Authentic Wiener Schnitzel Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to good schnitzel? ›

It is imperative that schnitzel be breaded very gently — no pressing! — and that it happen the moment before it hits the oil. Store-bought lard is a good option for frying, but vegetable oils like peanut, canola or rice bran will also work.

Traditionally, a Wiener Schnitzel is a cutlet of veal pounded thin by a meat tenderizer, then dipped in flour, egg and breadcrumbs (in that order), and fried until golden. Wiener means “Viennese” in German, but the concept behind the Wiener Schnitzel likely first appeared elsewhere (I've read in Milan, Italy).

What kind of meat is used for Schnitzel? Schnitzel can, of course, be made from almost any thin, boneless meat cut. However, traditionally, Wienerschnitzel is made using only veal, and German Schnitzel is made with boneless pork chops. You can also try using chicken, mutton, beef, or turkey.

Wiener schnitzel can only be made with veal. Schweineschnitzel uses pork and is traditionally made with pork chops in Germany (in the U.S., pork tenderloin is common). Schnitzel made with chicken breasts is called hähnchenschnitzel, and it's also a favorite in Israel.

Basically, all schnitzels are breaded and fried thin pieces of meat, but only wiener schnitzel is made with veal. Cooking term: Schnitzel is a cooking term used to describe any meat pounded thin, then breaded and fried. Key ingredient: Schnitzel is made with pork, chicken, beef, or veal.

Place the breaded chicken on a cooling rack (or a platter) and chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This cooling time will help the layers of breading ingredients solidify and adhere better after the chicken cooks.

The schnitzel tradition was brought from Europe to Israel by Ashkenazi Jews. During the early years of the state of Israel, veal was not obtainable, and chicken or turkey proved to be inexpensive and tasty substitutes. Packaged schnitzels are widely available in the frozen food section of most supermarkets.

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.

The dish was traditionally served in Austria covered in a mushroom or mustard based sauce, with butterhead lettuce tossed with a sweetened vinaigrette dressing, optionally with chopped chives or onions, potato salad, cucumber salad, or parsley potatoes.

Also, schnitzel in Germany is much more likely to be served with some topping or sauce. This is a traditional German schnitzel dish in Germany. One of our favorites this one has a Jaeger or Hunter sauce on it. Traditional German schnitzel is definitely on our must try foods list for Germany.

What cut of beef is best for schnitzel? ›

The best beef cuts for making schnitzels are thin beef escalopes or thinly sliced boneless shoulder steak or topside. If you are slicing the meat yourself, you will need to use a meat tenderiser to ensure the meat is extra tender.

When it says Wiener Schnitzel on the menu, it refers to a veal escalope that is fried out in clarified butter. Before breading, the meat is carefully pounded, seasoned and moistened, then dredged in flour, egg and finally breadcrumbs. The breadcrumbs are not pressed down so that they souffle when they are baked.

Cotoletta alla milanese ([milaˈneːze] after its place of origin, Milan) is a fried veal breaded cutlet similar to Wiener schnitzel, but cooked with the bone in. It is traditionally fried in clarified butter.

Wiener Schnitzel (Viennese schnitzel in German, where Schnitzel means a cutlet without bones) is a traditional Austrian dish and is a popular part of Viennese and Austrian cuisine, consisting of a thin slice of veal coated in breadcrumbs and fried.

Combine breadcrumbs, cheese, lemon rind, parsley and garlic powder on a plate. Season with salt and pepper. Dip egg-coated chicken in breadcrumb mixture. Gently press on with fingertips to secure.

Head over to Germany and you are more likely to find schnitzel with a crust that adheres to the meat. Both versions can be fantastic. For an extra-puffy crust, brush the cutlets with vodka before breading them. The volatility of the alcohol produces steam that inflates the schnitzel as it fries.

Dip into the egg wash and drain the excess, then straight into the breadcrumb mixture. Cover completely and press down with fingertips. “Crumb just before you cook them, as the moisture can come through the chicken and make the crumbs soggy. Crumb and fry keeps them crisp,” Tony says.

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!