Pork tenderloin sandwiches are a popular dish in the US, especially in the Midwest and South. The sandwich features a breaded and fried slice of pork tenderloin on a bun with condiments such as mayo, tomato, pickles, onions, and cheese. The pork tenderloin is coated in buttermilk and breadcrumbs before being fried and served with various side dishes and condiments. Local twists may include different spreads, relishes, lettuce, mushrooms, and salsa. Making the sandwich at home allows for customization of ingredients and seasonings.
A pork tenderloin sandwich generally features a breaded and fried slice of pork tenderloin on a thick, crispy bun. Condiments used may include traditional or flavored mayonnaise, sliced tomato, pickles, red onions, and cheese. These sandwiches are popular throughout the United States, especially in the Midwestern and Southern states.
A pork tenderloin generally comes from the groin area of a pig, near the top and inside both hind legs. This cut of meat is usually very flavorful and tender, making it ideal for a tasty rustic-style pork tenderloin sandwich. The whole tenderloin usually comes on the bun, giving many of these buns a sort of lopsided quality. The ends of the fried tenderloin protrude from both sides of the round bun, meaning consumers often have to nibble off the excess before getting a bite of all the ingredients together. Some consumers like it, while others think a pork tenderloin sandwich looks unbalanced.
Many restaurants in the Midwest and South feature a version of the pork tenderloin sandwich. Often, the dish will include some kind of local twist. For example, mayonnaise can be combined with other ingredients to make it into a chipotle sandwich spread, honey mustard, or cracked pepper. Some pork tenderloin sandwiches may feature pickle relish instead of pickle slices. Different types of lettuce, sautéed mushrooms, and homemade salsa are just a few things a traveler might find when sampling sandwiches in the U.S.
Typically, one of the best ways to achieve the ideal pork tenderloin sandwich is to make it at home. This gives the cook total control over which ingredients go into the sandwich and how much each of them gets on the sandwich. Most sandwiches start with the pork tenderloin coated in buttermilk, beaten egg or egg whites, and pressed into a breadcrumb mixture. This mixture may contain just flour and breadcrumbs or it may include herbs and spices. Sometimes the tenderloin is dipped again in buttermilk or egg and topped with a second layer of breadcrumbs to give it extra bite.
After being coated, the meat is usually fried in some sort of oil until crispy, then placed in a bun with the cook’s choice of seasonings. These side dishes can include homemade sauces or a variety of condiments set out so that each person participating in the meal can customize their pork tenderloin sandwich. Some cooks make big changes to this bun, such as grilling the pork without breading it first or using long buns instead of round ones. These changes are largely a matter of preference and are rarely found in restaurant sandwiches.
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