Crispy & Juicy Pork Neck Steak
How to Make a Restaurant-Worthy Pork Neck Steak at Home
Pork neck is delicious grilled, but transforming it into a steak with a luscious sauce elevates it to a truly impressive and satisfying meal, rivaling that of a restaurant. This recipe focuses on achieving a perfect ‘crispy outside, juicy inside’ texture for thick pork neck slices, which when paired with a savory, flavorful sauce, offers a unique and delightful culinary experience. Enjoy a gourmet dish made easily in your own kitchen.
Steak Ingredients
- Pork neck 400g (thick cut)
- Red onion 2/3 (cut into wedges)
- Cherry tomatoes 5 (halved)
- Salad greens a handful (washed and dried)
- Garlic 4 cloves (thinly sliced)
- Cornstarch 2 Tbsp (for coating the meat)
- Vegetable oil 3 Tbsp (for searing and sautéing)
Pork Neck Marinade
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste (freshly ground recommended for better flavor)
- Mirin (or cooking sake) 1 Tbsp (to remove gamey odor)
Special Steak Sauce
- Water 80ml
- Soy sauce 2 Tbsp
- Oyster sauce 1 Tbsp (for umami)
- Oligosaccharide 2-3 Tbsp (adjust to sweetness preference)
- Mirin 1 Tbsp
- Ginger-infused cooking wine (or sake) 1 Tbsp
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste (freshly ground recommended for better flavor)
- Mirin (or cooking sake) 1 Tbsp (to remove gamey odor)
Special Steak Sauce
- Water 80ml
- Soy sauce 2 Tbsp
- Oyster sauce 1 Tbsp (for umami)
- Oligosaccharide 2-3 Tbsp (adjust to sweetness preference)
- Mirin 1 Tbsp
- Ginger-infused cooking wine (or sake) 1 Tbsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, gently pat the pork neck slices with paper towels to remove any excess blood. Removing blood is crucial for a clean, pleasant flavor without any gamey notes.
Step 2
Season the pork neck with salt and pepper. Since a flavorful sauce will be added later, be mindful not to oversalt the meat at this stage. Aim for a light seasoning.
Step 3
To further tenderize and enhance flavor while removing any potential gamey smell, drizzle 1 tablespoon of mirin (or cooking sake) evenly over the meat. Let the seasoned pork neck marinate for about 20 minutes.
Step 4
Prepare the garnishes to accompany your steak. Slice the red onion into wedges and halve the cherry tomatoes. Wash and thoroughly dry the salad greens. For a more elaborate and satisfying meal, consider adding grilled corn, asparagus, mushrooms, green beans, or pineapple slices.
Step 5
Now, let’s prepare the delicious sauce that will bring the steak to life. In a small saucepan or skillet, combine all the sauce ingredients: 80ml water, 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp oyster sauce, 2-3 Tbsp oligosaccharide, 1 Tbsp mirin, and 1 Tbsp ginger-infused cooking wine. Stir well to combine.
Step 6
Lightly coat the marinated pork neck slices with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch on both sides. This coating helps create a wonderfully crispy exterior and seals in the juices, ensuring a tender inside.
Step 7
Heat a skillet over high heat and add 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Once the oil is hot, carefully place the cornstarch-coated pork neck into the pan. Sear on high heat for about 2-3 minutes per side, until a beautiful golden-brown crust forms, achieving that desirable ‘crispy outside, juicy inside’ texture.
Step 8
Remove the seared pork neck and prepared garnishes (like the onions and tomatoes) from the skillet and set them aside on a plate. Using the same pan with the remaining oil, reduce the heat to medium-low and sauté the sliced garlic until fragrant. Once the garlic has released its aroma, pour in the prepared steak sauce and bring it to a simmer over medium heat.
Step 9
As the sauce begins to bubble, return the seared pork neck steaks to the pan. Gently flip the steaks to coat them in the sauce. Continue to simmer over low heat for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and glaze the meat beautifully.
Step 10
Once the sauce has reduced to a luscious consistency and the pork neck is cooked to perfection, artfully arrange the steak on a serving plate. Add the reserved garnishes alongside. Your homemade pork neck steak, a dish that looks and tastes like it came from a fine restaurant, is ready to be enjoyed!
