If burnt ends could talk, they’d have the confidence of Will Ferrell in Anchorman — smooth, bold, and just the right amount of smoky. Like the legendary character, these crispy bites are kind of a big deal.

From pork belly to beef brisket — burnt ends have robust flavors, and their aromas smell of real smoke. Whether they’re stealing the spotlight on menus or making headlines as one of the top food trends to try, succulent burnt ends are here to stay.

Beginning of the Ends

Burnt ends weren’t always the coveted BBQ staples they are today. Originally, these crispy, flavorful pieces of meat were considered afterthoughts, though they quickly gained popularity for their rich, smoky tones — making them a delicacy all their own. Thanks to a few glowing reviews from food critics — burnt ends were brought into the national spotlight, cementing their place as a must-have menu addition.

Fast forward to today — research shows that more than 40% of consumers recognize burnt ends, with their popularity strongest among millennials, Midwesterners, and high-income consumers. What was once carved straight from a smoky BBQ pit has become a sought-after menu feature, often glazed with honey or maple for a sweet-savory balance. Burnt ends now appear as appetizers, in sandwich fillings, on taco toppers and loaded fries, or even as a premium protein option to play up items like salads or comfort classics, including Burnt Ends Mac ‘N Cheese.

Meat Cute

BBQ is a labor of love, and true pitmasters spend countless hours tending to low-and-slow smoked meats, ensuring every bite revels in a deep, wood-smoked flavor. However, the time, skill, and equipment needed for authentic BBQ can be a barrier to offering saucy classics.

Enter solutions like Ridgecrest® Pit-Smoked Pork Belly & Beef Burnt Ends — premium, hardwood-smoked options that bring authentic BBQ straight to your kitchen, minus the hassle. This could be the ultimate way to escalate menus quickly without the investment of a full pit-smoke setup.

Let’s talk about taste — after the brisket is smoked, it’s diced into cubes and ready for you to season and sauce to create tender bites of beefy goodness. The pork belly, the same cut used for bacon, is also smoked, and then ready for your personal, signature finish via glaze or sauce (hello, customization). They’re both incredibly tender with so much flavor!

You don’t need to be a BBQ restaurant to capitalize on America’s love for smoky, slow-cooked meats. Because these burnt ends come hardwood smoked and ready to heat-and-serve, they’re easy to adapt for multiple menu applications, across all dayparts, and for just about any operation.

The Secret’s Out

The key to the deep, complex taste of the burnt ends lies in the pit-smoking process. These meats are slow-smoked for at least 12 hours with hardwood, allowing the meat to absorb layers of smoky richness while developing a flavorful crust. The result is a perfectly balanced bite — crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside.

The beauty of these items lies in the work that’s already been done for you, before even reaching your kitchen. There’s no need for expensive pitmaster expertise or the time-consuming process of tending a smoker — just perfectly crafted, ready-to-use burnt ends that can be plated with ease. Each bite delivers deep, savory flavors, enhanced by brown sugar and smoke, while the beef variety brings additional notes of garlic and coffee for even greater depth.

Feel the Burn

While burnt ends are delicious year-round, they truly shine in summer when BBQ takes center plate. For a fresh twist, try your take on burnt ends and mango salsa tacos, pairing juicy brisket or pork belly with vibrant mango salsa, creamy avocado, and queso fresco.

Or, for a lighter option, a smoked burnt ends salad with roasted corn, black beans, cherry tomatoes, avocado, and zesty cilantro lime dressing offers a refreshing balance of smoky and bright flavors. For a sweet-savory bite, a peach BBQ sandwich that layers tender burnt ends on a toasted bun with sweet peach BBQ sauce, arugula, and pickled onions creates a scrumptious mix of smoky, sweet, and tangy — “great Odin’s raven!” — call back (wink).

Take advantage of the convenient, handcrafted taste of authentic burnt ends. Whether for brunch, lunch, dinner, or late-night, burnt ends are a tremendous — and classy — solution, loaded with legendary BBQ flavor!