Braised Kentucky-Style Smoked Pork Shoulder with Molasses Glaze

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-06 · Updated 2026-06-06

Slow-braised pork shoulder infused with smoky spices and finished with a rich molasses glaze, inspired by traditional Upper South flavors. This Southern United States-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 230 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, smoked paprika, garlic powder for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 3 lbs pork shoulder
• 2 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large, sliced yellow onion
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/3 cup molasses
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 3 fresh thyme sprigs

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 300°F. Rub 3 lbs pork shoulder evenly with 2 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder, 2 tsp kosher salt, and 1 tsp black pepper.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the pork shoulder on all sides until deeply browned, about 4-5 minutes per side.
3. Step 3: Remove pork and sauté 1 large sliced yellow onion in the same pot for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
4. Step 4: Deglaze the pot with 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, scraping up browned bits, then add 1 cup chicken broth, 1/3 cup molasses, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, and 3 sprigs fresh thyme.
5. Step 5: Return pork shoulder to the pot, cover tightly, and transfer to the oven. Braise for 3 to 3.5 hours until the pork is fork-tender.
6. Step 6: Remove pork, tent with foil to rest. Simmer the braising liquid over medium heat for 8-10 minutes until it thickens into a rich glaze.
7. Step 7: Slice or shred pork and drizzle with molasses glaze before serving.