If you LOVE the taste of slow-smoked BBQ, then this Poor Man's Burnt Ends recipe is the recipe for you! I'm going to share all of my secrets for making a pan of perfect burnt ends, all on your Pellet Grill.

Poor Man's Burnt Ends

These burnt ends are big on flavor, but without the brisket price tag. Using chuck roast, you get tender, smoky bites of beef coated in barbecue sauce and slow-cooked until they’re sticky, saucy, and fork-tender.

These are perfect for game day, backyard parties, or anytime you’re craving something hearty and bold. It’s a budget-friendly way to get all the flavor of burnt ends without the long brisket cook.

Chuck roast is a great swap here. It’s well-marbled and holds up well to longer cooking times. Just cube it up, season generously, and let the smoke do its thing.

The two-stage cook is key. First to get the meat tender and smoky, then another round to let the sauce reduce and cling to the beef.

These reheat like a dream and are such crowd-pleasers. You’ll want a fork or toothpicks ready, because they go fast.

Why You’ll Love This Dish

• Budget-Friendly BBQ – Get brisket-level flavor from a more affordable cut.
• Bold Seasoning – Two layers of rub bring deep, smoky, and spicy notes.
• Fork-Tender Texture – Slow smoking and saucing breaks the meat down perfectly.
• Perfect For Parties – Bite-sized, easy to serve, and always a hit.

Check out all of my Traeger Recipes!

Recipe Shopping List

Wondering if you have to hit the store? Here's the list of items you'll need to make this recipe. For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

• Chuck Roast – Affordable, marbled cut that becomes tender and flavorful with slow cooking.
• OWYD SPG – Our own custom SPG blend that has the perfect balance of smoked salt, coarsely ground pepper, and granulated garlic. If you haven't picked up any yet, your favorite SPG will work.
• OWYD Spicy Pork Rub – I know pork is in the name, but it works so well for a range of different proteins and recipes.
• Barbecue Sauce – Choose a thick sauce that balances sweet, smoky, and tangy flavors; it caramelizes beautifully during the final cook. Store-bought is fine, or make one of our many homemade BBQ Sauce recipes.

Try my Pork Belly Burnt Ends!

How To Make This Recipe

This is just the overview so you can see what you're actually getting into here. When you are cooking, you'll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.

1. Cube & Season – Cut chuck roast into cubes and coat with rubs; chill for 1 hour.
2. Smoke Low & Slow – Place seasoned beef on a 275° Traeger, spacing out the pieces.
3. Cook Until Tender – Smoke for 2½–3 hours until fork-tender.
4. Sauce & Finish – Move to a foil pan, add more rub and barbecue sauce, mix well.
5. Caramelize Sauce – Return to grill for 30 minutes until bubbling and sticky.

Try with my Honey BBQ Sauce!

Recipe Tips

When choosing your beef chuck roast, look for a good cut with a lot of marbling. The fat content is key, lean cuts of meat tend to dry out if cooked for long periods of time, so you will want to use a fattier cut of meat.

Preparing your roast is simple. Grab your favorite BBQ rub and slather it on your roast. Don’t be shy. Rub it in. After your roast is done smoking, you will want your favorite BBQ sauce handy to slather on the chunks of beef to finish this dish. Here’s a recipe for my favorite Homemade BBQ Sauce that works really well here!

Reader Reviews

“First time making Poor Man’s Burnt Ends! So good! I will definitely make these again!”

Corena Underwood

Serve This With

• Extra Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
• Loaded Oven Potatoes
• Cheddar Duchess Potatoes
• Coleslaw Recipe with Vinegar
• Homemade Creamy Coleslaw
• Traeger Grilled Vegetables
• Traeger Corn on the Cob