Pork Belly Heaven: Smoked Cherry Chipotle Burnt Ends

A Heavenly Blend of Sweet, Smoky, and Spicy: Cherry Chipotle Pork Belly Burnt Ends

Overview

Average:(average: 5 out of 5. Total: 3)

There’s nothing quite like sinking your teeth into a succulent, juicy, and smoky piece of Pork Belly. That’s why I’m excited to share with you these Cherry Chipotle Pork Belly Burnt Ends from #TeamLRF Chef and Pitmaster, Aaron Riley, of Bearded Skull BBQ. What makes this recipe stand out, you ask? Well, let’s just say it’s a symphony of flavors – from the sweet and spicy cherry chipotle sauce to the layers of flavors added with the rub and the sweet smokiness of cherry wood.

Now, before we dive into the recipe, let me just warn you – this isn’t your ordinary pork belly recipe. We’re going to take it up a notch with burnt ends, and trust me, your mouth will thank you. But first, let’s start with the basics.

You’ll need to create a flavor layer of smoke and create your bark – but don’t overdo it! Keep an eye on the color of the pork belly and aim for a rich mahogany hue. Next, we’ll braise the pork belly, rendering the fat and tenderizing the meat while adding a layer of sweetness with our braising liquid. And, of course, we can’t forget the sauces! But don’t worry, they’re easy to whip up.

The end result? A juicy, tender, smokey, sweet, and sticky piece of Pork Belly that’ll have you craving for more. So what are you waiting for? Get your pits ready and let’s fire up the grill for some seriously mouth-watering goodness!

There's just something special about a slowly smoldering stack of hardwoods and pork belly burnt ends.

KEY INGREDIENTS USED IN THIS RECIPE

Pork belly – A fatty cut of meat that becomes tender and juicy after slow cooking, the perfect canvas for our flavors to shine.

Goat cheese – The tangy and creamy goat cheese adds a subtle contrast to the rich and smoky flavor of the pork belly, making each bite more exciting.

Ruby port wine – The sweetness of the ruby port wine complements the spiciness of the cherry chipotle sauce, adding a deep and complex flavor that lingers on your taste buds.

Mint – A refreshing herb that provides a cool balance to the smoky and spicy flavors, cutting through the richness of the dish and leaving a refreshing aftertaste that’ll keep you wanting more.

WHAT SIDE DISHES COULD BE SERVED ALONGSIDE CHERRY CHIPOTLE PORK BELLY BURNT ENDS?

Grilled corn on the cob with lime and cotija cheese – This side dish is the perfect combination of sweet, tangy, and savory. All of this, makes it the perfect complement to the rich and smoky pork belly.

Smoked Mac and Cheese – Smoked mac and cheese is unbeatable with its creamy, cheesy goodness. This classic side dish is the ultimate comfort food and pairs perfectly with the smokiness of the pork belly.

Smoky baked beans with bacon – You can never go wrong with a classic side dish. These smoky baked beans with bacon are the perfect way to round out your meal.

Simply incredible, pillowy, sweet, smoky and savory cherry-chipotle pork belly burnt ends!

TOP 5 MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT CHERRY CHIPOTLE PORK BELLY BURNT ENDS

What is pork belly and where do I buy it? Pork belly is a cut of meat that comes from the belly of the pig and can be found at your local butcher shop or grocery store.

What is a burnt end? A burnt end is the flavorful, caramelized outer edges of slow-cooked meat, in this case, pork belly.

What is cherry chipotle sauce and how do I make it? Cherry chipotle sauce is a sweet and spicy sauce made with cherry preserves and chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. Check out the recipe below for a delicious homemade version.

Can I cook pork belly burnt ends in the oven? While they won’t have the same smoky flavor as when cooked on the grill, pork belly burnt ends can be cooked in the oven at 275 degrees Fahrenheit for 3-4 hours.

How do I know when the pork belly burnt ends are done? The pork belly burnt ends are done when they reach an internal temperature of 195-205 degrees Fahrenheit and have a nice caramelized bark on the outside.

A little honey, spice and everything nice to finish our cherry chipotle pork belly burnt ends

BEST BEVERAGE PAIRINGS FOR CHERRY CHIPOTLE PORK BELLY BURNT ENDS

Craft Beer Pairings:

  1. IPA – The hoppy and bitter flavors of an IPA will perfectly balance the cherry chipotle sauce. Try a citrusy IPA, like Ballast Point Grapefruit Sculpin, to really enhance the flavors.
  2. Brown Ale – The nutty and caramel flavors of a brown ale will complement the smoky and rich flavors of the pork belly. Plus, the smooth and malty finish will balance out the spice in the sauce.

Cocktail Pairings:

  1. Old Fashioned – The sweetness of the cherry and the smokiness of the whiskey will perfectly complement the pork belly. Plus, the bitters will cut through the richness of the meat.
  2. Margarita – The bright and tangy flavors of a margarita will contrast with the smokiness of the pork belly. Plus, the tequila will help cut through the richness of the meat.

Wine Pairings:

  1. Zinfandel – The bold and fruity flavors of a Zinfandel will hold up to the sweet and spicy flavors of the cherry chipotle sauce.
  2. Pinot Noir – The earthy and fruity notes of a Pinot Noir will perfectly balance the richness of the pork belly. Plus, the light body of the wine won’t overwhelm the dish.

Pork Belly Heaven: Smoked Cherry-Chipotle Burnt Ends

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smoked cherry-chipotle pork belly burnt ends

Smoked Cherry Chipotle Pork Belly Burnt Ends

Fire up a smoky Kansas City-inspired adventure with LFR's Cherry Chipotle Burnt Ends! Smoky, sweet and spicy - this is pork belly heaven!
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Total Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: BBQ
Keyword: burnt ends, cherry chipotle, goat cheese, pork belly, smoked pork
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 585kcal

Equipment

  • Grill/smoker
  • Disposable pan
  • Foil
  • Fruit wood of your choice

Ingredients

Cherry Chipotle Sauce with Fresh Mint

  • 3/4 c Ruby Port wine
  • 1/2 c chicken stock
  • 1 jar cherry preserves
  • 3 tbsp sugar
  • 1-2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1-2 tbsp garlic chopped
  • 1 shallot finely diced
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1-2 tbsp mint chopped

Pork Belly Burnt Ends

  • 1 pork belly skin removed
  • Weber KC rub
  • 1 stick butter
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup honey or agave
  • 1/4 cup apple juice
  • Cherry chipotle sauce

Instructions

Cherry Chipotle Sauce with Fresh Mint

  • Add Butter to a pan over medium high heat, toss in shallots and garlic and sauté until tender and fragrant. Then add the rest of the ingredients and lower your heat to low and simmer until sauce thickens 6-8 minutes. Once sauce coats spoon pull off heat and strain. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Pork Belly Burnt Ends

  • Prepare your pit for smoking and heat to a cooking temperature of 235-250F.
  • Cut your pork into 1" cubes and season with Weber KC rub. Place on the smoke for 3 hours, watching the color to make sure they don't get too dark.
  • To a disposable pan or foil pack, add half of a stick of butter, half the brown sugar and half of the honey. Remove the pork belly from the pit and place in the butter mixture. Add the remaining mix to the top of the pork belly. Close the foil tightly and place it back on the pit. Braise pork belly until it reaches an internal temperature of 203 F, then remove and baste with the Cherry Chipotle sauce. Place back on the pit and repeat this process 2-3 times, until the pork belly reaches an internal temp of 209 F.

Nutrition

Serving: 4oz | Calories: 585kcal
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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About Chef David W. Olson
David Olson is a nationally-recognized American Culinary Federation (ACF) Chef, television personality and social network influencer, award-winning recipe developer, live fire grill master, international adventurer, and the creator behind, “LiveFire Republic” and “A Bachelor and His Grill.”
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the last thing
left to do is
serve and enjoy!

This Post Has 3 Comments

  1. David Olson

    5 stars
    We’ve made these cherry-chipotle burnt ends now THREE times at home. Taste testing them once just wasn’t enough. And, to say the least, I’m lucky if I get scraps after the kids dive into them. Awesome work on this recipe, Aaron!! -David

    (5/5)
  2. Chucky Tartt

    Love Brunt Ends To Death, Anything can go with these.

    (5/5)
  3. Farooq

    5 stars
    simply amazing

    (5/5)

Leave a Reply

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