Tender, juicy pork steaks smothered in a creamy, savory mushroom sauce—this classic dish is perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing guests. With a rich, umami-packed sauce and perfectly seared pork, it’s comfort food elevated.
Yields: 4 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients
For the Pork Steaks:
- 4 pork shoulder steaks or blade steaks (about 1 inch thick) or 4 pork loin chops
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika (sweet or smoked)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For the Creamy Mushroom Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 oz (225 g) cremini or button mushrooms, sliced
- ½ cup dry white wine (Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio) or chicken broth
- 1 cup chicken broth, divided
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter sauce)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Pork
Pat the pork steaks completely dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt, pepper, and paprika.
Step 2: Sear the Pork
Heat olive oil in a large skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Sear pork 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove pork and set aside.
Step 3: Sauté Aromatics and Mushrooms
Reduce heat to medium. Melt butter in the same pan. Add onion and cook 2–3 minutes until soft. Add mushrooms and cook 6–8 minutes until golden and liquid evaporates.
Step 4: Build the Sauce
Add garlic and cook 30 seconds. Deglaze pan with white wine or ½ cup broth, scraping browned bits. Simmer 2–3 minutes until reduced by half.
Step 5: Create the Cream Base
Add remaining ½ cup broth, heavy cream, Dijon mustard, and thyme. Bring to gentle simmer. Season with salt and pepper.
Step 6: Finish Cooking Pork
Return pork to pan, nestling in sauce. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 5–10 minutes until pork reaches 145°F (63°C) and is tender. Adjust sauce consistency if needed.
Step 7: Serve
Serve pork hot, spooned with creamy mushroom sauce. Garnish with chopped parsley.
Tips for the Perfect Dish
- Choosing Pork: Shoulder/blade steaks are marbled and stay tender. Loin chops are lean but can dry out if overcooked.
- Deglazing is Key: Scrape browned bits for maximum flavor.
- Mushrooms: Mix varieties like shiitake or oyster for more complexity.
- Thicker Sauce: Add a tablespoon of sour cream or cream cheese off the heat.
Serving Suggestions
- Mashed potatoes or creamy polenta
- Egg noodles, tagliatelle, or fettuccine
- Steamed rice or risotto
- Sautéed green beans, roasted asparagus, or simple side salad
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use pork loin chops instead of shoulder steaks?
A: Yes, but cook carefully—they’re leaner and can dry out.
Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Yes, refrigerate cooked pork and sauce up to 2 days. Reheat gently with a splash of broth or cream.
Q: Can I use different mushrooms?
A: Yes! Button, cremini, shiitake, oyster, or a mix all work beautifully.
Q: Can I skip wine?
A: Chicken broth works perfectly; add 1 teaspoon Worcestershire or soy sauce for extra depth.
Q: Can I make this dairy-free?
A: Substitute butter with olive oil and heavy cream with coconut cream or plant-based cream.
Q: How to thicken sauce if too thin?
A: Simmer uncovered, or whisk 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water and stir in.
Q: Can I freeze this dish?
A: Freeze cooked pork and sauce separately for up to 2 months. Thaw and reheat gently.
Storage and Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Reheat: Warm gently on stovetop with a splash of broth or cream. Avoid high heat to prevent sauce separation.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving – Approximate)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Protein: 34 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fiber: 1 g
- Sugar: 2 g
Final Thought
This Pork Steaks in Creamy Mushroom Sauce is a comforting, restaurant-quality dish you can make at home. Each bite is tender pork enveloped in a rich, velvety sauce with earthy mushrooms, perfect for cozy dinners or impressing guests. Serve with your favorite sides, and watch it disappear fast!
