If you have leftover pork tenderloin that you want to reheat without ruining it, then this is the guide for you. Here’s how to reheat pork tenderloin without it going dry.
When it comes to leftovers, there aren’t many meats better than smoked pork tenderloin. Not only can it served by itself on the side of vegetables, but it can go great in sandwiches or wrapped in another meat like prosciutto.
Serving it as leftovers can save you time on a lot of time on meal prep, plus I actually think leftover meat can taste even better the second time round.
But like a lot of meat, the real challenge is in reheating it without it drying out. If you microwave it then you’re doing it a disservice, while if you put it back on the grill then it’s going to lose all of the moisture that made it so delicious in the first place.
See, pork tenderloin is quite lean, which makes it really difficult to prevent it from drying out.
While lean meat is awesome because of its rich protein and low fat content, this is exactly what makes it difficult to reheat. It’s really easy to overcook, which results in it not only being dry, but also incredibly bland. It’s a problem with reheating pulled pork too, and loin is no different.
What we don’t want to concede though is the convenience and speed that methods like microwaving offer us.
So what’s the best way to reheat pork tenderloin?
The good news is that this can be done quickly and with no special tools. Just with the use of your stovetop, frying pan, and a lid.
The lid is the key here as it helps to keep the moisture from the tenderloin within the pan, and more importantly within the pork itself. This will not only keep it moist, but help lock in all of its juices and flavors.
If you reheat the meat without a pan then it will allow the moisture to escape, drying out the meat.
Just to help manage expectations here, if your pork has a crispy surface to it this might be lost a bit when reheating it. This is often the case with a lot of foods – take pizza for example – but is just the reality of reheating food.
How to reheat pork tenderloin in a frying pan
Pick your choice of frying pan, whether it be skillet or non-stick. Ensure you have the matching lid so that it fits perfectly, and that your tenderloin will fit in the pan. You might need to slice up the loin to make sure it fits in the pan.
Heat up your pan over the stove at a medium low-heat, and add your choice of cooking oil. Allow the oil to heat up.
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Place your pork tenderloin in the pan and put the lid on top. If the loin can’t fit then you will need to cut it into portions. Don’t cram it in, and don’t put more than one layer of meat in the pan at any one time.
Allow the meat to cook, and turn over every couple of minutes until heated through. It should take somewhere between 10-15 minutes in total, although be mindful that this will depend on the size of your pork tenderloin.
If you slice your tenderloin up and use thinner slices, then the time needed to reheat it will be much less, and you may even need to flip your meat cut every one minute instead.
If you need help slicing thinly and evenly, an electric meat slicer can help make the process a lot less painful.
How to reheat pork tenderloin in a slow cooker
Another effective way of reheating pork tenderloin without letting it dry out is in a slow cooker or Crock-Pot. These have become more and more popular over time as they allow you to cook food without constantly needing to supervise your food. They’re also fairly small in size, meaning they don’t dominate your kitchen space.
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They can do wonders for keeping meat warm, so it’s no surprise that they can do a good job here too. They tend to have different heat settings – low, high, and warm – with its warm setting being perfect for reheating meat.
Set your slow cooker to its warm setting. If it doesn’t have this, then set it to low.
Place your leftover pork in the slow cooker, and cover in ½ cup of water and ½ cup of gravy, and then put the lid on top. This will help keep the tenderloin moist as it reheats. If your loin doesn’t fit, then you will need to either halve it, or cut it into slices.
How to reheat pork tenderloin in an oven
Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
Put your tenderloin into an oven-safe deep dish. If it doesn’t fit then either halve it, or cut into slices.
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Cook for about 20 minutes, or until the pork’s internal temperature has reached 165°F (75°C). Use a meat thermometer to read this. If it needs more time then place back in the oven and take a new reading every 3-5 minutes until ready.
How to reheat pork tenderloin in a microwave
Cut your tenderloin into slices (if you don’t have a good meat knife then you can try using a meat slicer) before then transferring into a microwave-safe dish. Cover it and put in the microwave.
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Set at your microwave’s setting for reheating meat, or if it doesn’t have one then put on a medium heat. Heat for 5 minutes.
Remove from the microwave and check internal temperature. If it has reached 165°F (75°C) then it safe to serve. If it needs more time then reheat for a further 2 minutes before checking again.
Pork tenderloin food safety tips
1. Don’t reheat your meat more than once.
2. Only store your pork in the refrigerator for 3 days. If it exceeds this then you will need to chuck it out.
3. If your meat has sat out at room or outdoor temperature for anything over 2 hours then it will be need to be thrown away.
