Kamado Joe Pork Steaks: A Charred Juicy Umami Packed Flavor Bomb!
There's something primal, powerful, and downright satisfying about nailing a perfectly smoked prime rib-but doing it on a Kamado Joe? That's a flex.
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When it comes to grilling, something special happens when smoky charcoal meets a bold marinade and a cut of pork that's ready to soak it all in. That's exactly what goes down with these Kamado Joe Pork Steaks. From the very start, it's clear these aren't your everyday grilled meats. Inspired by the classic Vietnamese dish Cơm Tấm, this recipe brings together bright lemongrass, umami rich fish sauce, and high heat grilling that delivers flavor in every bite. Kamado Joe Pork Steaks deserve a permanent spot in your grilling rotation.
Kamado Joe Vietnamese Pork Steaks
Equipment
- Kamado Joe Grill
- Blender
- Gallon Zip Top Bag
Ingredients
- 3 lb Pork Steaks This should be about 3 steaks.
Marinade
- 3 Stalks Lemongrass
- 1 Shallot
- 4 Green Onions
- ⅓ Cup Fish Sauce
- ⅓ Cup Water
- 3 tablespoon Vegetable Oil
- ⅓ Cup White Sugar
- 1.5 tablespoon Granulated Garlic
- 1.5 tablespoon Granulated Onion
- ½ teaspoon MSG
- 2 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Sea Salt
Garlic Fish Sauce:
- ½ Cup Water Warm
- ¼ Cup White Sugar
- 1-2 tablespoon Fresh Lime Juice
- 2 tablespoon Fish Sauce
- 1 Lime Juiced
- 2 tablespoon Garlic Minced
- 1 Thai Chili Diced (optional)
Instructions
Marinade the Steaks:
- Add all of the marinade ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.
- Add the steaks & Marinade to a ziplock bag. Place in your refrigerator for at least 1 hour, it is way better if you do it overnight.
- Set your Kamado Joe up for 2 zone cooking by banking the charcoal to one side. Place your grill grates as close to the charcoal as possible. Let the grill preheat for at least 15-20 minutes with the top and bottom vents totally open.
Grill The Steaks:
- Remove the steaks and discard the marinade. Make sure to remove any lemongrass from the marinade that sticks to the steaks.
- Grill directly over the hot side. You can spray them with some oil throughout the cooking process. This helps them get a nice crust. Cook until the pork has a nice golden brown crust and is cooked at least 135F(57C). Take off the heat and rest for at least 10 minutes.
Make the Garlic Fish Sauce:
- Add all of the marinade ingredients to a bowl and mix until all of the sugar has disolved.
Enjoy!
- Dip the steaks in the sauce and serve with some rice, cut cumbers and sliced tomato or just eat the steaks as is!
Video
Nutrition
Tried this recipe?Mention @DadGotThis or tag #DadGotThis!So what makes this pork dish such a standout? The marinade. It begins with lemongrass, and if you've never cooked with it, now is the time. It's citrusy, grassy, and aromatic in the best way possible. Once trimmed and chopped, it goes into the blender with shallots or onions, scallions, and the not so secret weapon of the recipe, fish sauce. That ingredient alone takes the flavor from basic to bold. You'll also add some water to blend it all together.
To make the marinade even more powerful, it includes vegetable oil, white sugar, and a homemade seasoning blend called Dad Dust. That's a simple but brilliant mix of granulated garlic, granulated onion, and a dash of MSG. Baking soda joins the party to help tenderize the pork, while salt and pepper round things out. Once blended, the marinade gets rubbed into pork shoulder steaks and they go straight into the fridge. An hour works, but overnight is even better.
Why Kamado Joe Pork Steaks Stand Out
This recipe doesn't rely on slow smoking or hours of cooking. It's all about hot fast grilling over screaming high heat. The Kamado Joe setup is simple but effective. Charcoal is banked to one side using a divider, the vents are left wide open, and the grates are dropped as close to the coals as possible.
Once the grill is ready, the pork steaks hit the hot zone and sear quickly. Because the steaks are cut thin, they don't need much time. You'll flip them frequently, keep an eye out for flare ups, and spray them with avocado oil for an even better crust. In about seven minutes, you'll have pork steaks that are beautifully charred and packed with flavor. After a short rest, they're perfectly cooked and ready to shine.
Even a sudden downpour didn't stop the pork from turning out incredible. The grilling may have finished inside, but the results didn't suffer one bit. The crust was gorgeous, the inside juicy and tender. This is what great grilling is all about.
Kamado Joe Pork Steaks with Dipping Sauce Magic
To complete the dish, a simple dipping sauce comes together in minutes. Warm water dissolves white sugar, fish sauce adds depth, lime juice brings brightness, and minced garlic delivers a sharp savory kick. While traditional versions may include chili, this one skips the heat to make it family friendly. The result is a sauce that's punchy, tangy, and the perfect companion to the rich grilled pork.
As soon as the pork steak takes a dip, the flavor intensity goes through the roof. The charred crust, tender meat, and sharp sauce combine into one of the most satisfying bites imaginable. This is where the whole dish comes together and becomes something special.
What Makes Kamado Joe Pork Steaks a Must Try
The biggest win here is how simple the process is. There are no hard to follow steps or complicated techniques. The ingredients are easy to find and the method is approachable. Yet the final result tastes like something you'd expect from a restaurant. That's the power of Kamado Joe Pork Steaks. They take straightforward components and turn them into something unforgettable.
The crust you get from the Kamado Joe is crisp and packed with flavor. The marinade penetrates the pork, bringing out that signature lemongrass and fish sauce balance. And the dipping sauce brings it all home. Each bite is a layered combination of smoky, savory, sweet, and bright.
If you're tired of the same old grilled chicken or basic BBQ ribs, this recipe is your ticket to something new. It delivers big flavor in a short amount of time and doesn't require a long ingredient list or complicated steps. Whether you serve it with rice, some pickled veggies, or even a fried egg, it's going to be a winner.
So the next time you fire up your Kamado Joe, make it count. Pick up some lemongrass. Don't forget the fish sauce. And get ready for a pork experience that just might ruin you for all others.
Ingredient and Equipment Links:
Want A Kamado Joe of your own?
Check out: www.kamadojoe.com
Fish Sauce:
https://amzn.to/45jJ7rW
Lemongrass:
https://amzn.to/3GHCEOe
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