What Can I Do With Grenadine Molasses? Good Questions

Q: Some time ago I bought this bottle of grenadine molasses (some type of pomegranate concentrated juice?).

I have it stored in my cupboard without knowing what to use it for — any ideas?

Sent by Jose

Editor: Jose, what does your bottle of grenadine molasses look like? What does the stuff inside taste like? It is probably identical to pomegranate molasses, which we have some more info on here:

• Ingredient Spotlight: Pomegranate Molasses

This is a great ingredient that is called for many Persian and Middle Eastern recipes. You can use it in glazes for meat, and for dipping sauces for bread.

It may, however, actually be grenadine syrup, which usually has no actual pomegranate in it, and is used mainly as a mixer for cocktails.

Readers, any help for Jose? Have you ever used grenadine molasses, and is it closer to pomegranate molasses or to grenadine syrup?

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Comments (13)

I use it in cocktails. It works well with any grapefruit based cocktail and pairs well with tequila and gin.

About the only thing I've used pomegranate molasses for is Muhamarra (lots of recipes if you search for that), which is a red pepper, walnut and garlic dip. The pom molassess adds a nice bit of sourness in addition to sweetness. In a pinch, though, lemon juice would probably substitute.

But I think I'll use it to glaze some pork chops tomorrow (tonight I'm meeting out-of-town friends for sushi)

My father's Iranian so we use a lot of pomegranate molasses in our cooking, mostly red meat meals but also for beans. You can also use it in salads.

If you like chicken, here's a nice recipe for you:
http://kalamala.com/khoresh-stews-cri-7.html?srID=48

Great with duck. Grilled duck breast with arugula, walnuts, pomegranite syrup.

Pomegranate molasses is also called grenadine molasses but just make sure it says "molasses" and not "syrup" which is different. Take a look on the bottle's ingredients list, pomegranate juice should be the first and main ingredient. There should be little else added (maybe lemon).

I use pomegranate molasses in all sorts of things. It's great anywhere you want a hit of acidity or brightness. I often use it in place of citrus and it's really handy when you don't have a lemon around or don't feel like opening one.

It also makes a great pomegranate drink mixed with water/seltzer and some honey or other sweetener.

Put it in your DIY BBQ sauce.

I've had salad dressing made with pomegranate molasses twice, and it very tasty.

We used to keep a bottle in one restaurant that was solely for making chili colorado.

I doctor up store bought BBQ sauce with pomegranate molasses, chipotle/ancho powder, and apple cider vinegar to get the right balance of sweet, tart and spicy that I'm looking for.

my aunt makes delicious (iranian) stuffed peppers and drizzles the molasses over while cooking. it makes a great sour counterpoint to the rich meat and rice filling in the peppers.

I once ate a delicious cranberry sauce at thanksgiving that had pomegranate molasses.

There was a new York times article featuring pomegranate molasses earlier this year. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/24/dining/24power.html