The best leftover pork tenderloin recipes, from easy dinner fried rice to party platter BBQ nachos. Find your new favorite ways to use extra cooked pork today.
Pork tenderloin is a classic dinner meat that offers a variety of ways to cook it. As well as our favorite smoked pork tenderloin, the tender meat cut is delicious when roasted, grilled, or pan-fried. However, unless you have a big family or a group with big appetites, you’ll probably have some extra left to play with.
You can always just reheat the leftovers or make pork sandwiches, but where is the fun in that? Whether you’re a fan of classic pot pie or shredded nachos, here are our favorite ways to use leftover pork tenderloin.
Sliders
Pork sliders are mini sandwiches made out of pork instead of beef burger patties as they are more commonly made. You don’t need to put in a lot of effort to turn leftover tenderloin into pork sliders, but the result is still a completely new meal.
While most slider recipes call for pulled pork shoulder (or Boston Butt), you can just reheat pork tenderloin and shred it for a leaner version of the classic. Add your favorite burger toppings for a great lunch.
Enchiladas
Enchiladas are a great way to use up any leftover protein, including pork tenderloin. The meat gets a new lease on life when coated in delicious enchilada sauce and baked with tender tortillas and savory shredded cheese.
Try This Recipe: While originally made with pulled pork, simply swap in shredded leftover tenderloin to complete these easy pork enchiladas. You’ll also need tortillas, Monterey Jack, and onion. You can make your own enchilada sauce out of tomato paste, vinegar, flour, and seasonings, or buy it at the store. Roll up the enchiladas and place them on your smoker for 30 minutes.
Pork Roast
Pork roast is a popular holiday dinner and surprisingly easy to make since you roast the pork and root vegetables all in one pot. If you want to save time, using leftover pork tenderloin gives you the same delicious pork flavors but cuts back on time because you just have to reheat the meat.
To make this dish, put the pork tenderloin in a pan with carrots, potatoes, and your choice of root vegetables that go traditionally with a roast. Cook until everything is tender.
Pot Pie
Chicken pot pie may be the traditional preparation, but pork pot pie is just as delicious, if not more so. Using leftover pork tenderloin saves you precious minutes on the preparation. Plus, the mixed vegetables and sweet crust balance out the pork flavors perfectly.
To make pork pot pie, start by making a roux sauce with butter, flour, and chicken broth. Stir in your choice of frozen vegetables, herbs, and leftover pork (finely chopped). Once the mixture is cooked, put it in a pie dish with the crusts and bake.
Greek Pitas
To take your leftovers to the next level, take inspiration from the Mediterranean. Pita sandwiches are a great way to turn leftover pork tenderloin into tomorrow’s lunch while adding new flavors that turn a staid meal into something new.
To make this meal, reheat the pork tenderloin and shred it with two forks until you get stringy chunks. Then, fold it into pita bread with your choice of toppings. Favorites include feta cheese, tzatziki sauce, and red onion.
Taquitos
You can’t go wrong with taquitos if you want to infuse your leftovers with some Tex-Mex flavors. Taquitos are small, deep-fried rolled tortillas that are very popular in Mexico. Like enchiladas, they are a great way to use any leftover protein.
To make pork taquitos, heat your pork tenderloin and shred it into small pieces. Fill each corn tortilla with a little pork, then deep-fry it. Common toppings are shredded cheese, sour cream, and guacamole.
Spring Rolls
If you’ve ever been to a Chinese or Southeast Asian restaurant, chances are you’ve seen spring rolls on the menu. These rolled, filled wraps are a common appetizer in the region. You can easily replicate your favorite takeout at home with leftover pork tenderloin.
There are many different wrappings to use for pork spring rolls, but the most common are rice paper or wonton wrappers. Chop the pork finely, mix it with spices and fresh veggies such as carrot matchsticks, then fry the wrapped rolls.
Mac & Cheese
Everyone has their own twist on macaroni and cheese, and we’re no different. The Italian-American classic might be simple at heart, but leaves plenty of room for experimentation. So why not mix in a touch of your reheated pork tenderloin?
As your mac and cheese cooks, stir in your shredded pork and see it elevate in the rich, cheesy pasta sauce. The pork pieces will interlock with the elbow macaroni pieces, ensuring each bite is packed with flavor.
Nachos
Nachos are so delicious, they shouldn’t be restricted to your sporadic visits to the movie theater or stadium. Use leftover pork tenderloin to make these nachos for lunch, as a snack, or when you have people coming over. Plus, nachos are a versatile base and leave plenty of room for you to improvise.
Try This Recipe: Our smoked pork nachos dials up the flavor with an infusion of barbecue smoke. Reheat your pork tenderloin and shred it (if it isn’t pulled already). Then, arrange one layer of chips with black beans, pork, and shredded cheese, repeating until all your ingredients are used. Smoke over applewood until the cheese melts.
Pork Stroganoff
Beef stroganoff is a popular Russian dish consisting of sautéed chunks of beef served in a sauce of mustard and sour cream over noodles. You can replace the beef with any meat, including leftover pork tenderloin. The creamy sauce covers up any dryness in the meat after it stays out in the open and is reheated.
Besides pork, you will need Dijon mustard, smetana or sour cream, paprika, and pepper to make the sauce. This dish is most commonly served over egg noodles, which help absorb the creamy sauce.
Fried Rice
When you’re trying to figure out what to do with leftovers, why not take cues from your favorite takeout menus? Fried rice is a great way to use any leftovers you have in the fridge, including leftover pork tenderloin. Plus, the rich savory flavors of the fried rice pair well with the pork.
You can also use this dish to get rid of any leftover white rice and vegetables. Cook the rice in a skillet until crispy, add the other ingredients, and finish with soy sauce and other condiments.
