How to Cook Pork Steak with Tips for Juicy, Tender Results

If you love eating pork steaks but need help preparing them, or your pork steaks always seem soggy and overdone, this post is for you. The tips and tricks I share will help you cook pork steak perfectly every time, whether it’s your first time or you’re a seasoned pro. Pork steaks can be tricky to cook, but they are also so delicious with the proper methods. Now, let’s explore how to cook pork steak correctly with HomeTopPicks!

Pork steak, also known as pork shoulder blade steak or Boston butt, is a cut of meat taken from the swine shoulder.

Pork steak is high in protein and contains several essential nutrients for health. It is also an excellent ingredient for various meat dishes because it is flavorful, juicy, tender, and affordable.

So, pork steak can be cooked in many ways with multiple recipes, and this article will suggest six basic cooking methods for pork steaks.

How to Cook Pork Steak Using an Air Fryer

While you can cook a pork steak in the oven or on the grill, it’s much easier to get a delicious result using an air fryer. I love this method as it takes only a few minutes to cook the meat, with no added fat or oil needed for cooking.

If you still need this great kitchen device, read my air fryer review before deciding.

Preparing the pork steaks: Season the pork steak with salt, pepper, and other desired seasonings.

Air frying technique: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Place the pork steak in the basket of your air fryer, ensuring it’s not too crowded.

Cooking time: Cook the pork steak for 10-12 minutes, flipping it halfway through. Check the internal temperature of the pork steak with a meat thermometer. It should read 145°F for safe consumption.

Once the pork steak is fully cooked, please take it from the air fryer basket and let it rest for four minutes to allow the juices to settle.

How to Cook Pork Steak on Grill

Grilling a pork steak is one of the best ways to appreciate its smoky flavor.

Preparing the pork steaks: Trim excess fat and make sure the steak is of even thickness. Season the pork steak to taste with salt, black pepper, and other desired herbs and spices.

Grilling technique: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat and oil the grates with a high-heat oil. Then place the steak on the preheated grill.

Cooking time: Place the steak on a hot grill for 5 minutes. Turn it over and cook for another 5 minutes or until the pork steak’s internal temperature reaches 145°F.

Pan-sear the Pork Steak

Pork steaks are a great cut of meat for the grill, but if you’re not a fan of the smokey flavor that grilling sometimes leaves behind, you can also pan-sear pork steaks in a cast iron skillet or pan. You can find out your best grill pan here with Hometoppicks’ recommendation.

Preparing the pork steaks: Season two sides of the steak with salt and black pepper. You can add additional seasonings if you prefer.

Pan-searing technique

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat, and then add the oil. Move the oil in the pan to coat the bottom evenly.

Carefully place the pork steak in the skillet when the oil is hot enough. You can hear a sizzling sound as the steak touches the hot surface.

Cooking time

Let the steak cook on one side for 4-5 minutes without touching it. That will allow a nice crust to form on the surface.

Flip the steak with tongs and cook it on the other side for 4-5 minutes. Keep an eye out, turning down the heat if necessary to keep meat from burning.

Check the internal temperature of the pork steak with a meat thermometer. It should read 145°F (63°C) in the thickest part of the meat.

How to Cook Juicy Pork Steak in the Oven

The best part about cooking pork steaks in the oven is that you don’t need to watch over the meat or turn it over to ensure it cooks evenly. You can simply pop your pork steak into the oven and walk away until you’re ready to eat!

However, it still requires a little technique to bake the pork steak just right, rich in spices, and not dry.

Preparing the pork steaks

Season your pork steak with salt, pepper, and other desired seasonings. Marinating it for a few hours before cooking enhances the flavor.

Baking technique

Preheat your oven to 375°F (about 190°C). Over high heat, heat a cast-iron skillet or oven-safe pan.

Cooking time

When the pan is hot enough, add some oil and sear the pork steak for 2-3 minutes on every side until it develops a nice crust.

Transfer the pan with the pork steak to the preheated oven and set the cooking temperature for about 8-10 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the steak. Use a meat thermometer to know the temperature – reach 145°F (63°C) for a perfectly cooked pork steak.

The cooking time varies depending on how thick your pork steak’s thickness, but a medium-rare roast usually takes about 20 minutes.

Tips for baking at 350°F and 400°F

Preheat your oven to 350°F or 400°F. Heat a skillet over medium-high and add a full tablespoon of oil. Sear the pork steak on both sides until browned, about 2-3 minutes per side.

Transfer the pork steak to a baking dish and place it in the preheated oven. Bake the pork steak for 15-20 minutes at 350°F or 12-15 minutes at 400°F. The pork’s internal temperature should reach 145°F.

Remove the pork steak from the oven, then rest for 3-5 minutes before slicing and eating.

Slow Cooked Pork Steak

Pork is an excellent meat for slow-cooking because it’s much more forgiving than beef. It doesn’t get tough as easily, and if you’re not careful, it can dry out in the oven or stovetop.

Slow-cooking pork steak will help keep it juicy and tender while infusing the meat with all that rich flavor. If you haven’t had this magic device in your kitchen, don’t hesitate to check out Hometoppicks’s review of slow cookers in the Philippines to get one.

Preparing the pork steaks: Season your pork steaks with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika.

Slow-cooking technique

Preheat your slow cooker on high. Place the pork steaks inside the slow cooker. Add the onion and garlic on top of the pork steaks.

Mix the chicken broth, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, and salt in a separate bowl. Pour the mixture over the pork steaks and vegetables.

Cooking time: Cover the slow cooker for 4-6 hours on high temperature or 8-10 hours on low.

Pork Steak Panlasang Pinoy Style

This is a simple recipe for Filipino pork steak with the ideal marinade. This dish suits any occasion, from a simple weekday meal to an elegant party platter.

Preparing the pork steaks

Combine soy sauce, calamansi juice, brown sugar, ketchup, ground black pepper, salt, and minced garlic in a mixing bowl. Mix well until the sugar has dissolved.

Put the pork chops in the marinade and ensure it is well coated. Cover the bowl with a wrap and let it marinate for at least 1 hour.

Cooking technique: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add cooking oil and wait until it becomes hot.

Cooking time

Add the marinated pork chops and cook for 3 to 5 minutes each side until browned and cooked. Remove pork from the skillet and set in a dish.

Add the sliced onions to the same skillet, and cook until caramelized, about 5 – 7 minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside.

Pork steaks can be tough and dry if not cooked properly. Here are some tips for tender, juicy pork steaks:

Marinating

Soaking the pork steaks in a saltwater brine for several hours before cooking can help keep them moist and tender.

Using a meat thermometer

Pork steaks are best when cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F. Test the temperature with a meat thermometer and avoid overcooking, which can cause the meat to dry out.

Resting the meat after cooking

After cooking, let the pork steaks rest for a few minutes before cutting to allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat. That will help keep the pork moist and juicy.

Proper slicing techniques

When slicing pork steaks, it’s essential to slice against the grain. That means cutting perpendicular to the lines that run through the meat. Slicing against the grain will help make the meat more tender and easier to chew.

Thinly sliced pork steaks will be more tender and juicy than thickly sliced ones. Aim to cut your pork steaks into thin, even slices.

Cooking pork steak is not difficult for me, as I can make a lot of dishes with it. The following are some basic tips to finalize the preparation of pork steak dishes.

Pay attention to them because a small mistake like slicing the wrong way can make a good pork steak look less appealing.

• Choose the proper cut: Look for pork steaks at least 1 inch thick, with good marbling and a nice pink color.
• Season well: Pork steaks benefit from a generous amount of seasoning, so don’t be shy with the salt, pepper, and other spices or herbs you like.
• Preheat your pan: A hot pan is essential to getting a good sear on your pork steak. Preheat your pan to medium-high heat for a few minutes before adding your steak.
• Sear on both sides: Place your pork steak in the hot pan and cook undisturbed for a few minutes until an excellent crust forms.
• Cook to the right temperature: For safety, cook pork at an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). Let’s use a thermometer to check the temperature in thick cuts of meat like roasts or chops.
• Rest before slicing: Let your pork steak rest for 3 – 5 minutes so the juices can be redistributed and the meat will be more tender.

Are you tired of the same pork steak recipe? Why not switch it up and experiment with different cooking methods? I hope this article on how to cook pork steak will give you some new ideas for your family’s lunch or dinner.

Whether you prefer grilling, pan-searing, or slow-cooking, there are plenty of ways to cook a delicious pork steak. Try something new and get creative with your seasonings and marinades. With some experimentation, you might discover a new favorite way to prepare this classic cut of meat.

So take a culinary risk, see what delicious flavors you can create, and share your results with us in the comments.

Karyn

Karyn is an IIN Health Coach certified by the Institute for Integrative Nutrition since 2021, with a passion for cooking and exercise, especially yoga. She brings her expertise in Nutrition and Fitness to Hometoppicks, leading both the Kitchen and Home Gym sections to provide credible product recommendations. Karyn is committed to guiding readers on their healthy living journey with her expert tips and trusted product suggestions. You can find more about her here.