These Southern spiced pork steaks are packed with flavour thanks to the delicious spice rub. A quick and easy week-night meal with an American twist.
Spiced Pork Steaks
Pork sometimes seems like a forgotten meat in the UK these days. We rarely use it at home, yet every time I cook pork I remember how much I enjoy it!
Elsewhere it’s a different story, of course. The Spanish and the Germans love pork. In the USA, where lamb and mutton are often absent from the menu, pork often features heavily. Along with chicken, it is central to the robust, flavourful cuisine of the southern states.
There are many reasons to love pork. It’s easy and quick to cook, and the right cut is low on fat, big on flavour, juicy and tender. It’s also relatively frugal.
These Southern spiced pork steaks make a fantastic after work dinner for two – quick, easy and full of flavour. You simply mix up the spice blend, rub it into the meat and then cook in a griddle or frying pan. (To really maximise the flavour, you can rub the meat the day before and leave it in the fridge for 24 hours.) Serve with your favourite veg and rice or potatoes.
Why We Love This Recipe
- Pork is delicious and adds some variety to your meals.
- Despite being so easy, this dish is full of big bold flavours.
- Pork is relatively cheap
- A lean pork steak is very low on fat.
- Dinner can be on the table in 15 minutes or less.
Pork Steaks
I’ve used a loin steak in this recipe but you can use any boneless pork steak, or buy a chop and remove the bone and fat yourself. The loin is the muscle that runs along the top of the backbone.
Many, though not all, pork steaks are boneless chops (the meat in a steak can also come from other muscles). Because the loin is very lean it can become tough when cooking. It needs to be cooked carefully so it doesn’t dry out and become tough.
In the past, when trichinella was a problem, the advice was to cook pork very thoroughly. Unfortunately this could destroy the tenderness of these excellent cuts. However, as the problem has been eliminated here in the UK, it is perfectly safe to eat pork slightly pink. If you are buying pork elsewhere in the world, do check!
Southern Spiced Pork Steaks – Step by Step
Step One – Make your spice blend by mixing all the dry ingredients together. The chipotle chilli gives a bit of smoky heat. Adjust the quantity of chilli to suit your own taste.
Step Two – Lightly score the pork steaks with a diamond pattern.
Step Three – Rub the spice blend into the steaks. You can either them cook immediately, or leave in the fridge for 24 hours for the flavours to soak in. For ease of handling, the recipe will give you leftover spice blend. Reserve it for next time.
Step Four – Lightly oil the pork steaks. Oiling the meat rather than the pan really helps to keep it from sticking, especially when using a ridged griddle pan.
Step Five – Cook for about 4 minutes on each side over a medium heat. Serve Southern spiced pork steaks immediately.
Hints, Tips and Variations
- Vary the spice blend to suit your taste.
- There is enough spice blend for 4–5 meals here. It is great with stir-fried chicken or beef, or with roast vegetables. It would also be delicious used in slow cooker pulled pork, or on a large piece of BBQed beef.
- Lean pork can get tough, so it is important not to overcook it. You want your Southern spiced pork to be tender and juicy.
- You can marinate the pork in the spice rub and keep in the fridge for 24 hours before cooking or freezing.
- When cooking on a ridged griddle pan, oil the food rather than the pan. This helps to stop it sticking.
Southern Spiced Pork Steaks
Ingredients
For the spice blend
- 1/2 tsp chipotle chilli powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 tsp celery salt
- 1 tsp dried basil or oregano
For the pork steaks
- 2 pork loin steaks (about 120 -150g each)
- 1 tsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- Make the spice mix by mixing all the dry ingredients together in a bowl or small jar. Stir or shake to combine. Adjust the chilli to suit your taste.
- Lightly score a diamond pattern on both sides of the pork steaks with a sharp knife.
- Rub a heaped teaspoon of the mix evenly over both sides of the pork. You can do this a day ahead and keep the steaks in the fridge, so the spices infuse the meat.
- Set a flat griddle pan on a medium to high heat.Lightly oil the pork steaks on each side and cook for about 4 minutes on each side, taking care not to overcook.
Notes
- Vary the spice blend to suit your taste.Â
- There is enough spice blend for 4–5 meals here. It is great with stir-fried chicken or beef, or with roast vegetables. It would also be delicious used in slow cooker pulled pork, or on a large piece of BBQed beef.Â
- Lean pork can get tough, so it is important not to overcook it. You want your Southern spiced pork to be tender and juicy. Â
- You can marinate the pork in the spice rub and keep in the fridge for 24 hours before cooking or freezing.Â
- When cooking on a ridged griddle pan, oil the food rather than the pan. This helps to stop it sticking.Â
- This recipe is 6 Weight Watchers Smart Points per portionÂ
Update Notes: This recipe was originally posted in March 2016, but was rewritten and republished with step by step instructions and hints & tips in January 2020.
If you enjoy this Southern spiced pork recipe, try my pulled chicken and chickpea sloppy Joes. Alternatively, make this recipe for slow cooker cornbread to serve with your Southern spiced pork steaks. It’s delicious!
Katie Bryson
Lovely recipe – and I do like there is enough spice blend for several meals.
Helen
Yes- I love a jar of ready made spice rub!
Chelsea Wilkerson
Great idea; i like the thought that you don’t have too cook all the recipes straight away.
Helen
Isn’t it? Really good idea.
Archie Osborne
Good looking pork; I bet that would be great if barbecued!
Helen
BBQing it would be awesome!
Patricia L
Looks like a tasty dish, I love pork
Helen
It was!
Saritha Kumbakkara
An awesome recipe to cook up some fresh pork.
Helen
Thanks Saritha, it was super tasty.
Charlie @ The Kitchen Shed
This looks fantastic! Love the idea of making it and leaving all those lovely spices to infuse.
Helen
Its a good trick to rub the rub in and leave
Francis
I love this recipe – although I make mine with extra heat!
Helen
Ha! I think each member of the family needs their own spice blend!