Are you a fan of southern-style pork steaks? Do you have a Pit Boss Pellet Grill or smoker and want to know how long to cook them for optimal flavor and tenderness?
Look no further! In this article, we’ll explore various techniques and tips for smoking and grilling pork steaks on a Pit Boss, including recipe ingredients, cooking times, and temperature recommendations.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner, this guide will help you achieve mouth-watering results every time. So grab your apron and let’s get cooking!
How Long To Cook Pork Steaks On Pit Boss?
The cooking time for pork steaks on a Pit Boss Pellet Grill or smoker can vary depending on a few factors, such as the thickness of the steaks, the temperature of your grill or smoker, and the desired level of tenderness.
For smoking pork steaks, it’s recommended to use low temperatures over indirect heat between 225 – 250 F. This will ensure that the pork steak gets enough smoke flavor, builds a bark, and can break down and become tender. It will take around 2-2.5 hours to smoke pork steaks at this temperature range.
If you’re grilling pork steaks on a Pit Boss, it’s best to start by smoking them at a low temperature for around 50 minutes. Then, increase the temperature to 350 degrees F and grill for an additional 5 minutes on each side while basting with a vinegar-based sauce.
It’s important to note that the internal temperature of the pork steak is the most important factor in determining doneness. The USDA recommends cooking pork to an internal temperature of 145°F, but many people prefer to cook it to a higher temperature for more tenderness.
To ensure that your pork steaks are cooked to perfection, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. When the pork steak reaches an internal temperature of 175-180 F, remove it from the smoker or grill and wrap it tightly in foil with butter, honey, and BBQ sauce. Place it back onto the smoker or grill and smoke until tender.
Preparing Pork Steaks For The Pit Boss
Before cooking pork steaks on a Pit Boss Pellet Grill, it’s important to prepare them properly. Start by selecting pork shoulder and slicing it into 1/4″ or so slices, which are commonly known as “pork steaks”.
Next, season the pork steaks with your preferred dry rub or seasoning. For example, you can use Meat Church Honey Bacon Rub for a sweet and savory flavor. Make sure to coat the pork steaks evenly on both sides.
If you’re smoking the pork steaks, set up your Pit Boss Pellet Grill or smoker for cooking at 225 – 250 F with indirect heat. Use hickory or pecan wood chips for smoke flavor. Place the pork steaks on the top racks of the smoker so that they are not overlapping. Close the door and allow them to smoke for around 2-2.5 hours until they reach an internal temperature of 175-180 F.
If you’re grilling the pork steaks, start by smoking them at a low temperature of around 200 F for 50 minutes. Then, increase the temperature to 350 degrees F and grill for an additional 5 minutes on each side while basting with a vinegar-based sauce.
Once the pork steaks are done cooking, remove them from the Pit Boss Pellet Grill or smoker and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. You can serve them with a dipping sauce or barbecue sauce of your choice.
Remember to always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the pork steaks to ensure they are cooked to perfection. With these simple steps, you’ll be able to prepare and cook delicious pork steaks on your Pit Boss Pellet Grill in no time!
Smoking Pork Steaks On The Pit Boss
Smoking pork steaks on a Pit Boss Pellet Grill or smoker can be a delicious and flavorful way to enjoy this cut of meat. To get started, you’ll want to season both sides of the pork steaks with a dry rub and allow them to rest for 30 minutes.
Next, set your pellet grill or smoker to 250°F and use hickory or pecan for smoke. Smoke the pork steaks for 60 minutes and then paint them with barbecue sauce. Finish cooking the pork steaks for another 10-20 minutes until an internal temperature of 145°F is reached.
It’s important to keep in mind that the timing may vary depending on the size and thickness of your pork steaks. Always check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure that it has reached the desired doneness.
To keep your pork steaks moist during the smoking process, you can spray them with diluted apple cider vinegar or apple juice every hour or so. Alternatively, you can also fill a large foil pan with cold water and place it under the steak to create additional steam inside the grill.
Flip the pork steak every hour for even cooking, as it doesn’t contain a traditional fat cap and is less likely to dry out this way. Let the pork steak smoke until it hits an internal temperature of 175-180°F.
Once it reaches this temperature, remove it from the smoker or grill and wrap it tightly in foil with butter, honey, and BBQ sauce. Place it back onto the smoker or grill and smoke until tender.
Grilling Pork Steaks On The Pit Boss
Grilling pork steaks on a Pit Boss Pellet Grill is a great way to enjoy this Southern favorite. To start, season the pork steaks with your favorite dry rub, such as Meat Church Honey Bacon Rub, and let them rest for 30 minutes. Set your Pit Boss to 250°F and use hickory or pecan pellets for smoke. Smoke the pork steaks for 60 minutes, then paint them with BBQ sauce and finish cooking them for another 10-20 minutes until they reach an internal temperature of 145°F.
When grilling pork steaks on a Pit Boss, it’s important to flip them every 8-10 minutes to ensure even cooking. The total grilling time will depend on how well-done you want your pork to be. Once you’ve reached your desired level of doneness, remove the pork steaks from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.
It’s worth noting that grilling pork steaks on a Pit Boss is different from smoking them. While smoking involves low temperatures over a longer period of time, grilling is done at higher temperatures for a shorter amount of time. However, both methods can result in delicious and tender pork steaks when done correctly.
Pit Boss Pork Steak Recipe Ideas
If you’re looking for some inspiration for your next Pit Boss pork steak recipe, here are a few ideas to get you started:
1. Classic BBQ Pork Steaks: Season both sides of the pork steaks with a dry rub of your choice and allow them to rest for 30 minutes. Smoke the pork steaks at 250F for around 2-2.5 hours until the internal temperature reaches 145°F. Baste with BBQ sauce during the last 20 minutes of cooking.
2. Monroe County Pork Steaks: Season the pork steaks with Meat Church Honey Bacon Rub and smoke them at 200F for 50 minutes using hickory pellets. Melt butter over medium heat and add distilled white vinegar, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and salt to create a mopping sauce. Increase the temperature to 350F and grill the pork steaks for an additional 5 minutes on each side while basting with the mopping sauce.
3. Dry Brined Pork Steaks: Sprinkle kosher salt on both sides of the pork steaks and let them rest in the fridge uncovered for 3 hours. Smoke the pork steaks at 225F for around 2.5 hours until the internal temperature reaches 185°F. Brush with BBQ sauce during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar Pork Steaks: Marinate the pork steaks in apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, garlic powder, and black pepper for at least an hour. Smoke the pork steaks at 225F for around 2-2.5 hours until the internal temperature reaches 145°F. Baste with more apple cider vinegar during the last 20 minutes of cooking.
No matter which recipe you choose, make sure to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your pork steaks to ensure that they are cooked to perfection!
Tips For Perfectly Cooked Pork Steaks On The Pit Boss
1. Use a dry rub: Before cooking, season both sides of the pork steaks with a dry rub and allow the meat to rest for 30 minutes. This will give the flavors time to penetrate the meat.
2. Maintain low temperatures: For smoking pork steaks, it’s important to use low temperatures over indirect heat between 225 – 250 F. This will ensure that the pork steak gets enough smoke flavor, builds a bark, and can break down and become tender.
3. Flip the pork steaks: To ensure even cooking, flip the pork steaks every hour. This will prevent them from drying out and help them cook evenly.
4. Check the internal temperature: The internal temperature of the pork steak is the most important factor in determining doneness. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature and make sure it reaches at least 145°F.
5. Wrap in foil: Once the pork steak reaches an internal temperature of 175-180 F, remove it from the smoker or grill and wrap it tightly in foil with butter, honey, and BBQ sauce. Place it back onto the smoker or grill and smoke until tender.
6. Baste with vinegar-based sauce: If you’re grilling pork steaks on a Pit Boss, baste them with a vinegar-based sauce while cooking to add flavor and moisture.
By following these tips, you can achieve perfectly cooked pork steaks on your Pit Boss Pellet Grill or smoker every time.
How To Know When Pork Steaks Are Done On The Pit Boss
Knowing when pork steaks are done on the Pit Boss is crucial for achieving the perfect level of tenderness and flavor. There are two main indicators to look for: temperature and touch.
First, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the pork steak. The USDA recommends cooking pork to an internal temperature of 145°F, but for more tender pork steaks, aim for a higher temperature of 175-180°F. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the steak, making sure not to touch any bone or fat. If the temperature is not yet at your desired level, continue cooking until it reaches your desired temperature.
Second, use touch to check for tenderness. Connective tissue in pork steak starts to break down around 195°F, but could truly not be tender until closer to 203°F. In the BBQ world, we often like to say we want the meat to feel like softened butter when we insert a thermometer probe. Check for that and you’re golden!
Remove the pork steaks from the smoker or grill and allow them to rest for 45-60 minutes to finish any carry-over cooking. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more flavorful and tender pork steak.
By using a combination of temperature and touch, you can ensure that your pork steaks are cooked to perfection on your Pit Boss Pellet Grill or smoker.
