A Midwest favorite! This Breaded Pork Tenderloin Sandwich is fried until golden brown, then topped the traditional way with mustard, pickles, and onions! You have to try this sandwich!!
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Breaded Pork Tenderloin
Ok, I don’t say this about many things …. but you HAVE TO try this Hand-Breaded Tenderloin Sandwich!! If you are planning on making any recipes from my blog this recipe should be one of them! That is how much I love this sandwich. Seriously …. just do it!!
If you are from the Midwest, you have probably had a BPT (Breaded Pork Tenderloin) or two in your life …. if you live anywhere else, you are probably wondering what the heck this Hand-Breaded Tenderloin Sandwich is and what all the commotion is about it?!
There are not enough words to describe how amazing this pork sandwich is … trust me! It’s crunchy, juicy, tender, amazing porkiness wrapped in a bun! I’m pretty sure I hear angels singing! 😇
Traditionally, this sandwich is topped with all kinds of bad-breath inducing ingredients (pickles, mustard, and onion – hello?!), but you could top it however you like. Brian likes it with BBQ sauce ….. whatever. 🤷🏽♀️ Unless you have a hot date, I can’t encourage you enough to try it the traditional way!
This Hand-Breaded Tenderloin Sandwich definitely ranks up among my top 3 favorite sandwiches in the history of ever!! I sure hope you give this recipe a try!
Recipe for Breaded Pork Tenderloin
FOR THE PORK TENDERLOIN
- pork tenderloin
- large eggs
- milk
- saltine crackers
- Oil for frying
FOR SERVING:
- hamburger buns, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, condiments, etc …
How to make Breaded Pork Tenderloin Sandwiches
Time needed: 30 minutes.
How to make Breaded Pork Tenderloin Sandwiches
- Make an egg wash.
Make an egg wash with the eggs and a splash of milk in a pie pan or a similar-sized bowl. Beat the mixture well. Set aside.
- Crush crackers.
Place both sleeves of crackers in a large zip-top bag, squeeze as much air out as you can. Crush the crackers with the rolling pin until the pieces are crumbs. Place in a pie pan or similarly sized bowl. Set aside.
- Flatten pork pieces.
Place one piece of the pork on a plastic cutting board. Top with Saran wrap. Use the rolling pin to hit the pork, flattening it – working from the center out, flattening into fairly thin slices. Repeat with remaining pork slices.
- Layout enough aluminum foil on your counter to comfortably hold all the tenderloins.
Layout enough aluminum foil on your counter to comfortably hold all the tenderloins.
- Coat pork pieces.
One at a time, dip the pork pieces into the egg mixture, coating both sides well. Then place in the cracker crumb mixture, coating both sides well. Remove to the aluminum foil to rest while you repeat with the remaining pork slices. Do not stack them on top of each other!
- Heat oil.
Let the tenderloins rest for about 10-15 minutes so the breading stays on during frying. Meanwhile, heat oil to 375 degrees F.
- Fry and drain.
Fry the tenderloins one or two at a time, depending on the size of your fryer, until golden brown. Flip once during frying to ensure even browning. Drain on paper towels. Immediately sprinkle with salt to taste.
- Serve.
To serve, place on hamburger buns and top with mustard, pickles, and onions … or your choice of toppings.
Breaded Tenderloin: Questions & Answers
If you have questions about this Breaded Pork Tenderloin recipe, I have answers! Take a look at this section before leaving a comment if you run into trouble.
Canola or vegetable oil works best in this recipe.
Yes! It’ll make the job faster!
There are lots of regional variations on this, I’ve found. It seems all of the people in the Midwest have their own versions. If you want to switch things out for a more familiar ingredient, go for it!! I think buttery or cheesy crackers would be just as delicious as the saltines! I’ve also head people use cornflakes, but I’ve never tried it. However, if you’ve never had this deliciously addictive sandwich before, I suggest starting with my recipe – it won’t steer you wrong!
How did you like this Breaded Pork Tenderloin recipe?
Did you try this sandwich? Wasn’t it amazing? 😍 It’s a Midwest favorite for a reason, y’all! Leave your comments and questions down below. I’d love to hear your thoughts about one of my favorite sandwiches in the world!
Other recipes you may enjoy
- Sticky Asian Glazed Meatballs
- Instant Pot Pork Roast
- Dijon-Peach Pork Chops
- Slow Cooker Polynesian Pork
- Easy Baked Pork Chops in Gravy
Breaded Pork Tenderloin Sandwich
A Midwest favorite! This Breaded Pork Tenderloin Sandwich is fried until golden brown, then topped the traditional way with mustard, pickles, and onions! You have to try this sandwich!!
Ingredients
For the pork tenderloin
- 1 pork tenderloin - cut off 6 to 8 slices (1/2 to 1-inch thick), reserve the rest of the tenderloin for another use
- 4 large eggs
- Splash of milk
- 2 sleeves of saltine crackers
- Oil for frying
For serving:
- hamburger buns, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, condiments, etc. …
Instructions
- Make an egg wash with the eggs and a splash of milk in a pie pan or a similar-sized bowl. Beat the mixture well. Set aside.
- Place both sleeves of crackers in a large zip-top bag, squeeze as much air out as you can. Crush the crackers with the rolling pin until the pieces are crumbs. Place in a pie pan or similarly sized bowl. Set aside.
- Place one piece of the pork on a plastic cutting board. Top with Saran wrap. Use the rolling pin to hit the pork, flattening it - working from the center out, flattening into fairly thin slices. Repeat with remaining pork slices.
- Layout enough aluminum foil on your counter to comfortably hold all the tenderloins.
- One at a time, dip the pork pieces into the egg mixture, coating both sides well. Then place in the cracker crumb mixture, coating both sides well. Remove to the aluminum foil to rest while you repeat with remaining pork slices. Do not stack them on top of each other!
- Let the tenderloins rest about 10-15 minutes so the breading stays on during frying. Meanwhile, heat oil to 375 degrees F.
- Fry the tenderloins one or two at a time, depending on the size of your fryer, until golden brown. Flip once during frying to ensure even browning. Drain on paper towels. Immediately sprinkle with salt to taste.
- To serve, place on hamburger buns and top with mustard, pickles, and onions ... or your choice of toppings.
Notes
- In a pinch, you can use boneless center-cut chop in place of the tenderloin.
- Change it up a bit by substituting buttery or cheezy crackers in place of the saltines.
- No meat mallet? Use a heavy skillet or veggie can on its side to pound out the pork.
Recommended Products
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 182Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 147mgSodium: 184mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 13g
Please note that the nutritional information listed on this page is an estimation based on the products I used. Ingredients and nutritional information can vary greatly between brands. Always be sure to read labels.
Originally published on May 1, 2012. Updated on August 20, 2020.
Oh My Heavens!! I grew up in Illinois and LOVED me some pork tenderloins. And it is impossible to find them out west (az). I will definitely be trying this recipe soon. Thanks so much!!
Thanks for stopping by. Hope you enjoy it and maybe, it'll bring back fond memories of tenderloins in Illinois 🙂
This looks delicious! I have never used tenderloin for frying but I do love it, so I will give this a try. Thanks for sharing.
You're welcome. Hope you enjoy it 🙂
This is one of the things that we always have to get from one of the midwest festivals!!! Now I don't have to wait for the next fair to happen:-) Showing this off on Trick or Treat Tuesday:-)
There used to be a grungy little bar that served the best tenderloin sandwiches. One of those places I wouldn't have stepped a foot in, except I knew everyone from the plant I worked at went there to eat. Thanks for the recipe, I will be making these.
This tenderloin sandwich looks amazing!! Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe! We're so glad you joined us for "Strut Your Stuff Saturday." Thanks and come back soon!! -The Sisters
This recipe was surprisingly delicious given the limit number of ingredients! We chose not to make sandwiches but rather served it alongside brussels sprouts and corn on the cob. Will definitely be making this again.
I made this recipe tonight and it was awesome and I also shared it with my readers here http://queenofsavings.com/hand-breaded-tenderloins.html/.
Being a born and raised Hoosier, hand breaded tenderloins are a weekly staple. There’s one thing this Hoosier does different with your recipe, and that’s the crackers. I only use Ritz crackers for breading. Try the Ritz crackers. You’ll thank me for it.