A Labor Day Late Lunch

We planned on firing up the smoker on Labor Day and doing something new for us - Chuck Roast Burnt Ends.  It all started with a trip to a local slaughterhouse that cuts meat to order, and Tricia purchased a 4 pound chuck roast.  I stabbed the roast repeatedly and then made a rub of salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, paprika, dried oregano, cumin and coffee.  I rubbed that all over the roast and put it in a plastic container and poured a bottle of Worcestershire Sauce all over it.  I put the lid on and gave it a good shake and then put it in the ice box to marinate overnight.  First thing in the morning, I lit the chimney with charcoal until they were burning.

Here is our chuck roast, marinated and ready to be smoked.

The roast was placed on the lower grille of the smoker.

I was looking to get the temperature in our smoker to 240 degrees and then hold it there for eight hours.  During the smoke, I added pecan sticks to the charcoal to keep the temperature where I wanted it.  I repeatedly opened and closed the vents to regulate the temperature.

After eight hours, the center of the roast was 190 degrees and ready to come off the smoker.  There is a nice black crust on the roast.  It smells great, but we're not done yet.

I sliced up the roast and it was nice looking.  Tasty fat with a deep red smoke ring.

I sliced the roast into cubes for the next step.

I put the cubed roast in a roasting pan and dusted the meat liberally with the remaining rub and some Baby Ray's BBQ sauce was poured over it and all stirred up.

Money shot!

You have several options here.  You can put it back on the smoker for 2 more hours OR you can put in the oven on broil OR you can put the roaster on the stovetop and cook until the coating on the meat is caramelized.  The last option is the one we went with for expedience.  We were hungry by this point!

Mom and Dad came over and Benjamin and Russ also joined Tricia and I for the "Roast Beast Feast."  It turned out really good and tasty, but if I'm honest, visiting and spending time with family was the highlight of Labor Day.

I trust you enjoyed your Labor Day as well.  Tomorrow, it's back to work!