There’s no need to become a world-renowned chef to cook pork steaks in the oven. This flavorful and affordable alternative to the usual pork chops benefit from the slow cooking offered by an oven. Marinating the meat and adding just the right seasonings further elevates the everyday dining experience. Pork steaks are generally cut from the shoulder part of the pig and come in both boneless and bone-in options. They’re a good option for people who don’t eat beef or when there’s not enough room in the budget for the finest Top Sirloin Steak.
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Preparing Pork Steaks for the Oven
For a more flavorful pork steak with extra juiciness, consider brining the meat or using a marinade. Dry brining is as simple as rubbing Kosher salt over the surface of the pork steaks and letting them sit overnight in the refrigerator before cooking. Make sure to use a rub or seasoning that doesn’t have additional salt with these methods. For marinades, simply soak the pork steaks for 12 to 24 hours before cooking in your preferred mix. Make sure to let the pork steaks warm up slightly and reach room temperature before you put them in the oven.
Tips and Tricks for Perfection
Cooking pork steaks is a fairly foolproof process. There are a few tricks that can take this dish from tasty to amazing while making it less work for you to finish on a busy day.
Using the Right Pan
This method is a form of braising, so you’ll need a pan with enough depth to hold at least a small amount of liquid. Standard baking sheets are likely too shallow and will either spill when you remove them from the oven or cause the liquid to evaporate while leaving the pork steaks drier than intended. A shallow roasting pan, Dutch oven without the lid, or glass casserole dish will work best to braise the pork steaks and capture all the flavorful liquids to keep them juicy and tasty.
Adding Liquids
It’s possible to cook pork steaks on a baking sheet or pan with only parchment paper or a little oil to keep them from sticking. However, this tends to lead to a drier and less flavorful finished cut of meat that might be a little tough as well. Adding flavorful liquids or even just a little water helps braise the pork steaks instead. This is the key to cooking pork steaks in the oven with the best results.
To Flip or Not to Flip
In most cases, there’s little need to flip the pork steaks once they’re in the oven. Browning the meat ahead of time will ensure an even sear on both sides. If you want extra flavor from the cooking juices, you can flip the pork steaks once halfway through the cooking time. Using a rub on both sides or marinating the meat reduces the need to flip for good flavor distribution.
Recipe Variations
This method for seasoning pork steaks cooked in the oven will produce a well-rounded flavor profile. If you’re more of a fan of barbecue or teriyaki flavors, it’s easy to adjust the recipe as you desire with your favorite seasonings and sauces.
Seasoning and Marinade Ideas
- Use a barbecue rub that is heavy in cumin, brown sugar, and chili powder, and try a combination of beef broth instead of soy sauce and barbecue sauce in place of the honey
- Sprinkle garlic, pepper, and five spice powder on the pork steaks and then use a prepared teriyaki sauce in place of the liquid ingredients
- Marinate the meat in teriyaki sauce, soy sauce mixed with a little lime juice, or your favorite garlic and herb combination.
Side Dishes to Serve with Pork Steaks
Pork steaks pair well with a wide range of side dishes. Round out your new favorite meal with a big batch of sauteed cabbage, bacon optional. Au gratin potatoes are a creamy and cheesy side that brings out the richer side of the steaks. Coleslaw is another good cabbage-based option that pairs with this recipe in particular. For a lighter pairing, mix up a spinach and green apple salad topped with roasted nuts and a lively vinaigrette. Mashed potatoes and cornbread stuffing are two carb options that make a weeknight meal feel more special.
Oven Cooked Pork Steak Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lbs of pork steaks, usually around 4
- 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons of honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 clove of garlic, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
1. Remove the pork steaks from the refrigerator and let them come to room temperature. Combine the spices and rub them all over the surface of the meat. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Heat a cast iron or frying pan on the stovetop. Add the 1 tablespoon of olive oil and sear each pork steak for 1 to 2 minutes per side or until lightly browned.
3. Place the pork steaks in a roasting pan or glass casserole dish. Pour the soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and honey into the dish and mix well.
4. Cook for 35 to 45 minutes depending on the thickness of the pork steaks. Ensure an internal temperature of 145 degrees F or above.
Notes
You can thicken the sauce if you want to serve it over noodles or mashed potatoes. If you brine or marinate the meat, consider swapping the soy sauce for a liquid with less sodium like beef broth.
Conclusion
Braised pork steaks turn out tender and juicy. Switch up the seasoning and marinade options and you’ll never run out of new ideas for dinner.
Oven Cooked Pork Steak
Ingredients
- 2 lbs pork steaks
- 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried tarragon
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Remove the pork steaks from the refrigerator and let them come to room temperature. Combine the spices and rub them all over the surface of the meat. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Heat a cast iron or frying pan on the stovetop. Add the 1 tablespoon of olive oil and sear each pork steak for 1 to 2 minutes per side or until lightly browned.
- Place the pork steaks in a roasting pan or glass casserole dish. Pour the soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and honey into the dish and mix well.
- Cook for 35 to 45 minutes depending on the thickness of the pork steaks. Ensure an internal temperature of 145 degrees F or above.