Pork Schnitzel Recipe (2024)

German pork schnitzel is an easy recipe and it’s perfect for busy weeknights. The pork chops are pounded into thin, tender cutlets which arebreaded and sautéed, resulting in a crispy crust and juicy center.

Pork Schnitzel Recipe (1)

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You must, must, must serve these with lemon wedges. A squeeze of lemon juice adds a freshness and tang that is lip-smacking good!

Pork schnitzel is known to the Slavic worldas “otbivni” (meaning: pounded). We also have a chicken version posted here. Good news! This is a kid-friendly food. The children in our family love them and call them “giant chicken nuggets.” Enjoy!

Ingredients for Pork Schnitzel:

2 lbsboneless pork chops
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 Tbspgarlic salt (or sub with equal parts salt and garlic powder)
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
3large eggs
2cups panko bread crumbs
Olive oil, canola oil or any high heat cooking oil tosaute
Lemon wedges to serve (don’t skip the lemons!)

Pork Schnitzel Recipe (2)

How to Make Pork Schnitzel:

1. Trim pork chops of fat and slice into1/2″-thick cutlets (I used 3 large Costco-sized pork chops and after slicing ended up with 9 pieces). Line a cutting board with plastic wrap, place cutlets in a single layer on cutting board and cover with plastic wrap (this prevents splatter). Pound cutlets with a meat mallet or the back of a heavy saucepan, until 1/4″ to 1/8″ thick.

Pork Schnitzel Recipe (3)

Pork Schnitzel Recipe (4)

2. Set up three bowls. In the first combine 1/3 cup flour, 1 Tbsp garlic salt, 1/2 tsp paprika and 1/2 tsp pepper. In the second, use a fork to beat 3 eggs. In the third bowl, add2 cups panko crumbs.

Pork Schnitzel Recipe (5)

3. Dredge both sides of each pounded cutlet in flour then dip in beaten egg letting excess egg drip back into the bowl before breading in panko crumbs. It helps to use a fork for the dipping process to keep your hands clean. Repeat with remaining cutlets.

Pork Schnitzel Recipe (6)

4. Once all cutlets are breaded, heat a large non-stick pan over medium heat and add enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan. 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 arebrowning too quickly. Remove to a paper towel lined plate. Cut into one to double check doneness – juices should run clear. Serve right away with lemon wedges, or ranch for the children ;).

Pork Schnitzel Recipe (7)

Pork Schnitzel Recipe (8)

If you are a Meat Lover, don’t miss these reader favorites:

  • Roasted Pork Tenderloin – one of our most popular recipes of all time
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  • Easy Chicken Strips – a.k.a. Giant Chicken Nuggets

Print-Friendly Pork Schnitzel Recipe:

Pork Schnitzel Recipe

4.97 from 256 votes

Author: Natasha Kravchuk

Pork Schnitzel Recipe (10)

The pork chops are pounded into thin, tender cutlets which are breaded and sautéed, resulting in a crispy crust and juicy center. Definitely serve with lemon wedges.

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Prep Time: 20 minutes mins

Cook Time: 15 minutes mins

Total Time: 35 minutes mins

Ingredients

Servings: 4 to 6 as a main course

  • 2 lbs boneless pork chops, trimmed and sliced into 1/2" thick cutlets
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 Tbsp garlic salt, or sub with equal parts salt and garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 cups panko bread crumbs
  • Olive oil, canola oil or any high heat cooking oil to sauté
  • Lemon wedges to serve, don't skip the lemons!

Instructions

  • Line a cutting board with plastic wrap, place cutlets in a single layer on cutting board and cover with plastic wrap (this prevents splatter). Pound cutlets with a meat mallet or the back of a heavy saucepan, until 1/4" to 1/8" thick.

  • Set up three bowls. In the first combine 1/3 cup flour, 1 Tbsp garlic salt, 1/2 tsp paprika and 1/2 tsp pepper. In the second, use a fork to beat 3 eggs. In the third bowl, add 2 cups panko crumbs.

  • Dredge both sides of each pounded cutlet in flour then dip in beaten egg letting excess egg drip back into the bowl before breading in panko crumbs. It helps to use a fork for the dipping process to keep your hands clean. Repeat with remaining cutlets.

  • Once all cutlets are breaded, heat a large non-stick pan over medium heat and add enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan. Once oil is hot, add breaded cutlets a few at a time and sauté 3-4 min per side or until cooked through. Reduce heat if browning too quickly. Remove to paper towel lined plate. Cut into one to check doneness - juices should run clear. Serve with lemon wedges, or ranch for children.

  • Full Nutrition Label
  • Nutrition Disclosure

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: German

Keyword: Pork Schnitzel

Skill Level: Easy

Cost to Make: $$

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen

Pork Schnitzel has been around for a long time for good reason. It’s so simple, flavorful and delicious. I hope this becomes a new favorite for you as well!

Pork Schnitzel Recipe (11)

Natasha Kravchuk

Pork Schnitzel Recipe (12)

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

Read more posts by Natasha

Pork Schnitzel Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What do you eat with pork schnitzel? ›

The best side dishes to serve with pork schnitzel are mashed potatoes, carrot fries, tater tots, potatoes and carrots, green beans, radish chips, potato rosti, tostada, fried pickles, bok choy, sweet and sour red cabbage, coleslaw, lettuce salad, potato dumplings, baked beans, spicy noodles, and French bread.

What cut of meat is used for pork schnitzel? ›

To make German-style pork schnitzel, pork loin chops are pounded thin, breaded, and quickly pan fried until crisp and delicious. Adam Dolge is a recipe developer and test cook for many leading national food and lifestyle magazines and digital platforms.

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

Normal butter will not work in this recipe, because it has such a low smoke point. You need to use about 1/2 inch of oil in the pan so the schnitzel cooks evenly and can 'swim' in the pan.

What is schnitzel typically served with? ›

Before frying, the schnitzel is coated with a mixture of beaten eggs and bread crumbs, sometimes spiced with paprika or sesame seeds. It is usually served with mashed potatoes, French fries, rice, or pasta, accompanied by ketchup, hummus, or vegetable salad.

What sauce do you eat with schnitzel? ›

The Top 13 Schnitzel Sauces
  • Rahm Sauce - German Cream Sauce.
  • Jager Sauce - Authentic Jagerschnitzel Gravy.
  • German Mushroom Cream Sauce.
  • Gypsy Sauce - Zesty Bell Pepper Sauce.
  • German Mustard Sauce.
  • Homemade Brown Gravy.
  • Beer Gravy.
  • German Horseradish Sauce.
Jul 6, 2022

What is the best oil for schnitzel? ›

The absolutely best way to perfect schnitzel is to shallow-fry them in neutral-tasting cooking oil (Vegetable, Canola, Peanut, Sunflower). So you don't need to use a lot of oil, but you want to use enough oil so that the schnitzel will “float” in the oil as it cooks and not touch the bottom of the pan.

What is schnitzel called in America? ›

schnitzel, a thin meat cutlet, pounded until tender and then breaded and fried, that is a culinary staple in German-speaking countries and communities. The Americanized version of the dish is chicken-fried steak.

What is the difference between pork schnitzel and wiener schnitzel? ›

A variation of the word word describes the type of schnitzel you're eating. Wiener schnitzel is made with veal. Hähnchenschnitzel is made with chicken. Schweineschnitzel is made with pork.

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.

What is the secret to the perfect schnitzel? ›

Schnitzel enthusiasts agree: A good schnitzel, Viennese, Figlmüller or Milanese style must not only be accurately sliced but also flattened and tenderized. The flattening process should slightly stretch the meat fiber but not destroy it so that a juicy, tender result with a uniform thickness is achieved.

Do you cook schnitzel on high or low heat? ›

Heat 1 cm of oil in a large frying pan over a high heat. When the oil is hot, add the schnitzels a couple at a time and cook until golden brown. Turn and cook the other side. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels and keep warm in the oven until serving.

Why do you put flour on schnitzel? ›

When making schnitzel why does one have to dip the meat in the flour twice? The reason you dredge the veal cutlet is so the flour absorbs any excess moisture, enabling the egg to better adhere to the meat. I double dredge when I want a double coating of egg.

Why do Jews eat schnitzel? ›

Originally brought from Europe to Israel by Ashkenazi Jews, schnitzel instantly became a hit. During the early years of the state of Israel, veal was not widely available, so chicken or turkey became a substitute. Nowadays, the meat used is generally chicken or turkey breast to keep it kosher.

How do Germans eat schnitzel? ›

Schnitzel is often eaten plain with just a bit of freshly squeezed lemon juice, but can also be served with a creamy mushroom gravy which is known as Jägerschnitzel.

What do Austrians eat with schnitzel? ›

Garnished with parsley potatoes or potato salad, cranberries and a lemon slice, the Wiener Schnitzel is a feast for the eyes. This explains why it has spread rapidly to all Austrian provinces.

Do people eat schnitzel with noodles? ›

Yes. Schnitzel is great with noodles. In Germany their noodles are called Spaetzel (the ones that usually come with schnitzel).

What goes well with breaded pork? ›

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  • Homemade Mac & Cheese. ...
  • Golden Girl Salad With Sweet Corn Vinaigrette.
Apr 24, 2024

What is traditionally served with pork? ›

30 Perfect Pork Chop Sides
  • 01 of 30. Three-Pickle Potato Salad. ...
  • 02 of 30. Tennessee Onions. ...
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Mar 22, 2024

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