Juicy Air Fryer Pork Steak (Ready in Just 20 Minutes!)

Learn how to make perfectly juicy Air Fryer Pork Steak in just 20 minutes. This quick and easy recipe uses simple seasonings for a tender, fool-proof dinner.

🧡 Why You'll Love This Recipe

Pork steak is very budget-friendly and it delivers incredible flavor with just a little bit of effort. You do not need to marinate the meat overnight or spend time watching it on the stove.

I use sugar-free BBQ sauce to create a sticky crust that keeps the steak juicy while it's cooking. This recipe is a fantastic solution for a fast weeknight dinner that tastes like a slow-cooked BBQ meal.

This is the kind of recipe you make once and it immediately goes into the weeknight dinner rotation, I promise!

🥩 What is a Pork Steak?

A pork steak is cut from the shoulder of the pig and is often labeled as pork shoulder or blade steak. It contains a good amount of fat which helps the meat stay moist and tender throughout the cooking process.

This fat content makes the cut very forgiving and much harder to dry out than a lean pork chop. It is a great recipe to make in the air fryer because the fat provides a buffer against the high, fast heat.

💭 What BBQ Sauce Should I Use?

For this recipe, I use a sugar-free BBQ sauce to keep it low carb as regular BBQ sauce is loaded with sugar and other preservatives.

You can grab a bottle of store-bought sugar-free BBQ sauce. I like to use G Hughes Sugar-Free BBQ Sauce which is available at most grocery stores and on Amazon. It is sweet, smoky, and works beautifully as a glaze.

If you're up to it, you can also make your own at home, and I have a recipe right here on the blog for my keto spicy bbq sauce. It is made with sugar-free ketchup, liquid smoke, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. It takes about 5 minutes on the stove and it is absolutely incredible on pork. If you have a few extra minutes, I highly recommend making a batch.

🥘 Ingredients I Use

• Pork Steaks: You can use bone-in or boneless pork shoulder steaks that are about ¾ inch to 1 inch thick. Thinner steaks cook faster but can dry out quickly, so aim for that thickness for the best results.
• Sugar-free BBQ sauce: Use your favorite brand or make my keto spicy bbq sauce from scratch.
• Pork Seasoning: I have a homemade pork chop seasoning recipe that works perfectly for this. You can also use your favorite store-bought pork dry rub if you are short on time.
• Olive oil: This helps the seasoning stick to the meat and keeps everything moist during cooking.

🔪 How to Make Air Fryer Pork Steak

1. Pat the pork steaks dry with paper towels.
2. Drizzle olive oil over both sides of each steak and rub it in evenly. Then season it generously with pork seasoning on both sides.
3. Preheat your air fryer to 400 for about 3 minutes. Place the pork steaks in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Do not overlap them or they will steam instead of sear.
4. Air fry for 10 minutes, then flip the steaks over.
5. Brush a generous layer of sugar-free BBQ sauce on the top side of each steak.
6. Air fry for another 5 to 7 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 145F and the BBQ glaze is caramelized and sticky.
7. Let the steaks rest for 3 to 5 minutes before serving. This keeps all those juices inside where they belong.

♨️How To Store and Reheat

Leftover pork steak stores well and stays juicy for several days. Let the meat cool completely before you transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. To reheat, place it back in the air fryer at 350°F for 3 to 4 minutes.

You can also freeze cooked pork steak for up to 3 months. Wrap each steak individually in plastic wrap before you place them in a freezer bag to prevent freezer burn. Thaw the meat overnight in the fridge, then follow the steps above to reheat.

🍽️ What to Serve With It

This pork steak recipe is filling on its own but pairs well with a variety of sides to round out the meal.

If you want a light option, you can serve it with rice or cauliflower rice. The mild flavor acts as a perfect base to soak up extra BBQ sauce. You can also pair it with my Nigerian cauliflower jollof rice for a bolder side dish.

For roasted vegetables, try my air fryer brussels sprouts or bacon wrapped asparagus. You can cook these in the air fryer while the pork rests.

💡 My Expert Tips

• Always let the pork rest for a few minutes after cooking. Cutting into it too soon lets all the juices run out and you will end up with dry meat.
• Apply the BBQ sauce halfway through cooking, not at the start. Putting it on too early causes the sauce to burn before the meat is cooked through.
• Use a meat thermometer to check doneness. Pork is safe to eat at an internal temperature of 145F. At that temperature it will be slightly pink in the middle, which is perfectly fine.
• For extra smoky flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika on top of the BBQ sauce before the second round of cooking.
• Want it spicier? Use my keto spicy bbq sauce with a drop or two of ghost pepper for serious heat.
• Cooking time will vary slightly depending on the thickness of your steaks and the model of your air fryer. Always check the internal temperature rather than relying on time alone.

👩‍🍳 Questions You Might Have

Check Out These Other Air Fryer Recipes!

• Air Fryer Lamb Chops
• Air Fryer Frozen Brussels Sprouts
• Air Fryer Turkey Wings
• Air Fryer Scallops
• Air Fryer Stuffed Mushrooms

📖 Recipe