Toss raw bone-in pork steaks in the crock and 3 other ingredients to get a meal so delicious your husband will be begging for more.

This 4-ingredient slow cooker BBQ pork steak recipe is the kind of no-fuss, stick-to-your-ribs meal that makes weeknights feel special with almost no effort. You literally toss raw bone-in pork steaks into the crock with just three pantry-friendly ingredients, turn it on, and let the house fill with that cozy barbecue smell. It’s the kind of hearty, saucy comfort food my Midwestern family loves, and the tender pork is so flavorful my husband always goes back for seconds.

Serve these saucy BBQ pork steaks right over a pile of fluffy mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or steamed white rice so they can soak up all that savory-sweet sauce. Add a simple veggie like green beans, corn, or a side salad to round out the plate. Warm dinner rolls or cornbread are perfect for sopping up the extra sauce, and if you want to make it feel like a backyard cookout, add coleslaw and baked beans on the side.

Servings: 4

2 to 2 1/2 pounds raw bone-in pork steaks (about 4 medium steaks)

Lay the raw bone-in pork steaks in a single layer on the bottom of your slow cooker, overlapping just slightly if needed so they all fit snugly. The steaks should be raw and unbrowned, just like they come from the package.

In a small bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together the barbecue sauce, chicken broth, and brown sugar until the sugar is mostly dissolved and the mixture is smooth.

Pour the BBQ mixture evenly over the raw pork steaks in the slow cooker, making sure each steak is coated. Use the back of a spoon to spread the sauce around if needed so the meat is well covered.

Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours, or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the pork steaks are very tender and easily pull apart with a fork.

Once cooked, carefully remove the pork steaks from the slow cooker with tongs or a spatula, as they will be very tender and may fall apart. If you like a thicker sauce, turn the slow cooker to HIGH, leave the lid off, and let the sauce simmer for 10 to 15 minutes to reduce slightly.

Taste the sauce and adjust if needed by adding a bit more barbecue sauce for tang or a pinch of brown sugar for sweetness. Spoon the warm sauce generously over the pork steaks and serve immediately with your favorite sides.

For a bit of smoky heat, stir 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika or a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes into the BBQ mixture before pouring it over the pork. If your family prefers a tangier sauce, use a vinegar-based barbecue sauce and cut the brown sugar down to 2 tablespoons. For little ones or picky eaters who don’t love strong flavors, choose a mild, sweet BBQ sauce and serve the pork cut into smaller pieces over mashed potatoes or buttered noodles. You can also add sliced onions on top of the pork steaks before pouring on the sauce for extra flavor, or tuck in a few peeled carrot chunks around the edges so you have a built-in veggie side. If you need to stretch the meal, shred the cooked pork steaks right in the slow cooker and stir them into the sauce, then serve as BBQ pork sandwiches on buns with pickles. Leftovers reheat well the next day and are great wrapped in tortillas or spooned over baked potatoes for an easy second-night dinner.