Skip to main content

Grilled Pork Tenderloin Sandwiches

5.0

(1)

Image may contain Food Pork and Plant
Photo by Alex Lau, styling by Judy Mancini

Give your knife a few swipes on the sharpener and try to slice the grilled tenderloin as thinly as possible (think roast beef from the deli). It’ll make these open-faced pork sandwiches a lot easier to eat and such a difference in texture.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    4 servings

Ingredients

Basil-Chive Aioli

1 oil-packed anchovy fillet
Kosher salt
1 cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 garlic cloves, finely grated
¼ cup chopped basil, plus more for serving
2 tablespoons chopped chives, plus more for serving
Freshly ground black pepper

Pork and Assembly

2 tablespoons fennel seeds
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons Diamond Crystal or 3½ teaspoons Morton kosher salt, plus more
2 pork tenderloins (about 1½ pounds each)
Vegetable oil (for grill)
1 ciabatta loaf, halved lengthwise
6 cups mature arugula leaves with tender stems
Torn basil leaves, chopped chives, and lemon wedges (for serving)

Special Equipment

A spice mill or mortar and pestle

Preparation

  1. Basil-Chive Aioli

    Step 1

    Using the flat side of a knife, smash anchovy and ½ tsp. salt on a cutting board until a paste forms. Scrape into a medium bowl. Add mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic, ¼ cup basil, and 2 Tbsp. chives and whisk to combine. Season with salt and pepper; cover and chill until ready to serve.

    Step 2

    Do Ahead: Aioli can be made 1 day ahead. Keep chilled.

  2. Pork and Assembly

    Step 3

    Grind fennel seeds and red pepper in spice mill or with mortar and pestle until coarsely ground. Transfer to a small bowl. Mix in 2 Tbsp. salt. Rub mixture all over pork and let sit, uncovered, 1 hour, or chill up to 8.

    Step 4

    Prepare a grill for medium heat; thoroughly clean grates and brush with oil. Grill pork, turning every 4 minutes, until lightly charred on all sides and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the loin registers 130°, 15–20 minutes. Let rest 10 minutes, then cut into very thin slices.

    Step 5

    Grill bread halves on both sides until lightly charred and warmed through, about 1 minute per side.

    Step 6

    Spread about ½ cup aioli over cut sides of both bread halves. Layer arugula over, then top with sliced pork, basil, chives, and a squeeze of lemon. Serve any remaining aioli alongside.

See Related Recipes and Cooking Tips

Read More
Juicy steak, crisp lettuce, and a blender dressing come together for a breezy summer dinner.
Everyone’s favorite pigs in a blanket goes Chicago-style, complete with celery salt, poppy seeds, and a cheeky cornichon.
This fast stir-fry dish pairs minced pork and fragrant basil with hot Thai chiles and a crispy fried egg.
An electrifying pesto that stays bright green for days on end. With the addition of ginger, and jalapeño, it’s a versatile condiment to have on hand.
A homemade black bean sauce is better than anything you can find in the grocery store. Plus, the 15-minute dinner you can make with it.
Two pantry sauces—hoisin and green tomatillo salsa—join forces to form a deliciously balanced sauce for udon noodles.
A can of refried beans disappears into the broth of this simple soup, adding body and luscious texture, while chipotle chiles in adobo add smoky heat.
The epitome of low effort, high reward.