Julie Clark
Updated:
Fried Pork Tenderloin Sandwich
May contain affiliate links. Disclosure policy.
Nothing says comfort food like this easy Fried Pork Tenderloin Sandwich. This breaded pork tenderloin makes an easy 30 minute weeknight meal the family will love.
Pork tenderloin is one of my favorite cuts of meat to work with because it cooks so quickly. Although we have make slow cooker pork tenderloin, this cut of meat is best when grilled or cooked quickly in the oven (like this mouthwatering garlic butter pork tenderloin). Because it is small, it doesn’t take long to cook!
Fried pork tenderloin sandwiches are a popular way to prepare pork tenderloin in the midwest. A crispy, flat piece of fried pork tenderloin on a soft bun, similar to a German schnitzel.
Pork Loin vs Pork Tenderloin
If you’ve ever shopped for pork tenderloin and pork loin you’ll realize that they sound similar but do not look the same at all. They are completely different cuts.
Pork loin is a large cut of meat from the animal’s back. You can cut this thickly and make nice pork steaks from it.
Pork tenderloin is the muscle that runs along the animal’s backbone. This is a much smaller cut of meat and is very lean and tender.
For this recipe you’ll purchase the smaller pork tenderloin.
Fried Pork Breading Ingredients
You’ll need the following ingredients for a delicious breaded pork tenderloin sandwiches:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch – Cornstarch is a thickening agent and will help the breading get crispy. Don’t skip it!
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons salt (or less, to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
How to Make Fried Pork Tenderloin
- Prepare the Pork. Pork tenderloin usually comes in two pieces. Slice each piece of pork crosswise into 4 (or 5) chunks.
- Place each piece of pork flat on a cutting board or baking sheet. Start to slice each piece in half, but stop short of doing so, leaving the pork about an inch connected.
- Open each piece like a book, and use the flat side of a meat mallet to pound each piece of pork flat to about 1/2″ thickness. (Cover with plastic wrap before pounding, if you prefer.)
- Prepare the breading station. In a bowl, mix together the flour, cornstarch and spices. Mix well. Pour 1 cup of buttermilk into another shallow dish (no eggs needed for this breading!).
- Bread the pork. Take a piece of pork tenderloin and dunk it into the buttermilk. Then place the pork in the flour mixture and turn to coat.
- Place the breaded pork cutlets on a plate or cutting board to rest. The pork should rest for 10 minutes before frying. This helps the coating stay on the pork during cooking.
- Fry the pork. In a large skillet, heat ¼ cup oil over medium heat. When the oil is hot, place the breaded pork in the frying pan and allow it to cook for 3-4 minutes.
- Turn the pork to cook on the other side and cook an additional 3-4 minutes or until the internal temperature of the pork reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit. *The exact timing will depend on how thin you’ve pounded the pork.*
Is 145º Fahrenheit safe for pork?
Yes! It is ok to eat pork that has a blush of pink inside. This is actually how you will most enjoy pork because it will be juicy and tender. According to the USDA, pork should be cooked to at least 145º Fahrenheit.
Because these pork tenderloin sandwiches are thin, they’ll cook quickly so watch them closely!
- Use tongs to remove the pork to a cooling rack with paper towels underneath to catch any excess drips. This is our trick for keeping fried pork tenderloin crispy. When the pork comes off the frying pan, place it on the wire rack. Any grease will drain down and air will be able to circulate under the pork. This will help keep the pork breading from getting soggy.
Fried Pork Tenderloin Sandwich Toppings
The best toppings for this type of fried pork sandwich is mayo, tomato, lettuce and onion. It’s simple, but delicious! Add a slice of cheese if you’d like.
You can also add:
- mayonnaise
- pickles
- ketchup
- mustard
- barbecue sauce (oh also, try our bbq pork chops!)
- mustard bbq sauce
You can even make your own homemade hamburger buns. 😋
Make it a meal.
What can you serve with fried pork tenderloin sandwiches? Here are a few of our favorite side dishes:
How to Use Leftover Fried Pork Tenderloin
If we’re lucky enough to have leftover fried pork tenderloin, we’ll slice it up and use it on a salad for lunch the next day. It’s a great way to add protein in the middle of your day.
Fried Pork Tenderloin Sandwich
Nothing says comfort food like this easy Fried Pork Tenderloin Sandwich. This breaded pork tenderloin makes an easy 30 minute weeknight meal the family will love.
Servings 8
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Resting Time 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 2-3 pounds pork tenderloin
Flour Coating
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons salt (or less, to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
Buttermilk Dip
- 1 cup buttermilk
For Frying
- 1/4 cup canola oil (or your favorite oil for frying)
To Make Sandwiches
- buns
- tomato slices
- lettuce
- red onion
Instructions
Prepare the Pork
- Pork tenderloin usually comes in two pieces. Slice each piece of pork crosswise into 4 (or 5) chunks.2-3 pounds pork tenderloin
- Place each piece of pork flat on a cutting board. Start to slice each piece in half, but stop short of doing so, leaving the pork about an inch connected.
- Open each piece like a book, and use the flat side of a meat mallet to pound each piece of pork flat to about 1/2" thickness.
For the Flour Coating
- In a bowl, mix together the flour, cornstarch and spices. Mix well. 1 cup all-purpose flour, ¼ cup cornstarch, 2 teaspoons paprika, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 2 teaspoons salt, ½ teaspoon dry mustard
- Pour 1 cup of buttermilk into another bowl. 1 cup buttermilk
- Take a piece of pork tenderloin and dunk it into the buttermilk. Then place the pork in the flour mixture and turn to coat.
- Place the pork on a plate to rest. The pork should rest for 10 minutes before frying. This helps the coating stay on the pork during cooking.
Fry the Pork
- Heat ¼ cup oil over medium heat. When the oil is hot, place the breaded pork in the frying pan and allow it to cook for 3-4 minutes. ¼ cup canola oil
- Turn the pork to cook on the other side and cook an additional 3-4 minutes or until the internal temperature of the pork reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit. *The exact timing will depend on how thin you've pounded the pork.*
- Remove the pork to a wire rack with paper towels underneath to catch drips.
Make the Sandwiches
- Place a tomato, lettuce and onion on a burger bun. Add the pork tenderloin. Top with your favorite sandwich sauce. Finish off with the top bun.
Notes
I’ve not tested the fried pork tenderloin in an air fryer, but I’m sure it would work! And you’d save a few calories by skipping the frying.
The calories are based on the recipe making 8 pork tenderloin patties, with 1 serving being 1 patty (no bun or toppings). Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information.**
Nutrition
Calories: 325kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 688mg | Potassium: 626mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 296IU | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 2mg
Other Pork Recipes
Love this fried pork tenderloin? Try one of our other pork recipes:
I’m starving…thanks a lot! This looks amazing – although as someone whose home state OBSESSES over a breaded pork tenderloin sandwich – it’s too thick. hahahahah but i’d still eat it!!! In Iowa we like to make them as big as your plate! 😉