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    What to Do With Leftover Pork Chops

    August 8, 2006 by G. Stephen Jones 15 Comments

    What To Do With Leftover Pork Chops

    Leftover Pork Chops Can Be Great The Next Day

    We had some leftover pan roasted  pork chops that needed to be used up and because of the heat I wanted to keep it simple. So, I thought a simple sauce served with rice pilaf and some grilled eggplant would work.

    Since the meat was already cooked, all I had to do was reheat it. I had several choices but opted for the easiest by using my microwave. I can just hear the purists out there saying, “You used a microwave? What’s wrong with you? Don’t you know a good cook doesn’t use a microwave?”

    Well my answer to those of you who think that way is NO. I have no problem using a microwave for reheating cooked food, defrosting stuff, making popcorn and a whole bunch of other helpful, time saving chores.

    I’m not one for cooking whole meals in a “nuker,” and usually cook everything on the stove, in the oven or on a grill, but if the microwave fits the use it was intended for, so be it. In fact, with two young kids, I don’t know how I would get by without one.

    By the way, I would be happy to hear your arguments for and against the use of microwaves in the reply section below. Please just keep it civil.

    More Ways To Serve Leftover Pork Chops

    There are so many ways to use up leftover pork chops but here are just a few suggestions. Please leave some of your own suggestions in the comments section below.

    Biksemad Danish Hash Recipe

    Dice and Serve

    My mother used to dice up the previous nights pork chops to make a Danish dish called Biksemad which was basically a hash made with pork, potatoes and onions. We knew if we were having pork one night, we most likely were having Biksemad the following night.

    You could also use diced pork in and use it in a fried rice dish or stir fry. I’m thinking pork fried rice here.

    How about doctoring up a can of baked beans or any beans for that matter with some diced pork? Or how about using in a jambalaya?

    Now if you have some leftover rice, beans and pork, you can throw together an incredible rice and beans dish.

    Cut it into a small dice and you can serve it in scrambled eggs or add it to home fries to serve with your scrambled eggs.

    I’m liking the sound of adding it to my homemade chili recipes.

    Slice and Serve

    A great way to add some extra protein to a salad of greens is to add some thinly sliced leftover pork to it. Or you can slice it and add it to chicken broth or any of your favorite soups for that matter.

    We’ve added sliced leftover pork to tacos and quesadillas.  I’m thinking sliced pork sandwich like a Cuban or Banh Mi. Or how about a Cuban grilled cheese sandwich.

    Shredded and Serve

    If the pork is not to rare, it will be easy to shred especially if you have a food processor with a shedding blade but if not, a box shredder should do the trick. Now you can find all sorts of ways to use the shredded pork in some of your favorite dishes.

    Pork tamale pie, taco filling, topping for pizza just to name few.  Or how about adding some shredded pork to stuff an avocado? Yum!

    It would make an incredible filling for Shepherds Pie or stuffed sweet potatoes or stuffed portobello mushrooms. I’m guessing there’s not much you could stuff that would taste great with shredded pork.

    Burrito bowls are popular now. My kids are ordering them all the time now but now I can try to make one at home with leftovers.

     

     

    « Penne Pasta with Asparagus Recipe
    Eye of Round, Barding, Larding and Joe the Butcher »

    Filed Under: Leftover Recipes, Pork Recipes, Sauce Recipes

    I'm a work-at-home dad who enjoys cooking, learning everything I can about the culinary world and sharing it with you. To learn more about me... Read More…

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. becki

      September 23, 2007 at 5:54 pm

      God Bless The Microwave!!!! I have three kids and let me tell you the time and energy it saves!!! Just to warm things mind you, and defrost, I never cook meals in the microwave, but for the prep part, absolutely!!!!

      Reply
    2. susan

      November 14, 2007 at 4:00 pm

      Hey,I have 3 kids that were raised that exact way(nuking to reheat, etc.) two are seniors and one is a junior. NONE of them GLOW!!! Who has the time to boil water on the stove,anyhow???LOL

      Reply
    3. Alice

      December 03, 2007 at 7:49 pm

      I do not have a microwave in my home kitchen, but there is one in the RV and my hubby’s work truck and the garage and my office. 😉 As a culinary professional, microwaves are used in virtually all foodservice operations for exactly the same reasons you use one. I had one until my four babies grew up though! Now a cup of tea is made with an old fashion kettle.

      Reply
    4. David

      March 17, 2008 at 4:24 pm

      Yes, microwave ovens are quick and easy. But…do some research! Just google “microwaved food” and see what comes up. Read enough to get a consensus. Also consider the source. If you trust the FDA (Food and Drug Administration” you’re more trusting than I am.

      Reply
    5. Amanda

      May 25, 2009 at 8:59 pm

      Just some food for thought: Water a seed with nuked water and water a seed with UN-nuked water, the seed that was watered with the nuked water will NOT grow or will grow poorly. Try it.

      Reply
    6. desiree

      October 05, 2010 at 8:25 pm

      yes the nuked water bit. Well if you are getting the majority of your nutrients from WATER, then it may be a bad idea. Since I eat lots of different foods, prepared all different ways, i don’t think a little microwaving is going to do any harm.

      Reply
    7. Aprille

      October 26, 2017 at 9:41 am

      I tried the Shepherd’s Pie with leftover pork chops and it was delicious. Thanks for the suggestion. I would have never thought of it on my own.

      Reply
      • The Reluctant Gourmet

        October 27, 2017 at 7:16 am

        You are welcome. Thanks for reaching out.

        Reply
    8. David

      April 26, 2018 at 9:50 am

      If you don’t like a microwave, get a toaster oven amazing Appliance, Cook’s,reheats, and also has a rotisserie. And the shepherd’s pie was delicious,thank you

      Reply
    9. Chris

      October 01, 2018 at 2:35 pm

      Thank you for the great ideas with my leftover pork chops!

      Reply
    10. Michel

      January 07, 2019 at 5:45 pm

      I do not have a microwave. My kitchen is small and I want more counter space…. My husband timed how long it took to heat a kettle of water on the stove vs. the microwave and it only saved about 30 seconds. Funny thing, I only miss it about twice a year. We had one in the camper and donated it to a campground half way through our trip. Once again, just wasn’t worth the space.

      Reply
    11. David Regan

      August 21, 2019 at 5:36 pm

      I like to put my leftover grilled pork chops in my homemade baby bella cream of mushroom soup.in my large cast iron skillet inch or so of soup add chops med-low heat till hot.the soup thickens into a wonderful gravy.served with smashed potatoes and steamed spinach..
      ENJOY

      Reply
    12. Loretta Sprau

      December 12, 2019 at 1:22 pm

      I had 3 leftover small boneless pork chops. Sliced them ,put in crockpot,with onions,minced garlic,veg.
      broth, diced hatch green chilis, added chosen spices,for 2 hours smells oh so good. Added diced potatoes and leftover corn cooked another hr. Served with small,warm flour tortillas. Great use of leftovers and was so good.

      Reply
    13. Susan Highland

      January 08, 2021 at 1:02 pm

      Love this article! Got a little idea. I love tuna sandwiches, and your idea of shredding the pork (which I did this morning to include in scrambled eggs), gave me an idea to combine shredded pork with mayo, onions dill pickle and diced tomatoes for Tuna salad sandwiches. May put a hard boiled egg or two in there. Pepperonis too!

      Reply
      • G. Stephen Jones

        January 10, 2021 at 1:46 pm

        Hi Susan, great ideas. Thanks for sharing.

        Reply

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