Soy Sauce Is The Secret Ingredient
Soy sauce?, I hear some of you think, dubiously.
YES. Soy sauce. NO it doesnt make this the least bit Asiany . Its a brine that injects the pork with juiciness and its better than the basic salt + water brine because its got more flavour to it.
If youve never tried a soy sauce based brine for a protein before, I think youre going to be very pleasantly surprised. Watch the video below the recipe the end when I press down on the pork chop to show how juicy it is. Thats courtesy of the soy sauce!
Im sharing this Pork Chop Marinade because I got all excited that I finally got a new BBQ. Living by the ocean means that anything that resides outdoors has a limited life and my current BBQ looks like an abandoned burnt out car.
While its terrific seared on the grill, it is of course great pan fried as well which is how I usually make it.
If youre BBQ-ing, try it this Lemon Potato Salad and a garden salad with French Dressing, and have a browse for more Grilling Ideas.
If its winter where you are, try this One Pan BAKED Vegetables and Rice youll love the seasoned rice! Nagi xx
How To Use The Marinade
I find that the meat gets better coverage if I place the pork and the marinade into a one gallon Ziploc bag and remove the excess air. Place the Ziploc bag into a secondary container just in case a leak develops.
For maximum flavor you should marinade the pork steaks in the refrigerator for at least four hours before cooking.
If you are short on time, then you can reserve one cup of the marinade and marinade the pork steaks at room temperature for 30 minutes in the remaining two cups. While you are grilling, baste the pork steaks with the reserved cup of marinade.
To get the best grill marks you will need to pat the pork steaks dry with paper towels before they go onto the grill.
Bbq Sticky Pork Marinade
This marinade is perfect for getting those slightly sticky, sweet, and salty pork steaks and pork chops that are incredibly popular for barbecues. As well as using this marinade to grill pork steaks and pork chops, you can also use this marinade for cooking pork belly slices and pork ribs, although the pork ribs will need to be cooked in the oven first before finishing off on the BBQ.
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Serving The Pork Steak
Once the pork has rested, it’s time to eat. These perfectly cooked pork steaks are a great main course for any meal, especially when augmented with sides like coleslaw, fresh steamed or grilled vegetables, or buttered rolls. Extra barbecue sauce could be used for dipping, too, if that’s how you prefer your meat. You can surprise your family and friends by cooking your favorite bbq sauce yourself. And the total time of cooking wasn’t even that long.
Just A Great Pork Chop Marinade
You know when something hits the pan and it smells so great than even if its the first time youve made that recipe, you know its going to be a winner? This is one of those.
Plus, the added bonus is that there is a very good chance that all the ingredients are already in your pantry. Checklist:
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soy sauce
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Worcestershire Sauce .
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How To Season Pork Steaks
Pork shoulder steaks are a flavorful cut of meat on their own. They’re bone-in and full of rich pork shoulder meat. For that reason, they can be delicious on their own with just a bit of salt and pepper! But, I like to add a few simple spices to form an INCREDIBLE crust on the pork while it grills!
Once marinated, pat the pork steaks dry with a paper towel. This will prepare a nice, dry surface for your seasonings to adhere to. And, it will help you get a nice sear on the grill!
My favorite way to season pork shoulder steaks is with a combination of these four spices:
- Brown Sugar
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
I have recommended ratios for these spices in the recipe below, but please know that if youre feeling lazy, you can just put a liberal shake of each over the top of the pork, and itll be amazing!
How To Marinate Pork Steak
If you buy the entire muscle, wash it all and absorb the excess water with a paper towel. Then cut into thick slices of about 2 cm. This is a perfect thickness for the meat as the heat will quickly penetrate it, yet, it will remain juicy.
Or, you can buy already sliced steaks and proceed to marinate. Sprinkle with freshly ground pepper, smoked paprika, granulated garlic, dried herbs, olive oil, and salt. The aroma of the species will be absorbed by the meat and the taste will be more intense. Let the meat rest in the marinade for at least 30 minutes. When I want the meat perfumed and aromatic, I leave it in the fridge overnight. There is a very simple rule that goes to marinating meat. The longer it stays in the marinade, the tastier it gets. The ingredients blend better and become one.
There is no big secret in marinating meat. Just combine it with herbs, spices, and olive oil. All these ingredients are very easy to find in any grocery store. You can play with the spices and find your favorite combo. If you like the meat spicier, just throw in some chili pepper and it will do the job.
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Pork Chop Marinade Recipe Ingredients
This pork chop marinade recipe is easy to make once you gather your ingredients. You will need:
- Olive oil: use quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
- Maple syrup: use quality pure maple syrup and not the imitation breakfast kind.
- Orange juice: you will need 2 oranges to make ½ cup orange juice. Use freshly squeezed because we also need the zest.
- Balsamic vinegar: adds a fruity tang. Use quality balsamic vinegar for the best flavor.
- are my sublime secret ingredient to add fruity sweetness.
- Soy sauce: use reduced sodium soy sauce. Soy sauce balance the sweetness and helps brine the pork better than just salt.
- Dijon mustard: I promise it wont make your pork chops taste like mustard! It adds a depth of tanginess.
- Seasonings: chipotle chile pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried basil, dried oregano, dried thyme and pepper add layers of flavor.
- Chipotle chile pepper might be the only seasoning you dont keep stocked. I use it ALL the time in my Mexican recipes, so I highly suggest purchasing it. It is easy to find at your grocery store under any of the following names: chipotle chile pepper, ground chipotle chile, or chipotle powder. It is made of smoked jalapeno peppers so its not just spicy but smokey too!
Pork Rib Chop Recommended
- Other names: bone-in rib chops, rib pork chop, center-cut rib chop, pork chop end cut, pork rib cut chop, rib end cut.
- Where its from: This cut of pork comes from the center of the pork loin and is my recommendation for this pork chop marinade recipe. It is one of the best pork chops you can buy. It includes a T-shaped rib bone that has been cleaned which helps the pork cook evenly and makes the pork harder to overcook.
- About: These bone-in pork chops are the most desirable cut of pork chop. They are wonderfully tender and meaty with a mild pork flavor. I recommend them over boneless pork chops because they have a little more fat which = more flavor and the bone serves as a conductor which helps them cook evenly, keeps them wonderfully juicy and makes them hard to overcook.
Also Check: What Temperature Should You Grill Steaks At
Grilled Pork Shoulder Steak
- Step 1. Mix a marinade and let the pork steaks bathe in it for a few hours refrigerated overnight works great.
- Step 2. Take the pork out of the fridge and bring it to room temperature. Meanwhile heat your grill to medium-high . If using a grill-pan indoors heat it over your stove top on medium-high heat.
- Step 3. Scrape off the marinade from the steaks and grill for 5-8 minutes on each side, depending on how thick they are. Under 3/4 inch around 5 minutes per side, well over an inch close to 8 minutes per side. Season with salt and pepper a little before you flip them and a few minutes before you remove them from the grill.
Pork shoulder steak is food safe when the internal temperature reaches 145 F.
You can cook pork steaks until up to 160 180 F for well-done before you take them off the grill and let them rest for a few minutes, the meat juices should run clear. You can loosely cover them with foil during the rest.
Pork Chop And Tenderloin Marinade
Ideal for either chops or tenderloin cuts, this Asian-inspired marinade combines the best of savory flavors with fresh ginger and earthy liquid smoke. Marinate your chops for 4 to 6 hours and cook as preferred.
If there are allergies present, use vegetable oil instead of peanuts. Mix all of the ingredients and let stand for 5 minutes for the flavors to develop. Ready in 5 minutes.
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How Do You Make A Quick Pork Marinade
You can marinade pork with lots of ingredients you probably already have on hand in your pantry or fridge.
Simply pour the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, garlic, salt, pepper, and other spices into a mason jar or another jar with a tight-fitting lid. Shake well and pour the marinade into a ziplock bag along with the tenderloin.
You can marinade the tenderloin for at least 30 minutes up to overnight.
How Should Pork Be Cooked
With the knowledge that pork is safe to eat cooked to medium rare and above, there is still some debate as to what the optimal level of doneness is with pork, especially pork steaks.
The USDA, for one, recommends cooking pork to at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit, which would be medium. Many chefs and gourmets prefer their pork cooked like this, with a pink center. Cooking pork to medium provides a juicier, more tender bite than medium well or well done, which is typically dry and tough enough to run the risk of turning someone off pork entirely.
Others, however, have taken to experimenting with medium rare pork. Still safe to eat, this form of pork looks and tastes more like a perfectly cooked steak, with a pink to red center and more juices. However, medium rare pork runs the risk of being chewy.
It should also be noted that ground pork, no matter what you intend to do with it, should always be cooked completely. Unlike with a pork steak, ground meat carries more risk in eating it undercooked, as any forms of bacteria that would normally be seared from the surface of a pork steak would not be affected within a ground pork patty or the like. For this reason, ensure that any ground pork you cook with is cooked to a final temperature of 170 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Do I Need Soy Sauce In This Marinade
Yes! Yes you do! Its like a secret ingredient.
It acts as a brine, which injects the pork with tons of flavor and makes it juicy. Its way better than your basic salt and water brine because it also brings a flavor to your marinade.
No, dont worry, it wont make your pork chops take on an Asian flavor!
Ingredients For This Pork Recipe
Excited to try out cooking pork shoulder steaks at medium for the first time? Here’s a simple list of ingredients you’ll need to make some unforgettable grilled steaks.
- Cola
- Wood chunks or wood chips
- Charcoal grill
- Pork steaks
For best grilling practices, it’s essential to choose a wood that compliments the meat you’ll be cooking. Hickory, apple, apple, pecan, or cherry are good woods for cooking pork, though you should always be sparing with hickory as it can overpower the taste of your meat. Experiment to see what flavors you like best, always remembering to offset a thicker, heavier wood like hickory with a lighter fruit wood.
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Pork Chops Internal Temp
Juicy pork chops are not overcooked pork chops. According to USDA guidelines, pork chops are done when an internal thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the meat reaches 145 degrees F this is the sweet spot for the juiciest pork. This temperature means the pork chops will be slightly pink inside which is OKAY.
This 145-degrees temperature is 15 degrees less than the old standards of 160 degrees F which would mean the pork would be completely cooked through without any pink. The research shows, however, that 145 degrees F is the same safety-wise as cooking pork to 160 degrees F AND yields much more tender pork.
What Is Pork Butt Vs Pork Shoulder
Theyre basically the same cut. Pork butt & pork shoulder are both cuts from the shoulder region on a pig. Pork butt is a from a little higher than the pork shoulder cut. Both are very well marbled and super delicious. Usually used for slow smoking/cooking to make pulled pork and other slow cooked roasts. However, we find them perfect for grilling when cut into steaks about 1/2-3/4 thick. Nearly always super juicy and flavorful. But if cut too thick it will be a bit tougher so dont go crazy on your steak thickness. As a super added bonus, it is often one of the less expensive pork cuts and what we prefer when grinding meat for homemade sausages. In our eyes, pork butt is often undervalued and simply magical. And if youre interested in learning more about different cuts of pork steaks, heres a great pork cut resource.
Enjoy!
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How Long Do You Marinate Pork Chops
6-12 hours is the optimal time to marinate pork chops because they are a lean cut of meat and relatively thick. After 6 hours, the pork chops will have absorbed a lot of the flavor but by 12 hours they will have become more tender. I recommend marinating your pork chops for the maximum 12 hours for optimal flavor and juiciness but you can get by with whatever you have time for because the glaze is extremely flavorful.
Dont over-marinate. This pork chop marinade contains both orange juice and balsamic vinegar so it is highly acidic which means you dont want to marinate the pork chops much longer than 12 hours because the acid in the marinade will begin to change the structure of the meat and the muscle fibers can break down and become mushy.
Add Some Flavor And Some Of The Last Ingredients To Make This Dish:
Lets season this dish with ½ teaspoon of granulated white sugar, and some salt and pepper to your taste. After you add this to the mix, stir everything together well. For that final touch of flavor and texture, well be adding 2 onions that weve sliced. Let this cook for 3 more minutes, and then you would be ready to serve this amazingly savory batch of Pork Steak! Simply turn your heat off, and put everything from the pan onto your serving plate.
Now youre prepped with a gorgeous set of tasty pork chops for 4! But if youve looked through these steps and found out that you might be missing an ingredient or two, Ive got you covered!
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Follow These Steps To Make Some Mouthwatering Succulent Pork Steak:
This should take only about an hour to cook, and so youll have plenty of time to chow down on this delicious dish after youve made it. Just make sure you prepare in advance to marinade the delicious pork chops! Start out by getting a large bowl or a resealable bag. Place 4 pork chops, 5 tablespoons of soy sauce, and 2 pieces of juiced lime or calamansi inside. To let that flavor seep into the meat perfectly, marinate this for a minimum of 1 hour.
Now pour ½ cup of cooking oil into a pan, and let this heat accordingly. Afterwards, place the marinated pork chops inside, and pan-fry them in medium heat. Make sure to switch sides after 3 minutes to cook both parts evenly and nicely. Pan-fry the other side for 3 minutes as well.
Then take out all of your excess oil. Instead, put whats left of your marinade in the pan, as well as 1 ½ cups of water. Wait for this to boil. Then let it simmer for 45 minutes or until your pork chops are perfectly soft and tender. If you notice the water running out, feel free to pour more into the pan.
Grilled Pork Steaks Recipe
These are our go-to steaks to share with family, friends and neighbors. Everyone is always blown away at the umami flavor from our special fish sauce marinade. Even those who have had an aversion to the thought of fish sauce still cant taste it on these grilled pork steaks. All they taste is a wonderful combination of umami and flavorful, juicy pork shoulder. Weve talked about our ultimate umami burgers recipe for over 10 years and its still one of our most popular recipes. You believed us back then when it came to burgers and give it a try again with this pork recipe. Yes, were telling you that a few splashes of fish sauce on these juicy pork butt steaks is a huge winner.
Video: Delicious Vietnamese Grilled Pork Steaks
Dont be afraid of the fish sauce in the pork steak marinade.
Again, trust us. When the fatty pork butt is marinated then grilled, its a flavor bomb thats perfect for sandwiches, salads or spring rolls. In fact, we wrap these slices of cut grilled pork steaks into fresh spring rolls. Weve had feasts with so many people in our backyard and it reigns as everyones top and favorite garden meal. Even our picky Vietnamese parents give this marinade a two enthusiastic thumbs up. If we still cant convince you to use fish sauce, you can always use soy sauce or Worcestershire!
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