Marinades For Pork - 5 Pork Marinades

Beef steak may be the most commonly known type of steak, but pork steaks are a close second. While Beef steak often steals the spotlight, pork steaks are a delightful contender that shouldn’t be overlooked. Pork steaks are slightly lighter than beef steaks but are still juicy, tender, and full of flavour. If you are a fan of bacon, and many people are, pork steaks and pork chops are sure to please!

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Tips for the Pork Marinade

Whether pan-fried or grilled, pork steaks make a fantastic easy meal and an excellent addition to any BBQ offering. Although fantastic by themselves cooked simply with generous amounts of salt and pepper, one of the best and easiest ways of improving the flavour and texture of any type of steak is to marinate your meat before cooking.

Marinating your meat adds a delicious flavour through the use of herbs and spices, but the added acids and enzymes also break down the proteins found within the meat and make it more tender. If you want to find out more about marinades and how they work, our Guide to Marinades and How to Marinate covers everything you need to know about using marinades effectively.

The pork marinades below are perfect for pork steaks, and can also be used for pork chops and diced pork. One of the great things about marinating your meat is that it can be done a few hours or even overnight before cooking. This makes marinating ideal for meal prep during the week, allowing you to then quickly grill your pork for a simple midweek meal. Additionally, if you’re hosting a BBQ, you can prepare your meat in advance and focus on grilling to perfection on the day of the event.

Each of these marinades will cover at least two pork steaks, and can be scaled up or down to suit. To follow the pork marinade recipes, simply put all of your ingredients into a bowl and mix together until thoroughly combined. At this stage you can also prick your steaks slightly with a fork to allow the flavours to penetrate the meat further.

Once your marinade is fully combined, all you need to do is place your pork steaks or chops and the marinade into a sandwich or freezer bag, cover your steaks or chops in the marinade and massage slightly, then tightly seal your steaks or chops in the bag, then place in the fridge up to overnight. When you are ready, you can then simply take out your steaks or chops from the bag and then grill or fry as normal.

Below are 5 of our best marinades for pork for a perfect pork steak or pork chop marinade.

BBQ Sticky Pork Marinade

This BBQ marinade will make your pork steaks and pork chops perfectly sticky, sweet, and salty. As well as using this marinade to grill pork steaks and pork chops, you can also use this marinade for cooking pork belly slices and pork ribs, although the pork ribs will need to be cooked in the oven first before finishing off on the BBQ.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp tomato ketchup
• 0.5 tbsp dark brown sugar
• 0.5 tbsp English style mustard

 

Simple Pork Marinade

This Simple Pork Marinade uses very few ingredients that can also be sourced easily. This marinade has a well-rounded balance of flavours that will be a hit among many. The combination of vinegar and sugar gives a slightly tangy and sweet flavour, whilst the hint of mustard is an ideal pork pairing. Like many marinades, this one is also very easy to prepare.

Ingredients:

• 4 tbsp oil
• 4 cloves garlic, crushed and chopped
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
• 2 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper

 

Chinese Style Pork Marinade

If you’re a fan of Chinese cuisine, this is the pork marinade for you. It is based on the Moo Shu pork dish that originates in the northern regions of China, possibly Shandong. Since then it has gained popularity as a staple of Chinese takeaway cuisine across the world, particularly in The United Kingdom and The United States, and it is easy to see why. This marinade is very tasty and is just a little bit different enough to impress any guests while still remaining appealing to many different tastes.

Ingredients:

• 3 tbsp hoisin sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1.5 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper

 

Pineapple and Ginger Pork Marinade

This Pineapple and Pork Ginger Marinade is a vibrant, zesty addition to your summer BBQ. Bursting with citrus flavours and a hint of ginger heat, this marinade elevates your pork dishes. Ideal for grilling, it’s a unique alternative to traditional pork recipes, enhancing the meat’s natural flavours with the sweet and spicy combination of pineapple and ginger. This marinade will impress your guests and make your summer gatherings even more memorable

Ingredients:

• 4 tbsp pineapple juice
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp Chinese five spice powder
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 0.5 tsp red chilli flakes (to taste)

 

Greek Style Pork Marinade

Looking for a delicious Greek style pork marinade that’s perfect for pork chops and pork steaks? This easy-to-make marinade enhances the flavour of your pork without being overwhelming. Ideal for creating Greek style kebabs, simply marinate your pork steaks with this recipe, grill them to perfection, and serve sliced in pita bread topped with tzatziki and feta cheese.

Ingredients:

• 4 tbsp oil
• 4 garlic cloves, crushed and chopped finely
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp rosemary
• Juice from two lemons