For the best baked pork steaks, sit them in a spicy marinade overnight before baking them for about 20 minutes at 350 degrees in the oven. If you fancy a good sear, finish the grill session by turning on the broil function for 3-5 minutes depending on how brown you like your pork steaks.
During my time as a prep cook, this baked pork steak turned many walk-ins into regular believers. It is a quick, delicious fix that takes just minutes to prepare, is flavor-packed, and stores well. Let me walk you through it!
In this post, I share my foolproof spicy baked pork steak recipe and several side dishes for you to choose from. I will also look into the ingredients and suggest solid alternatives that are sure to work for you.
My Spicy Oven Baked Pork Steak Recipe
Here is my spicy baked pork steak recipe starting with the ingredients:
Ingredients
- 4 boneless pork shoulder steaks
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tbsp kosher salt
- 1 tbsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tbsp cayenne pepper
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
Method
First and foremost, start by making your marinade. It is as easy as measuring all your ingredients into a small mixing bowl and giving it a good stir. When well blended, set aside.
Marinade Your Pork Steaks
- Take your pork steaks out of the fridge and let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
- Pat them dry using a kitchen towel.
- Lay your pork steaks on a wide dish. Make sure it is large enough to fit your pork steaks without cramming them. We need the pork steaks evenly marinated.
- Let the pork steaks sit in the marinade for at least 30 minutes before cooking if you are pressed for time. If not, you will get a bolder flavor if you rest them in the refrigerator overnight.
Bake Pork Steaks
With your pork steaks perfectly marinated, it is now time to meet the oven.
- Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees.
- As it comes up to temp, line an oven-safe baking dish with parchment paper to make your clean-up job easier.
- Transfer your pork steaks to the dish. Be sure to space them out. Sprinkle some salt and pepper on both sides for extra flavor.
- When your oven gets to 350 degrees, in goes your pork steaks. Place them in the center rack and let them cook. This should take about 20 minutes.
- Using a meat thermometer or digital probe, look out for a minimum temperature of at least 145 degrees.
Note: Pork shoulder steak has a high fat content evidenced by its rich marbling. At 145 degrees, your steaks are technically safe to eat but they are not as delicious as they can be.
I recommend you cook your pork steaks for about 10 minutes longer to allow the fat enough time to render. This adds an immense flavor to your steaks.
Not just that. A little more time in the oven gives your steaks a golden brown color that is just, chef’s kiss!
As for me, I finish my pork steaks by turning on the broil function for about 3 minutes to stamp them with a gorgeous sear.
About the Ingredients
So why these specific ingredients? Are there any variations? Each ingredient in this list brings something specific to this table. Let’s take a closer look:
Pork Shoulder Steaks
The pork shoulder steaks are the star of the show. Pork steak is a great choice for baked pork recipes because of its rich fat content. When cooked right, they get juicy and tender.
My favorite thing about pork steaks is their versatility. They pair divinely with a wide variety of marinades and sauces. Likewise, you can pair them with basically any side dish including rice, veggies, and even potatoes. More on this later.
That said, if pork shoulder steaks are not within reach, don’t fret. The best substitute for a specific pork shoulder cut is another pork shoulder cut because they share characteristics. So go for deboned top loin roast, or pork leg(ham).
Seasonings & Spices
What is baked pork without seasoning? That’s right! Uninspired, tired, and bland. The opposite of what we need.
This recipe features 4 spices and 4 seasonings that blend to achieve a delicate balance between sweet and spicy. Here they are:
Spices
Garlic & Onion Powder
Garlic and onion powder go a long way to enhance the taste of your marinade and the meat.
They provide a savory and unmistakable aromatic flavor to your pork steaks. Moreover, they complement the distinct taste of other ingredients like your sauce, oil, and spices.
I highly recommend you include these two ingredients in your pork steak marinade. If that does not work for you, try onion flakes or onion salt for a milder onion flavor.
As for the garlic, alternatives include minced garlic, granulated garlic, or garlic juice.
Salt & Sugar
Salt is a natural, effective meat tenderizer and thus deserves a spot in your marinade mix. It is renowned for its ability to break down meat fibers, making your pork steaks well-seasoned and toothsome.
Brown sugar is the chemical powerhouse responsible for the Maillard reaction, also called the browning reaction. This refers to the chemical reaction between sugar in your marinade and amino acids in the meat. It results in a gorgeous deep brown crust that is to die for.
Other sweeteners that work just as well include light brown sugar, white sugar, coconut sugar, maple syrup, and honey.
Seasonings
Black Pepper and Cayenne Pepper
Black pepper and cayenne bring the heat to your seasoning blend with their signature spicy profiles.
They also help balance out the acidity and sweetness of your other spices creating a complex but harmonious blend of flavors.
If fiery and spicy is not your cup of tea, I recommend the hot but sweet taste of Spur Tree Jamaican Sauce. It is made from scotch bonnet peppers that are hot with bold fruity notes.
Smoked Paprika
Smoked paprika is a staple in my pork steak marinade because it brings wood-fired flavor to the table. If, like me, you are a sucker for smoke-kissed notes, smoked paprika is the way to go.
If you would rather go easy on the spice, consider The Spice Hunter Sweet Paprika. It is comparatively sweeter than smoked paprika but has the same smoky, earthy flavor.
Soy Sauce
Soy sauce heightens the savory flavor of your marinade while enhancing its aroma and color. It adds a depth of flavor to your pork steak without overpowering its delicate taste.
In case you do not have any on hand, go for Worcestershire sauce, fish sauce, teriyaki sauce, or oyster sauce.
Olive Oil
First, olive oil, along with other liquids in your marinade is the medium that brings the spices together. Without them, your marinade is a dry rub.
Two, it helps the seasoning mix reach deeper sections of the pork steak. This enhances the taste and aroma of your oven-baked pork steak.
Third, olive oil keeps your meat from drying out as it cooks, giving you moist, juicy pork steaks.
Solid options for olive oil include canola oil, sunflower oil, coconut oil, grapeseed oil, and the nutty notes of almond oil.
Any Side Dish Suggestions For Spicy Baked Pork Steak?
As I mentioned earlier, oven-baked pork steak is a versatile dish that pairs well with many side dishes. Here are my top 5 picks:
Rice Pilaf
Rice pilaf is my number one pick because of its simple, fluffy, aromatic appeal that marries well with pork steak.
It is cooked in beef or mutton broth, onion, garlic, butter, and herbs. Customize your rice pilaf for pork steaks with fresh parsley, dried fruits, or cashew nuts.
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
This is a classic side dish for pork steak recipes. It is a creamy, buttery scoop of comfort that goes well with almost any sauce or gravy.
All you have to do is cook your potatoes until soft, top them off with garlic, milk, butter, and salt, then mash them to kingdom come. Yummy!
Roasted Vegetables
Chop some mushrooms, carrots, broccoli, cabbage, cucumber, cauliflower, and cherry tomatoes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Pop it into the oven and leave it to roast until as tender as you like it.
Coleslaw
Coleslaw is a refreshing, crunchy salad that perfectly complements the rich taste of your oven-baked pork. Make coleslaw by shredding cabbage and topping it off with a bit of mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, salt, and a hint of pepper.
Mac and Cheese
Whip up some mac and cheese with elbow macaroni, butter, milk, cheese sauce, and your favorite seasonings.
For a crispy crust, sprinkle some breadcrumbs all over the top and bake it in the oven till browned, or serve it as the creamy, cheesy delicacy it is.
How to Store Spicy Baked Pork Steaks?
So how do I store my leftover spicy baked pork steaks?
Well, the first rule is to keep your baked pork steaks out of the danger zone. This is the 40-140 F temperature range where bacteria proliferates.
The best way to do this is to observe the 2-hour rule. It states that you should not let cooked food stay at room temperature any longer than 2 hours. If the temperature is above 90 degrees, store your food within an hour.
Storage
Start by dividing your baked pork steaks into portion sizes. This makes it easier to only thaw what you need.
Pour each portion into an airtight container or Ziploc bag, label the date of storage, and tuck it into your fridge. It should last for 3-4 days.
To keep it longer, store it in the freezer for 3-4 months.
Reheating
- As for reheating baked pork steaks, start by thawing them in the bottom shelf of your fridge overnight.
- When thawed, lay them on a lined baking dish to make the clean-up job easier.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- Bake pork steak until it gets to an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
- Pull out the baking dish and rest your baked pork steaks.
- Let the meat rest. Carve. Serve.
Why We Are in Love With Oven-Baked Pork Steaks?
So why should you make baked pork steaks in the oven?
- Baked pork steaks are easy to make. It requires a few, easy-to-find ingredients and demands a total cook time of about 20 minutes.
- Baked pork steaks are versatile. They pair well with a variety of side dishes ranging from veggies to potatoes.
- They are full of flavor thanks to a generous marinating period.
- They store well when handled properly.
What is the Difference Between Pork Steak and Pork Chops?
Although commonly mistaken to mean the same thing, pork steak and pork chops are different cuts of meat. Here are a few key differences between the two:
- Pork shoulder steak comes from the shoulder blade of a pig’s carcass whereas pork chops are cut from the loin.
- Pork shoulder steak is much thicker than a pork chop.
- Pork chops are typically sold bone-in while pork steak is deboned
- Pork steak has rich marbling which gives it more flavor and keeps it from drying out as it cooks. Comparatively, pork chops are much leaner and less flavorful. That said, when cooked properly, pork chops can still yield tender, juicy results.
Some Tips and Tricks for the Best Spicy Baked Pork Steak
Boneless pork steak is easy to prepare and very forgiving. That said, you can always go the extra mile to achieve perfection in the following ways:
Let it marinate. Allow your pork to sit in the marinade at least overnight. This gives the spice mix enough time to tenderize and infuse your pork steaks with a rich array of flavors.
Broil to finish. Conclude your cooking by turning on the broil function to get a great sear on your spicy baked steaks.
Rest before carving. Resting your pork steaks before carving gives it time for its juices to get redistributed. By cutting into your baked pork before resting, you lose all the important moisture leaving you with chewy cuts of pork.
FAQs
1. How Long Does It Take to Cook Pork Steaks at 4OO Degrees?
The total cooking time for pork steak at 400 degrees largely depends on the thickness of your pork steak and your desired level of doneness.
A general rule of thumb is 15-20 minutes per pound. For a medium-rare finish, aim for 20-25 minutes per pound in the oven.
2. How Long to Cook Pork in the Oven at 350?
Cook pork steaks in the oven at 350 degrees for around 20 minutes. If you like it extra crunchy, let it cook a little longer.
To Recap
This spicy baked pork steaks recipe is simply an excellent addition to your Rolodex.
It starts with sitting your pork steak in a spicy marinade overnight. The marinade features onion and garlic powder, black and cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, olive oil, soy sauce, brown sugar, and kosher salt.
Together, these spices contribute a wealth of flavor to your pork steaks. Next, pop it into the oven and let it cook at 350 degrees for around 20 minutes. Broil for 5 minutes until perfectly browned. Easy peasy!
So what are you waiting for? Try this recipe and take your grilling game to the next level.