Pork shoulder is my favorite piece of pig, and these St. Louis style Pressure Cooker Pork Steaks show it off in all its glory.
Pulled (or chopped) pork shoulder is the dominant style of barbecue in most of the Southern US. To the east, North and South Carolina are the home of pulled pork. In the west, Texas is the land of beef barbecue. Barbecued pork steaks are St. Louis specialty, cross-cut from the shoulder into inch thick steaks.
Pork shoulder needs long cooking times. The shoulder is a hard-working muscle, full of connective tissue. Undercooked pork shoulder is tough and chewy. The connective tissue will turn into gelatin if you cook it long enough. This will make the shoulder soft and juicy. An Instant Pot (or another pressure cooker) stands in for the traditional barbecue smoker. I replace hours and hours of low-and-slow barbecue with 45 minutes at high pressure. Sure, it’s not the same as Real Barbecue™. But it is juicy, tender, and a whole lot faster.
(For the record: Yes, I know this isn’t barbecue. I’m not sure why I should say sorry; angry barbecue purists saw the title and left angry comments right away. As we speak, they’re yelling at me about sullying the spirit of St. Louis. Oh well. That’s what the “Delete Comment” button is for. ).
Here in Ohio, the trick to this recipe is finding thick-cut pork shoulder steaks. My local grocery stores sell pork shoulder steaks, but they always cut a half-inch thick. Shoulder roast needs to be cut thick, between an inch and an inch and a quarter. I need to take it to the butcher. Aside from that, I think of this as a weeknight recipe. It takes a little over an hour to cook, but you only have to do the work for ten minutes.
Forget tough, dry pork shoulder – with the Instant Pot, you can achieve fork-tender pork shoulder steak with ease. The Instant Pot’s pressure cooking transforms typically tough cuts into succulent, melt-in-your-mouth meat in a fraction of the time of traditional braising.
Cooking pork shoulder steak in the Instant Pot produces incredibly moist, flavorful results every time. Below you’ll discover everything you need to know to make sensational Instant Pot pork shoulder steak. From choosing the right cut of meat to nailing the cook times, this guide shares pro tips and step-by-step instructions to master this classic recipe.
Why Cook Pork Shoulder Steak in the Instant Pot?
The Instant Pot offers clear advantages when cooking pork shoulder steak
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Tenderizes meat – Pressure cooking breaks down tough muscle fibers
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Infuses flavor – Pork steaks absorb seasoning, herbs and sauce flavors.
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Retains moisture – The meat stays incredibly juicy under pressure.
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Saves time – Cooks in minutes versus hours of oven braising.
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Adds convenience – Toss everything in the pot and walk away.
For turning out fork-tender, flavorful pork shoulder steak, the Instant Pot can’t be beaten.
Choosing the Best Pork for Instant Pot Shoulder Steak
Picking the right cut of pork is key. Opt for pork shoulder steak or pork butt as they offer the most marbling. Well-marbled shoulder cuts stay juicy and tender when cooked. Here’s what to look for:
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Marbling – Seek out good fat marbling throughout the meat.
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Thickness – 1 to 2 inches thick steaks work perfectly.
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Size – Purchase steaks around 8 ounces each.
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Boneless – Boneless shoulder steaks cook most evenly.
With the right well-marbled, evenly thick pork shoulder steak, you’re ready to start cooking!
Easy Instant Pot Pork Shoulder Prep
Prepping pork shoulder steak for the Instant Pot couldn’t be simpler:
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Trim – Use a knife to trim off any excess surface fat. Leave a bit for flavor.
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Season – Generously season all over with salt, pepper and other spices.
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Sear – Quickly sear the pork steaks for enhanced flavor (optional).
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Deglaze – Pour in a bit of broth and scrape any browned bits.
That’s all the prep needed before pressure cooking.
Step-By-Step Instant Pot Pork Shoulder Cooking Instructions
Follow these simple steps for perfect Instant Pot pork shoulder steak every time:
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Sear pork – Use Saute mode to briefly brown steaks on both sides.
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Add aromatics – Throw in diced onions, garlic, herbs for extra flavor.
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Deglaze – Pour in a splash of broth to release any browned bits.
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Add liquids – Pour in broth, vinegar, soy sauce, etc. to flavor.
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Pressure cook – Pressure cook 8-10 minutes until extremely tender.
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Natural release – Let pressure release naturally for 5 minutes before quick release.
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Serve and enjoy – Dig into incredibly juicy, fall-apart tender pork shoulder!
It’s that easy to make the most tender, delicious pork shoulder steak possible in your Instant Pot.
Nailing the Cook Times for Pork Shoulder Perfection
To ensure perfect doneness, use these general Instant Pot pork shoulder cook times:
- 1 inch thick steaks – Pressure cook 8 minutes
- 1 1/2 inch steaks – Pressure cook 9 minutes
- 2 inch thick steaks – Pressure cook 10 minutes
The thickness of your pork shoulder steak determines the cook time needed. If unsure, cut into the thickest section of a steak to check for doneness after pressure cooking. Pork shoulder steak is done when extremely tender and shreds easily. Add a minute or two more if needed.
Infuse Your Pork Shoulder Steak with Flavor
One benefit of Instant Pot pressure cooking is how it infuses pork shoulder steak with flavor. Try adding:
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Onions, garlic, ginger – Saute aromatics first for flavor.
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Broth – Use chicken, beef or pork broth for extra meaty depth.
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Soy sauce, vinegar, wine – Play with different acidity and umami.
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Herbs and spices – Throw in bay leaves, chili flakes, cumin, etc.
Experiment with different flavor combinations to make each batch of Instant Pot pork shoulder steak unique.
Make a Simple Pan Sauce
Transform the leftover juices in the pot into a delicious quick pan sauce:
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Remove pork – Take out the cooked pork shoulder steaks.
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Simmer juices – Select Saute and reduce juices 5 minutes.
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Thicken – Whisk in a slurry of cornstarch and water.
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Flavor – Add any herbs, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, etc.
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Spoon over pork – Drizzle the easy sauce over the tender steak.
Handy Serving Ideas for Pork Shoulder Steak
Instant Pot pork shoulder steak offers incredible versatility. You can:
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Slice – Cut into slices to serve like steak medallions.
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Shred – Shred the fall-apart tender meat with two forks.
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Tacos – Pile shredded pork into tortillas with fixings.
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Salad – Toss shredded pork with barbecue sauce and greens.
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Sandwiches – Stuff shredded pork onto buns for pulled pork.
The options are endless for making the most of tender Instant Pot pork shoulder steak!
Tips for Instant Pot Pork Shoulder Success
To achieve stellar results when pressure cooking pork shoulder steak, keep these tips in mind:
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Use well-marbled shoulder cuts for the most tender, juicy outcome.
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Trim excess surface fat before cooking but leave some for moisture and flavor.
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Allow pork shoulder steak to rest 5-10 minutes before slicing or shredding.
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Add broth or water to help create steam and prevent burning warnings.
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Let pressure release naturally for 5 minutes before quick releasing to prevent overcooking.
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Use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness if concerned about food safety.
When armed with the right cut of pork and these Instant Pot pointers, you’ll turn out amazing pork shoulder steak every single time. Get ready to enjoy this classic meat at its moist, fork-tender best!
Pressure Cooker Pork Steaks, St. Louis BBQ Style
5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star
4.9 from 20 reviews
- Author: Mike Vrobel
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 steaks 1x
Pressure Cooker Pork Steaks, St. Louis BBQ Style. Pork shoulder steaks, BBQ style, ready in about an hour from an Instant Pot or pressure cooker.
- 6 thick-cut pork shoulder steaks (1- to 1¼-inch thick)
- Use a store-bought rub or my homemade rub, which you can find here.
- 1 teaspoon of fine sea salt (if you make your own rub, store-bought rubs already have salt in them)
- 1 cup of water (or as little as your pressure cooker needs)
- ½ cup barbecue sauce for the grill (the recipe for my own barbecue sauce is here, or you can buy one)
- ½ cup barbecue sauce to stir into the sauce
- Cut the pork steaks into even pieces. Sprinkle them with the barbecue rub and fine sea salt.
- Everything in the pot: Add 1 cup of water to the pressure cooker pot, then arrange the pork steaks in a loose stack. Pour ½ cup of barbecue sauce over the pork steaks. (Don’t stir; we want the sweet barbecue sauce to float on top of the water so it doesn’t catch fire.) ).
- To cook under pressure for 45 minutes and let the pressure drop naturally, lock the lid of the pressure cooker. Set an electric pressure cooker to “manual” or “pressure cook” mode and cook at high pressure for 45 minutes. On the stove, set a pressure cooker to “pressure cook” mode and cook for 40 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally, about 15 more minutes.
- If you want, you can broil the pork steaks before serving. Carefully take them out of the pressure cooker; they’re so tender they will fall apart. Take ½ cup of the liquid from the pot and mix it with ½ cup of barbecue sauce. (If you have one, separate the fat from the pot liquid first with a fat separator.) Brush the pork steaks with this sauce. If you want, you can broil the pork steaks until the sauce is bubbling and turning brown around the edges. Then, brush the steaks with another layer of sauce. (Be careful, broilers are very different, so keep an eye on them. Ours browns the steaks in 5 minutes.) ) Serve, passing the rest of the sauce for dipping.
- I make my own homemade barbecue rub and barbecue sauce. I don’t add salt to my homemade rub. If you buy a rub that has salt as the first or second ingredient, don’t add fine sea salt. The salt in the rub is already enough.
- pressure cooker with at least 6 quarts of space (I love my Instant Pot Electric PC)
- Fat Separator
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Category: Weeknight Dinner
- Method: Pressure Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Video: Pressure Cooker Pork Steaks St. Louis BBQ Style (2:0
Easy Instant Pot BBQ Pork Steaks
FAQ
Why is my pork shoulder still tough in the Instant Pot?
Is pork steak the same as pork shoulder?
Do you have to sear pork before cooking in Instant Pot?
Is it better to slow cook or pressure cook pork shoulder?
How to cook pork shoulder steak in Instant Pot?
To make this recipe start with selecting Sauté on your Instant Pot. When hot add olive oil. Then add the pork shoulder steaks and sear them on both sides until brown. Dice onions, mince the garlic, and put it on top of the steaks. Drizzle the sweet soy sauce, hot sauce, vinegar, and water on the steaks. Add salt and pepper to taste.
How long to cook pork steak in Instant Pot?
Return the pork steaks to the Instant Pot, ensuring they are fully submerged in the broth. Lock the lid of the Instant Pot in place and set the cooking time to 30 minutes on high pressure. After the cooking time is complete, allow for a natural release for about 10 minutes. Then, carefully perform a quick release to release any remaining pressure.
How long to cook pork shoulder in Instant Pot?
Set the timer to 15 minutes. When the cooking time is done let the Instant Pot natural release for at least 5 minutes then quick-release. The pork shoulder is ready to serve. Pork meat when browned can become very tough and dry. Especially if it doesn’t have a lot of fat.
How do you cook pork in an Instant Pot?
Salt and pepper the potatoes and toss. Cover the dish with foil. Gently lower the dish into the Instant Pot on top of the pork. Cover the Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button (high pressure) to 6 minutes. After the time is up allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minute.