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Pork Shoulder Steaks with Grilled Mustard Greens

4.7

(4)

Pork shoulder steaks with grilled mustard greens on a blue plate.
Photo by Alex Lau, Prop Styling by Amy Wilson, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich

Like a rib eye, pork shoulder has lots of intramuscular fat, and like strip steak, it has satisfying chew. Slicing it thickly and grilling it swiftly maximizes the enjoyment of both.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    4 servings

Ingredients

Pork:

2 Tbsp. fennel seeds
1 Tbsp. yellow mustard seeds
1 1/2 tsp. black peppercorns
1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
4 (3/4"-thick) boneless pork shoulder (Boston butt) steaks (about 2 lb.) or pork blade chops
Kosher salt

Greens and assembly:

1 lemon, halved
2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
2 garlic cloves
2 bunches mustard greens, leaves torn into large pieces
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
Vegetable oil (for grill)
Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
Flaky sea salt

Special Equipment

A spice mill or a mortar and pestle

Preparation

  1. Pork:

    Step 1

    Toast fennel and mustard seeds in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and mustard seeds are just beginning to pop, about 4 minutes. Transfer to spice mill or mortar and pestle and let cool. Add peppercorns and red pepper flakes and finely grind. Transfer to a small bowl and mix in cinnamon.

    Step 2

    Season pork steaks generously with salt and rub all over with spice mixture. Cover and let sit at room temperature 1 hour.

  2. Greens and assembly:

    Step 3

    Prepare a grill for medium heat; oil grate. Grill steaks, turning occasionally, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 145°F for medium, 5–7 minutes. Transfer steaks to a cutting board, squeeze a lemon half over, and drizzle with olive oil. Let rest 10 minutes.

    Step 4

    Meanwhile, grate garlic into a large bowl and whisk with 2 Tbsp. olive oil. Add mustard greens and toss to coat; season with kosher salt and pepper. Spread out greens over grate (save bowl) and grill until lightly charred and just wilted, about 45 seconds per side. Transfer back to bowl and squeeze remaining lemon half over. Add red pepper flakes and toss to coat.

    Step 5

    Transfer greens to a platter. Thinly slice pork against the grain and place on top of greens. Drizzle any accumulated juices left on your cutting board over and sprinkle with sea salt.

  3. Do Ahead

    Step 6

    Pork can be seasoned 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Let sit at room temperature 1 hour before grilling.

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