When it comes to smoky, succulent indulgence, few dishes can rival the mouthwatering allure of Costco burnt ends. These delectable chunks of caramelized, tender meat are a carnivore’s dream. While burnt ends are traditionally associated with barbeque joints, Costco has emerged as an unexpected champion in delivering this irresistible delicacy to its members.
Join us as we uncover the tantalizing world of Costco burnt ends, exploring their rich flavors, enticing textures, and the incredible convenience of finding these BBQ gems at your local warehouse.
What Are Burnt Ends?
Burnt ends are pieces of cooked beef brisket. The meat comes from the pectoral muscle, which is known to be tough thanks to being used so often by the cow. BBQ restaurants put burnt ends on menus to use up the scraps from the week.
The small pieces of meat were sauced up and placed on rolls for Friday night specials. They became so popular with patrons that they earned a permanent menu spot.
Costco sells boxes of Wolf Family Burnt Ends in the refrigerated section.
How To Cook Burnt Ends From Costco
Here’s how to cook burnt ends from Costco.
Oven IN Bag
Preheat the oven to 200 degrees. Place the plastic bag in an oven-safe container. Bake for 20-30 minutes until warm. Let stand for 1-2 minutes before serving.
Add the sauce packet after cooking if desired.
Oven Out of Bag
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place the contents of the pouch in an oven-safe dish. Add the sauce and mix. Bake for 20 minutes, stirring frequently. Let rest for 1-2 minutes, then serve.
On the Stovetop (OUR PREFERRED METHOD)
Melt 1-2 tablespoons of butter in a medium-sized frying pan over medium-high heat. Remove meat from the pouch and add to the skillet. Heat for 1-2.5 minutes, then flip. Cook for another minute, and then add the sauce to coat. Heat for another minute and then let rest for 1-2 minutes before serving.
How Much are Burnt Ends From Costco
Wolf Family Burnt Ends cost $12.99 per pound at Costco. Packages vary in size, but most were around 1.5 pounds. We paid $20.07 for a 1.545 lb. package.
If you want to make burnt ends from scratch, you need a point-cut brisket. The warehouse sells the flat-cut variety. While it’s great for smoking, this cut tends to dry easier.
How Many Calories In Costco Burnt Ends
Each package contains about five servings of five ounces each. There are 360 calories per serving.
How Long Do Burnt Ends Last In The Fridge?
Burnt ends should last 3-4 days in the fridge if properly stored. Place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Costco burnt ends are in a vacuum-sealed pouch inside a box. This packaging allows for easy freezer storage.
Place the box in the fridge overnight to defrost. You can speed up the process by placing the pouch of water. Change the water when it’s cool to touch.
What Side Dish Goes With Costco Burnt Ends?
This versatile prepared food has lots of side dishes that complement it.
- Cole Slaw — We love this KFC Copycat recipe. Buy cole slaw mix and make the dressing, and it’s on the table in no time.
- French Fries — Pick a thicker cut that works well with the meat.
- Sweet Potato Fries — We love Costco’s frozen sweet potato fries! The subtle sweetness is a great contrast to the smokiness.
- Baked Beans — Canned baked beans are the best side dish.
- Roasted Broccoli — Toss broccoli with olive oil, salt, and pepper and bake in a preheated 400-degree oven for 18-20 minutes.
- Cornbread — We’ve tried many recipes and found the Krusteaz box mix the best. It’s slightly sweet, crumbly, and overall delicious.
- Kale Salad — Hearty, slightly earthy kale leaves are an excellent base for a salad served alongside BBQ. We’ve made this NYT recipe for years, but a great Kale Caesar would be fantastic, too.
Wolf Family Burnt Ends Review
We liked Wolf Family Burnt Ends. They were an excellent balance of fat and meat, and the flavor was authentic, unlike some prepared BBQ. It is effortless to prepare (our favorite was in a frying pan)
They are freezer-ready since they come in a vacuum-sealed pouch. If you don’t remember to defrost overnight as recommended, an hour or so in water will speed up the process.
While our go-to BBQ sauce is the warehouse staple, Sweet Baby Ray’s, the accompanying sauce was just as good and not overly sweet.
Wolf Family Burnt Ends are versatile. The meat is great in tacos, salads, or alone. We didn’t love it on sandwiches. The bread overpowers the meat, and the package doesn’t have enough for four big sandwiches. That leads us to our only gripe about the product. There isn’t enough of it!
When purchasing, we thought of the burnt ends like the company’s pulled pork (also at the warehouse). That package has a large portion that leaves enough for leftovers. These burnt ends add to a meal; they aren’t the central part.
We will definitely purchase these again for a tasty weeknight meal or a flavorful addition to our next BBQ.
Very disappointed in your product. The burnt ends were tough and I followed the cooking instructions. In my opinion cooking the meat for 20 minutes is not sufficient. I don’t plan on purchasing this product again.
Hi Mary Jo,
Hmmm… what a bummer that you had that experience. We made them several ways and the microwave was our favorite. If you ever want to try them again, maybe that method will produce better results for you.