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A homemade pork tenderloin sandwich is the perfect hearty lunch! Juicy grilled pork covered in a savory blend of spices, nestled between soft buns and topped with sliced fresh tomatoes, sizzling grilled onions, crisp lettuce and zesty pickles. You will be hooked from the first bite!
Step up your lunch game with these other great sandwich recipes: the best BLT, corned beef sandwich, or Cuban sandwich!
Pork Tenderloin Sandwich Recipe
Pork tenderloin is very underrated. I don’t know why, it’s so sweet and tender! It’s great on its own, but even more delicious on a sandwich filled with other delicious toppings. (All of which you can customize to your liking!)
Grilling pork tenderloin gives it the perfect flavor and texture. It’s smoky and charred, but juicy and tender inside. For more flavor, I season it with salt, pepper, garlic powder, cumin and thyme. Every bite is a dream! So gather your favorite buns and toppings, because this Pork Tenderloin Sandwich is a must-have lunch!
Ingredients and fillings for sandwiches
Here’s everything you need to make the Grilled Pork Tenderloin, plus some fixings! Check out my tips section below for more tasty toppings to add to your sandwich.
- Pork fillets: These are juicy and tasty cuts of pork that are the main filling of the sandwich.
- Olive oil: This is used to cook pork and also adds a touch of richness. If you don’t have olive oil, you can use vegetable oil or butter instead.
- Salt: Indispensable to bring out the natural flavors of pork.
- Ground black pepper: Adds a little spiciness and enhances the flavor of the pork. If you don’t have black pepper, you can use crushed red pepper flakes or skip it if you prefer a milder flavor.
- garlic powder: Adds a savory garlic flavor to pork. Fresh minced garlic works too!
- Cumin: This spice brings a smoky and slightly spicy taste.
- Thyme: Aromatic herb that adds freshness to pork.
- Choice of buns: Choose your favorite type of bread, such as hamburger buns, brioche buns, ciabatta buns or even tortillas for a sandwich wrap.
- Sliced tomatoes: For a juicy and sweet flavor!
- Red onion (sliced and grilled): Grilled red onions add a sweet, smoky flavor to the pork tenderloin sandwich.
- Lettuce: For a refreshing crunch. You can also substitute with other leafy greens like arugula, spinach, or kale.
- Sliced pickles: These add a tart and crunchy flavor.
How to Make a Grilled Pork Tenderloin Sandwich
It’s time to fire up the grill, because this pork tenderloin sandwich is one of the best things you’ll make this summer! It’s easy to prepare and so satisfying.
- Heating grill: Heat your grill to medium heat (350-400 degrees Fahrenheit) and prepare your pork by rubbing it with olive oil.
- Prepare the spice mix: In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper, garlic powder, cumin and thyme. Rub your oiled pork with the spice mix to coat it evenly.
- Grill the pork: Place the pork tenderloins on the heated grill and cook for 12 to 15 minutes on each side. Check the pork temperature for doneness, it should read 155 degrees Fahrenheit in the thickest part of the pork.
- Prepare the vegetables: Slice your vegetables while the pork is grilling, during the last 15 minutes of your pork cooking, grill your red onions, brush them with olive oil and place them on the grill.
- Grilled vegetables : Grill the onions for about 5 minutes on each side then remove from the grill.
- Slice: Remove pork from grill when fully cooked, let sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes. Next, cut the tenderloins into chunks of about 1 inch.
- To assemble: To assemble the sandwich, divide your buns or buns, spread a little mayonnaise on each bun. Place some lettuce on the bottom bun, followed by your pork, tomatoes, grilled onions, and pickles. Then finish with salt and pepper to taste.
Fillings and variants
You can make any variation of toppings in this Pork Tenderloin Sandwich, the pork is the star so dress it however you like!
- Other great sandwich fillings: Pepperoncini, cheese, avocado, sauerkraut, microgreens and many more!
- Spreads: Instead of mayonnaise alone, add a layer of barbecue sauce, chipotle mayonnaise, sriracha mayonnaise or honey mustard to your buns.
Storing leftovers
To keep your grilled pork fresh and delicious, store it separate from the toppings and refrigerate until you’re ready to use it.
- Sandwich: Once the pork tenderloin sandwich is made, it is best to eat it within 24 hours. Moisture from toppings and sauces can make it soggy over time. If you need to store it longer, keep the components separate and assemble the sandwich just before eating.
- Grilled pork tenderloin: If you have leftover cooked pork tenderloin, you can refrigerate it for 3 to 4 days. Be sure to wrap it well or store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh. If you want to keep it longer, freezing it is a good option. Cooked pork tenderloin can be frozen for 2 to 3 months. Remember to thaw it in the refrigerator before reheating it or using it in sandwiches.
Heat your grill to medium heat (350-400 degrees Fahrenheit) and prepare your pork by rubbing it with olive oil.
In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper, garlic powder, cumin and thyme. Rub your oiled pork with the spice mix to coat it evenly.
Place the pork tenderloins on the heated grill and cook for 12 to 15 minutes on each side. Check the pork temperature for doneness, it should read 155 degrees Fahrenheit in the thickest part of the pork.
Slice your vegetables while the pork is grilling, during the last 15 minutes of your pork cooking, grill your red onions, brush them with olive oil and place them on the grill.
Grill the onions for about 5 minutes on each side and remove from the grill.
Remove pork from grill when fully cooked, let sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes. Cut the fillets into chunks of about 1 inch.
To assemble the sandwich, divide your buns or buns, spread a little mayonnaise on each bun. Place some lettuce on the bottom bun, followed by your pork, tomatoes, grilled onions, and pickles. Finish with salt and pepper to taste.
Serves: 2
calories1185calories (59%)Carbohydrates12g (4%)Protein190g (380%)Fat37g (57%)Saturated fat11g (55%)Polyunsaturated fats6gMonounsaturated fat15gtrans fat0.3gCholesterol590mg (197%)Sodium1161mg (48%)Potassium3618mg (103%)Fiber1g (4%)Sugar2g (2%)Vitamin A51UI (1%)Vitamin C1mg (1%)Calcium95mg (ten%)Irontenmg (56%)
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is an estimate only. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and serving sizes per household.
