Burnt ends are a delicious and popular barbecue dish, typically made from the fatty ends of a beef brisket. However, for those who are on a budget or simply looking for a more affordable option, poor man’s burnt ends is a fantastic alternative. This mouthwatering dish is made from cubed chuck roast, which is slow-cooked until tender and then coated in a sweet and tangy sauce.
One of the most common questions when it comes to cooking poor man’s burnt ends is how long to cook them. The key to achieving that perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture is low and slow cooking. It’s recommended to cook the cubed chuck roast at a temperature of around 225°F (107°C) for a long period of time, typically around 3-4 hours. This slow cooking process allows the meat to break down and become tender, resulting in incredibly flavorful and succulent burnt ends.
It’s important to keep an eye on the internal temperature of the meat while it’s cooking. Aim for an internal temperature of around 195°F (90°C) for a more tender result. However, if you prefer a firmer texture, you can cook the meat until it reaches an internal temperature of around 205°F (96°C). Remember to check the temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure it’s cooked to your desired level of doneness.
Once the poor man’s burnt ends are cooked to perfection, it’s time to add the finishing touch – the sauce. Whether you prefer a classic barbecue sauce or something with a bit of a kick, the sauce is what ties this dish together. After tossing the cooked meat in the sauce, you can either serve it immediately or place it back on the grill or smoker for a few more minutes to allow the sauce to caramelize.
How Long to Cook Poor Man’s Burnt Ends
Poor man’s burnt ends are a delicious alternative to traditional burnt ends made from brisket. This budget-friendly version of burnt ends is made from chuck roast, giving you all the flavors and textures you love without breaking the bank. While the process for cooking poor man’s burnt ends is similar to that of traditional burnt ends, the cooking time may vary slightly.
On average, it takes about 2.5 to 3 hours to cook poor man’s burnt ends. However, factors such as the size of the chuck roast and the temperature of your smoker or grill can affect the cooking time. It’s important to cook the chuck roast low and slow to allow the collagen to break down and tenderize the meat.
Before you begin cooking, trim off any excess fat from the chuck roast and season it with your favorite dry rub. Preheat your smoker or grill to a temperature of around 225°F (107°C). Place the seasoned chuck roast on the cooking grate and let it smoke for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches around 160°F (71°C).
Once the chuck roast reaches the desired internal temperature, remove it from the smoker or grill and transfer it to a cutting board. Cut the chuck roast into bite-sized cubes, about 1 to 1.5 inches in size. Place the cubes in a disposable aluminum foil pan or a baking dish, and toss them with your favorite BBQ sauce.
Return the pan or dish with the sauced cubes to the smoker or grill, and let them cook for an additional 1 hour, or until they reach your preferred level of tenderness. Some people prefer their burnt ends to be caramelized and slightly crispy, while others like them to be more tender and juicy.
Once the poor man’s burnt ends are done cooking, remove them from the smoker or grill and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. They can be served as a main dish, as a topping for baked potatoes or nachos, or even as a filling for sandwiches. Enjoy!
Preparation:
Before you start cooking the poor man’s burnt ends, there are a few steps you need to complete to ensure the best results.
1. Choose the right cut of meat:
The traditional cut of meat used for burnt ends is a beef brisket point. This cut has more marbling and fat compared to the flat cut, which adds flavor and moisture to the dish. Make sure to select a well-marbled and trimmed brisket point for the best results.
2. Season the meat:
Before cooking, generously season the brisket point with your favorite dry rub. The rub should have a balance of sweet, savory, and smoky flavors to enhance the taste of the meat. Apply the rub evenly on all sides, ensuring all areas are well-coated.
3. Preheat the smoker:
Preheat your smoker to a temperature of 225°F (107°C). Use a hardwood such as oak, hickory, or mesquite for smoking, as it will impart a rich and smoky flavor to the meat.
4. Smoke the brisket point:
Place the seasoned brisket point directly on the smoker grate and close the smoker lid. Let it smoke at 225°F (107°C) for approximately 6-8 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 195°F (90°C). This low and slow cooking method will allow the fat to render and the meat to become tender and flavorful.
5. Rest and chop the brisket:
Once the brisket point reaches the desired temperature, remove it from the smoker and let it rest for about 30 minutes. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a juicier end product. After resting, chop the brisket into bite-sized pieces, similar to the size of traditional burnt ends.
6. Glaze and caramelize the edges:
Transfer the chopped brisket to a baking dish or pan and generously coat it with your preferred BBQ sauce. Place the dish back into the smoker or a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for an additional 20-30 minutes, or until the sauce begins to caramelize and the edges become slightly crispy.
7. Serve and enjoy:
The poor man’s burnt ends are now ready to be served. You can serve them as an appetizer, main course, or even as a filling for sandwiches or sliders. Enjoy the flavorful and tender bites of meat!
Ingredients:
2 pounds of beef chuck roast |
1/3 cup of brown sugar |
1/4 cup of paprika |
1 tablespoon of coarse salt |
1 tablespoon of ground black pepper |
1 tablespoon of garlic powder |
1 tablespoon of onion powder |
1 tablespoon of chili powder |
1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper |
1/3 cup of barbecue sauce |
1/4 cup of apple juice |
Step 1: Preparing the Meat
Before you begin cooking the poor man’s burnt ends, you need to prepare the meat.
Here are the steps to prepare the meat:
- Trim off any excess fat from the meat. This will help prevent the burnt ends from becoming too greasy.
- Cut the meat into cubes of about 1 inch in size. This will ensure that the meat cooks evenly and allows for maximum flavor absorption.
- Season the meat cubes with your desired rub or seasoning mix. This will enhance the flavor of the burnt ends.
- Cover the seasoned meat cubes and let them marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours, or overnight if possible. This will allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
Once you have prepared the meat, you are ready to move on to the next step!
Step 2: Seasoning the Meat
Before cooking the poor man’s burnt ends, it’s important to season the meat to enhance its flavor. You can use a variety of seasonings depending on your personal preference.
Here’s a simple seasoning blend to try:
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Then, generously rub the seasoning mixture all over the meat, making sure to cover all sides.
Once the meat is seasoned, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
Note: You can adjust the seasoning blend according to your taste preferences. Feel free to add more or less of any of the ingredients listed above.
Step 3: Cooking the Meat
Once you have prepared the meat and marinated it, it is time to start cooking. Poor man’s burnt ends can be cooked on a grill, in a smoker, or even in an oven. The choice is yours depending on the equipment you have available.
Grill Method:
- Preheat your grill to medium heat, around 250°F (120°C).
- Place the marinated meat directly on the grill grates.
- Cook the meat for about 2 to 2.5 hours, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 195°F (90°C).
- Make sure to turn the meat every 30 minutes to evenly cook and prevent burning.
- Once the desired internal temperature is reached, remove the meat from the grill and let it rest for about 10 minutes. This will allow the juices to redistribute and make the meat more tender.
- Slice the meat into bite-sized pieces and serve with your favorite barbecue sauce.
Smoker Method:
If you are using a smoker, the process will be similar to the grill method, but with added smoke flavor.
- Preheat your smoker to a temperature of 250°F (120°C) with your choice of smoking wood.
- Place the marinated meat directly on the smoker grates.
- Cook the meat for about 2 to 2.5 hours, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 195°F (90°C).
- Turn the meat every 30 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Once done, remove the meat from the smoker and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Oven Method:
If you don’t have a grill or smoker, you can still make poor man’s burnt ends in the oven.
- Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C).
- Place the marinated meat in a roasting pan or baking dish.
- Cook the meat in the oven for about 2.5 to 3 hours, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 195°F (90°C).
- Turn the meat every 30 minutes for even cooking.
- Once cooked to perfection, remove the meat from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes. This will allow the flavors to meld together.
- Slice the meat into smaller pieces and serve with your favorite barbecue sauce.
Q&A
How long does it take to cook poor man’s burnt ends?
Poor man’s burnt ends generally take around 2-3 hours to cook.
What is the cooking time for poor man’s burnt ends?
The cooking time for poor man’s burnt ends is typically between 2-3 hours.
How long should I cook poor man’s burnt ends for?
Poor man’s burnt ends should be cooked for approximately 2-3 hours.
What is the recommended cooking time for poor man’s burnt ends?
It is recommended to cook poor man’s burnt ends for about 2-3 hours.
How much time do I need to cook poor man’s burnt ends?
It is advised to allocate around 2-3 hours for cooking poor man’s burnt ends.