Authentic Wiener Schnitzel Recipe
Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, authentic Wiener schnitzel is one of Austria's most iconic dishes. Lisa first fell in love with it while we were traveling through Austria, and it's something we order every chance we get. Made with a thin veal cutlet, a crisp golden breadcrumb coating and served with lemon wedges and lingonberry sauce, this classic recipe brings a little taste of Austria to your kitchen.
Schnitzel is a thin slice of meat that is pounded or cut flat, then breaded and pan fried until crispy. The wiener schnitzel is the famous Austrian version that is made with veal (it is our favorite) but it can also be made with pork. Now, if neither of those proteins work for you, you can use the same process and recipe but use chicken or even turkey as your protein. The important thing is getting the outer layer nice and crispy while keeping the meat tender and delicious. It only takes a few minutes to cook on each side. Make sure you wait for the pan to get nice and hot before adding the meat in. You should hear that lovely sizzle when you drop it in.
The first written recipes for Weiner Schnitzel were in the early 19th century but the idea of frying meat goes back much further. The first recorded mention of it in a cookbook was in 1831. Now, it is one of the national dishes of Austria.
Now you will see that I served my schnitzel with a red sauce and lemon wedges. The red sauce is lingonberry. In Austria they serve them together at most restaurants. Now, pro trip, lingonberry isn’t always very easy to find BUT, IKEA is the place we found ours and it was absolutely perfect. So, keep that in mind next time you are shopping for furniture! Also, the lemon wedges for serving are a much. Give a squeeze of lemon over your meat to give a nice fresh acidity to your dish.
I like to make a nice potato, cucumber or cabbage salad to pair with the schnitzel. You can also serve French fries or a nice potato mash for something a bit hardier. I will be making a German potato salad next week so stay tuned.
Wiener Schnitzel
Ingredients
- 4 veal cutlets or protein of your choice
- 2 eggs beaten
- ¾ cup of flour seasoned with salt and pepper
- ¾ cup of breadcrumbs
- Butter and/or oil
- Wedges of lemon and lingonberry sauce optional
Instructions
- Prepare three separate deep plates or flat bowls one for each, flour, eggs and breadcrumbs
- Coat each cutlet first in flour, then egg and lastly breadcrumbs
- In a large pan heat the butter/oil
- Place cutlet in the pan and listen for the sizzle!
- Depending on thickness, cook for 2-4 minutes on each side until golden brown
- Serve with lemon wedges and lingonberry sauce
Notes
Watch the Recipe
See exactly how I make crispy, golden Wiener schnitzel at home. Then keep reading for the full recipe, serving ideas and a few tips I've picked up over the years.
Tips for the Best Wiener Schnitzel
- Making great schnitzel is all about a few simple techniques.
- Serve immediately while the coating is still crisp.
- Pound the meat to an even thickness so it cooks quickly and evenly.
- Don't press the breadcrumbs into the meat. A light coating creates a crisp, delicate crust.
- Make sure the butter and oil are hot before adding the schnitzel. You should hear that satisfying sizzle as soon as it hits the pan.
- Cook only one or two cutlets at a time so the pan stays hot.
Our Favorite Places to Eat Wiener Schnitzel in Austria
We've eaten Wiener schnitzel several times while traveling through Austria, and it's one of those meals we look forward to every visit.
One of our favorite places is Gasthaus zur Alten Press in Salzburg, where we both order the original veal Wiener schnitzel every time. We also loved Der Steirer in Graz, another restaurant we'd happily return to just for the schnitzel. I always orders the roast pork there, while Erin and Dylan never pass up the veal schnitzel.
Every restaurant has its own take, but the best versions all have the same things in common: a light, crispy coating, tender meat, fresh lemon and a generous spoonful of lingonberry sauce.
Those meals are exactly what inspired us to recreate this recipe at home.
More Recipes You Will Love
Here are a few more recipes from our travels.
Planning a Trip to Austria?
If you're planning a trip to Austria, don't leave without trying an authentic Wiener schnitzel. It's one of the country's signature dishes and you'll find excellent versions everywhere from traditional beer halls to family-run restaurants.
We've explored Salzburg and Graz on multiple trips and they're both fantastic destinations for anyone who loves great food, beautiful architecture and Austrian culture.
Be sure to check out our Austria Travel Guide, Graz Travel Guide, Salzburg Travel Guide and listen to our Austria podcast episodes for more inspiration.
