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 & Equipment
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 …
Equipment
- meat mallet, plastic wrap, and cutting board – for pounding out your tenderloins. You can also use a heavy skillet or similar heavy object. I would highly suggest pounding out the tenderloins on a cutting board or similar object so you don’t accidentally damage your countertops.
- skillet and tongs – for frying your tenderloin pieces.
- platter or baking sheet with paper towels – for draining your cooked tenderloins.
- food processor – not absolutely necessary, but it will make crushing your crackers way faster and easier. If you don’t have a food processor, no worries! Use a large zip-top bag with most of the air squeezed out and a towel placed over the top (so your bag doesn’t puncture) and use a rolling pin or similar object to break the crackers into crumbs.
Breaded Tenderloin: Questions & Answers
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 heard 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!
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
Breaded Pork Tenderloin Sandwich
Equipment
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 milk
- 2 sleeves 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, 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
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 significantly between brands. Always be sure to read labels. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Likewise, recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them.
Originally published on May 1, 2012. Updated on June 23, 2022.
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.