After roasting a pork tenderloin for dinner, it's common to have leftovers. Reheating the pork without drying it out or overcooking takes some skill and patience. An effective way to reheat pork and retain the moisture of the meat is re-creating the steps you used to cook it. For food safety, ensure you use the pork within 2 days of having refrigerated it.
Adding broth or water to juice the cooked pork is ineffective because the meat is seared. Reheating pork tenderloin in the oven allows any remaining fat marbled in the meat to melt and return some moisture to the pork cut.
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
Put the pork tenderloin on a sheet pan and place it on an oven rack; let it cook for about 30 minutes.
Insert a thermometer into the thickest part of the pork and check for a temperature of 165 F. Put it back into the oven, if it has not reached this temperature.
Once you have reached the desired temperature, remove the pork from the oven. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Tips
Retain the pork drippings when you initially cook the pork. Pour any remaining pork drippings over your reheating portion for flavor.
Another way to retain the pork’s moisture is to use a cast-iron skillet to reheat the meat.
Heat 2 to 3 teaspoons of vegetable oil in an iron skillet, over medium-to-high heat.
When the oil is hot, add the cooked pork and sear each side for a few minutes, turning the meat frequently.
Insert a thermometer to ensure it's 165 F to kill any bacteria, and serve.
Microwaving cooked pork is convenient but seldom results in moist meat, nor does it reheat evenly.
To reheat in the microwave, place the pork tenderloin in a microwave-safe dish and splash some broth on the pork to retain some moisture.
Wrap it in plastic and poke a few holes in the wrap with a fork.
Microwave the pork and check its temperature with a thermometer before serving. Use oven mitts to remove the pork from the microwave, as the plate may be very hot.
Let the pork sit for a few minutes and serve.
Tips
Shred the leftovers and add them to a vegetable or rice stir-fry.
You can make a pork sandwich after reheating the leftovers. Toast thick slices of brown bread, and add lettuce, sliced tomatoes, sliced pickles or coleslaw.