What to Make with Leftover Pork Chops: 21 Recipes That Taste Totally Gourmet
We love leftovers. They’re the secret ingredient to easy, economical dinners that take almost no time to put together. But pork chops can be tricky when they’re hiding in the back of your fridge. We’re not above slapping a few slices on sandwich bread with a little mayo and calling it a day…but we can all do better than that, can’t we? Presenting 21 leftover pork chop recipes to clean out your refrigerator (that still taste totally gourmet).
RELATED: The 35 Best Side Dishes for Pork Chops
1. Sweet-and-Sour Pork Skewers with Pineapple
This recipe calls for pork tenderloin, but you could swap in cubes of leftover pork chop for a similar effect.
2. Warm Ginger-Scallion Pork & Kale Salad
A few slices of leftover pork chop would take this salad to a whole new level.
3. Cuban Sliders for a Crowd
You can either substitute in your leftovers instead of the ham or add them in addition to it. Traditional Cubanos are usually made with roast pork, but a chop would do in a pinch.
4. Mini Nachos
Skip the shredded chicken and use up a lingering pork chop from last night for nachos that are carnitas-adjacent.
5. Baking Sheet Quesadillas
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 don’t have to stand by the stove flipping tortillas.
6. Chicken and Snap Pea Stir-Fry
Yep, this recipe works with pork too. Just slice it thin and add it at the very end, since it’s already cooked.
7. Rotisserie Chicken Ramen
Ditch the rotisserie chicken in place of a few slices of pork chop. It’s not as succulent as pork belly, but it’ll still be ready in 35 minutes.
8. Easy Lo Mein
When a fridge cleanout is in order, this simple lo mein will do the trick quite nicely.
9. Pork Pad See Ew
Alternatively, you could make this Thai takeout favorite, stirring in cubed leftover pork chop at the end.
10. Pork Fried Rice
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.
RELATED: Um, How Long Is Cooked Rice Good for? Our Food Editor Weighs In
11. Pineapple Pork Stir-Fry with Peppers
Pineapple and pork are like peanut butter and jelly: meant to be together.
12. Caramelized Pork Tacos with Pineapple Salsa
The high heat and sweet stir-fry sauce will ensure the pork gets golden brown and caramelized quickly, without becoming dry (yep, even if you use leftovers).
13. Banh Mi Sandwich
Since the pork is already cooked, you might not get the exact same flavor that comes from marinating…but that’s what extra sriracha mayonnaise and pickled vegetables are for.
14. Sweet Potato Hash with Eggs and Sausage
Goodbye sausage, hello leftover pork chop. (Or if you’re feeling extra, you could include both.)
15. Pork Pot Pie
Psst: The crust is made from store-bought puff pastry, making this an impossibly easy dinner.
16. Slow-Cooker Maple Chipotle Pork with Cheesy Polenta
You know the drill: Skip the slow-cooked pork step and sub in your delicious leftovers. Easy-peasy.
17. Skillet Fajitas
Which is tastier, boneless skinless chicken breast or flavorful pork? We’ll let you decide.
18. Sheet-Pan Lemon Butter Veggies and Sausage
The original recipe calls for already cooked chicken sausage which, TBH, isn’t all too different from a leftover pork chop in terms of convenience or flavor.
19. Pho (Vietnamese Noodle Soup)
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.
20. Sweet and Sour Pork
This genius 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.
21. Cheesy Pork Enchiladas with 10-Minute Smoky Enchilada Sauce
No one will even suspect you started with kinda-sad leftovers.
RELATED: 40 Leftover Chicken Recipes That Aren’t Totally Boring
