If you have leftover pork tenderloin that you want to reheat without ruining it, this is the guide for you. Here’s how to reheat pork tenderloin without drying it out.
When it comes to leftovers, there’s no better meat than smoked pork tenderloin . It cannot only be served on its own with vegetables, but also goes well in sandwiches or in other meats such as ham.
Serving it as leftovers can save you a lot of time in meal prep, and I think leftover meat can taste even better the second time.
But as with many meats, the real challenge is reheating it without drying it out. If you put it in the microwave you are doing it a disservice, while if you put it back on the grill it will lose all the moisture that made it so delicious in the first place.
You see, pork tenderloin is quite lean, which makes it very difficult to keep it from drying out.
While lean meat is amazing for its high protein and low fat content, this is exactly what makes it difficult to reheat. It is very easy to overcook, making it not only dry but also incredibly soft. Pulled pork is also a problem when reheating , and tenderloin is no different.
What we don’t want to admit, however, is the acceleration and speed offered by methods like the microwave.
So what is the best way to reheat pork tenderloin?
The good news is that this can be done quickly and without special tools. Only with the use of stove, pan and lid.
The lid is key here as it helps keep the tenderloin moist in the pan and especially in the pork. This not only keeps it moist, but also helps retain all of its juices and flavors.
Reheating meat without a pan allows moisture to escape and dry out the meat.
Just to live up to expectations here, if your pork has a crispy surface it may lose some when reheated. This is often the case with many foods, such as pizza, but it’s just the reality of reheating food.
How to reheat pork tenderloin in a pan
Choose your choice of skillet, griddle or nonstick. Make sure you have the right lid so it fits perfectly and your fillet fits in the pan. You may need to slice the fillet to fit in the pan.
Heat your skillet on the stovetop over medium-high heat and add a cooking oil of your choice. Let the oil heat up.
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Place your pork tenderloin in the pan and place the lid on top. If the loin does not fit, you need to cut it into portions. Don’t overfill and don’t put more than one layer of meat in the pan at a time.
Allow the meat to cook, turning it every two minutes until heated through. It should take around 10-15 minutes total, but keep in mind that this will depend on the size of your pork tenderloin.
If you slice the fillet and use thinner slices, the time it takes to reheat will be much less, and you may even have to use the cut of meat every minute.
If YOU need help slicing into thin, even slices, 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 to reheat pork tenderloin without letting it dry out is in a slow cooker or slow cooker. These have become increasingly popular over time as they allow you to prepare food without constant supervision. They’re also quite small, meaning they don’t dominate the kitchen space.
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They can do wonders at keeping meat warm , so it’s no surprise that they can do a pretty good job here too. They usually have different heat settings(low, high, and warm), and their warm setting is perfect for reheating meat.
Set your slow cooker to its hot temperature. If you don’t have this, set it to low.
Place leftover pork in slow cooker and cover with ½ cup water and ½ cup sauce, then place lid on top. This will help keep the fillet moist as it reheats. If your fillet doesn’t fit, you’ll need to cut it in half or slice it.
How to reheat pork tenderloin in an oven
Preheat the oven at 160°C.
Place your fillet in a deep ovenproof dish. If it doesn’t fit, halve or slice it.
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Cook for about 20 minutes or until the internal temperature of the pork reaches 75°C(165°F). Use a meat thermometer to read. If you need more time, put it back in the oven and take a new reading every 3-5 minutes until done.
How to reheat pork tenderloin in a microwave
Slice the fillet(if you don’t have a good paring knife, you can try a meat slicer) before placing on a microwave-safe plate. Cover it and put it in the microwave.
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Set your microwave setting to WILL reheat the meat, or set it to medium if you don’t have any. Heat for 5 minutes.
Remove from the microwave and check the internal temperature. When it reaches 75°C, it is safe to serve. If you need more time, heat for another 2 minutes before checking again.
Food safety tips for pork tenderloin
1. Do not reheat meat more than once.
2. Simply store your pork in the refrigerator for 3 days. If these exceed, you must discard.
3. If your meat has been stored at room or outside temperature for more than 2 hours, it must be discarded.
Writer & content creator. BBQ fanatic!
