Wiener Schnitzel – The Original Recipe

Wiener Schnitzel is one of Austria’s most iconic dishes and a true classic of Viennese cuisine. With the right technique it comes out perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

Ingredients (serves 4)

  • 4 veal escalopes (approx. 180 g each)
  • 2 eggs
  • 150 g breadcrumbs
  • 80 g plain flour
  • Clarified butter for frying
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 lemon to serve

Method

Place the veal escalopes between sheets of cling film and pound with a meat mallet until about 4 mm thick. Season with salt and pepper. Coat each escalope first in flour, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally press into the breadcrumbs — do not press too firmly so the coating stays light and loose.

Heat a generous amount of clarified butter in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the schnitzels and fry, gently swirling the pan, until golden brown — about 2–3 minutes per side. Drain on kitchen paper and serve immediately with lemon wedges.

Traditional accompaniments include Viennese potato salad (Erdäpfelsalat), cucumber salad or parsley potatoes. Enjoy your meal!