Pork steaks are tasty cuts from a pig’s shoulder region. These pork cuts can be prepared in different ways, including baking, frying, etc., but I find grilling to be the most delicious option.
I’ve been preparing steaks for more than a decade, and grilled pork steaks are among my go-to whenever I want to impress my guests. This meat is simple to cook and has a strong meaty flavor. With this dish, you won’t need any difficult cooking equipment or expensive ingredients. All you need is a grill and a few spices. So, without further ado, let’s discuss how to prepare grilled pork steaks.
How to Make Grilled Pork Steaks?
For this delicious recipe, you’ll need a pellet grill, tongs, and a basting brush. Let’s look at the ingredients you need to grill pork steaks and how to make them.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds of pork steaks
- ½ tablespoon of salt
- ½ tablespoon of paprika
- 1 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1 teaspoon of onion powder
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons of water
Instructions
Step 1
Start by oiling your grill. I used a Traeger pellet grill for this recipe. You can use a charcoal grill or a gas grill if you don’t have a pellet grill. Preheat the grill to 350°F.
Note: If you’ll be using a charcoal grill, ensure you create a direct heat zone in the center of the grill. You’ll start by grilling the pork steaks away from the direct zone and finishing off the steak on direct heat.
Step 2
Next, combine all the spices in a medium-sized bowl. Add in ½ tablespoon of paprika, ½ tablespoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, and 1 teaspoon of black pepper to the bowl and mix. Set the bowl aside for later use. If you prefer more spice, you can add fresh jalapeno and/or red pepper flakes to the mix.
Step 3
In another bowl, mix in 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar and 2 tablespoons of water. Now, use your basting brush to spread the vinegar mixture all over the pork steak. Next, generously season the steak with the seasoning mix.
Recommendation: You can also use 3 tablespoons of lemon juice in place of apple cider vinegar.
Step 4
Now it’s time to grill your seasoned pork steak. Place your steaks on the pellet grill and cook each side for about 10 minutes. Next, use your instant-read thermometer to check the meat’s internal temperature.
Stick the thermometer’s probe into the center of the steak and turn off the heat once the thermometer reads 145 degrees. Before turning off the heat, you can also flip the steaks and sear both sides for an extra 2 to 3 minutes if you want a crispier exterior.
Your pork steaks should be juicy and slightly pink in the center at 145 degrees. Cook the meat to 160 degrees if you prefer your steak well done. Before turning off the heat, you can also flip the pork steaks and sear both sides for an extra 2 to 3 minutes if you want a crispier exterior.
Step 5
Lastly, remove the grilled pork steaks from the cooker and transfer it to a dish. Allow the steak to rest for 10 minutes before carving and serving. Resting allows the meat to reabsorb all its flavorful juices. Feel free to enjoy your grilled pork steaks with bbq sauce for even more flavor.
How to Bake Pork Steaks?
Don’t own a grill? Here’s how to bake pork steaks in an oven.
Ingredients
- 3 boneless pork steaks
- ¼ cup of soy sauce
- ½ tablespoon of minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon of dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon of onion powder
- 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
Step 1
For the marinade, start by mixing soy sauce, brown sugar, olive oil, smoked paprika, minced garlic, dried parsley, black pepper, and a dash of salt in a mixing bowl.
Step 2
Next, put your three pork steaks on a board and evenly slather the marinade all over the meat. Now put the steaks in a large bowl and place it in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
Step 3
The pork steaks will cook more evenly if you remove them from the refrigerator 15 to 30 minutes before cooking. Place the marinated pork in a baking dish. Make sure the steaks don’t overlap in the dish.
Step 4
Bake the pork steaks in your oven at 400 degrees for about 30 minutes. You should cook the pork shoulder steaks to an internal temperature of 145 °F. Once the pork steaks are done, take them out of the oven and allow it to rest for 10 minutes before serving.
What are Pork Steaks?
Pork steaks, also called pork shoulder steaks, and pork blade steaks, St. Louis pork steaks, are taken from the area above the pig’s shoulder blade. Since the pig doesn’t use this muscle as frequently, it has more fat and ample marbling, which makes this pork cut more resistant to overcooking and becoming overly dry. For the same reason, a pork shoulder steak is a popular option for pulled pork.
The pork shoulder steak is typically sold boneless and in large or thin slices. I recommend buying thin slices if you plan on grilling the meat, so that meat cooks thoroughly on high heat.
Larger slices of pork steak are better for slow-cooking and making pulled pork. Lastly, pork shoulder steaks are generally inexpensive and pack lots of flavors, making them perfect for cooking on a grill.
What to Serve With Grilled Pork Steak?
Several sides pair well with a grilled pork steak. Here are some of my favorite dishes to serve with pork steaks.
- Potatoes: Potatoes are a traditional side dish for grilled pork steaks. You can enjoy pork steaks even more with mashed potatoes, potato salad, or roasted sweet potatoes.
- Casseroles: Casserole is the perfect side if you’re serving a crowd. Try cheesy casseroles or casseroles loaded with cauliflower, zucchini, or yellow squash.
- Vegetables: You can sauté your veggies and eat them with this delicious side for a nutritious and light side. I particularly love sautéing mushrooms, zucchini, or broccoli for this grilled pork steaks recipe.
- Salads: For a light and easy-to-make side dish, eat your pork steak with salads like coleslaw, spring mix salad, or kale crunch salad.
Expert tip: You can also transform your tasty pork steak leftovers into several dishes. You can shred the meat as pulled pork and use it as filling for pork sandwiches, burritos, tacos, or delicious pork stew.
How to Store Pork Steaks?
It is essential to store pork steaks if you want them to last for a long time. Proper storage lowers the risk of cross-contamination or foodborne diseases.
Ensure you store your raw pork shoulder steaks in the refrigerator running at 40 degrees or lower. The meat should stay good for 3 to 5 days in the fridge.
For longer storage, you can also store the raw meat in the freezer. The meat will remain safe in the freezer indefinitely but it will start losing quality after about 4-12 months. First, wrap the pork steak in cling film or a plastic bag to prevent freezer burn. Then, put the meat in an airtight container before placing it in the freezer.
You can also store cooked pork steak leftovers in pretty much the same way. Your pork steak leftovers should last in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Simply place the pork in an airtight container and put it in your fridge. You can store cooked steaks the same way you store raw steaks. Wrap the meat in cling film and place it in an airtight container. Just remember that the grilled pork will last for 3 months in the freezer.
Note: Don’t forget to label your storage containers so you use the meat on time.
How to Reheat Leftover Grilled Pork Steaks?
Start by preheating the oven to 350°F. Next, place the steak inside a baking dish and drizzle meat broth or apple juice on the meat. The amount of broth or vinegar you should use will depend on the size of the leftovers. I recommend 1/4 cup for 2 pounds of leftovers. Reheat the leftovers in the oven for about 10 minutes or remove them when the internal temperature reads 145 degrees.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Pork Steaks Vs Pork Chops: What’s the Difference?
First off, pork chops are cut from the pork loin, while pork steaks come from the shoulder region of the pig. Because of the source of these cuts, pork steaks typically have more marbling and fat than a pork chop.
Another noticeable difference is their size. In my experience, pork steaks are sold in larger cuts than pork chops. That said, both of these cuts can be either boneless or bone-in, and they’re delicious choices for any barbecue.
2. Can I Eat a Rare Pork Steak?
Even though some people eat rare pork, I personally wouldn’t recommend you eat it. The USDA claims that your grilled pork steak should be cooked to at least 145 F—a temperature that falls within the medium-well range.
Eating grilled pork steaks cooked at temperatures lower than 145 degrees may expose you to food poisoning symptoms such as vomiting, fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and so on.
3. How Long Should I Marinate Pork Steaks?
Because of the natural flavor and deliciousness of pork steaks, I don’t recommend marinating the meat for longer than 2 hours.
Bear in mind that marinating for up to 24 hours may cause the meat to become overly mushy or salty. In fact, you can still produce delicious grilled pork steaks without marinating the meat. The authentic flavor of the cut simply shines through.
4. Why is My Pork Steak Dry?
Your pork steaks are probably dry and tough because you overcooked them. For this reason, ensure you cook the meat to the recommended internal temperature of 145 °F.
In my experience, the highest temperature I would recommend you cook pork steaks at is 160 degrees. Any higher, and the steak will be too dry and stringy to eat with your favorite sides. All is not lost if you do overcook your pork steak, you can always shred it into pulled pork and use it for other recipes.
5. Can My Pork Steak Be a Little Pink?
Of course! It’s normal for pork steaks to be a little pink. So, don’t let the pink tinge discourage you from eating this delicious cut. The most important thing is for your pork to be cooked to at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
Conclusion
As you can see, grilling your tasty pork steaks isn’t as challenging as you might have thought. Follow my guide step by step to create a dish your family and guests will love. Furthermore, feel free to experiment with different ingredients and sides. Remember, if you have any leftovers, you can simply store them in your fridge or freezer and enjoy them later.