Chipotle Honey Burnt Ends

Dive into the world of barbecue with our latest culinary delight: Chipotle Honey Burnt Ends. A dish that marries the robust flavors of smoke with the sweet, tantalizing taste of honey and chipotle, this recipe promises a journey for the palate that’s both exhilarating and comforting. By choosing skinless pork belly as our canvas, we lay the foundation for a texture that’s irresistibly tender, enhanced by the rich, smoky aroma that only apple wood chunks can impart. The choice of avocado oil not only ensures that our pork cubes are well-coated and ready for seasoning, but also adds a hint of lightness to the dish, complementing the depth of flavors to come.

The Secret Of This Recipe

The heart of this recipe lies in its Chipotle Honey Sauce – a concoction that’s as bold as it is balanced. Through a meticulous blend of ketchup, honey, brown sugar, and a carefully measured mix of seasonings, we’ve crafted a sauce that’s both vibrant and nuanced. The addition of chipotle peppers introduces a layer of smoky heat, creating a symphony of flavors that perfectly coats each pork belly cube. This sauce doesn’t just contribute taste; it’s a bridge between the traditional and the contemporary, offering a nod to classic barbecue while inviting the palate to explore new dimensions of flavor.

Mastering the Art of Smoked Pork Belly

Our cooking method is a testament to patience and precision. The process of smoking with apple wood, spritzing with apple cider vinegar, and the final touch of wrapping in aluminum foil with butter and more sauce, is a ritual that transforms simple ingredients into something extraordinary. This journey through smoke and seasoning is not just about following steps; it’s an embrace of the art of barbecue, where time and temperature work together to create something truly special.

Ingredients:

Skinless pork belly, cut into 1″ x 1″ cubes
A few tablespoons of avocado oil
Favorite BBQ rub
Apple wood chunks for smoking
Apple cider vinegar for spritzing
Chipotle Honey Sauce Ingredients:1 cup ketchup
- 3/4 cups honey
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 chipotle peppers, seeded and diced
- 1/4 cup water (optional, to adjust thickness)
4-6 pads of unsalted butter
Additional brown sugar for coating
Aluminum foil for covering

Instructions:

Begin by slicing your pork belly into 1″ x 1″ cubes, ensuring each piece is skinless for optimal flavor absorption. In a large bowl, gently toss these cubes with a few tablespoons of avocado oil until evenly coated. This step is crucial for helping the BBQ rub adhere to the pork. Proceed to season generously with your favorite BBQ rub, tossing again to ensure even coverage.

Prepare your smoker by heating it to 250 degrees, adding apple wood chunks to achieve that quintessential smoky flavor. Place the seasoned pork belly cubes on a wire rack and transfer to the smoker, allowing them to absorb the aromatic wood essences.

After 45 minutes of smoking, lightly spritz the pork with apple cider vinegar. Continue this spritzing every 30-40 minutes, a key step that introduces moisture and a subtle tang, enhancing the meat’s flavor and texture.

While the pork smokes, prepare the Chipotle Honey Sauce by combining ketchup, honey, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and diced chipotle peppers in a bowl. If the sauce is too thick, adjust its consistency with up to 1/4 cup of water. This sauce will coat the pork with a glossy, flavorful layer that’s both spicy and sweet.

Approximately 2 to 2 1/2 hours into the smoking process, remove the pork belly cubes and place them into a foil pan. Add unsalted butter, a sprinkle of brown sugar, and a generous amount of the Chipotle Honey BBQ Sauce, tossing to ensure each cube is gloriously coated.

Cover the pan with aluminum foil and return it to the smoker for another 45-60 minutes. This final step allows the flavors to meld and the pork to reach peak tenderness.

After the last smoking phase, let the pork rest for 30 minutes before serving. This rest period is crucial for the juices to redistribute, ensuring each bite is moist and flavorful.

Below is a printable recipe card!

Chipotle Honey Burnt Ends

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Servings: 8

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

Skinless pork belly cut into 1" x 1" cubes
A few tablespoons of avocado oil
Favorite BBQ rub
Apple wood chunks for smoking
Apple cider vinegar for spritzing

Chipotle Honey Sauce Ingredients:

1 cup ketchup
3/4 cups honey
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons black pepper
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 chipotle peppers seeded and diced

Other Ingredients

1/4 cup water optional, to adjust thickness
4-6 pads of unsalted butter
Additional brown sugar for coating
Aluminum foil for covering

Method

Slice pork belly into 1" x 1" cubes.
Toss with avocado oil, then season with BBQ rub.
Smoke at 250 degrees with apple wood for 45 minutes, then spritz with vinegar every 30-40 minutes.
Prepare Chipotle Honey Sauce by mixing all sauce ingredients.
After 2-2.5 hours of smoking, toss pork with butter, brown sugar, and sauce in a foil pan.
Cover and smoke for another 45-60 minutes.
Let rest for 30 minutes before serving.

Savor the fruits of your labor with these Chipotle Honey Burnt Ends, a dish that’s as rewarding to make as it is to eat. With its deep, smoky flavors and a glaze that strikes the perfect balance between sweet and spicy, this recipe is sure to become a cherished addition to your barbecue repertoire. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or simply indulging in a personal barbecue feast, these burnt ends promise a memorable culinary experience!