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Easy And Tender Grilled Pork Shoulder Steak

Fire up your outdoor grill because itโ€™s that time of year again!

And with this easy and tender grilled pork shoulder steak recipe, youโ€™re going to happily brave those sweltering summer temperatures because itโ€™s so incredibly delicious.

Tender, melt-in-your-mouth pork makes for a perfect family dinner on a summer night or a fantastic showstopper for a backyard barbecue.

Delicious Pork Shoulder Steaks

grilled pork steak on a cutting board. There are two slices in the pork. There's some broccoli and barbecue sauce in two different bowls next to the pork.

Youโ€™ve simply got to try this grilled pork shoulder steak, though bewareโ€ฆonce you make it for friends and family, theyโ€™re going to request it every time they come over!

DISCLAIMER: This post is sponsored by the Iowa Pork Producers Association. As always, the opinions are honest and are all my own. 

Why Pork Shoulder Steak Is A Great Choice For Grilling

Pork shoulder steak is a great cut of meat for grilling due to its rich marbling and flavorful taste, which helps keep the steak moist and juicy while grilling.

The grilled pork steaks take about one hour to marinate, grill, and serve.

They have a ton of flavor and can be made in a variety of ways. You can cook them on the grill, in the oven, on the stove top, in a smoker, or in an air fryer.

Plus, when you buy pork, you are helping local farmers, their families, and their communities all over the United States.

When you purchase pork from the grocery store or local butcher, you can be assured that it is from local farms around the country. And about one-third of the pork comes from Iowa farmers.

Plus, when you help farmers and their communities, it helps the next generation with scholarships, 4H, and so much more.

And pork shoulder steak is budget-friendly and can be made and ready to eat in a short amount of time.

Make your meal shine with some delicious and easy pork gravy from It Is A Keeper.

grilled pork steak on a cutting board. There are two slices in the pork. There's some broccoli and barbecue sauce in two different bowls next to the pork.

Pork Shoulder Steak Has A Lot Of Nutrients

When it comes to pork, you can be assured you are feeding your family a great meal. Here are some of the nutrients you’re getting when serving pork:

  • Iron
  • Niacin
  • Potassium
  • Vitamins B12 and B6
  • Magnesium
  • Zinc and so much more
  • Plus, it’s low-carb!

And don’t forget about protein. Pork has a very high amount of protein. Based on a 3-ounce serving, pork contains about 22 grams of protein. You can’t beat that!

Ingredients For Pork Shoulder Steaks On The Grill

  • Pork shoulder steak
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Root beer

Full printable recipe with measurements and instructions listed at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Pork steaks in a baking dish with salt and pepper on them.

Start by sprinkling the pork with salt and pepper on both sides and rub it in.

Root beer in a baking dish with pork.

Pour the root beer over the pork.

Pork steaks in a baking dish covered with aluminum foil.

Cover the dish with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.

After 30 minutes, take the pork steaks out of the root beer and set them on a plate. Let them sit for about 15 minutes before grilling.

Preheat the grill to 400 degrees.

Raw pork steak on the grill.

Place the pork steaks on the grill.

Pork shoulder steak on the grill.

Cook on each side for about 9-12 minutes or until a digital meat thermometer reaches at least 145 degrees.

The safe internal cooking temperature for pork shoulder steak is 145 degrees.

Be sure to place the thermometer in the thickest part of the steak.

Pork cooking on the grill. There's a meat thermometer sticking out of the pork.

Transfer the steaks from the grill to a plate and let them rest for about five minutes before serving.

Slices of pork steak on a cutting board.

Slice the pork steaks, and you’re ready to eat!

grilled pork steak on a cutting board. There are two slices in the pork. There's some broccoli and barbecue sauce in two different bowls next to the pork.

A Difference In Temperature

I did a little test to see how tender the pork steaks would be at 165 degrees. The steaks came out even more tender than the lower temperature.

So, you need to get the steaks to an internal temperature of 145 degrees, but you can take them all the way up to 165 degrees for a very tender main dish. I was able to cut the pork with my fork because it was so deliciously tender.

How To Select The Steak Cut

When selecting pork shoulder steak for grilling, look for cuts that are about 1 to 1.5 inches thick. This thickness allows for even cooking and helps retain the natural juices.

Choose cuts that have some marbling because this will help enhance the tenderness and flavor of the steak.

grilled pork steak on a cutting board.

Flavorful Marinades And Rubs For Pork Shoulder Steak

One of the great things about pork is that you can create a large variety of dishes from this one cut.

And one of the best ways to help enhance the flavor is to try different rubs and marinades. Here are a few ideas:

  • BBQ pork shoulder steak – use your favorite barbecue sauce, your favorite marinade, or make your own and let the steak marinate in it for about two hours or overnight. Grill the steaks and then brush some more bbq sauce on right before removing the steaks from the grill.
  • Dry rub recipe – dry rub is a great way to add more flavor to pork. It’s made with pantry ingredients such as brown sugar, paprika, garlic salt, chili powder, dry mustard and more. Just rub it on and let the steaks sit for a few hours or overnight in the fridge.
  • Asian-inspired glazed pork shoulder steak – glazed marinade made from soy sauce, honey, ginger, garlic, and Asian-inspired flavors is a great way to change things up. Marinate for one to four hours and then grill as usual. Sprinkle some sesame seeds on top just before eating.
  • Spicy Cajun-style pork shoulder steak – if you like things spicy, you can try a Cajun-style rub. Combine paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper and rub it on the pork steaks. Let it sit for at least one hour to allow the flavors to meld. Grill the steak as usual, and serve with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to balance the heat.
Sliced pork shoulder steak on a cutting board.

Tips For The Perfect Tender, Juicy Pork Shoulder Steak

1. Let the steak sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before grilling. This allows for more even cooking.

2. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. The temperature needs to reach 145 degrees. The pork steak is very tender at 145 but even more tender at 165 degrees.

3. Let the pork shoulder steak rest before slicing for about five minutes. Resting allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more tender and flavorful steak.

More Delicious Pork Recipes

Easy And Tender Grilled Pork Shoulder Steak

Pork blade steaks can become tender, juicy, and downright perfect with a little time marinating in root beer.

You can try this with any cut of pork to get that sublime texture. The flavor is truly out of this world, making it a real treat for friends and family. 

The shoulder is one of the most underrated cuts of pork. Once you marinate it in root beer, youโ€™ll see itโ€™s a huge game-changer, one youโ€™ll want to cook for game day, backyard barbecues, and every other gathering!

Be sure to get a copy of the pork shoulder steak recipe below.

grilled pork steak on a cutting board. There are two slices in the pork. There's some broccoli and barbecue sauce in two different bowls next to the pork.

Easy And Tender Grilled Pork Shoulder Steak

5 from 4 votes
Julie Pollitt
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Pork
Cuisine American
Servings 2
Calories 1048 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 one pound pork shoulder blade steaks
  • 1 teaspoon of salt
  • 1 teaspoon of black pepper
  • 12 ounces of root beer

Instructions
 

  • Place pork steaks in a casserole dish and rub the salt and pepper on both sides.
  • Pour the root beer into the dish and cover with aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
  • Let the steaks marinate for 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
  • Take the pork steaks out of the marinade and place on a plate for about 15 minutes at room temperature.
  • Grill at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes, flipping the steaks halfway through the cooking time.
  • Once the temperature reaches 145 degrees you can remove the steaks from the grill. (I use an instant-read thermometer to check).
  • Let the pork sit for about five minutes before serving.

Video

Notes

Pork steaks cooked at 145 degrees are tender. When cooked to 165 degrees, the steaks become tender enough to cut with a fork.
I bought about one inch thick steaks.
For this recipe, I used a gas grill, but you can also use a charcoal grill.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 1048kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 82gFat: 69gSaturated Fat: 26gPolyunsaturated Fat: 35gCholesterol: 311mgSodium: 1293mgSugar: 20g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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5 from 4 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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11 Comments

  1. My husband loved grilling these and I loved eating them. So much flavor in comparison to other pork recipes!

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      So glad you both loved it!

  2. The root beer was key! So tender and so flavorful.

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      So glad you liked it!

  3. wilhelmina says:

    5 stars
    Great recipe! The pork was tender and flavorful, I am saving this recipe!

  4. These pork steaks were so delicious on the grill. The marinade made them so tender and juicy. Great recipe.

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      So glad to hear it!

  5. I dont like root beer not even a little bit. Would rather be thirsty kind of dont like. Is there any possibility that Pepsi would tenderize as well? I love pork and will try this if you say yes.

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      Hi Margaret, You can definitely use Pepsi if you’d like to. I hope you love it!

  6. no grill, how can i do this in the oven, please

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      Hi bg,

      I haven’t made this in the oven, but I would cook the pork shoulder steak in a baking dish while it’s in the root beer. I’d bake it at 350-degrees for about 30 minutes. Then, I would remove the steak from the root beer and cook it on a baking sheet for about another 15 minutes. If it’s 145 degrees then it’s done. I hope that helps and that you love it!

      Before baking it, leave the pork steak in the root beer and let it sit on the counter while the oven is preheating. Then put it in the oven. That way it will cook more evenly.