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How to Make Burnt Ends in the Oven: An Easy BBQ Twist

If you are craving the tender, caramelized goodness of burnt ends but don’t have a smoker, we are teaching you how to make burnt ends right in your oven with our easy recipe. 

This burnt ends recipe uses a brisket point, a flavorful BBQ rub and a sticky BBQ sauce, resulting in bite size pieces with a smoky flavor, perfect for any occasion. 

BBQ Brisket Burnt Ends are often referred to as meat candy at BBQ joints, but in this case are known as “poor man’s burnt ends” since we are using an oven.

Whether you’re new to BBQ or a seasoned pro, this method of slow cooking on a low temperature is foolproof and delicious. 

Check out our beef recipes for more delicious ideas and enjoy some BBQ bliss!

What Are Burnt Ends?

Traditional burnt ends are a delicacy in the barbecue world and are known for their crispy, caramelized exterior and tender, juicy interior. The key is slow-cooking the meat until it’s perfectly tender and then finishing it off with a flavorful barbecue sauce to get that signature sticky glaze.

What cut of meat is used for burnt ends?

Burnt ends are traditionally made from the point end of a smoked brisket. This part of the brisket has more fat marbling, which helps create the tender, flavorful burnt ends when slow-cooked and caramelized. While brisket is the most common cut used for burnt ends, other cuts such as pork belly or chuck roast can also be used to make similar delicious bites.

How to Make Burnt Ends in the Oven

Scroll to the bottom for the printable recipe card. 

Preheat your oven to 275 degrees F.

Trim the excess fat from the brisket, leaving about 1/4 inch of fat for flavor. 

The better the quality of your brisket, the better your burnt ends will be. Look for a well-marbled piece of meat for the best flavor and texture.

Rub the brisket with yellow mustard to help the BBQ rub stick.

Generously coat the whole brisket with the BBQ rub, pressing it into the meat to ensure it adheres well.

Place the brisket on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to allow air to circulate around the meat.

Cover the brisket with aluminum foil to keep it moist and bake in the preheated oven for about 4-5 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 195°F.

Remove the brisket from the oven and let it rest for at least 30 minutes. As the meat rests, the juices redistribute throughout the meat. Don’t skip this step as it is crucial for juicy, flavorful burnt ends.

Cut the brisket into 1-inch cubes.

In a large bowl, combine the barbecue sauce, brown sugar, honey, apple cider vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix well.

Raise your oven temperature to 350°F .

Place the cubed brisket into a baking dish and pour the sauce mixture over the meat, tossing to coat each piece evenly.

Return the brisket to the oven and bake for an additional 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is caramelized and the burnt ends are crispy and sticky.

Remove the burnt ends from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving.

Serve with extra barbecue sauce on the side, and enjoy these irresistible bites of BBQ heaven!

Feel free to experiment with different barbecue sauces and rubs to find your perfect flavor combination.

Try These Recipes:

Supply List

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Instant Read Meat Thermometer
Instant read thermometer features a temperature probe that can be used from the bbq to baking. And can be washed and cleaned under running water.
Brisket Slicing Knife
  • IMPECCABLE PERFORMANCE: The long, ultra sharp blade is engineered to deliver highly precise cuts with minimal effort.
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Rack for Cooking, Baking, Grilling
Set of 2 racks with high temperature resistance.

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How to Make Burnt Ends in the Oven

Oven Burnt Ends Recipe

Yield: 6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Additional Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 6 hours 40 minutes

Learn how to create irresistible burnt ends in your oven with this easy-to-follow recipe. Perfect for BBQ enthusiasts without a smoker, this method delivers tender, caramelized beef cubes coated in a sticky, flavorful sauce.

Ingredients

  • For the Brisket:
  • - 5-6 pounds beef brisket point
  • - 1/4 cup yellow mustard
  • - 1/2 cup BBQ rub (your favorite brand or homemade)

For the Burnt Ends:

  • - 1 cup barbecue sauce (your favorite brand or homemade)
  • - 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • - 1/4 cup honey
  • - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • - 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

    Preheat your oven to 275 degrees F.
    Trim the excess fat from the brisket, leaving about 1/4 inch of fat for flavor.
    Rub the brisket with yellow mustard.
    Generously coat the whole brisket with the BBQ rub, pressing it into the meat to ensure it adheres well.
    Place the brisket on a wire rack set over a baking sheet and cover with aluminum foil.

    Bake in the preheated oven for about 4-5 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 195°F.
    Remove the brisket from the oven and let it rest for at least 30 minutes.
    Cut the brisket into 1-inch cubes.
    In a large bowl, combine the barbecue sauce, brown sugar, honey, apple cider vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix well.
    Raise your oven temperature to 350°F .
    Place the cubed brisket into a baking dish and pour the sauce mixture over the meat, tossing to coat each piece evenly.
    Return the brisket to the oven and bake for an additional 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is caramelized and the burnt ends are crispy and sticky.
    Remove the burnt ends from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving.
    Serve with extra barbecue sauce on the side.

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