the oven until warmed through.

Bacon burnt ends

Bacon burnt ends are the perfect snack, party food, or a perfect companion to your stovetop bratwurst dinner.

Regardless of the occasion, this finger-licking recipe will surely be a hit!

This simple pork belly burnt ends recipe is tender, a little sweet, a little tangy, very sticky, and bursting with flavor.

Try these smokey beef back ribs next!

Pork Belly Burnt Ends [Easy Oven Recipe] (6)

I hope you enjoy this bacon burnt end oven recipe as much as we did! If you made it, please consider leaving a review below!

And if you enjoy cooking in a dutch oven, but ran out of ideas, here are a few of our personal favorites!

  • Goulash (American style)
  • Sauerkraut soup with sausage
  • Stovetop chili
  • One-pot peppers and rice
  • Dutch oven venison roast (or stew)

Pork Belly Burnt Ends

Nate Ascher

Burnt pork ends with a dry rub, tossed in a dry rub, and baked to perfection!

4.66 from 49 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course Appetizers

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 683 kcal

Ingredients

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

for the dry rub

  • 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper

Instructions

  • Combine dry rub ingredients in a medium-sized mixing bowl.

  • Add meat and toss to coat.

  • Add bbq and teriyaki sauce, and toss again.

  • Transfer to a dutch oven and place on the center rack of the oven.

  • Set heat to 375°F and bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes, or until tender.

Notes

For the most tender meat, remove from heat at 195°F internal temperature.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ozCalories: 683kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 39gFat: 40gSaturated Fat: 14gPolyunsaturated Fat: 25gCholesterol: 112mgSodium: 2673mgFiber: 1gSugar: 29g

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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.

Pork Belly Burnt Ends [Easy Oven Recipe] (2024)

FAQs

How do you cook burnt ends of pork belly without a grill? ›

Oven-baked pork belly burnt ends

Instead of tossing this into a smoker, simply place it in an oven preheated to 275 degrees Fahrenheit for three hours, spritzing the little guys with apple cider vinegar every hour.

How do you cook pork belly so it's not tough? ›

Slow roast 1 1/2 hours – Roast the pork in a 140°C/285°F oven (120°C fan) for a total of 2 1/2 hours. Keeping the temperature this low allows the meat to become tender, for the fat to render (melt) so we get the “confit” cooking effect, and also to dry out the pork skin yet keep it supple.

How long does it take to cook a pork belly in the oven? ›

Place pork belly (in foil boat) in oven on center rack, and place a drip pan underneath to catch any fat that happened to drip. Cook approximately 1.5 hours, though a lot will depend on the size of your pork belly. You want to cook until the internal temperature is 160-165°F.

Can you do Pork Belly Burnt Ends in oven? ›

How to make burnt ends in the oven. Prepare pork belly as described in Step One of the recipe, then preheat oven to 275°F. Place wire rack with pork belly on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Bake in preheated oven until meat is almost tender, about 2 hours, 30 minutes.

What temp should Pork Belly Burnt Ends be? ›

How to Make Pork Belly Tender. Cover pan with foil and place back on the cooker indirect until the burnt ends are tender. This will typically take 60-90 minutes or once the internal temperature of the meat reaches 200-210°F. Probe with an instant read thermometer to check temp/tenderness.

Should you spritz Pork Belly Burnt Ends? ›

Arrange the pork belly cubes on a wire rack, fat-side down, then place the rack on the grill grates. Close the lid and cook until the internal temperature reaches 190-195°F, about 3 hours, spritzing with apple juice every 45 minutes or as needed if the pork starts to look dry.

Why is my pork belly not crispy in the oven? ›

The skin wasn't dry enough. Make sure to pat the pork completely dry before rubbing in the salt and oil as excess moisture will stop it from crisping up. It's important to score the skin if you want it really crisp. You'll need a sharp knife for this, or ask your butcher to do it for you.

Does pork belly get more tender the more you cook it? ›

You can slow cook it in a slow cooker or oven at a low temperature for several hours until it's fully cooked and tender. This will help break down the tough connective tissues and collagen in the meat, resulting in a succulent and tender pork belly.

What are 3 ways that pork belly can be cooked? ›

Here's a look at three easy ways to cook it: stovetop, grilling and oven roasted. It's a triple threat on the delicious front. Stovetop: Use 500 grams of pork belly, basically enough to cover the bottom of your pan in one layer.

What temperature do you bake pork belly? ›

Steps to Make It
  1. Gather the ingredients. ...
  2. Heat the oven to 350 F/180 C. ...
  3. Sprinkle the pork all over with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. ...
  4. Place the pork on the rack, skin-side up. ...
  5. Roast for 2 to 2 1/2 hours or until the meat is very tender and falling apart.
Nov 1, 2023

Why do you pour boiling water on pork belly? ›

boiling water trick

This helps to prep the skin to crackle as its now "pre-cooked" so to speak. Make sure to pat dry with paper towel to further dry afterwards.

How do restaurants cook pork belly? ›

We soak the pork in water for about 20 to 25 minutes to wash away excess fat. Then we steam it for about 15 to 20 minutes until it's about 70% done. After that, we take it out of the water and poke holes in the pork with a needle and then rub it all over with salt and spices. Then we air dry it with a fan for 12 hours.

Why are my Pork Belly Burnt Ends tough? ›

To cook pork belly properly, we have to give it the time and temperatures it needs to render both the fat and the collagen. This usually means low, slow cooking. Any meat will expel its available free water at temperatures above 180°F (82°C), becoming tough and dry.

Is pork belly the same as burnt ends? ›

Are Burnt Ends Pork or Beef? The most traditional burnt ends come from beef, specifically from the brisket point cut. However, given their popularity, some modern pitmasters prepare pork belly in the same style as brisket burnt ends to recreate this tender-centered, crunchy-edged delicacy with pork meat.

Should I season Pork Belly Burnt Ends overnight? ›

Preparing Pork Belly Burnt Ends

Try using a mix of soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger for best results. Once the marinade is ready, let it sit overnight before cooking.

Can you prep Pork Belly Burnt Ends the night before? ›

Begin 24 hours before cooking. Pat the skin dry on your pork belly then thoroughly poke tiny holes all over the skin. Add a layer of kosher salt over the skin, then place in the fridge uncovered. Let sit for at least 24 hours to dry out the skin.

What do you eat Pork Belly Burnt Ends with? ›

The result is an incredibly flavorful and unique food experience that can be enjoyed as part of a meal or as an appetizer. Pork belly burnt ends can be served just about any way you like - on their own, over rice or noodles, in tacos, or even in sandwiches.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Dan Stracke

Last Updated:

Views: 5481

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (63 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Dan Stracke

Birthday: 1992-08-25

Address: 2253 Brown Springs, East Alla, OH 38634-0309

Phone: +398735162064

Job: Investor Government Associate

Hobby: Shopping, LARPing, Scrapbooking, Surfing, Slacklining, Dance, Glassblowing

Introduction: My name is Dan Stracke, I am a homely, gleaming, glamorous, inquisitive, homely, gorgeous, light person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.