How to cook pork shoulder steak on the stove.
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- Go straight to the Recipe Card or
- Read on for relevant tips and step-by-step pictures (2 mins)
The ease and convenience of a skillet cooked pork steak culminate in tender, juicy meat. The flavors born from the sizzling fat with which shoulder blade steaks are marbled are some of the best pork has to offer. We (enthusiastically) prepare the cut several times a month and are never disappointed.
For this really simple recipe you will employ a seasoning rub for the pork which penetrates the steak surface and flavors it. If you would rather use a marinade consider these two favorites of ours – Marinated Baked Pork Steaks or Marinated Grilled Pork Shoulder Steaks.
For more inspiration you can review the recipes in this compilation of Pork Marinades.
You Will Need
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- Pork shoulder (blade) steak. An inch is the ideal thickness for pan-frying a pork steak. You may find it containing shoulder blade bone or boneless, depending on what part of the Boston butt it was carved from.
- Pork seasoning rub. Use your favorite mix, store-bought seasoning for pork chops or mix the one listed in the recipe card.
- Olive oil & parsley. You can also use vegetable oil. Parsley is a classic garnish for pork steaks and chops, but thyme, green onions or oregano will work well too.
- Cast iron skillet. Cast iron or another heavy bottomed skillet that is at least 10 inches in diameter. When the pork steaks are larger, over a pound each, we often parallel cook them on adjacent burners to speed up the process.
How to Cook Shoulder Steak in a Pan
- Prep. Pat dry the pork steak. Mix the seasoning rub and be liberal in using it. Rub into the meat and let the steaks sit for at least 30 minutes (refrigerate if longer). Alternatively, marinate the pork steaks.
- Pan fry. Heat skillet over medium-high for about 2-3 minutes. Add olive oil and sear the pork steak(s) for about 2 mins on each side until nicely browned (the Maillard reaction is at work here, creating layers of flavors). Lower the heat to medium and continue to cook. If your steaks just fit in the pan, cook one a time or use two skillets on two burners.
- Rest & garnish. Once the meat has reached your desired doneness, transfer to a warm platter or plate and cover with foil. Rest if for at least 5 minutes for best results. Garnish with parsley or the fresh herb of your choice.
Pan-Fried Pork Steak Temperature
How long to cook pork steak? The short answer is – until tender.
As a rule of thumb, pork shoulder in general and pork steak in particular is a cut you cook until tender.
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Therefore the conventional temperature guidelines are irrelevant. Typically, pork is cooked to 145 F (food safe, medium-rare going on medium) and 155 F for well done and the main concern is not drying it out. Not so with pork steak. Besides its far superior flavor, it also has the advantage of remaining juicy as its fat content renders and moistens the meat.
At around 165 F transfer it to a warm plate and let it rest (it will continue cooking). The difference between a pork steak cooked to 145 F (still has a lot of the connective tissue not melted) and one cooked to almost 170 F is significant – try it for yourself.
Sauce Ideas for Pork Steak
Pan-fried shoulder blade steak is already delicious on its own, but if you are in the mood to drizzle a pan sauce over it, here are a few ideas you can easily prepare in just a few minutes while the meat is resting. Hint: use the same skillet in which you cooked the steak.
- Mustard Cream Sauce – use this recipe.
- Honey Dijon Cream Sauce – use this recipe.
- Honey Garlic Pan Sauce – to a skillet over medium heat add 3 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 3 cloves minced garlic + 1 tbsp soy sauce. Stir, bring to simmer and reduce a little bit.
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