How Long to Grill Pork Steaks for Perfectly Cooked Meat

Pork steaks are a classic summertime grilled meat that are quick, easy, and packed with flavor. But knowing exactly how long to grill pork steaks is key for achieving the perfect level of doneness and juiciness In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about grilling times for pork steaks, from start to finish

What are Pork Steaks?

Pork steaks are cuts of meat from the shoulder of the pig They contain a good amount of fat marbling which keeps them moist during cooking Pork shoulder steaks are sometimes referred to as Boston butt steaks or pork blade steaks, They are a very popular cut of meat in barbecue regions like Texas and the Midwest,

Compared to other pork cuts like chops or tenderloin, pork steaks have more connective tissue. This requires lower and slower cooking methods like grilling or smoking to break down the collagen. When cooked properly, pork steaks are succulent and flavorful with a slight chew.

Factors That Affect Grilling Time

There are a few key factors that impact how long it takes to grill pork steaks

• Thickness – The thicker the steaks, the longer they will need on the grill. Thin steaks may only need 4-5 minutes per side while 2-inch thick steaks require 10-15 minutes per side.

• Bone-in or Boneless – Bone-in pork steaks will take a bit longer to cook than boneless. The bones help conduct heat and add moisture during cooking.

• Temperature of Grill – Cooking over high direct heat on a hot grill around 400-450°F will cook the steaks faster than indirect heat or cooler temps between 300-350°F.

• Desired Doneness – For tender, juicy pork steaks, cook to 145°F internal temperature. Going above 160°F will result in dry, overcooked meat.

Grill Times for Pork Steaks

Now that we’ve covered the factors that impact cook times, here are some general guidelines for grilling pork steaks:

• 1-inch thick steaks:

  • Direct high heat – 4 to 5 minutes per side
  • Indirect medium heat – 6 to 8 minutes per side

• 1.5-inch thick steaks:

  • Direct high heat – 6 to 7 minutes per side
  • Indirect medium heat – 8 to 10 minutes per side

• 2-inch thick steaks:

  • Direct high heat – 8 to 10 minutes per side
  • Indirect medium heat – 10 to 12 minutes per side

These times are for cooking pork steaks to medium doneness with an internal temperature around 145°F. If you prefer them more done, extend the times by a couple minutes per side.

Always use a good quality instant read meat thermometer to check for doneness instead of relying solely on grill times. The thermometer doesn’t lie!

Setting Up the Grill

To ensure your pork steaks turn out perfect, your grill setup is key. Here are some tips:

• Two Zone Fire – Set up a two zone fire with direct and indirect heat zones. Sear the steaks over direct high heat before moving to indirect heat to finish cooking.

• Clean Grill Grates – Preheat and clean the grill grates well before cooking. Use a grill brush and vegetable oil to prevent sticking.

• Appropriate Gas Temperature – For a gas grill, preheat to between 400-450°F on high before grilling.

• Proper Charcoal Amount – Use enough charcoal to maintain temperatures between 400-450°F. Spread coals evenly for direct heat.

Grilling Process

Once your grill is hot and setup properly, follow these steps for grilling pork steaks:

1. Pat steaks dry and season generously with salt, pepper, and other spices/herbs.
2. Place steaks over direct high heat. Sear for 2-3 minutes until nicely browned.
3. Flip steaks and sear another 2-3 minutes on second side.
4. Move steaks to indirect heat zone if using two zone fire.
5. Continue grilling over indirect heat, flipping occasionally until desired internal temp.
6. Remove from grill and tent loosely with foil. Let rest 5-10 minutes before serving.

Basting the steaks with barbecue sauce during the last few minutes adds great flavor. But be careful not to burn the sugar in the sauce over direct heat.

Common Problems and Solutions

Here are some common issues that can occur during grilling pork steaks and how to avoid them:

• Undercooked – Always rely on an instant read thermometer for doneness, not just grill times. Insert into thickest part of steak away from bone.

• Overcooked and Dry – Don’t cook over 160°F internal temp or the steaks will toughen up. Remove from heat at 145°F.

• Burnt Outside, Raw Inside – Sear quickly over direct heat before moving to indirect heat to finish cooking more gently. Don’t cook solely over high direct heat.

• Sticking to the Grill – Ensure grates are clean and well oiled before grilling. Don’t move the steaks too early or they can tear.

• Uneven Cooking – Use two zone fire and rotate steaks occasionally for even exposure to heat. Cook bone-in steaks over indirect heat which distributes heat more evenly.

Recipes andMarinades for Pork Steaks

Pork steaks do well with both dry rubs and marinades. Here are some tasty recipes to try:

• Sweet Apple Cider Marinade – For moist and tender grilled pork, soak steaks 1-2 hours in a mixture of apple cider vinegar, apple cider, brown sugar, Worcestershire, and spices.

• Basic Dry Rub – A simple blend of salt, pepper, paprika, onion and garlic powders, and cayenne pepper nicely flavors the steaks.

• Jamaican Jerk Spice – The Caribbean flavors of allspice, thyme, garlic, and habanero in this spicy rub pair amazingly with pork.

• Cola BBQ Sauce – Brush steaks during the last few minutes with a sauce of cola, ketchup, Worcestershire, vinegar, and spices.

• Honey Mustard Glaze – For a sweet, tangy finish, coat steaks with a glaze made with mustard, honey, and lemon juice.

Let’s Recap How Long to Grill Pork Steaks

Grilling pork steaks is simple when you follow the guidelines for times, temperatures, and techniques outlined here. The key factors are thickness, bone-in or boneless, grill setup, and monitoring temperature. By searing over direct heat before finishing over indirect gentle heat, you’ll achieve the ideal juicy, grill-kissed pork steaks.

For 1-inch thick steaks, grill 4-5 minutes per side. 1.5-inches thick needs 6-7 minutes per side. And 2-inch thick steaks require 8-10 minutes per side for medium doneness. Always check internal temperature for doneness. Rest steaks 5-10 minutes before serving.

Use this comprehensive guide for your grilling times reference anytime you cook pork steaks. Your family and friends will be amazed at your perfectly grilled pork steaks!