Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Pork Steaks

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Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Pork Steaks

This recipe transforms humble, budget-friendly pork shoulder steaks into a gourmet meal. By simmering in a bath of butter, garlic, herbs, and aromatics, the connective tissue breaks down, leaving you with meat so tender you won’t even need a knife.

  • Prep time: 10 minutes

  • Cook time: 4 hours (High) or 7–8 hours (Low)

  • Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 4 Pork Shoulder Steaks (approx. 1-inch thick)

  • 4 tbsp Unsalted Butter (cubed)

  • 6 cloves Garlic (minced)

  • 1/2 cup Chicken or Beef broth

  • 1 tbsp Olive oil

  • 1 tsp Dried oregano or Thyme

  • 1/2 tsp Red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

  • Fresh Parsley (chopped, for garnish)

  • Salt & Pepper (to taste)

Instructions

  1. Sear (Optional but Recommended): Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season steaks with salt and pepper, then sear for 2–3 minutes per side until browned. Transfer to the slow cooker.

  2. Layer Aromatics: In a small bowl, whisk the broth, minced garlic, and dried herbs. Pour this over the steaks.

  3. Add Butter: Place the cubes of butter evenly across the tops of the pork steaks.

  4. Slow Cook: Cover and cook on Low for 7–8 hours or High for 4 hours.

  5. Finish: Once the meat is fork-tender, remove the steaks. If you want a thicker sauce, whisk a little cornstarch into the remaining juices and cook on high for 10 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.

Recipe Notes & Tips

  • The Cut Matters: Use pork shoulder steaks (blade steaks). Avoid lean pork chops (like loin chops), as they will dry out even in a slow cooker.

  • Browning: Searing the meat before slow cooking locks in flavor and provides a better texture, though you can skip it if you’re in a rush.

  • Veggie Add-ins: You can throw in baby potatoes and carrots at the beginning to make it a one-pot meal.

Nutritional Info (Per Serving)

  • Calories: 410 kcal

  • Protein: 32g

  • Fat: 28g

  • Carbs: 2g

  • Sodium: 480mg

Benefits of This Recipe

  • High Protein: Excellent for muscle repair and satiety.

  • Keto/Low Carb Friendly: Naturally very low in carbohydrates.

  • Budget-Friendly: Pork shoulder is one of the most affordable cuts of meat available.

  • Hands-off Cooking: Perfect for busy weekdays; set it in the morning and dinner is ready when you get home.

Q&A

Q: Can I use frozen pork steaks? A: It is safer to thaw them first. Cooking frozen meat in a slow cooker can keep the meat in the “danger zone” temperature for too long, risking bacterial growth.

Q: My sauce is too thin, what do I do? A: Transfer the liquid to a saucepan, add a cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp cold water), and boil for 2 minutes until it coats the back of a spoon.

Q: What should I serve this with? A: It pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes, cauliflower rice, or a crusty baguette to soak up the garlic butter sauce.

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