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.

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). Because it is small, it doesn’t take long to cook!

Thanks to the Ohio Pork Council for sponsoring this post and allowing us to share this pork tenderloin recipe.

How to Use Leftover 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.

What is the difference between a pork loin and 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 actually cut from different parts of the animal.

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.

Fried Pork Breading

You’ll need the following ingredients for a delicious pork breading:

• 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. 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.
• Pour 1 cup of buttermilk into another bowl.
• 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.

• 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.
• Serve immediately.

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!

How to Keep Breaded Pork Crispy

Fried pork will melt in your mouth when it first comes out of the frying pan, but how do you keep it crispy until dinnertime?

Here’s the trick. Place a large plate or baking sheet on the counter. Cover it with paper towels. Then place a wire cooling rack on top.

When the pork comes off the frying pan, place it on the wire rack. Any grease will drip down and air will be able to circulate under the pork. This will help keep the pork breading from getting soggy.

Pork Tenderloin Sandwich Toppings

The best toppings for this type of fried pork sandwich is tomato, lettuce and onion. It’s simple, but delicious! Add a slice of cheese if you’d like.

You can also add:

• mayonnaise
• ketchup
• mustard
• barbecue sauce (oh also, try our bbq pork chops!)
• mustard barbecue sauce

What to Serve with Fried Pork Sandwiches

Here are a few of our favorite side dishes for pork sandwiches:

• Sweet Potato Fries
• Potato Wedges
• Homemade Coleslaw

Other Pork Recipes

• Easy Grilled Pork Chops
• Honey Oregano Pork Chops
• Cream Corn Pork Chops
• Basil Lemon Pork Chops
• Grandma’s Pork Chops & Gravy

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