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Grilled Pork Tenderloin Sandwiches

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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.

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