Super Easy Pork Schnitzel Recipe (2024)

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This super easy Pork Schnitzel Recipe is a traditional German recipe that’s crispy, flavorful and perfect for any night of the week.

We love to serve these thin, breaded pork cutlets with my Classic Mashed Potatoes and Sautéed Zucchini for a complete meal.

Super Easy Pork Schnitzel Recipe (1)Super Easy Pork Schnitzel Recipe (2)Whatever you serve it with, make sure you serve with sliced lemon wedges! It’s a must!

What Exactly Is Pork Schnitzel?

If you’re not familiar with the word Schnitzel, or the popular Western food chain Weiner Schnitzel comes to mind… let me expand your food horizons a bit.

Schnitzel is a term used when referring to a cut of meat that has been pounded thin (usually a cutlet), breaded and then pan fried in fat.

When I lived in Northern British Columbia in a small town of just 4,ooo people, there were few restaurants to enjoy. However, one of those restaurants had all sorts of Schnitzel on it’s menu (Chicken, Pork, Veal), and I was so intrigued.

After trying them all and falling in love with the crispy coating and flavorful pop of lemon, it started to become a weekday staple in our house.

How To Make Easy Pork Schnitzel Recipe

This easy recipe comes together in just a few minutes, making it an ideal weeknight dinner.

Ingredients for Schnitzel

Here’s a basic list of the ingredients you’ll need to make pork schnitzel. As always, you can find the full, printable recipe in the recipe card below.

  • Boneless Pork Chops – about 1/2″ thick
  • All Purpose Flour
  • Salt
  • Garlic Powder
  • Paprika
  • Pepper
  • Egg
  • Milk – or half and half
  • Panko Breadcrumbs – found in the Asian foods aisle
  • Nutmeg – trust me on this!
  • Oil – I prefer a healthy olive oil for this recipe
  • Lemon wedges for serving – a MUST!

Super Easy Pork Schnitzel Recipe (3)

How To Make Pork Schnitzel

This recipe can easily be adapted to other cuts of meat like chicken, veal, beef, turkey, even mutton!

  1. The first thing you’ll want to do is trim any fat from the pork cutlets and then pound them thin by covering with parchment paper or plastic wrap and using a heavy rolling pin or meat tenderizer.
  2. Make sure the pork is about 1/4″ thick.
  3. Next combine the flour, salt, garlic powder, paprika and black pepper in a small bowl and coat the pork chops, shaking off any excess.
  4. Dip the flour-coated pork chop into the beaten egg on both sides.
  5. Finally, coat the pork chop in a mixture of breadcrumbs and nutmeg, then fry in a skillet with hot oil until golden brown on both sides.

What Cut of Pork Is Used For Schnitzel?

Schnitzel is most commonly a form of a cutlet. When cooking pork schnitzel you’ll want to use a thinly cut, boneless PORK CHOP.

PRO TIP: There is a thin strip of fat on the side of the pork chops that you’ll want to cut off before cooking.

Super Easy Pork Schnitzel Recipe (4)

What To Serve With Schnitzel?

Any sort of traditional Schnitzel should be served with a slice of lemon and a sprinkle of fresh parsley, in my opinion.

If you’re looking for side dishes to serve with Schnitzel, you’re in luck. The crispy fried pork is very neutral in flavors so it lends itself to lots of options for side dishes.

  • Classic Mashed Potatoes
  • Scalloped Potatoes
  • Baked Potatoes
  • Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower
  • Cucumber Tomato Salad

Super Easy Pork Schnitzel Recipe (5)

You’re going to fall in love with this simple recipe!

It’s quick, crispy, flavorful and pairs perfectly with just about any side dish.

More Easy Pork Chop Recipes:

Craving more delicious pork chop recipes to try? Here are a few of my all time favorites –

  • Juicy Baked Pork Chop Recipe
  • Grilled Pork Chops
  • Garlic Parmesan Pork Chops
  • Creamy Honey Dijon Pork Chops

Super Easy Pork Schnitzel Recipe (6)

I can’t wait for you to give this recipe a try!

Super Easy Pork Schnitzel Recipe (7)

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5 from 33 votes

Crispy Pork Schnitzel Recipe

This super easy Pork Schnitzel Recipe is a traditional German recipe that's crispy, flavorful and perfect for any night of the week.

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time15 minutes mins

Total Time30 minutes mins

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: German

Servings: 4 people

Calories: 313 kcal

Author: Shawn

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Add enough oil to cover the bottom of a 10 or 12" heavy bottom pan (preferably cast iron), and heat to medium-high heat.

  • Trim the pork chops of any fat and then place between two sheets of parchment paper. Use a heavy rolling pin or meat tenderizer to pound pork chops to about ¼" thickness.

  • In a small, shallow bowl combine the flour, salt, garlic powder, paprika and black pepper and mix until combined. In another small bowl whisk together the 2 eggs with a splash of milk or half and half. In a third bowl mix together the Panko Breadcrumbs and nutmeg.

  • One at a time, dip the pork chop in the flour, coating on all sides, then shake off any excess. Then dip the pork chop in the eggs, flipping over to coat both sides. Finally, transfer the pork chop to the breadcrumbs and coat evenly on both sides.

  • Place the coated pork chops in the pan with hot oil and cook about 3 to 5 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through (140 degrees F). Sprinkle with a little salt as soon as it comes off the skillet.

  • Serve right away with fresh lemon wedges and enjoy!

Video

Notes

Feel free to substitute the pork with other cuts of meat like chicken, beef, veal or turkey!

Nutrition

Calories: 313kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 169mg | Sodium: 783mg | Potassium: 557mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 394IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 62mg | Iron: 2mg

Keywords: fried, pork chops, Schnitzel

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Super Easy Pork Schnitzel Recipe (8)

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Super Easy Pork Schnitzel Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you know when pork schnitzel is cooked? ›

Once oil is hot, add breaded cutlets a few at a time and sauté 3-4 minutes per side or until cooked through. Reduce heat if cutlets are browning too quickly. Remove to a paper towel lined plate. Cut into one to double check doneness – juices should run clear.

How to make Aldi pork schnitzel? ›

Remove pork steaks from pack and beat with meat mallet to thin out, for schnitzels. Dip into flour, egg and then coat in bread crumb mixture. Place a frying pan over a medium high heat and add the oil. Pan fry the schnitzels until golden brown and cooked through.

Can you fry schnitzel in olive oil? ›

If the oil is not hot enough, the chicken will absorb too much oil and give you soggy, oily schnitzel. I use quality extra virgin olive oil, which has a high enough smoke point to fry the schnitzel. You can use another healthy frying oil of your choice.

Do you cook schnitzel on high or low heat? ›

Heat 1.5cm / 3/5" oil in a heavy based deep skillet over medium high heat. Dip the end of a schnitzel in to check if the oil is hot enough - it should sizzle straight away (see video). Carefully place 2 schnitzels in the oil and cook for 3 minutes until deep golden, turn then cook the other side for 3 minutes.

What is the best oil for cooking schnitzel? ›

Use a high-heat point oil.

I typically prefer to use olive oil over canola oil because it's healthier (see this article), but I hardly ever use it and it's fine in moderation! Plus it's worth it for me for this one because it really helps give this schnitzel that perfect crispy crunchy outer coating!

Why is my pork schnitzel pink? ›

These observations highlight the fact that meat with high levels of deoxymyoglobin can result in pink patties after cooking, even though the product may have reached the acceptable endpoint temperature of 145°F (63°C) for three minutes.

Why is my schnitzel soggy? ›

“When you crumb just before cooking, the crumbs bubble up nicely and won't stick to the meat, which is how it should be,” he says. “Once the crumbed meat goes in the fridge overnight it tends to go soggy, won't fry up nicely, and won't be as golden and crisp.”

What is the secret ingredient to tenderize meat? ›

Less than a teaspoon of baking soda ensures that your steak remains juicy and tender—even after a speedy marinade. While other recipes demand hours of marinating, this baking soda hack makes a flank steak or any other fibrous cut of beef ready to sear after just an hour.

Why is my pork schnitzel tough? ›

Schnitzel doneness temp

The USDA currently gives 145°F (63°C) as the doneness temperature for pork‚ a far cry better than their old recommendation of 165°F (74°C)! Hitting that temperature can be tough in such a thin cut of meat, especially if we want a golden brown coating.

How do Chinese make their meat so tender? ›

While there are several ways to velvet, a pound of meat needs about two teaspoons of cornstarch and two teaspoons of oil, says Leung. You may also include two to three tablespoons of water. For beef, add a 1/4-teaspoon of baking soda for tenderizing. Additional seasonings are optional and vary from recipe to recipe.

Why not to fry with olive oil? ›

Olive oil has a lower smoke point than some other oils. The smoke point is the point at which an oil literally begins to smoke. Olive oil's smoke point is between 365° and 420°F. When you heat olive oil to its smoke point, the beneficial compounds in oil start to degrade, and potentially form health-harming compounds.

Why put schnitzel in fridge before frying? ›

Place into the fridge, uncovered, for one hour before cooking. This step dries the breading and ensures it will stick perfectly to the meat during the frying process. As long as you fry in hot oil, it will come out perfectly crispy with all of its breading intact!

Is it better to cook schnitzel in oil or butter? ›

The best way to cook chicken schnitzel is to fry it. I like to use a combination of oil and butter for the best flavor/crispiness combination. When cooking chicken schnitzel, you need to heat the oil and butter in a frying pan until it is bubbling hot, then add the schnitzel. It should sizzle as it hits the pan.

What colour is pork schnitzel when cooked? ›

The typical doneness levels of beef (rare, medium rare, medium, and well) are evaluated by cooked color (AMSA, 1995). Such guidelines have not been established in pork products. While beef follows a red to pink to brown pattern as it is heated, pork turns from pinkish-red to less pink to tan or white.

Can pork schnitzel be a little pink? ›

Cook all raw ground pork to an internal temperature of 160°F (71.1 °C) as measured with a food thermometer. If fresh pork has reached 145°F (62.8 °C) throughout, even though it may still be pink in the center, it should be safe.

Is pork schnitzel pink when cooked? ›

In fact, pork can be eaten with a hint of pink in the middle (with the exception of mince and sausages). Like all meat, pork continues to cook after removal from heat. For best results, let your dish rest uncovered for 1-2 minutes in a warm environment prior to serving (except for sausages and mince).

Can pork schnitzel still be pink? ›

The short answer to this common question is yes! Due to the ingredients and natural preservatives found in many pork products, it's entirely possible that your meat may still be slightly pink even when it's fully cooked. In fact, pork can even be enjoyed medium-rare.

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