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A beloved Midwestern classic, this sandwich features a massive, crispy fried pork cutlet, pounded paper-thin and served on a simple bun with pickles, onions, and mustard. It's the ultimate comfort food, delivering a satisfying crunch and savory flavor in every bite.
For 4 servings
Prepare the Pork Cutlets
Set Up the Breading Station
Bread the Pork
A beloved Midwestern classic, this sandwich features a massive, crispy fried pork cutlet, pounded paper-thin and served on a simple bun with pickles, onions, and mustard. It's the ultimate comfort food, delivering a satisfying crunch and savory flavor in every bite.
This midwestern_american recipe takes 30 minutes to prepare and yields 4 servings. At 954.92 calories per serving with 52.72g of protein, it's a moderately challenging recipe perfect for lunch or dinner.
Fry the Tenderloins
Assemble and Serve
Add 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the flour mixture for a spicy kick. Serve with a spicy mayonnaise or hot sauce.
Substitute the saltine crackers with panko breadcrumbs for a lighter, even crispier texture.
For a healthier option, skip the breading and frying. Season the pounded pork cutlets with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, then grill over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes per side until cooked through.
While not traditional, you can add lettuce, tomato, and a slice of American or cheddar cheese for a more loaded sandwich.
Pork tenderloin is a lean cut of meat packed with high-quality protein, which is essential for building and repairing tissues, muscle maintenance, and overall body function.
Pork is a great source of several B vitamins, particularly Thiamin (B1), Niacin (B3), and Vitamin B6. These vitamins are crucial for energy metabolism, brain function, and the formation of red blood cells.
This dish provides important minerals like selenium, a powerful antioxidant, and zinc, which supports immune function and wound healing.
A single Pork Tenderloin Sandwich contains approximately 750-850 calories, depending on the size of the cutlet, amount of oil absorbed, and toppings used. It is a calorie-dense, indulgent meal.
This sandwich is a classic comfort food and is not typically considered healthy due to being shallow-fried. It is high in calories, fat, and sodium. However, pork tenderloin itself is a lean source of protein. To make a healthier version, consider grilling or baking the pork instead of frying.
Yes, you can make a version in the air fryer. After breading the pork, spray both sides generously with cooking oil spray. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through. The texture will be crispy but slightly different from the fried version.
A neutral oil with a high smoke point is best. Vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil are all excellent choices for frying these tenderloins.
Breading can fall off if the pork is too wet, if you skip the flour dredge, or if you move the cutlet around too much in the pan. Ensure you pat the pork dry before flouring, follow the three-step breading process (flour, egg, crumbs), and only flip the cutlet once during frying.
