If you are planning to host a grilling party, then you have to include some of the best pork. You do not just go for any pork parts if you want to make the grilling party memorable. It is the reason people often go for the pork steak and pork chop to enjoy their part. That being said, what is the difference between these two?
That is what we look at today. We try to understand what differentiates pork steak and pork chop that makes all the difference. At the end of the article, you would now be able to make a choice between the two depending on your needs.
What is Pork Steak?
Sometimes, pork steaks are referred to as pork blade steaks or Boston butt. These are steaks that are extracted from the pig’s shoulder. The shoulder steaks are also cut from this same primal meat cut. As a result, they can also be used as pulled pork important for broiling.
Depending on how you want your pork to taste and the flavor too, you can either cook pork steaks for a long period or a short period. The high amount of collagen in the muscle sometimes makes the meat tough. Those who feel that the meat is too tough, cooking for extended periods would be the ideal approach.
The best way to cook pork steak would be the low and slow method as compared to cooking pork chops. You will still have the chance to either stew the meat or simply simmer it in the barbeque sauce when cooking. As much as people love the pork steak grilled, sometimes it turns out delicious whenever you stew it.
Another difference that will be easy to note should be the price. It is easy to find in most places that pork steak will be cheaper than pork chop. It should be more incentive to get more people going for the pork steak.
As for the cooking part, you should find pork steaks being easier and straightforward to cook. They always turn out better for most people as compared to pork chops. It is worth noting that this type of pork will have a lot of fat content so it would take more time to cook for it to turn out better.
Pork steaks generally have tender meat. This is whether you opt to cook it for a short or long period. However, most people tend to cook the steaks for longer just to be sure.
Depending on where they were extracted from, the pork steaks can fairly be leaner than pork chops. Sometimes they can even be boneless.
What is Pork Chop?
Pork chop is the equivalent of meat chops. This is the type of meat that is the loin cut. As for location on the pig, it is taken perpendicularly along the pig’s spine. It will also contain a bit of the ribs and part of the vertebra.
It is common to find this type of meat being the most commonly consumed around the world as compared to pork steaks.
Unlike the other types of pork, the pork chop comes from the four major sections of the shoulder. They are known as loin chops, rib chops, blade chops, and the sirloin chops.
The blade chops are easily recognizable from the other types. They do come from the pig’s shoulder and would have a dark color. These chops also contain a lot of connective tissues, and fats. Sometimes, you will find them having a blade bone.
Rib chops on the other hand come from the blade. They will tend to have more connective tissue and also more fat content as compared to chops cut from the shoulder end part. They will always tend to have a milder flavor and a tender texture. As a result, such chops can be prepared by broiling, searing, roasting, and grilling.
The loin chops also known as center-cut loin chop are extracted from the loin and hip as you move towards the back of the pig. These chops, depending on how they are cut, they will tend to have some tenderloin pieces. The loin chops will also have a mild pork flavor and are usually very lean.
You can still end up with the boneless chop also commonly referred to as pork loin filets. They are cut from parts towards the head of the loin and above the loin chops. They also have more connective tissue, but at the same time they look very lean.
Tips for Preparing Pork Chops
With the best tips in mind, it should be possible to end up with the best prepared pork chops. Below are some tips to help you prepare pork chops better than before.
- Using thicker chops is better. You have to understand that pork is often lean and thus overcooking is quite easy. Having thicker pork parts should be more forgiving.
- Try to brine the pork when cooking. This is because brining will keep the meat moist and give it a bigger buffer against the cases of overcooking. Brine also helps to inject more flavor into the meat.
- Overcooking tends to dry out the meat. As a result, it is recommended that you cook these chops between 145 to 160 degrees. Once they are ready, wait for a few minutes before you can serve them.
- You can also opt for the chops with a bit of bone. The bone-in helps to prevent overcooking. They also have fat around them that helps to keep the pork tastier and juicier.
Which one is the best?
Well, that always come down to your needs and generally the preference for pork parts. The good news is that those who love grilling, the fat content of pork often makes it the perfect candidate. It does not matter which part you opt for as they will have some good fat content for you to enjoy.
Always buy your pork from a reputable supplier or store. No wants to end up sick from eating contaminated pork.
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