Molasses & Brown Sugar
Center Cut Pork Ribs
Falling off the bone GOOD!
This simple recipe – using very few ingredients highlights the tender meat while providing richness from the dark molasses and extra sweet brown sugar. Salt and pepper those ribs up first to activate the juices and natural flavors. It’s a good one.
3 cooking methods for any way that works best for you!
- Smoke them (my favorite).
- Slow Cook or Instant Pot – style.
- Slow & Low Heat Oven.
They all have their own unique taste but all create fall off the bone goodness. I love how this recipe for Molasses & Brown Sugar Center Cut Pork Ribs can be cooked in multiple ways.
So many types of Molasses.
Light molasses: It is made from the first boiling and is sweet. It’s color is light. Many people bake with it.
Dark molasses: It is made from the second boiling and is thick and dark. It is less sweet with a distinct flavor. When used in baking, it changes the color of the product.
Blackstrap molasses: It is made from the third boiling. Very thick and the darkest of molasses you can buy. It is bitter in taste.
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Molasses and Brown Sugar Center Cut Pork Ribs
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 4-6 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Falling off the bone GOOD! This simple recipe – using very few ingredients highlights the tender meat
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 lb. center cut pork ribs
- 1 heaping teaspoon salt
- 1 heaping teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup and 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar, divided
- 3–4 tablespoon molasses, divided
- 1/3 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce (no sugar works great)
Instructions
Instant Pot + Slow Cooker
- Cut the ribs into 3-4 sections. Sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of molasses and 1/2 cup brown sugar over both sides of the ribs. Rub in slightly with you fingers.
- Place in the bowl of your Instant Pot or Slow Cooker. Set on the slow cooker setting on high heat for 4 hours.
- Check the ribs with a fork or tongs. There should be a lot of liquid and the meat should start to come off the bones slightly. If they are tender to the touch – they are done. If they need more time, cook for an additional 30 minutes – 1 hour.
- Remove from the cooking bowl and place on a serving platter or cutting board. Drizzle remaining molasses and brown sugar on top. Using a tablespoon, spoon over your favorite bbq sauce. Serve more at the table if desired.
Smoker
- Heat your smoker to smoke.
- Lay two 2 foot sections of foil down and overlap them slightly so they make a larger surface. Place the ribs in the center. Sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper.
- Drizzle 2 tablespoons of molasses and 1/2 cup brown sugar over both sides of the ribs. Rub in slightly with you fingers. Wrap the ribs in the foil, making sure the sides and ends are closed tightly so that any liquid doesn’t leak out.
- Place on the smoker. Smoke for 2 1/2 hours.
- Check the ribs by peaking through the foil. There should be a lot of liquid and the meat should start to come off the bones slightly. Turn the smoker up to 300F.
- Continue to smoke for 2 more hours.
- Check the ribs with a fork or tongs. If they are tender to the touch – they are done. If they need more time, smoke for an addition 30 minutes – 1 hour.
- Remove from the smoker. Place on a cutting board + slice into 3 rib sized portions. Drizzle remaining molasses and brown sugar on top. Using a tablespoon, spoon over your favorite bbq sauce. Serve more at the table if desired.
Oven
- Set your ovens temperature to 275F.
- Lay two 2 foot sections of foil down and overlap them slightly so they make a larger surface. Place the ribs in the center. Sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper.
- Drizzle 2 tablespoons of molasses and 1/2 cup brown sugar over both sides of the ribs. Rub in slightly with you fingers. Wrap the ribs in the foil, making sure the sides and ends are closed tightly so that any liquid doesn’t leak out.
- Place the foil wrapped ribs on a baking tray and place in the center rack of your oven. Cook for 4 hours.
- Check the ribs by peaking through the foil. There should be a lot of liquid and the meat should start to come off the bones slightly. Turn the oven to 375F. Cook for another 1 – 1 1/2 hours.
- Remove from the oven and place on a cutter board. Place on a cutting board and slice into 3 rib sized portions. Drizzle remaining molasses and brown sugar on top. Using a tablespoon, spoon over your favorite bbq sauce. Place the ribs back into the oven on the baking tray for 20 minutes.
- Remove and serve with more bbq sauce.
Enjoy!
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: varies
- Category: pork
- Method: grill
- Cuisine: pork
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2 Responses
Thank you , my ribs were so tender and scrumptious. No leftovers tonight . Awesome recipe!! Highly recommend
Love hearing this! No leftovers isn’t a bad thing…just have to make more 🙂