Baked Pork Steak: A Light and Tasty Dinner Recipe

August 18, 2023
Written by Kristy J. Norton

This dish is easy to make and can be whipped up quickly for a weekday dinner.

I got this baked pork steak recipe from a friend who specializes in healthy meals. I tweaked it a little to add more flavor to the dish and I am finally happy with the results.

In this post I will share the recipe with you and offer up the top tips for making it as tender as possible. Let's begin!

Baked Pork Steak

Should You Marinate Pork Steaks Before Baking?

It isn't necessary to marinate the steaks before cooking them. You will be able to prepare perfectly delicious baked pork steaks without completing this step first.

Still, marinated pork steaks can help to 1take this recipe to the next level.

Pork steaks come from the pork shoulder or the pork butt and this meat can be a bit tough. Marinating the steaks first can help to tenderize them.

oven baked pork steak

Most pork cuts - including pork chops - tend to have a mild taste. Now, usually, the method of cooking - like frying in a pan, grilling, or smoking can add some flavor preventing the meat from being too bland.

The baking process, however, doesn't add much in the way of flavor. As such, the marinade can offer up a nice boost here too.

Pork Steak Marinade

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup of light soy sauce
  • 2 tbs. of honey
  • 1 tbs. of olive oil
  • 1 tbs. of fresh garlic, chopped
  • 1 tsp. of black pepper
  • 1 tsp. of smoked paprika

Method

Step 1

Combine all the ingredients of the marinade together , making sure that they are well mixed.

Step 2

Place the pork steaks in a shallow plastic or glass container side by side. Pour the marinade over the pork steaks.

Wait for an over and flip each pork steak over. Once another hour has passed, you can take the pork steaks out of the marinade.

Wipe down and pat dry.

Alternatively, you can place the pork steaks in a large Ziploc or freezer bag. Pour in the marinade and squeeze the excess air out. Seal and let the pork steaks marinate for 2 hours.

Take out, wipe down, and pat dry.

Baked Pork Steak Recipe

Ingredients

  • 4 pork shoulder steaks
  • 2 tbs. of olive oil

Dry rub

  • 1 tbs. of kosher salt (If marinating, use only a teaspoon)
  • 1 tbs. of freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1.5 tsp. of garlic powder
  • 1.5 tsp. of onion powder
  • 1.5 tsp. of smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp. of dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp. of dried rosemary

Method

Step 1

Combine the ingredients of the dry rub in a small bowl and set aside

Step 2

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Step 3

Apply olive oil to each side of the pork steaks.

Sprinkle on the rub to each side.

Step 4

Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place the steaks on the sheet.

Cook in oven until the internal temperature reaches 130 F.

steak with mash potatoes

Step 5

When the pork steaks are close to being done in the oven, start heating up a cast iron frying pan on high.

Once the internal temperature reaches 130 F, take the pork steaks out of the oven and place in the pan.

Sear on each side for a few minutes. When the internal temp registers at 145 F, take off the heat and place on a plate or cutting board.

Rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Baked BBQ Pork Steaks

If you would prefer barbecue pork steak recipes, then here is another take on oven baked pork steaks.

Start by preheating the oven to 350 F.

Then, season the pork shoulder steaks with kosher salt and pepper.

Next, place the pork steaks on aluminum foil and slather in BBQ sauce.

Wrap up in foil and bake until the internal temperature reads 145 F and take out of the oven.

What Kind of Pork Steaks Should You Get?

The most common type of pork steaks are boneless ones. Now, I do like a boneless pork steak as it cooks more quickly and there is less hassle involved too.

However, a pork steak with the bone in is tastier and can result in a more tender steak too.

If you do go with the bone in kind, make sure that the butcher cuts thinner slices so that these will be easier to cook evenly.

Let the Pork Steaks Sit Out

About half an hour before you cook the pork steaks, take them out of the refrigerator. This will allow them to get a little closer to room temperature.

As a result, they will cook faster and more evenly too.

Avoid keeping the pork steaks on the countertop for longer than an hour, however, as this exponentially increases the risk of foodborne illnesses.

Choosing Your Seasoning

There is no limit to how many seasonings you choose or what kind of ingredients you add into the mix.

Some people prefer to stick to dried herbs while others like spices better. You can also mix the two to get a nice balanced flavor profile.

The only advice I would give here is to ensure that one flavor doesn't stand out more than any other. Be mindful of the quantities and check that all the flavors are working well together.

What Temp Do You Cook Pork Steaks At?

A lot of people prefer to cook baked pork steaks at 400 F. At this temperature, the steaks are ready in about 30 minutes.

If you look at my baked pork steak recipe, though, you will find that I bake the steaks at 350 F.

The reason I do this is because it makes the baked pork steaks less likely to dry out. Thus, you end up with a nice, juicy and tender steak.

steak with other dishes

Now, just because you are cooking the steaks at a lower temperature doesn't mean that they will take that much longer to cook.

Keep a close eye on the internal temp. and you will discover that they may only take a little longer.

How Long Do You Cook Pork Steaks For?

I know that when it comes to baking meat than most people assume that they can go by time. However, this isn't the case at all.

When making baked pork steaks, it is important to use a meat thermometer and pay attention to the internal temp throughout the cooking process.

For one thing, some orders of pork steaks may be thicker or thinner than others. As a result, they will cook at slower or faster rates accordingly.

What's more, every oven functions differently, with some running hotter or cooler. Due to this, there is no way to know for sure the rate at which your oven baked pork steaks are cooking.

Stick the probe into the thickest part of the steak to get an accurate reading.

Once the temperature registers at 145 F, take the steaks out of the oven and allow them to rest.

This is the best way to ensure that they are cooked to perfection and that they don't end up too tough.

If the steaks are of a similar thickness, then there is no need to check each pork steak individually throughout the cooking process.

However, tight before taking the steaks out of the oven, make sure to check the internal temp of each pork steak just to be certain you are taking them out at the right time.

This isn't just something that you should do for this recipe but all pork recipes in the future.

Should You Sear the Pork Steaks?

No, you don't have to sear the steaks if you don't want to. I do this to add color, flavor, and texture to the meat but you can skip this step if you like.

If so, you should simply leave the steaks in the oven until the internal temp reads 145 F.

If you want, you can also sear the steaks before they go into the oven. Make sure to only sear the meat for a few minutes on each side as you don't want them to overcook.

In case you decide to follow my instructions, make sure to monitor the internal temp carefully as you sear the meat.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How Do You Cook Pork Steaks Without Drying Them Out?

The best way to prevent the steaks from drying out is to pay close attention to the internal temp. as they are baking. Take them out at the right time and they should be nice and moist.

Marinating the steaks ahead of time can also be a good precaution.

2. How Do You Cook Pork Steaks So They are Not Tough?

You can marinate the pork steaks for up to 4 hours so that they are tenderized further. As an added precaution, you can pour the marinade into the baking sheet before baking. The added moisture should help to keep the steaks tender.

It is also important not to overcook the meat.

Related Reading

Wrapping It Up

If you want to make the best ever baked pork steak, then this is the recipe for you. Follow the instructions and the tips and you will be able to pull off a dish that you are going to want to make again and again.

By Kristy J. Norton
I'm Kristy – a chef and connoisseur of all things BBQ! You can find me either in my kitchen (or someone else's) or at a big outdoor barbecue surrounded by friends and family. In both my professional and personal life I’ve picked up more than a few tips and tricks for turning out delicious food. I consider it a privilege to share it with others!
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