Spiced Rum and Molasses Braised Pork Shoulder

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pork shoulder slow braised in a rich sauce of spiced rum, molasses, and warm spices, resulting in deep caramelized flavors perfect for a comforting meal. This caribbean-inspired pork ready in about 200 minutes pairs boneless, cut into chunks pork shoulder, spiced rum, blackstrap molasses for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 180 min Serves 6 Caribbean cuisine 550 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottom pot over medium-high heat. Season 3 lbs pork shoulder chunks with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper and brown on all sides in batches, about 4 minutes per batch. Set browned pork aside.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 large diced yellow onion and 5 minced garlic cloves to the pot, sauté over medium heat for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 tsp ground cinnamon and 1 tsp ground allspice, cooking for 1 minute until aromatic.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 1/2 cup spiced rum and 1/4 cup blackstrap molasses, scraping up browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
  5. Step 5: Return the pork to the pot, add 2 cups chicken broth and 3 fresh thyme sprigs, bring to a simmer.
  6. Step 6: Cover the pot, reduce heat to low, and braise for 2 1/2 to 3 hours until pork is fork-tender and the sauce thickens.
  7. Step 7: Remove thyme sprigs, shred the pork in the sauce, and serve with rice or mashed potatoes.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Spiced Rum and Molasses Braised Pork Shoulder take to make?

Total time is about 200 minutes (20 min prep + 180 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 Spiced Rum and Molasses Braised Pork Shoulder?

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 spiced rum from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Rum and Molasses Braised Pork Shoulder?

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 Spiced Rum and Molasses Braised Pork Shoulder for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Spiced Rum and Molasses Braised Pork Shoulder?

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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