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Roman Rozenblyum/Demand Media

Pork steaks, also known as blade steaks, are pieces of pork cut from the pork shoulder, though there are leg steaks that are also a choice cut of pork that can be prepared using the same methods. They resemble beef steaks in appearance and texture, but tend to be more budget-friendly. Since pork steaks can become tough and tasteless if overcooked, it’s important to know the proper cooking time for your preferred cooking method to ensure you end up with moist, tender pork. Follow these easy and crowd-pleasing cooking methods for flavorful, juicy and tender pork steaks. With these tips, cooking pork steaks at home can be a quick weeknight option that is easy on the wallet.

Grilling Pork Steaks

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Roman Rozenblyum/Demand Media

One of the most common cooking methods for pork steak is grilling. The total cooking time for grilled pork steak is typically about 12 to 15 minutes total for steaks that are half an inch thick. If you plan to soak the pork steaks in a marinade, begin four to 24 hours before you want to start grilling. Once your pork steaks are flavored to your liking, heat an outdoor grill to medium-high heat.

Place the steaks onto the grill and heat for six minutes. Do not move the steaks at all while they are grilling, or a charred crust won’t form. Use tongs to flip the steaks and grill for another six minutes. If you want to baste the pork steaks with a barbecue sauce or other type of marinade, reduce the grilling time by one minute per side. Grill the steaks for five minutes per side, then dip into sauce and grill for another minute on each side so the sauce soaks into the steaks.

Once the steaks are done, remove them from the grill and keep them on a platter for at least five minutes before serving. Slicing into the steak immediately after cooking will make the flavorful juices leak.

Pork Steak in the Oven

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Baking pork steaks is an indoor cooking option. However, it takes longer than grilling. Pork steaks won’t form a crispy outer crust by baking in the oven, so you’ll have to factor in an additional 10 minutes for browning the outsides of the steaks on the stovetop. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

While your oven is heating, add two tablespoons vegetable oil to a nonstick skillet and turn your stove to medium high. Add the pork steaks in a single layer to the skillet and heat for five minutes. Flip the steaks over and heat for another five minutes on the other side. The outsides should be golden brown. However, the insides will not be done yet.

Add the pork to a baking dish and cover the dish with aluminum foil. Bake for one hour, then remove the foil and flip over the steaks. Bake them uncovered for another 20 minutes or until the pork is tender and no longer pink.

Recommended Internal Temperature of Pork

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Roman Rozenblyum/Demand Media

The most definitive way to know if you’ve cooked your pork long enough is to check the internal temperature. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, a pork steak's temperature should be 145 degrees Fahrenheit, just like any other cooked meat, and should only be consumed once it reaches this temperature . To ensure that your pork steaks have reached a safe temperature, insert an instant-read meat thermometer into the center of the thickest part of the meat, away from the bone. If the thermometer reads less than 145 degrees Fahrenheit, continue cooking the pork for five-minute intervals until it reaches the correct temperature.