A mouthwatering roasted pork sandwich stacked with slow roasted pork loin, caramelized onions, and melted Provolone cheese on a crusty roll slathered with homemade honey mustard.
Best Cut of Pork for Sandwiches
The best cut of pork depends on the type of sandwich you wish to make. Pork shoulder is recommended for shredded pork sandwiches, like pulled-pork, however, you will want a much leaner cut for a roasted pork sandwich.
Instead, a pork loin is ideal. It is flavorful, yet lean, less expensive than a tenderloin, and perfect for slicing. Though not truly authentic, you can even get away with using a pork loin for the Midwestern classic Breaded Pork Tenderloin Sandwich too, just don't tell anyone I said that.
How to Roast Pork Loin
Pork loin can easily be roasted in the oven by baking at 350 degrees for about an hour. The cooking time will vary depending on the size of the loin; therefore, it is recommended to use a digital thermometer. It is done when the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees. Then let the pork roast rest and cut into thin slices with a sharp knife.
My favorite way to roast pork loin for sandwiches is on the grill. Grilled pork loin isn't much more difficult than oven-roasting, yet it is infinitely more flavorful.
Roasted Pork Sandwich Toppings
You can certainly customize your roasted pork sandwich with the toppings of your choice; however, I will be happy to recommend a few of my favorites. The sweetness of caramelized onions really shine on this sandwich, though simply sauteing or grilling onions is delicious too.
I love the flavor of stone ground mustard with pork, so I made a stone ground honey mustard to pair with this recipe. However, I often use my Balsamic Peppered Mayo Burger Sauce on my roasted pork sandwiches, too.
I think the best cheese for topping this sandwich is Provolone. It provides the creaminess you want, yet is mild in flavor, so it will not overpower the other flavors. If you want to go in a completely different direction, try Swiss cheese topped with homemade sauerkraut.
Best Bread for Roasted Pork Sandwiches
A crusty roll, like French Bread or ciabatta rolls, is perfect for roasted pork sandwiches. The crisp exterior lends fantastic texture to the sandwich, and pork loin is a hearty enough protein to stand up to a bit of chewiness in the loaf. This pairing is worthy of the finest bistros!
How to Make Roasted Pork Sandwiches Better
Making a great sandwich is more than just piling ingredients on bread. Taking a few extra steps will really transform your sandwich into a restaurant-quality meal. In particular, I recommend toasting the bread as it adds texture and warms the bread for a better flavor. I also recommend quickly broiling the sandwich (open-faced) on a baking sheet to melt the cheese. Be careful to watch it though, so it does not burn.
Roasted Pork Sandwich
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Pork loin
- 1 tablespoon Cooking Oil
- Fresh Ground Pepper
- Salt
- 1 medium Onion (see notes)
- ½ pound Provolone Cheese (sliced)
- Crusty French Bread (enough for 8 servings)
Stone Ground Honey Mustard
- ¼ cup Mayo
- 2 tablespoons Stone Ground Mustard
- 1 tablespoon Honey
- ⅛ teaspoon Ffresh Ground Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Rub the pork loin with cooking oil and dust with salt and pepper, or your desired seasonings.
- Place in the oven and roast until digital thermometer reads 145 degrees, approximately 1 hour.
- While pork is roasting saute, grill, or caramelized onions. (see note)
- Remove pork loin from oven and let rest for 10 minutes.
- While pork loin is resting slice open the French Bread and lightly toast the interior until beginning to brown. This can be done in toaster, in a hot skillet, or under the broiler.
- Thinly slice the pork and place on the French bread, then top with Provolone cheese. With the sandwich lying open, place briefly under the broiler set on High until cheese is melted.
- Remove from the broiler and top with onions and honey mustard and serve immediately.
Stone Ground Honey Mustard
- Prepare the honey mustard while pork is roasting by combining mayo, mustard, honey, and ground pepper in a small bowl.
Notes
Nutritional Information
This recipe was originally published July 30, 2018.
JD
I made the pork loin and caramelized onion recipe along with the stone ground honey mustard. The sandwich was excellent, perfect combination of flavors!
Jodi
Excellent sandwich. I make it quite often because it’s quick, easy and delicious.
I cook 2 pork loin marinaded chops in my air fryer at 390 for around 12 mins. Then tuck those beauties back in for a few minutes on broil
Delicious
mary peters
I have made the pork roast sandwiches a few it all away a big hit!😋
Len
What?
Bruce
Delicious. Forgot the onions. But used home made Outback copy cat honey mustard. Excellent.
Kerry
Would it work to start the loin on the grill for a short time to put some grilled flavor on the loin and than finish in the oven?
Fox Valley Foodie
Yes it will
Pam
We had leftover smoked pork tenderloin and I was searching for a sandwich recipe to make. This recipe was awesome! My husband loved it as much as me and we agreed that we would make it for company. It is on the agenda for tomorrow’s night dinner too! Thank you! We used a baguette versus French Bread as that is what we had on hand. Was tasty!!
Kelly Grant
Delicious! I marinated the meat in Allegro Smoked Marinade and cooked it in the oven. The sweet flavor from the mustard and onions made it so tasty!
Ardeith
This was a great sandwich! Such depth of flavor with the caramelized onions, the honey mustard sauce. Everyone in my family ate at least 1 1/2 sandwiches!
Karen
I’m trying this tonight! I’ll let you know what it ranks with my family of sworn carnivores!
Nancy
DO you cooked covered?
Fox Valley Foodie
No, you can just place it in a roasting pan or on a rimmed baking sheet.
Pat
And it doesn’t dry out? That worries me.. I have a 4 lb pork loin roast - still roast it uncovered?
Fox Valley Foodie
Correct. Roast it uncovered to 145 degrees and it won't dry out. It will only dry out if you cook it to an excessively high temperature.
Patty
Love this sandwich the sauce is delicious and the sandwich is out of this world!!
Linda
This is definite “must try” recipe when we finally get some grilling weather! Love the unusual topping suggestions as well. My husband will LOVE this sandwich.
Jeff
Holy cow, this is a serious sandwich!