Molasses-Glazed Pork Belly Braised in Spiced Dark Rum

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pork belly slowly braised in a rich mixture of dark rum, molasses, and warm spices, finished with a sticky caramelized glaze. This caribbean-inspired pork ready in about 150 minutes pairs pork belly, skin scored, dark rum, blackstrap molasses for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 calories and feeds 4, 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 130 min Serves 4 Caribbean cuisine 650 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs skin-scored pork belly and brown on all sides for 8-10 minutes, until golden and crispy. Remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same pot, add 4 smashed garlic cloves and 1 inch sliced ginger, sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 cup dark rum, 1/4 cup blackstrap molasses, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1/2 tsp ground cloves, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 cup water, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a simmer.
  4. Step 4: Return pork belly to the pot, cover partially, reduce heat to low, and braise gently for 2 hours until pork is tender and the liquid has reduced to a thick glaze.
  5. Step 5: Remove pork belly and place on a roasting pan; broil for 3-5 minutes to caramelize the glaze and crisp the edges before slicing and serving.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Molasses-Glazed Pork Belly Braised in Spiced Dark Rum take to make?

Total time is about 150 minutes (20 min prep + 130 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Molasses-Glazed Pork Belly Braised in Spiced Dark Rum?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pork belly, skin scored from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Molasses-Glazed Pork Belly Braised in Spiced Dark Rum?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Molasses-Glazed Pork Belly Braised in Spiced Dark Rum for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Molasses-Glazed Pork Belly Braised in Spiced Dark Rum?

Caribbean pork like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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