When winter settles over Knoxville in full force, there’s no better way to beat the chill than with hearty, smoky comfort food. Dead End BBQ’s winter specials — our fan-favorite Hillbilly Chili and Pulled Pork — are here to keep you warm and satisfied all season long. These dishes are not only must-tries at the restaurant but also perfect for recreating at home. Let’s dig into what makes these recipes so special and how you can bring the taste of Dead End BBQ into your kitchen this winter.

Hillbilly Chili: A Comfort Food Classic

It’s the chilly season, which means it’s also chili season. Our Hillbilly Chili recipe — a favorite among restaurant visitors this time of year — elevates a classic comfort food staple by incorporating bold BBQ flavors. Packed with ground beef, burnt ends, hearty beans, and a blend of secret spices, this dish is a rich, flavorful option that’s perfect for a cold day or frosty evening.

What makes it unique? The addition of brisket burnt ends gives this chili a smoky depth that sets it apart from traditional chili recipes. Serve it with your choice of Texas toast, jalapeño cornbread, or Southern style cornbread from Dead End, or try it served over rice at home for something different but just as satisfying!

Hillbilly Chili Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 lb Dead End BBQ burnt ends (or substitute smoked brisket)
• 2 cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 2 tbsp Dead End BBQ Pork Rub
• 2 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 4 cups beef broth
• Dead End Red BBQ Sauce (to taste)

Instructions:

1. Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
2. Add the chopped onion and bell pepper to the pot. Cook until softened.
3. Stir in the burnt ends, beans, tomatoes, spices, and beef broth.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Add Dead End Red BBQ Sauce for extra flavor and adjust seasoning as needed.
6. Serve hot with your favorite toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, or diced jalapeños.

Pulled Pork: Smoky Perfection

Our pulled pork starts with a 12-pound Boston butt (pork shoulder), and we take special pride in preparing it perfectly. Here’s how we do it at Dead End BBQ — try your hand at the recipe at home or come by and we’ll handle the cooking:

Pork Shoulder Recipe

Ingredients:

• 12 lb pork butt, vein and excess fat removed
• Dead End BBQ Pork Rub
• Dead End Red BBQ Sauce to taste

Instructions:

1. Remove the vein that comes out of the heart on the side with the bone before cooking.
2. Use an oil of your choice to bind the rub to the meat. Coat the pork evenly, starting with the fatty side down.
3. Apply our Dead End BBQ Pork Rub generously (or your own). The coating should be thick enough to cover the meat completely, leaving very little visible. Don’t forget the sides!
4. Let the pork butt rest for about 2 hours until it begins to sweat. This means the pores are opening to absorb smoke for better flavor.
5. Once the entire pork butt looks moist, place it in the smoker for a slow cook until tender and full of flavor.

Serve your pulled pork in a sandwich, on its own with sides like Southern-style green beans or creamed corn, or try it piled onto a baked potato for a truly indulgent winter meal.

Love Spuds? Try a BBQ Baked Potato

BBQ baked potatoes are the perfect solution when you’re craving something hearty and loaded with flavor. These tender Idaho spuds — now available at Dead End — are baked to perfection and lightly salted with kosher salt to enhance their natural flavor. 

Open-faced and loaded with your choice of BBQ pork, pulled chicken, brisket, or chili, the spuds at Dead End are topped with a blend of melted mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, scallions, and a drizzle of our red sauce. Served with a side of sour cream, this new addition is as satisfying as it is indulgent!

Warm Up with the Best BBQ Recipes

Winter doesn’t feel so chilly when you’ve got Dead End BBQ to warm you up. These two recipes are more than just meals — they’re the perfect way to enjoy the colder weather in Knoxville. Whether you join us for lunch or dinner at the restaurant or prefer to whip them up at home, they’re guaranteed to warm you up from the inside out!

Hungry for more? Visit us at Dead End BBQ on Sutherland Ave or order online for a cozy meal in. Don’t forget — our Hillbilly Chili and other seasonal specials like our Smokehouse Stew are only here for a limited time, so come enjoy these winter specials while they last!