What Is Schnitzel? (2024)

This classic European dish can transform any meat cutlet into an impressive meal.

Published on September 13, 2021

With a crispy coating and tender fillet of meat, it's no wonder that schnitzel is a popular dish in a lot of parts of the world. But what exactly is this hearty dish? And where did it come from? Read on to learn more:

What Is Schnitzel Made From?

In its most basic form, schnitzel is a slice of meat, often pounded until fairly thin, then breaded and fried. The dish's name actually comes from the German word schnitt, which translates to "cut." The most popular type of meat for schnitzel is veal (wiener-schnitzel) or pork (schweine-schnitzel), but you also see varieties made with chicken (hänchen-schnitzel), or turkey (puten-schnitzel). 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.

What Is Schnitzel? (1)

Where Did Schnitzel Originate?

The origins of schnitzel are typically attributed to Eastern Europe. Today, it's particularly popular in Germany and Austria, though it's served everywhere from Finland to Hungary, too. Though the idea of a crispy breaded cutlet of thinly pounded meat isn't distinctly European, looking at other countries' dishes, like the Japanese tonkatsu or America's chicken fried steak, and you'll see that every region seems to love a good schnitzel-esque meal.

How to Make Schnitzel at Home

Schnitzel is very easy to make at home. Simply pound out a cut of your preferred meat, give it a quick coating, and fry until golden brown. If you don't know where to start, we recommend looking through the list of Our Best Schnitzel Recipes to get you started. Once the schnitzel is cooked, you can smother it in bold mushroom sauce, drizzle on a mustard cream sauce, or simply plate it with wedges of fresh lemon. For a traditional Austrian- or German-inspired meal, serve your schnitzel alongside something carby-like spaetzle, warm potato salad, or even just a handful of fries to round out the plate.

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What Is Schnitzel? (2024)

FAQs

What is schnitzel called in America? ›

United States

Chicken fried steak, also called country fried steak, is nearly identical to schnitzel. It is a breaded and deep fried beef steak.

What kind of meat is schnitzel? ›

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.

Is schnitzel just fried meat? ›

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.

Is schnitzel a German thing? ›

The origins of schnitzel are typically attributed to Eastern Europe. Today, it's particularly popular in Germany and Austria, though it's served everywhere from Finland to Hungary, too.

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.

Do Americans have schnitzel? ›

Schnitzel started its rise to popularity in the United States in the mid-20th century, with the influx of German and Austrian immigrants. These immigrants brought with them their culinary traditions, including schnitzel, which quickly became a popular dish in German-American restaurants and households.

What is served with schnitzel? ›

Typical German and Austrian side dishes for schnitzels include spaetzle, potato salad (particularly vinegar-based ones), cucumber salad, vegetable slaws and potato dishes like fries or rosti.

Is schnitzel healthy? ›

Schnitzel is usually fried, which isn't the healthiest thing, but if you have no weight issues or cardiac markers, it won't hurt you. The chicken in schnitzel is skinless white meat, which is high in protein and low in fat. And spinach is one of the healthiest foods you can eat if you d...

Is Subway chicken schnitzel real? ›

A hearty chicken schnitzel made with 100% chicken breast. Some items may not be available in all markets. Prices and participation may vary.

What is slang for chicken schnitzel? ›

The schnitty, the slang name for the legendary chicken schnitzel, comes with a generous side of chips and a forest of salad. Just thinking of that butterflied chicken breast makes me want to step away for an early lunch. Aussies regularly order from a menu of slang foods.

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.

What do you call a schnitzel in English? ›

British English: cutlet /ˈkʌtlɪt/ NOUN. A cutlet is a small piece of meat which is usually fried or grilled.

What do Italians call schnitzel? ›

Don't call it schnitzel and not even cutlet, because in Milan the meat is strictly veal, on the bone, two fingers high, breaded in egg and breadcrumbs and fried in clarified butter. It has only one name: “costoletta” rib, and everything else is irrelevant.

Why is schnitzel so good? ›

The magic of Viennese schnitzel is in the way the cook coaxes the crust to puff away from the meat, a process known as soufflieren in German. Credit... David Malosh for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews.

What are other names for schnitzel? ›

What is another word for schnitzel?
cutletescalope
breaded cutletpork cutlet
veal cutlet

What is schnitzel in English? ›

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. schnitzel.

Is schnitzel just breaded chicken? ›

For the uninitiated, chicken schnitzel is merely a chicken breast pounded thin, breaded, and fried. It's one of those foods that you can't help but love, which is probably why it's so prolific—versions of the recipe can be found in cultures around the world.

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