BBQ Pork Steaks in the Crock Pot

Indulging in tender, flavorful BBQ pork steaks is a treat that can satisfy anyone who enjoys tasty, savory meat. The slow cooker, or crock pot, offers a convenient and effortless method to achieve succulent pork steaks infused with the rich smoky flavors of barbecue. Just by combining the convenience of a slow-cooking appliance with the irresistible taste of well-marinated, slow-cooked pork, you can make and serve a mouthwatering dish that everyone will have a hard time forgetting.

In this article, we will explore how to prepare delicious BBQ pork steaks in the crock pot, allowing you to enjoy the enticing aroma and delightful flavors of this classic barbecue favorite without firing up your grill. Now get ready to enjoy the melt-in-your-mouth tenderness and the bold flavorful sauce that will make your BBQ pork steaks an instant hit at any party and every family dinner.

Tips to perfect easy crock pot pork steaks

To ensure your crock pot pork steaks turn out perfectly tender and packed with flavor, consider the following tips:

Choose the right cut: As much as possible, buy pork steaks with good marbling and just the right amount of fat, such as shoulder or blade steaks. The fat will help the meat retain moisture and add to its flavor during the slow cooking process.

Brown the steaks: Before placing the pork steaks in the crock pot, pan-sear them in a hot skillet or grill pan for a few minutes on each side. This step adds a delicious caramelized crust, traps the juices inside, and enhances the overall flavor.

Season generously: Use a dry rub or a mixture of your favorite spices to season the pork steaks. This will infuse the meat with extra flavor while it cooks.

Use a flavorful liquid: Adding a liquid component to the crock pot, such as chicken broth, wine, or beer, will keep the pork steaks moist, infuse them with beautiful flavors, and remove any unpleasant taste or smell.

Cook on low heat: Slow cooking is key to achieving juicy, tender pork steaks. Set your crock pot to the low heat setting and allow the meat to cook slowly for several hours until it reaches the desired tenderness.

Different variations of BBQ sauces to use

When it comes to the barbecue sauce for your crock pot pork steaks, there are numerous variations you can try. Some popular options include:

Classic Tomato-based BBQ Sauce: This traditional barbecue sauce typically includes a mixture of ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and spices.

Sweet and Tangy BBQ Sauce: Incorporating ingredients like honey, molasses, or maple syrup adds a touch of sweetness to the sauce which provides a welcome contrast to the tangy base of a classic BBQ sauce.

Spicy BBQ Sauce: For those who enjoy some heat, a spicy BBQ sauce can be created by adding hot sauce, crushed red pepper flakes, or even diced jalapeños to any of your preferred BBQ sauce recipes.

Smoky BBQ Sauce: Infuse your sauce with a smoky flavor by incorporating ingredients such as liquid smoke or smoked paprika. This imparts a delicious, distinctive taste to the pork steaks.

Feel free to experiment with different flavor profiles and adjust the ingredients to suit your personal preferences.

Crock Pot BBQ Pork Steak Recipe

Ingredients

For the Pork Steak

• 4 pork steaks
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

For the BBQ

• 1 cup barbecue sauce (of your choice)
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

For the Pork Steak

1. Season the pork steaks generously with salt and pepper.
2. Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat.
3. Sear the pork steaks on a skillet or pan for about 2-3 minutes on each side until browned.
4. Transfer the seared pork steaks to the crock pot.

For the BBQ

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together all the BBQ ingredients until well combined.
2. Pour the BBQ sauce mixture over the pork steaks in the crock pot, ensuring they are well-coated.
3. Cover the crock pot with the lid and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours or until the pork steaks are tender and easily pull apart with a fork.
4. Serve with your favorite side dishes.

Notes

• For an extra burst of flavor, consider marinating the pork steaks in the BBQ sauce overnight before you cook them in the crock pot. This ensures that all the flavors have been sucked in by the meat.
• If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can remove the pork steaks from the crock pot once they are cooked and simmer the remaining sauce on the stovetop until it thickens to your desired consistency.

Conclusion

With the convenience of a slow cooker and the delectable flavors of BBQ sauce, it’s no wonder why crock pot pork steaks have become a go-to recipe by pork enthusiasts. By following the tips we provide for tenderizing the pork and experimenting with different BBQ sauces, you can create a dish that suits your taste preferences and satisfies anyone who will taste it. The low and slow cooking method allows the pork steaks to become tender and infused with the smoky, tangy flavors of the sauce, giving it that distinct flavor everyone loves. Prepare this delightful dish for a quiet family dinner at home, a weekend backyard gathering, or a cozy date night, and enjoy the rich and succulent flavors of crock pot BBQ pork steaks.

Crock Pot BBQ Pork Steak

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Course Main Course

Ingredients

  

For the Steak

• 4 pork steaks
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil

For the BBQ

• 1 cup barbecue sauce (of your choice)
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp dijon mustard
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste

Instructions

 

For the Steak

• Season the pork steaks generously with salt and pepper.
• Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat.
• Sear the pork steaks on a skillet or pan for about 2-3 minutes on each side until browned.
• Transfer the seared pork steaks to the crock pot.

For the BBQ

• In a medium bowl, whisk together all the BBQ ingredients until well combined.
• Pour the BBQ sauce mixture over the pork steaks in the crock pot, ensuring they are well-coated.
• Cover the crock pot with the lid and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours or until the pork steaks are tender and easily pull apart with a fork.
• Serve with your favorite side dishes.

Notes

• For an extra burst of flavor, consider marinating the pork steaks in the BBQ sauce overnight before you cook them in the crock pot. This ensures that all the flavors have been sucked in by the meat.
• If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can remove the pork steaks from the crock pot once they are cooked and simmer the remaining sauce on the stovetop until it thickens to your desired consistency.

*photo by Seokjin Yoon licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0