Special thanks to our charcoal grilling friends at MASTERBUILT for sharing this Japanese-inspired recipe during our April, Grilling for Gold recipe tour.
Dive into these Sweet Honey Pork Belly Burnt Ends, made effortlessly on the AutoIgnite™ Series 545 Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker. Juicy, smoky pork belly meets a sweet BBQ rub and a sticky glaze, highlighted by the rich flavor of Sweet Honey Japanese BBQ Sauce.
- Cook Time: 2-3 Hours
- Serves: 8
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 tablespoons Chili flakes, to taste
- Green Onions, chopped
- 3 pounds Pork Belly, cubed
- 1/4 cup Sweet BBQ Rub
- Sesame seeds, to top
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Preheat your smoker to 225°F-250°F. For optimal flavour, use charcoal as your base and add wood chunks, such as Applewood or Cherrywood, to complement the sweetness of the pork belly.
- Prepare the Pork Belly - Trim any excess fat from the pork belly to ensure even cooking.
- Cube the pork belly into 1-inch pieces for bite-sized burnt ends.
- Generously coat the pork belly cubes with your favorite sweet BBQ rub, ensuring every side is evenly covered.
- Smoke the Pork Belly - Place the seasoned pork belly cubes directly on the smoker grates or on a wire rack.
- Smoke the pork belly at 225°F-250°F for about 3 hours, or until the cubes are beautifully caramelized and slightly crispy on the outside.
- Prepare for the Glaze - Transfer the smoked pork belly cubes to a disposable aluminum tray or baking dish.
- Sprinkle with chili flakes for a touch of heat (optional), and then generously coat the cubes with Bachan’s Sweet Honey Sauce, ensuring all pieces are well covered.
- Cover the tray tightly with aluminum foil to lock in moisture.
- Cook Until Tender - Increase the smoker temperature to 350°F and return the tray to the smoker. Smoke for an additional 45-60 minutes, or until the pork belly cubes are tender and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
- Thicken the Sauce - Remove the foil from the tray and allow the sauce to thicken by smoking the pork belly uncovered for another 15 minutes. This will create a sticky, flavorful glaze that clings to each piece.
- Finish and Serve - Once done, give the pork belly cubes one final drizzle of Bachan’s Sweet Honey Sauce for an extra pop of flavor.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and freshly sliced green onions for a flavorful and visually stunning finish.
