# Salt-Crusted Smoked Beef Rib Burnt Ends (Sugar-Free)
*Rich, collagen-heavy brisket-style bites with a savory, glass-like bark.*

## Headnote
The mistake most people make with burnt ends is drowning them in a sugary glaze that masks the beef’s character. When you’re working with beef back ribs or the point of a chuck, you have so much rendered fat and gelatinous gold that you don't need corn syrup to create a "sticky" finish. I first perfected this method during a summer in the high desert where the heat was too oppressive for heavy sauces; I wanted something that tasted like the concentrated essence of a steakhouse crust.

The secret here is the "naked" braise. By skipping the sugar and relying on a dry brine followed by a tight foil wrap with beef tallow or butter, you break down the tough connective tissue without losing that primal, salty crunch. You’re looking for the moment the fat transforms from white rubber to translucent, melt-in-your-mouth lacquer.

**Prep time:** 20 min (plus 12-hour dry brine)
**Cook time:** 6–8 hours
**Total time:** 8 hours
**Yield:** 4 servings
**Difficulty:** Medium

## Ingredients
*   4–5 lbs beef back ribs or beef chuck point, trimmed of excess hard fat
*   3 tbsp coarse kosher salt
*   2 tbsp coarse ground black pepper (16-mesh preferred)
*   1 tbsp garlic powder
*   1/4 cup liquid beef tallow (or melted unsalted butter)
*   1/4 cup bone broth (beef)
*   2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

## Method
1. Mix the salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a small bowl until evenly distributed.
2. Season the beef generously on all sides, pressing the rub into the meat so it adheres.
3. Place the meat on a wire rack over a baking sheet and refrigerate uncovered for at least 12 hours to dry-brine the surface.
4. Preheat your smoker or oven to 225°F (107°C) using oak or hickory wood for a bold smoke profile.
5. Place the beef on the grates and smoke until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the bark is dark and set, usually about 4–5 hours.
6. Remove the beef from the smoker and slice it into 1.5-inch uniform cubes.
7. Place the cubes into a heavy-duty aluminum foil boat or a small cast-iron Dutch oven.
8. Drizzle the liquid tallow, bone broth, and apple cider vinegar over the cubes.
9. Cover the container tightly with foil to trap the steam and return it to the 225°F heat.
10. Braise for another 2–3 hours until the meat is "probe tender," meaning a toothpick slides into the fat with zero resistance.
11. Remove the foil cover and increase the heat to 300°F (150°C).
12. Toss the cubes carefully in the rendered liquid and cook for 15–20 minutes until the edges are crispy and the liquid has reduced to a sticky, savory glaze.

## Variations
**The Spicy Carnivore**: Add 1 tablespoon of dried chipotle powder to the initial dry rub for a deep, smoky heat that cuts through the fat.
**Animal-Based Umami**: Swap the bone broth for 2 tablespoons of fish sauce (check labels for zero sugar) in the braising step to amplify the savory "meatiness" of the bark.
**Tallow-Fried Finish**: For maximum crunch, skip the final 20-minute oven roast; instead, flash-fry the braised cubes in a hot skillet with extra tallow for 2 minutes until the edges are jagged and crisp.

## Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in a glass container for up to 4 days. To reheat, avoid the microwave as it turns the fat rubbery; instead, place the cubes in a cold air fryer or oven and bring them up to 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes until the fat sizzles and the bark restores its crunch.

## Pairing Suggestion
Serve these alongside a pile of chilled, paper-thin shavings of suet or simply a cold sparking mineral water with plenty of salt.