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Juicy pork coated with breadcrumbs and pan fried in bacon fat...this Pork Cutlet Recipe has all the good stuff. Incredibly moist and tender on the inside and crisp on the outside, plus it only take 20 minutes to make!
Me and pork chops have had a difficult past. I am a pork lover and want to love pork chops. I want to love them with all my heart.
But they have been hard to love. Tough, chewy, with a sometimes shoe-leather like quality, this has really been a difficult relationship.
But I have prevailed. We're getting along again. I think this relationship might just last.
Because these breaded pork cutlets are perfectly tender, juicy and not at all like shoe leather. They are perfection.
And as if the pork itself isn't enough, that creamy onion gravy...oh gravy how I love your existence. I drool a little bit just thinking about these again.
I am not exaggerating. You are going to want this pork cutlet recipe in your life. Immediately. And serve it with these amazing air fryer pierogies to make a whole meal!
If you like pork chops, check out these French Onion Smothered Pork Chops or these Pork Chops in Creamy Shallot Sauce.
Why This Recipe Works
Thin cut, tenderized pork chops/cutlets keep the pork tender while cooking.
Cooking the pork cutlets in bacon fat adds an extra smoky and delicious flavor component.
Cooking the pork quickly and leaving a touch of pink in the middle will ensure a perfect moist and tender pork chop/cutlet.
Using a light roux to make the onion gravy results in a thick and creamy, flavor packed gravy.
Step By Step Instructions
Place each pork chop in a plastic bag or between 2 pieces of plastic wrap and lightly beat with a meat tenderizer. If your pork is already thin, make sure not to over-beat it. The pork should be about ¼ to ½" thick.
In a bowl, mix the egg, Worcestershire sauce and water. In a separate bowl combine the flour, paprika, salt and pepper. Place the bread crumbs in a third bowl.
Coat each pork chop in the flour mixture:
Then dip it in the egg mixture:
Then coat it with the breadcrumbs:
Repeat this process for all pork chops.
Heat the bacon fat in a skillet over medium heat. Once fat is sizzling, add the pork chops, cooking 2 at a time. Don't cook more than 2 at a time or your pan may become overcrowded and your pork won't get browned and crispy on the outside.
Cook for about 1 ½ minutes per side, until golden and crisp on the outside. BE CAREFUL NOT TO OVERCOOK. The pork should be just a touch pink in the middle.
Keep pork chops warm in a 200 degree oven while you finish cooking the batches.
How to Make Onion Gravy
Cook's Tips
Place the pork between 2 pieces of plastic wrap or a zip lock bag to tenderize. Do not over-tenderize of the pork will fall apart.
Don't overcook the pork. It should be just a touch pink in the middle. Not too pink, just a touch.
Add the pork chops to the pan with the bacon fat once fat is sizzling. Don't let it get so hot it smokes or your pork chops will burn.
Add additional bacon fat and reduce heat if the pan starts to smoke.
Be sure to add warm milk to the roux when making the gravy. Adding cold milk could cause the gravy to separate or get lumpy.
Can Fried Pork Cutlets Be Pink?
Related RecipesThis:
Breaded Pork Cutlet Recipe with Onion Gravy
Ingredients
- 6 boneless pork chops, cut thin
- 1 egg
- 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 3 tbsp. water
- ½ cup flour
- 1 tsp. paprika
- 1 tsp. sea salt
- ¼ tsp. black pepper
- 1 ½ to 2 cups bread crumbs
- 2 tbsp. bacon fat (substitute any animal fat)
Onion Gravy:
- 2 tbsp. bacon grease (substitute any animal fat)
- ½ onion chopped
- 3 tbsp. flour
- 2 cups whole milk, warm
- 1 tsp. black pepper
- 1 tsp. sea salt
Instructions
- Place each pork chop in a plastic bag or between 2 pieces of plastic wrap and lightly beat with a meat tenderizer.
- In a bowl, mix the egg, Worcestershire sauce and water. In a separate bowl combine the flour, paprika, salt and pepper. Place the bread crumbs in a third bowl.
- Coat each pork chop in the flour mixture, dip it in the egg mixture, then coat it with breadcrumbs. Repeat for all pork chops.
- Heat the bacon fat in a skillet over medium heat. Once fat is sizzling, add the pork chops, cooking 2 at a time. Cook for about 1 ½ minutes per side, until golden and crisp on the outside. BE CAREFUL NOT TO OVERCOOK. It is ok if the pork chop is a touch pinkish in the middle.
Onion Gravy:
- Melt the bacon grease in a saute pan over medium-low heat. Add the onion and cook until it is just starting to brown (5-7 minutes).
- Add the flour and stir until you start to get a very light brown roux then add the milk, salt and pepper and stir. Cook, stirring continuously,until gravy reaches desired thickness (usually 2-4 minutes). If gravy is too thick, more milk can be added as necessary. Add additional salt to taste.
Expert Tips:
- You can use thinly cut pork cutlets or pork chops. I had an easier time finding pork chops, but either will work. As long as they are thin cut.Â
- Don't over-tenderize the pork. It should be about ¼ to ½" thick.
- Any animal fat can be substituted for the bacon fat.
- Don't cook more than 2 pork chops at a time. If you crowd the pan, the pork chops may not brown and become crispy on the outside.
- To keep pork chops warm while cooking the rest, place them on a plate in a 200 degree oven.
- When making the gravy, make sure you add warm milk to the roux. Adding cold milk could cause your gravy to become chunky instead of nice and smooth. Also, just add a little at a time while stirring to ensure no lumps form.Â
- If your gravy comes out too thick, you can add more milk to thin it out.Â
Nutrition
[nutrifox id="60114"]
Beth Pierce
I haven't cooked pork cutlets for my family for a long time; thank you for the recipe! Looks delicious!
Danielle
You're welcome Beth! Thanks 🙂
Nancy at Whispered Inspirations
MMM, my husband makes chicken cutlets and we love them. I'll have to tell him to make them with pork. Thanks!
Danielle
It's so good with pork!!
John Mulindi
The recipe is simple and easy to follow, besides the dish looks delicious one to prepare.
Danielle
Thanks John!
Heather
I don't eat meat, but my family would love this! They love pork chops.
Danielle
Pork chops are awesome if you eat meat 🙂
Carolyn
You had me at "bacon fat". Gotta try this for dinner sometime!!
Danielle
LOL right? Hope you love it Carolyn!
Joan Cajic
I love pan fried pork or anything pan fried for that matter. This looks so good and delicious.
Danielle
Thanks Joan!
Trisha
Made this tonight. Great dinner gravy with my chicken fried steak. Hubby was impressed..
Danielle
That's great to hear! Glad you liked it Trisha 🙂
Geeky Daddy
There is literally no better way to start a post than "Juicy pork coated with breadcrumbs and pan fried in bacon fat"
I was sold at that point!
Danielle
LOL! Right?
Erin
This looks incredible. I'm excited to try the onion gravy!
Danielle
Thanks Erin!
Nene
This looks amazing especially with the onion gravy
Danielle
Thanks Nene!
Leah Ashley
These sound so simple and delicious can't wait to try!
Danielle
Thanks Leah!
Joyce
Yum! I am always looking for good pork recipes! Will have to try this one out! Thanks for sharing!
Danielle
You're welcome Joyce! I hope you get a chance to try it out 🙂
Lisa
This looks so delicious! We don't eat meat all the time, so this will be a great meat day recipe, thank you!
Danielle
Thanks Lisa!
Mimi
This looks really good! Onion gravy is the perfect partner for a dish like this!
Danielle
Thanks Mimi!
Stacie
Pan fried. Covered in gravy. I mean, really, what's not to like? I can't wait to make this. It looks amazing!
Danielle
Right? LOL! Thanks Stacie!
Toni
I loved it! Really flavorful and easy to make!
Danielle
Thanks Toni!
Demeter
Wow, that onion gravy sounds like perfection. What a great combination of flavors!
Danielle
Thanks Demeter!
Sabrina
You nailed this perfectly! My husband kept raving about how delicious these were. Thanks for such a winning dinner.
Danielle
Thanks Sabrina! Glad you enjoyed it!
kim
Such a delicious, flavorful recipe! My whole family gobbled this one up!
Danielle
Thanks Kim!
Kelly Anthony
Your onion gravy has me drooling. We love pork chops for dinner so this will be perfect for our family. Thanks for sharing.
Danielle
The onion gravy is sooooo yummy!!