Description
Smoky Kansas City-style poor man’s burnt ends deliver pure barbecue magic on a budget. Beef chuck roast slowly transforms into tender, caramelized bites that pack maximum flavor without breaking the bank.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2–3 lb (0.9–1.4 kg) chuck roast
- 1 cup (240 ml) BBQ sauce (your favorite brand)
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) brown sugar
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) honey
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) smoked paprika
- 1 tsp (5 ml) garlic powder
- 1 tsp (5 ml) onion powder
- ½ tsp (2.5 ml) chili powder
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Foil pan or heavy-duty aluminum foil
Instructions
- Meat Preparation: Slice chuck roast into uniform cubes, ensuring even coating with olive oil for optimal seasoning adherence.
- Spice Blend: Combine brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper into a robust dry rub mixture, thoroughly massaging into beef cubes for maximum flavor penetration.
- Initial Smoking: Position seasoned cubes on smoker or grill at 250F using indirect heat, allowing gradual cooking and bark development until internal temperature reaches 165F, creating a rich exterior crust.
- Saucing Phase: Transfer cubes to foil pan, generously coating with BBQ sauce and honey, then cover and return to heat for slow tenderization, targeting an internal temperature of 200-205F.
- Caramelization Finale: Uncover the pan, allowing sauce to thicken and meat to develop deep caramelized edges through occasional stirring, concentrating flavors and creating a glossy, irresistible finish.
Notes
- Choose a well-marbled chuck roast with good fat content to ensure tender, rich-flavored burnt ends.
- Maintain consistent 250F heat throughout smoking process to develop deep bark and prevent meat from drying out or becoming tough.
- Apply dry rub generously and evenly, pressing spices into meat cubes to create maximum flavor penetration and robust crust development.
- Cover with foil during sauce stage to retain juiciness, preventing meat from becoming overly dry while allowing sauce to caramelize perfectly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg