How to Cook Juicy Pork Cube Steak in an Air Fryer

Air fryers have become one of the most popular kitchen appliances in recent years Their ability to make food crispy and delicious using little to no oil is revolutionary. While air fryers are great for foods like french fries and chicken wings, they can also be used to cook meat dishes like pork cube steak

Pork cube steak is an inexpensive cut of pork from the shoulder/butt that’s been tenderized by pounding It has great flavor and when cooked right, can be super juicy. The air fryer is the perfect way to cook cubed pork steak since it cooks the meat quickly while keeping it moist. The end result is a tender and lightly crispy steak

In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about cooking cube steak in an air fryer. I’ll provide tips on selecting the right cut of meat, preparing it, seasoning, recommended cook times and temperatures, plus serving suggestions. Follow these air fryer pork cube steak instructions and you’ll enjoy juicy, flavorful steaks every time.

Selecting the Right Cut of Pork for Cube Steak

The first step is choosing the right cut of pork. For cube steak, you want to use pork shoulder, also known as Boston butt or pork butt. This comes from the upper part of the front leg of the pig. It contains a good amount of fat marbling which keeps the meat moist during cooking.

Some stores sell meat that’s already been pounded into cube steak. But I prefer buying a solid shoulder roast and cubing or tenderizing it myself. This allows me to control the thickness and shape of the steaks for even cooking.

Look for a boneless pork shoulder roast that’s about 2-3 lbs. Avoid cuts with large pockets of visible fat which can lead to flare ups in the air fryer. A nicely marbled roast will yield the most flavorful and tender cube steak.

Preparing Pork Cube Steak

Pork shoulder roasts need to be broken down into cube steaks. Here’s how to do it:

1. Trim off any excess fat or connective tissue from the pork roast.

2. Cut the pork into 1-inch thick slices. Cut against the grain of the meat for more tenderness.

3. Use a meat mallet or tenderizer to gently pound the pork slices to about 1/2-inch thickness. Pound on both sides.

4. Score the surface of the steaks in a crisscross pattern to help them absorb marinade and cook evenly.

5. Cut the large slices into approximately 3-4 inch pieces. These are your cube steaks.

I like to prep and tenderize the cube steak a day ahead. Then I can marinate them overnight which makes the meat even more moist and flavorful.

Marinating Pork Cube Steaks

Marinating is optional but highly recommended. An acidic marinade helps tenderize the meat and infuses savory flavor.

Some simple marinade options include:

• Soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger: A savory Asian-inspired marinade.

• Olive oil, lime juice, garlic, oregano, and cumin: A zesty Mexican style marinade.

• Apple cider vinegar, mustard, onion, thyme, and pepper: A tangy and robust marinade.

Whatever marinade ingredients you choose, pour it over the steaks in a gallon size zip top bag or baking dish. Make sure the meat is well coated. Refrigerate at least 2 hours up to overnight.

Seasoning Pork Cube Steak for the Air Fryer

Just before air frying, remove the steaks from the marinade and pat dry thoroughly with paper towels. This helps ensure a nice crispy exterior in the air fryer.

Season the steaks on both sides with salt and pepper. I also like using a Montreal steak seasoning which contains pepper, coriander, red pepper flakes, and dill for great flavor.

If the steaks weren’t marinated, season more generously on both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano, and any other spices you enjoy.

Cooking Pork Cube Steak in an Air Fryer

Air frying locks in the juiciness of pork cube steak while giving it a delicious crispy crust. Here are some tips for success:

• Use a light spray oil: Lightly coat both sides of the steaks with an oil mist spray. This helps promote browning.

• Preheat properly: Fully preheat the air fryer to 370°F-380°F before cooking. This prevents overcooking.

• Don’t overcrowd: Cook steaks in a single layer with space between each piece. Overcrowding causes steaming.

• Flip halfway: Cook for 5-6 minutes then flip and cook another 3-5 minutes. Flipping halfway ensures even cooking.

• Monitor for doneness: Use an instant read thermometer to check temperature. Pull steaks at 145°F for juicy pork.

• Let rest before serving: Rest steaks 5 minutes after cooking for juicier results. The temp will rise another 5°F.

Cooking times can vary based on the size and thickness of your steaks. Thinner 1/2-inch steaks take about 5-7 minutes total while thicker 3/4 to 1-inch steaks may need 9-11 minutes. Monitor with a meat thermometer for best results.

Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Pork Cube Steaks

The lightly crispy, juicy pork cube steaks are delicious on their own but pair nicely with various sides. Here are some tasty serving suggestions:

• Smother steaks with sauteed onions and mushrooms

• Serve steaks with roasted new potatoes and green beans

• Top with a creamy mustard sauce or onion gravy

• Pair steaks with rice, beans, and fried plantains

• Stuff into sandwiches with pickles and mustard

• Dice and add to fried rice or pasta dishes

Enjoy cube steaks tacos with pineapple salsa and avocado

Leftover pork cube steak keeps well refrigerated for 3-4 days. Reheat gently in the air fryer or oven to maintain texture. Avoid microwaving which makes the crust soggy.

Flavor Variations for Air Fryer Cube Steaks

While plain seasoned cube steak is delicious, you can also coat the steaks with different flavors before air frying:

• Breaded cube steak: For added crunch, coat steaks with seasoned breadcrumbs or panko before air frying. Spray with oil to crisp the coating.

• BBQ cube steak: Brush steaks with your favorite bbq sauce before or after cooking.

• Teriyaki cube steak: Brush steaks with a sticky teriyaki glaze for a sweet and salty flavor.

• Jerk cube steak: Sprinkle steaks with Caribbean jerk seasoning blend before air frying.

• Cumin cube steak: Coat steaks in a dry rub of cumin, chili powder, brown sugar, and crushed garlic.

• Italian cube steak: Season steaks with Italian dressing then sprinkle with parmesan before air frying.

Let your imagination run wild and use any dry rubs, sauces, or spice blends you love!

Common Air Fryer Pork Cube Steak Questions

If you’re new to cooking cube steak in an air fryer, here are answers to some frequently asked questions:

Should pork cube steak be marinated?

Marinating is optional but recommended. An acidic marinade tenderizes the meat and adds flavor.

Do you have to flip pork cube steak in the air fryer?

Yes, flipping halfway through is important to ensure even browning and cooking.

Is cubed steak the same as pork cube steak?

Yes, they are the same cut of meat. Cube steak refers to tenderized top round or pork shoulder.

What is the best temperature for air frying pork cube steak?

Cook at 370-380°F to properly crisp the exterior without overcooking the pork.

Can you cook frozen pork cube steak in an air fryer?

No, only thawed steaks should be air fried. Frozen meat won’t cook evenly. Defrost steaks in the refrigerator before cooking.

How long does it take to cook 1-inch thick pork cube steaks?

Approximately 9-11 minutes is needed for thicker 1-inch steaks. Use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness.

Air Fryer Pork Cube Steak Master Recipe

Follow this simple master recipe for tender and juicy pork cube steak with a crispy crust using the air fryer.

Ingredients:

• 1 1⁄2 lbs pork shoulder/butt roast
• Oil mister spray
• 1⁄4 cup soy sauce or marinade
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp fresh ginger, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp Montreal steak seasoning