Pan-Fried Pork Steaks
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You’re going to love how easy it is to make this pan-fried pork steak. With just a few simple ingredients and a skillet, you can have a delicious meal on the table in no time.
I can still picture the heat radiating from the Weber grill as the pork steaks, hidden under the bonnet of the lid, are slowly cooking.
The sugars from the barbeque sauce are beginning to caramelize, a sign they are nearly done. Within another minute or two, the steaks will be pulled from the grill, ready to eat.
For the longest time, all I knew was grilled pork steaks. Little did I know there was a whole other world of pork steaks waiting to be explored.
But unless you live in a tropical environment where the temperature is always warm, pork steak recipes are limited to the summer months.
Oh, those summer nights, the grill, the warm weather, and the bugs, there was nothing quite like it, nor will there be until summer comes again.
Thanks to this recipe and my smothered pork steak recipe, we can enjoy this delicious meat year-round!
Table of Contents
Why you will love this recipe
- Cooked indoors: My indoor pork steak quest actually began with fried pork chops, which I fried in a cast iron skillet, and it was a complete success.
- Hometown BBQ Vibes: This recipe captures the essence of a classic hometown barbecue, bringing those familiar flavors straight to your table.
- Quick and Easy: Pan-frying is a simple and efficient cooking method, making this recipe perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.
- Flavorful and Satisfying: The crispy sear and juicy interior of this pork steak will leave you craving more. It’s a hearty and satisfying meal that’s sure to please.
Ingredients
- 4 pork steaks: Boneless or bone-in are both fine! I make it both ways and love it.
- For the dry rub: I used salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and brown sugar.
- For the barbeque sauce: I used ketchup, honey, soy sauce, mustard, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar.
Pan-fried pork steak recipe
Step 1: Coat the pork steaks with the dry rub.
Step 2: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add a little oil and sear the pork steaks on each side until they are browned, crispy and cooked through. Usually, about 7 minutes per side.
Step 3: In a small saucepan, combine all the ingredients for the BBQ sauce. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes or until thickened.
Step 4: Remove the pork steaks from the skillet and coat them with the BBQ sauce. Serve with your favorite sides.
Expert tips
The internal temperature should read a minimum of 165°F when checked with an instant thermometer.
The thickness plays an important role in cooking times. For my three-quarter-inch thick steaks, they took right at fourteen minutes to reach 165°F.
Let the meat rest for at least seven minutes for the best results!
Whenever possible, look for locally raised pork. Local meat simply tastes better, and knowing where it comes from can assure you that it was humanely and sustainably raised.
Do not crowd the meat in the skillet to ensure it cooks evenly.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, pork steaks and pork chops are very different. Pork steaks are cut from the shoulder with a fair amount of marbling. On the other hand, pork chops come from the pig’s loin with little to no fat. And unlike the steaks, pork chops, especially boiled pork chops should not be cooked past 145° at the risk of the meat drying out.
Oddly enough, a common reason for tough pork steaks is cooking them to the minimum temperature of 145°F. Because of the fat content and connective tissue in pork steaks, they are best when cooked to 165-175°F.
The meat will actually be less chewy by giving the fat and connective tissue time to cook down.
From fridge to plate, Stovetop pork steaks take less than 30 minutes to make.
Who doesn’t need a few 30-minute recipes on hand? Recipes like this have been a lifesaver on more than one occasion this summer!
Trimming the fat is more of a personal choice. I prefer to leave the fat, which adds flavor and moisture to the meat. If you prefer a leaner steak, by all means, trim away!
Storing leftovers
Store any leftover pork steaks in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
These can also be stored in a freezer for 2-3 months.
Allow it to thaw completely before reheating it in the oven.
Related recipes
If you tried this Pan-Fried Pork Steak Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Pan-Fried Pork Steaks
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in pork steaks ¾" thick.
The Rub
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon each of garlic and onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
The Barbecue Sauce
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
Instructions
- Coat the pork steaks with the dry rub.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add a little oil and sear the pork steaks on each side until they are browned, crispy and cooked through. About 7 minutes per side.
- In a small saucepan, combine all the ingredients for the BBQ sauce. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes or until thickened.
- Remove the pork steaks from the skillet and coat them with the BBQ sauce. Serve with your favorite sides.
Notes
- Monitor the steaks closely while searing to prevent burning, especially when using brown sugar. Reduce heat if necessary to ensure a perfectly cooked and flavorful steak.
- Pork must be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F. I recommend pulling the meat off the heat between 165-175°F.
- The thickness plays an important role in cooking times. For my three-quarter-inch thick steaks, they took right at fourteen minutes to reach 165°F.
- Let the meat rest for at least seven minutes for the best results!
- Do not crowd the meat in the skillet to ensure it cooks evenly.
This recipe took me back to the days when it was warm enough to bbq! I seriously cannot belive how delicious this is-it tastes just as delicious as bbq pork steaks!
I completely agree! So glad to hear you liked it!
It says 7 mins on each side, but it doesn’t say what heat to set or how high to cook it at…medium high heat etc
Cook over medium heat.