German Pork Schnitzel - crispy and juicy schnitzel made with thin pork loin cutlets, lightly breaded and fried to golden perfection. Pure comfort food at it's best!
Serve it with Potato Salad, perfectly creamy Mashed Potatoes, or Coleslaw.
Pork schnitzel is one of those dishes I keep for Sunday specials. It's breaded and fried meat after all, not your every day food. But it is pure comfort food and a classic in many European countries. My Hubby and I had a chance to try it there and it is one of those dishes that you remember being absolutely delicious and want to be able to make at home when the craving or nostalgia hits. Pork schnitzel is a golden crispy cutlet that's perfectly juicy inside. It's served with mashed potatoes and often even with the mushroom sauce.
What is German Schnitzel?
Breaded Wiener Schnitzel ( a thin cut of meat, breaded and fried ) originated in Austria and was made with veal. The German version is made with pork and it is also a much more affordable option. It became popular as such in many countries. The word "schnitzel" means meat in crust. Typically, it is served with mashed potatoes or warm potato salad and fried cabbage. If you are traveling through Germany and you will order a schnitzel, most likely it will be served with potato salad or fried potatoes.
Ingredients:
- pork loin, cut into cutlets
- salt and pepper
- large egg
- milk or half and half
- flour
- breadcrumbs
Instructions:
- To make a perfect pork schnitzel, cut pork loin into thin cutlets. Using meat tenderizer, pound each cutlet thin.
- Next, prepare your breading station: a shallow dish with flour, a shallow dish with beaten egg with a splash of milk or half and half and a shallow dish with breadcrumbs. You can add seasoning of your choice to the flour or the breadcrumbs. Also, adding grated Parmesan cheese to breadcrumbs makes for even more crispy schnitzel with a taste of toasted cheese. That is not the classic way of making schnitzel but definitely one worth trying.
- After breading each cutlet, fry it in a skillet with enough oil to cover the bottom. Because the cut of meat is thin, the schnitzel does not take long to cook, about 3 to 4 minutes per side.
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What is the best cut for this dish?
To make a pork schnitzel, you need a boneless and thin cut of meat. I always use and recommend pork loin, cut into thin cutlets. Regular pork cutlets you can buy in the meat department are too thick and there is a chance the meat won't cook properly inside before the crust is golden crisp.
The most affordable option is to buy a pork loin, cut it in half. The part with more fat veins is perfect for pulled pork or smoking in the BBQ. The leaner part can be sliced thinly into cutlets. It will most likely make a lot of cutlets, so I recommend dividing them into portions and freezing that way.
Variations:
- chicken: use chicken breast, cut it lengthwise into two cutlets and use meat tenderizer to pound them thin.
- low-carb: use crushed pork rinds for a keto friendly version without breadcrumbs.
- with sauce: use mushroom sauce or creamy lemon butter sauce to pour over each schnitzel.
Sides:
- Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes ( slow cooker version ) - a classic that everyone loves! You can also make my Instant Pot pressure cooker version.
- Fried Cabbage
- Dill Pickle Potato Salad
- Garlic Lemon Roasted Potatoes
- German Potato Salad
- Braised Red Cabbage
More recipes with pork:
If you like this recipe and make it, snap a photo and share it on INSTAGRAM! Tag me @crunchycreamysweet so I can check it out and leave a comment! 😀
German Pork Schnitzel
Ingredients
- 4 pork loin cutlets thin
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon milk or half and half
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup plain breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Place cutlets on a cutting board. Using meat tenderizer, pound each cutlet thin.
- Season cutlets with salt and pepper.
- Prepare breading station: place flour in a shallow dish, place breadcrumbs in another shallow dish; finally beat egg with milk and pour into a shallow dish.
- Dip each cutlet in flour, then egg mixture, then breadcrumbs. Shake of access.
- Heat up enough oil in a skillet to cover the bottom.
- Fry each cutlet until golden brown and crispy, about 3 to 4 minutes per side.
- Place on paper towel lined plate to absorb access oil.
- Serve with mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables.
Notes
Nutrition
This post was originally published on October 25th, 2017 and updated on May 29th, 2019.
Maria Sands says
Absolutely WONDERFUL! And so easy. Don't think I will ever have pork another way!
Bill says
I find using pork tenderloin cut into 2 + inch "logs" and pounded make to most tender
Schnitzel.
I also use seasoned Panko crumbs - delicious result
Chris says
Somehow we accidentally bought pork cutlets. Found this recipe and everyone loved it! Thank you!
Diane says
My father always made this. But he used finely crushed saltine crackers for the breading. Think it was a mid-west thing. Making your recipe this weekend!
Anna says
I hope you love it, Diane!
Gail Popehn says
Does anyone have a recipe for the brown sauce?? My hubby favorite dinner. I want to make vs go to our special restaurant Thank you!
rheanell says
and thats the way the germans do it..also must have fresh lemon squeezed in the top
Debbie says
Serve with spatzle with gravy!!!! Great dish
Anna says
Thank you so much, Debbie!
Sylvia says
My husband use to make this,but he died and I forgot how he made them,I’m so glad I ran into this recipe,it’s just like what he made(delicious)
Kat says
I made the schnitzel gluten free and turned out great.
Dawn says
Doesn’t schnitzel normally have a sauce with it what kind of sauce would you serve with this?
Anna says
Hi Dawn! Yes, you can serve it with a white lemon dill sauce, for the classic look. I prefer creamy mushroom garlic sauce. I will be sharing my recipe soon!
Aimee Shugarman says
Wow. This was a delicious recipe. My family gobbled it up and said it needs to be made again ASAP!
Anna says
Perfect! Thanks, Aimee!
renee L dingus says
Hi Anna
When I was in Germany I used to order deep fat
fried cordon bleu and I really want to make this. Did you by any chance ever have this or do you have a recipe ?
Thanks
Toni says
This quickly became a favorite dinner in our house!!
Jen says
This is my husband's favorite! He always orders it when we go out so I can't wait to surprise him at home with this for dinner. Thank you!!
Becky Hardin says
I love that you can prep and make a head of time! So delicious
Julie says
This looks amazing! I just bought some pork cutlets, glad I have a recipe to try with them!
JC says
I had some thin cutlets from a crowd cow shipment (they do heritage pork, too). Found this recipe & decided to try it.
Figured since they were already thick I didn’t need to pound them out.
Big mistake.
Chewy and tough. I probably overcooked them too. I suck at frying food. They were really awful.
But that’s hardly the recipe’s fault... so hey, people: no shortcuts. Pound those cutlets out!
Tonya Lea says
I just made this for dinner tonight. I am a huge fan of Schwein Schnitzel, and I was surprised at how easy it is to make. My first time to attempt making it, and this recipe made it quick, easy, and delicious! I will definitely make it again!
cakespy says
It suddenly got cold last night where I live so I am delighted to see this comfort food recipe. Love the crispy edges, tender interior, and fully cozy flavor of this dish!