Traditional Pork Schnitzel Recipe (2024)

Published: Updated: / By: Dawn | Girl Heart Food 47 Comments

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Knock-ya-socks-off-good, this pork schnitzel recipe is made with simple ingredients and easy to prepare. It’s moist inside and so incredibly crispy, golden brown and delicious on the outside. Great for dinner any day of the week!

Traditional Pork Schnitzel Recipe (1)

Oktoberfest is a traditional festival held in Germany around this time of year with lots of beer and good times; this year it runs from September 16th to October 3rd so there’s lots of time to celebrate!

To celebrate the festivities, I’ll be making this easy pork schnitzel recipe. Golden brown and crispy on the inside and moist inside, what’s not to love?

Not only does it taste delicious, this pork recipe is super simple to prepare!

What Is Schnitzel?

Schnitzel is meat that is pounded thin with a tenderizer or mallet (or something of the sort) and then coated with flour, eggs and a bread crumb mixture.

It’s then fried until golden brown.Because the meat is on the thinner side, it cooks rather quickly so it makes for a delicious and easy weekday dinner.

What Type of Meat for Schnitzel?

There are various types of protein that can be used for schnitzel, but today we’re making an easy pork schnitzel recipe for Oktoberfest! However, chicken would work lovely here, too, if you want to branch out and try chicken schnitzel.

How To Make Pork Schnitzel

I have to admit, it was quite therapeutic using that mallet on those pork loin chops.

Other than getting those frustrations out (so much better than yoga, LOL), get your dredging station ready, dredge and cook.

Full details are in the recipe card below, but here are the basics:

  1. Get your dredging station ready (that is, flour, panko and eggs).
  2. Cover pork with plastic food wrap and flatten.
  3. Dredge pork in flour, egg and panko.
  4. Fry until the outside is crispy and golden brown and it’s fully cooked through.
Traditional Pork Schnitzel Recipe (2)

Tips for Making This Recipe

  • This recipe goes super fast!I would suggest getting all your prep work done, laid out and ready to go.
  • You want the pork schnitzel on the thinner side, about ¼-inch think so they brown up and cook through quickly.
  • Obviously, I just had to use my cast-iron pan for this one.Don’t have the heat too high.Mediumis the way to go.You want to crisp up those panko bread crumbs and make them buttery and golden brown, but not burn them (which can easily happen if your pan is too hot).
  • For cooking the pork schnitzel, use something neutral with a decent smoke point, like grapeseed or vegetable oil.
Traditional Pork Schnitzel Recipe (3)

What To Serve With Pork Schnitzel

Schnitzel pairs great with any of these:

  • Potato salad
  • Potatoes with some parsley and butter
  • Lemon
  • Sauerkraut
  • Simple green salad
  • Spaetzle (type of pasta)
Traditional Pork Schnitzel Recipe (4)

How to Garnish

I roughly chopped some parsley for colour and freshness and sprinkled on.There’s absolutely nothing fancy here, folks, just good, comfort food eats.

A little squeeze of lemon is always a good idea too!

Traditional Pork Schnitzel Recipe (5)

If you try this easy pork schnitzel recipe, be sure to leave a comment below!

Traditional Pork Schnitzel Recipe (6)

Traditional Pork Schnitzel Recipe

Dawn | Girl Heart Food

Knock-ya-socks-off-good, this pork schnitzel recipe is made with simple ingredients and easy to prepare. It's moist inside and so incredibly crispy, golden brown and delicious on the outside. Great for dinner any day of the week!

5 from 4 votes

Print Recipe Save Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Total Time 22 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 1 large egg, approximately
  • cup all-purpose flour, approximately
  • 1.25 teaspoon salt, divided
  • ¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
  • 1 cup unseasoned panko bread crumbs
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
  • 4 tablespoon grapeseed oil , divided (or use vegetable oil)
  • 4 (4-ounce) boneless pork loin chops
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 lemon, cut into 4 wedges

Instructions

  • Get your dredging station going: crack egg in a bowl and whisk to mix up. On a plate, add flour, ½ teaspoon of salt and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper. Stir to combine. On another plate, add panko bread crumbs, ½ teaspoon of salt, ¼ teaspoon of black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Stir to combine. Set aside.

  • Place two pork chops at a time, side to side, on top of a heavy-duty board covered with plastic food wrap. Place two layers of plastic food wrap on top of the pork chops. Using a mallet, pound chops to roughly ¼-inch thickness.

  • Remove plastic food wrap and sprinkle pork chops with remaining ¼ teaspoon each of salt and black pepper.

  • Dip each pork chop in flour, shaking off excess. Then, dip in egg, shaking off excess. Then, dip in panko, pressing down to coat both sides.

  • To cook pork schnitzel, heat 2 tablespoons of grapeseed oil In a 12-inch cast-iron pan over medium heat.

  • Place two pork chops in the pan and cook for 3 minutes per side or until they're golden brown and crispy on the outside and fully cooked through. Transfer cooked pork chops to a clean plate and set aside. Repeat to cook remaining 2 pork chops (heat remaining 2 tablespoons of grapeseed oil before placing last two pork chops in the pan). Allow the cooked pork chops to rest for 3 minutes.

    Note: Cook time may vary, depending on the thickness of your pork chops.

  • Garnish with parsley and serve with fresh lemon wedges. Enjoy!

A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.

© Girl Heart Food Inc. Photographs and content are copyright protected.

Keyword pork schnitzel recipe

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  1. Lisa | Garlic & Zest

    Traditional Pork Schnitzel Recipe (7)
    I am totally into schnitzel — and yours looks perfect. My family would love this for a weeknight dinner.

    Reply

  2. Girl Heart Food

    Thanks Kelly 🙂 So yummy, right??

    Reply

  3. Jill

    I had pork schnitzel for the first time a couple of years ago. Now I make it at home sometimes. Such a simple and delicious dinner option! And can’t skip the fresh lemon on top!

    Reply

    • Girl Heart Food

      I agree! Really brings it together, doesn’t it? Thanks Jill 🙂

      Reply

  4. Dannii

    Traditional Pork Schnitzel Recipe (8)
    That coating looks so delicious and crispy. I bet my husband would love this!

    Reply

    • Girl Heart Food

      Thank you Dannii 🙂 I sure hope so!

      Reply

  5. Katherine Hackworthy

    Traditional Pork Schnitzel Recipe (9)
    Oktoberfest sounds like an amazing feast of delicious foods and drinks. Food is such a great way of getting together to enjoy, and very social. This is a very tasty sounding recipe, the coating looks amazing and crispy.

    Reply

  6. nicole triebe

    Traditional Pork Schnitzel Recipe (10)
    this is making me so excited for fall! Bring on Oktoberfest and all the schnitzel!!

    Reply

    • Girl Heart Food

      Right?! Thanks Nicole! I agree 😉

      Reply

  7. Kim | The Baking ChocolaTess

    Pork Schnitzel reminds me of a German Restaurant we used to always go to that we loved because it was authentic German food and I remember ordering it and how good it was! This looks amazing Dawn!!

    Reply

    • Girl Heart Food

      Food like that is always the best, right? Thanks so much Kim 🙂 Have a lovely week!

      Reply

  8. Adina

    Love the schnitzel, one of my son’s favorite foods! Never had them in Munich though, the only things I seem to crave at Oktoberfest seem to be the Pretzel with Obatzda. 🙂 You should try Obatzda, it is one of the best bread spreads ever, if you ask me. 🙂

    Reply

    • Girl Heart Food

      Thanks Adina! I’ve never had Obatzda, but I do love pretzels. I’ll have to look it up! I’m sure it’s delish!

      Reply

  9. karrie @ Tasty Ever After

    My Grandfather LOVED German food and he always ordered pork schnitzel out. I used to order it to be just like him too! It’s crispy and perfect with a little gravy, red cabbage, spaetzle, and lots of beer! Def making this for our Oktoberfest dinner at home 🙂 Gorgeous pics girl!

    Reply

    • Girl Heart Food

      Yay! Happy to hear that! Thank so much, sweets! XOXO

      Reply

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Traditional Pork Schnitzel Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret of schnitzel? ›

Clark reckons the secret to great schnitzel is to "trap air in the crust when you cook the meat by moving and shaking the pan". Her recipe swirls the pan "so oil cascades over the top of the cutlet in waves".

What is the best oil for 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!

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.

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.

What is the original schnitzel? ›

Over the years, schnitzel has evolved and taken on many different variations. While the original recipe called for veal, it is now commonly made with pork, chicken, or even turkey.

What is original schnitzel made of? ›

Austria. Wiener schnitzel, a very thin, crumbed and pan fried cutlet made from veal, is one of the best known specialities of Viennese cuisine, and is one of the national dishes of Austria.

Is flour necessary for schnitzel? ›

When making schnitzel, is the flour dip essential or can it just be blended into the crumb? The order for crumbing is flour, to stick to the meat, egg to stick to the flour and is sticky to hold on the crumbs. The crumbs are much too heavy and coarse to stick to meat well. Also egg won't adhere well to wet meat.

Why put schnitzel in fridge before frying? ›

Cooling the breaded schnitzel in the fridge for an hour or so before frying will help keep the breading on while cooking. Placing the cooked schnitzel on a wire rack while the rest of the batch cooks will help it keep crispy. To keep it warm, place in a lightly warmed oven.

How do you keep schnitzels crispy? ›

The best way to keep fried foods crispy? Just place them on a cooling rack set over a baking sheet. If you're frying multiple batches, throw the whole setup into a low oven to keep everything warm as you keep frying and adding to the rack.

What are the tips for cooking schnitzel? ›

Use a deep, straight-sided skillet or cast iron pan to fry, which will keep splatter to a minimum. Heat the oil until it shimmers or quivers in the skillet, and the schnitzel will only take a few minutes per side to reach golden crispy perfection.

Why do people put lemon on schnitzel? ›

Wiener Schnitzel , a breaded cutlet of veal sauteed in butter or deep-fried in oil, can be greasy, so an acid helps 'cut' the grease and make it more delicious. Lemon slices also add to the visual appeal, as does the common accompaniment of parsley.

What kind of pan is best for schnitzel? ›

Over the past few years, I've absorbed her schnitzel recipe, which she'd learned from her mother, making one notable tweak: switching its cooking vessel from a stainless steel skillet to a cast iron pan, which helps the thin cutlets brown more evenly (cast iron cookware is far less prevalent in Israel… their loss).

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.

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.

Can you overcook schnitzel? ›

The true key to keeping our Chicken Schnitzel juicy is two things: 1) don't pound the chicken, and 2) don't overcook it! If you pound out your chicken super thin, the moisture in the meat will evaporate as it cooks.

What is the secret to puffy schnitzel? ›

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.

What makes schnitzel different? ›

The breading is typically an easy coating of flour, egg wash, and breadcrumbs. Schnitzel is not typically highly seasoned, relying instead on bold toppings such as fresh lemon wedges, mushroom sauce, or cream sauce to add a boost of flavor.

How do you get the breading to stick on a schnitzel? ›

Dip egg-coated chicken in breadcrumb mixture. Gently press on with fingertips to secure.

Why do Jews eat schnitzel? ›

After the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 and during the period of national rationing that followed (known as the tzena), the new Ministry of Absorption taught housewives how to prepare dishes that utilized ingredients that were both inexpensive and readily available, of which one such dish was chicken or ...

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