What Is Pork Steak? – A Useful Guide

what is pork steak

Pork steak may be one of the most versatile cuts of pork, right up there with spare ribs.

Pork steaks are usually cut from the shoulder, although they can also come from the leg or loin section.

The shoulder is a tough cut that requires long hours in a slow cooker in order to make it tender enough for consumption. And when you add a few spices to the mix, you get pork steak.

But what is pork steak? What’s the nutritional value of pork steak?

Let’s take a closer look…

What Exactly Is Pork Steak?

Pork steak is a cut from the shoulder of a pig. It can be defined as a portion of meat separated from other muscles in this area by tough connective tissues and bones.

It’s usually cut about one-half inch thick, according to USDA standards.

For Americans, pork steak has been identified as a Southern food that was historically consumed by African slaves who lived on the plantations.

In the US, pork steak is most often found in a salt and vinegar based marinade that gives the cut a milder flavor than a regular pork chop or loin roast.

While fresh pork steaks are being produced in many parts of the world, only those from North America find their way to grocery stores and butcher shops.

What Are The Various Types Of Pork Steak?

There are two main types of pork steaks: bone-in and boneless.

Bone-in pork steak can be cut either with or without the bone, depending on how it’s processed at the meatpacking plant.

On the other hand, boneless pork steak is cut from boneless loins of the pig.

Pork chops and ribeye steaks are examples of boneless and bone-in pork steaks, respectively.

How Is Pork Steak Best Cooked?

Cooking pork steak is simple. It’s important to remember that the meat is most flavorful when it’s prepared using basic ingredients like salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

Pork steak can be fried in a little oil or placed on an outdoor grill until it reaches the desired degree of doneness.

This is the method I find best when I cook pork steak.

I like to marinate my pork steak overnight, then I grill it with some salt, pepper, garlic powder, and a few slices of onion the following morning for breakfast!

However, it can be braised, broiled, or baked as well.

One good way to test for doneness is to insert a fork into the meat. If it’s a little soft, then you can begin cooking it.

There are also recipes that call for marinating pork steak before cooking, but this step is optional since marinades have a tendency to mask the true flavor of meats.

How Is Pork Steak Best Prepared?

Preparing pork steak is as easy as cooking it.

Simply season your pork steak according to your taste, place it in a baking dish or on an oven-safe skillet, and bake until it’s browned.

Then you can simply eat the meat with vegetables or other sides for a delicious meal.

Preparing this cut of meat is effortless and doesn’t require much time either.

However, it’s important to remember not to overcook pork steak, especially if you’re using a slow cooker or other methods that require long cooking times.

The meat may become tough and chewy if allowed to cook for too long.

How Is Pork Steak Best Served?

You can simply slice them and serve them with steamed vegetables, potatoes, or rice, for example. Or you can use it in various recipes like tacos and turnovers.

Furthermore, pork steak also serves as a great ingredient in soups and stews. It’s amazing how tender pork steak becomes after simmering in a flavorful broth like Chinese long-simmered soup.

Pork steak is also an excellent choice when you want to make sandwiches, especially when paired with many kinds of cheese and fresh vegetables.

It’s also good for fajitas and pizza toppings.

How Expensive Is Pork Steak?

The price of pork steak is going to vary depending on where you live, but it’s an affordable cut of meat for the most part.

If you are buying prepared pork steak at a grocery store or butcher shop though, then expect to pay double or even triple what you would for whole pork loins or shoulder roasts.

However, if you buy them fresh and cook them yourself, then you can buy this cut of meat at a similar price to other cuts.

The average price of pork steak in the US is $4.50 per pound, and the price goes up if you buy it in smaller stores like butcher shops and specialty gourmet groceries.

Is Pork Steak Pig Or Cow?

If you haven’t already guessed it, pork steak comes from a pig and not a cow.

This can often confuse people as they think that the terms “pork” and “steak” are interchangeable.

However, there is a difference between pork steak and other cuts of meat like pork chops, which come from pigs.

Pork loin is another popular cut of pork that comes from pigs.

It’s lean, tender, and mild in flavor, but it’s also very fatty if you eat the skin or other parts that are closer to the rump.

For this reason, it’s commonly sold boneless since most people prefer eating pork loins without the added fat.

However, you may find pork loins that come with the bone in them if you buy them fresh instead of buying the ones that are pre-packaged and ready to eat at grocery stores.

What Is The Nutritional Value Of Pork Steak?

As always it’s good practice to educate yourself on the nutritional information of the food you eat.

Pork steak is high in protein and also contains several key nutrients such as selenium, phosphorus, and niacin.

It’s not a significant source of vitamins A or K though.

In fact, pork loin makes for a healthier alternative when it comes to pork cuts since it contains less fat and cholesterol.

It’s also a good source of riboflavin, a key B-complex vitamin that your body needs to convert the food you eat into fuel.

Below is the nutritional value of one Pork Steak (4oz):

  • Calories = 240
  • Fat = 18g
  • Saturated Fat = 7g
  • Carbohydrates = 0
  • Sugar = 0
  • Protein = 18g

Pork steak is also considered a better alternative to beef steaks because of its fat content.

So instead of having to remove the excess fat before you cook it, then you can simply eat everything that is included with pork steak since it contains less saturated fat than beef does.

As you can see from the above, pork steak is low in calories and carbohydrates but quite high in protein.

This makes it a meal that you can eat for dinner and not regret later.

Other Considerations

It’s important to keep in mind though that the nutritional value and fat content of pork steak can change depending on how you season it and cook it.

Pork steaks usually come unseasoned, so you’ll probably want to add salt and pepper to taste before preparing them.

However, if you buy them already seasoned or marinated then this will affect the amount of fat they contain and how much salt is in the meal.

The same goes for frying your pork steak or adding sauces and seasonings to it too because these will affect how many calories and carbs you end up eating.

Conclusion

As a whole, pork steaks are relatively low-fat meat that you can eat for dinner without a lot of guilt.

It’s a good source of protein and even better if you pair it with a side of vegetables or salad rather than eating it with breaded items like french fries, breadcrumbs, or flour.

However, the amount of fat in pork steak will depend on how you cook and season it.

For example, pan-frying pork steak instead of using a nonstick cooking spray will make it higher in fat and calories.  

The same goes for the sauce and seasoning that you add to your meal too.

So as long as you keep these things in mind before you eat pork steaks, you can still enjoy a low-fat and low-calorie meal that’s high in protein.

Thanks for taking the time to read this article and I hope you’ve learned something new about pork steak.

Feel free to stick around and learn more about steaks on our blog, we have a wealth of valuable information for you to use.

Other Popular Posts