Breaded Pork Tenderloin Sandwich

This Breaded Pork Tenderloin Sandwich is fried until golden brown, then topped the traditional way with mustard, pickles, and onions! A Midwest favorite, you have to try this sandwich!!

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!!

Having lived in the Midwest for some time, I have a few favorite recipes I have shared here on the blog. Iowa Ham Balls, Iowa Ham Salad, Maid-Rites, Runzas, and White Castle Casserole are just a few.

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 (like 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!

Pork Tenderloin Sandwich: Ingredients & Substitutions

To make this Hand-Breaded Pork Tenderloin Sandwich, you will need …

Ingredients

• pork tenderloin – you’ll slice it into pieces and then pound those pieces nice and thin. You can also use boneless center-cut chops in a pinch, then pound them out.
• eggs and milk – this is what will help make the breading stick.
• saltine crackers – the breading for our tenderloins.
• oil – for frying. I typically use vegetable or canola oil. Peanut oil can also be used.
• hamburger buns – for putting all of your delicious sandwich ingredients on, of course!
• toppings of your choice – such as lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, condiments, etc …

Breaded Tenderloin: Questions & Answers

Other recipes you may enjoy

• Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes and Ham
• Instant Pot Pork Roast
• Dijon-Peach Pork Chops
• Slow Cooker Polynesian Pork
• Easy Baked Pork Chops in Gravy

4.48 from 17 votes

Servings: 8 servings

Breaded Pork Tenderloin Sandwich

By Jamie Sherman

This Breaded Pork Tenderloin Sandwich is fried until golden brown, then topped the traditional way with mustard, pickles, and onions! A Midwest favorite, you have to try this sandwich!!

Prep: 20 minutes mins

Cook: 10 minutes mins

Total: 30 minutes mins

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Equipment

• food processor
• knife
• cutting board
• cake pans
• rolling pin
• Meat Tenderizer Mallet
• 8 Inch Cast Iron Skillet – Pre-Seasoned Skillet 

Ingredients 

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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 milk
• ▢ 2 sleeves saltine crackers
• ▢ oil, for frying

For serving:

• ▢ hamburger buns, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, condiments, etc. …

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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, and 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.
• Lay out 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 the remaining pork slices. Do not stack them on top of each other!
• Let the tenderloins rest for 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.

Nutrition

Calories: 309kcal, Carbohydrates: 0.4g, Protein: 50g, Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 240mg, Sodium: 156mg, Potassium: 926mg, Fiber: 0.01g, Sugar: 0.1g, Vitamin A: 140IU, Calcium: 28mg, Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Originally published on May 1, 2012. Updated on June 23, 2022.