food
By Katherine Gillen
•
Published Aug 1, 2023
Additional reporting by
Taryn Pire
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Oh, leftovers. They’re the secret to putting together easy, economical dinners in almost no time. But pork chops can be tricky to repurpose or use up. While we’re not above slapping a few slices on sandwich bread with a little mayo and calling it a day—we can all do better than that. Presenting 26 leftover pork chop recipes to clean out your refrigerator (that still taste totally gourmet).
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ERIC WOLFINGER/THE MEXICAN KETO COOKBOOK
1. Cast-Iron Pork Chops with Cacao-Spiced Rub
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein, beginner-friendly
The trick to these melt-in-your-mouth chops? Salting them 45 minutes before cooking and letting them come to room temperature. Make double of the spice rub to use on steak, salmon, ribs or chicken thighs.
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Tyler Kenny/On the Line
2. Pork Milanese with Cucumber Yogurt
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: high protein, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy
A few pantry staples transform a modest boneless pork chop into something totally Insta-worthy. Fresh garlic and dill (stems included) infuse the yogurt dip with a ridiculous amount of flavor.
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3. Lemongrass Pork Chops with Carb-Free Yakisoba
- Time Commitment: 8 hours and 25 minutes (includes marinating time)
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, high protein
Yes, you'll need to marinate the pork chops in a savory mix of ginger, lime juice, honey and fish sauce for eight hours—but we promise it's worth the wait. This allows the acidic ingredients to tenderize the pork as it soaks.
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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
4. Pork Scallopini with Lemon, Capers and Radicchio
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, beginner-friendly
As long as you slice your pork chops as thinly as possible, this classy comfort dish is within reach. Serve with mashed potatoes, white rice or arugula salad.
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Erin McDowell
5. Herb-Crusted Pork Cutlets
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
The thinner you slice the pork chops, the crispier they'll turn out. The panko coating is spiked with your choice of fresh herbs (we're partial to a mix of thyme, rosemary, tarragon, sage and oregano).
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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
6. Sweet-and-Sour Pork Skewers with Pineapple
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, kid-friendly
This recipe calls for pork tenderloin, but you could swap in cubes of leftover pork chop for a similar effect. Cook it on the barbecue if the weather allows and on a grill pan if you're cooking indoors—you don't want to miss out on those char marks.
Kelsey Preciado/Unbelieveabowl Paleo
7.
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, dairy free, gluten free
A few slices of leftover pork chop in place of ground pork would take this salad to a whole new level. The real highlight is the zingy rice vinegar-honey dressing, which is bursting with fresh grated ginger.
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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
8. Cuban Sliders for a Crowd
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
You can either substitute your leftovers in place of the ham or add them in addition to it. Traditional Cubanos are made with roast pork shoulder, but a chop would do in a pinch. (Work with what ya got, no?)
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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
9. Mini Nachos
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, sheet pan recipes
Skip the shredded chicken and use a lingering pork chop from last night for carnitas-inspired nachos. Finish each chip pile with a drizzle of hot sauce and a dollop of guac.
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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
10. Baking Sheet Quesadillas
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: sheet pan recipe, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
Is it just us, or are quesadillas one of the best ways to use up fridge finds? These are made on a single baking sheet, so you won’t have to stand by the stove flipping tortillas to feed a crowd. (You can find rectangular tortillas at your grocery store's deli, or try substitutingthin lavash flatbreadorgluten-free coconut wraps.)
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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
11. Chicken and Snap Pea Stir Fry
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, dairy free, low carb, gluten free
Yep, this recipe works with leftover pork too. Just slice it thin and add it to the skillet at the very end (since it's already prepared), so it doesn't overcook and dry out. Serve over rice noodles to keep the recipe gluten-free.
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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
12. Rotisserie Chicken Ramen
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly
Ditch the rotisserie chicken in favor of a few slices of pork chop. It’s not as succulent as pork belly, but it’ll still be ready in 35 minutes flat...and that's what we care about most on a busy weeknight.
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13. Easy Lo Mein
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
When a fridge detox is in order, this simple lo mein will do the trick quite nicely. Toss in any less-than-pristine vegetables (snow peas! mushrooms! bell peppers! carrots!) alongside the leftover pork chop to clear some space.
14. Pork Pad See Ew
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, high protein
Alternatively, you could make this Thai takeout favorite, stirring in cubed leftover pork chop at the end in place of sliced pork shoulder. If you can't find Chinese broccoli, substitute bok choy or broccolini.
15. Pork Fried Rice
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: kid-friendly, one pan, beginner-friendly
In addition to the leftover protein, you’re best off using leftover rice too. It’ll be less likely to stick together and clump after a chill in the fridge. Make it even easier on yourself by using a frozen mix of diced veggies instead of fresh.
16. Pineapple Pork Stir Fry with Peppers
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
Pineapple and pork are like peanut butter and jelly: meant to be together. Substitute chops for tenderloin in this sweet-and-savory recipe that's mostly made with pantry staples.
17. Caramelized Pork Tacos with Pineapple Salsa
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy
The high heat and sweet stir fry sauce will ensure the pork gets golden brown and caramelized quickly on the outside, without turning dry on the inside (yep, even if you use leftovers).
18. Banh Mi
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes
- Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein, beginner-friendly
If the leftover pork is already cooked, you might not get the exact same flavor that comes from marinating tenderloin for at least 30 minutes…but that’s what extra sriracha mayo and pickled vegetables are for, right?
19. Sweet Potato Hash with Eggs and Sausage
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: Whole30-friendly, Paleo-friendly, beginner-friendly
Goodbye sausage, hello leftover pork chop. (Or if you’re feeling extra, go ahead and include both.) It's a great way to use up leftover pre-baked sweet potatoes and fading produce, too.
20. Pork Pot Pie
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, high protein
Psst: The crust is made from store-bought puff pastry, making this an impossibly easy dinner that looks fussier than it is. Cut the leftover pork chops into small cubes or thin strips so it can soak up the creamy filling.
21. Slow Cooker Maple Chipotle Pork with Cheesy Polenta
- Time Commitment: 10 hours
- Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein, gluten free, slow cooker recipe
You know the drill: Skip the slow-cooked pork step and sub in your delicious leftovers. Easy-peasy. As for the buttery, cheesy polenta, stick to the recipe—it won't disappoint.
Photo: Eric Moran/Styling: Erin McDowell
22. Skillet Fajitas
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: high protein, dairy free, one pan
Which is tastier, boneless skinless chicken breast or flavorful pork? We'll let you decide. Either way, you'll only be left with one dirty dish to clean.
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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
23. Sheet Pan Lemon Butter Veggies and Sausage
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, sheet pan recipe
The original recipe calls for pre-cooked chicken sausage which, TBH, isn't all too different from a leftover pork chop in terms of convenience or flavor. Serve over white rice, buttered noodles or nothing at all.
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24. Pho (Vietnamese Noodle Soup)
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, dairy free, beginner-friendly
This comforting dish can be made with everything from beef to shrimp to chicken. Add your diced pork chop to the bowl just before serving (the real star is the deeply seasoned broth anyway) and let the compliments roll in.
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, high protein
This ingenious no-fry recipe starts by oven-roasting cubes of pork coated in cornstarch for crispiness. Since you're working with leftover pork chops, you can skip that step and move right to the sauce.
26. Cheesy Pork Enchiladas with 10-Minute Smoky Enchilada Sauce
- Time Commitment: 10 hours
- Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, high protein, special occasion-worthy
No one will ever suspect you started with kinda-sad leftovers, especially once they're wrapped in cheesy tortillas and doused in homemade enchilada sauce.
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Katherine Gillen
Senior Food Editor
Katherine Gillenis PureWow’s senior food editor. She’s a writer, recipe developer and food stylist with a degree in culinary arts and professional experience in New York City...
read full bio
Taryn Pire
Food Editor
Taryn Pire is PureWow’s food editor and has been writing about all things delicious since 2016. She’s developed recipes, reviewed restaurants and investigated food trends at...
read full bio
