Ingredient substitution guide
Best substitutes for pork tenderloins
Best swap for pork tenderloins: Chicken breast, reduce cook time; leaner, less forgiving.
How we checked this: these swaps come from the substitution list Well Stockd uses to match recipes, and their ratios follow ordinary kitchen practice rather than one published chart. For exact amounts on many common swaps, see the NDSU and Colorado State University extension tables listed below. Editorial policy
What can I use instead of Pork Tenderloins?
The best swap for Pork Tenderloins is Chicken Breast, reduce cook time; leaner, less forgiving. Another option is Pork Loin, loin roast is much bigger; roast at 350F about 20 min per lb to 145F, then rest 3 min; far longer than tenderloin. The table below also lists Turkey Tenderloin, 3 swaps in all.
| Swap | Ratio and notes |
|---|---|
| Chicken breast | reduce cook time; leaner, less forgiving How to use it: Cook to 165°F; pork is done at 145°F with a 3-minute rest. |
| Pork loin | loin roast is much bigger; roast at 350F about 20 min per lb to 145F, then rest 3 min; far longer than tenderloin |
| Turkey tenderloin | 1:1 by weight; cook to 165F |
Source and limits
These swaps come from the substitution list Well Stockd uses to match recipes to your kitchen, last updated . We remove swaps known to be unsafe, but not every swap has been tested in a kitchen, and a swap is cooking guidance, not an allergen or nutrition equivalent. Check labels and what the recipe needs before substituting.
The ratios and usage notes follow ordinary kitchen practice rather than a single published chart. These two university extension tables list exact amounts for many common swaps:
- Ingredient Substitutions (FN198), NDSU Extension (opens in a new tab)
- Ingredient Substitutions (9.329), Colorado State University Extension (opens in a new tab)
- FoodSafety.gov, Safe Minimum Internal Temperatures (opens in a new tab)
Browse every ingredient and read how these swaps are sourced.