BBQ Pork
Pork shoulder steaks rubbed with paprika, sugar and garlic, grilled for 25 minutes and brushed with barbecue sauce at the end. Four servings in 40 minutes.
Where This Goes Wrong
Add the sauce in the last 5 minutes.
Keep the heat at medium so the sugar does not burn.
If your grill runs hot, check at 15 minutes.
Slice across the grain.
Making BBQ Pork
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Mix the sugar, paprika, garlic, salt, pepper and oil, and rub it all over the pork.
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Heat the grill to medium-high. Grill the steaks for 20 minutes, turning every 5 minutes.
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Brush with the barbecue sauce and grill for 5 minutes more, turning once, until sticky and browned.
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Rest for 5 minutes, then slice across the grain.
Why the Method Works
Barbecue pork has a reputation for taking all day, but shoulder steaks give you the same sticky, smoky result in under half an hour on the grill. The fat running through the meat does the work that slow cooking does for a whole joint.
The rub is paprika, brown sugar, garlic, salt and pepper. Sugar browns fast, so keep the steaks over a medium heat and not a roaring one. Sauce goes on in the last 5 minutes, never at the start, or it blackens before the pork is cooked through.
Turn the steaks every 5 minutes. They are ready when the thickest part reads 70°C or the juices run clear when you cut in. If your grill runs hot, check at 15 minutes.
Rest the pork for 5 minutes under foil. Slice it across the grain, which keeps each piece tender, and spoon over whatever sauce is left on the plate.
After You've Cooked It
Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently or eat cold in rolls.
If You're Missing Something
- An eighth of a teaspoon of garlic powder per clove is the usual stand-in when you are out of fresh garlic — it will not caramelise the same way, but it carries the flavour.
Good With
- Coleslaw
- Corn on the cob
- Baked beans
- Potato salad
Still Wondering?
How long does BBQ Pork take to make?
About 40 minutes in total — 15 minutes of preparation and 25 minutes of cooking. The recipe serves 4.
What are the key tips for making BBQ Pork?
Add the sauce in the last 5 minutes. Keep the heat at medium so the sugar does not burn. If your grill runs hot, check at 15 minutes. Slice across the grain.
What should I serve with BBQ Pork?
Coleslaw; Corn on the cob; Baked beans; Potato salad.
How should BBQ Pork be stored?
Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently or eat cold in rolls.
Is BBQ Pork suitable for a special diet?
This recipe is dairy-free, low-carb and keto. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.
BBQ Pork Nutrition Facts
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.
Reader Reviews
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Written and tested by Turab
One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.
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