Jägerschnitzel (Hunter’s Schnitzel)

Jägerschnitzel is crispy fried pork cutlets topped with one of the tastiest and creamiest mushroom gravies you can cook. It is a very rustic and traditional dish all the way from Austria, though it is also a classic in Germany.

Your otherwise simple pork loin gets transformed after some beating into tender pork schnitzel.

Pair it with an awesome gravy over some spaetzel or egg noodles with some cool beers on the side and you are all set for some great food!

Fall is in the air. Octoberfest has come and gone. As I saw the news of all the eating and drinking they do in that Bavarian land this time of the year, I thought one of these days I would love to go to all of those European countries and try their festivals and foods and culture.

Octoberfest sounds so fun and festive. I have been kind of curious about German culture after becoming a Beiser. You see, it’s predominantly a German name. My husband has lots of English and French in his blood, but mainly it’s German.

I really wanted to surprise Jas one of these days by cooking something that would make his German genes happy, so I dug a little deeper than their Sauerkrauts, wursts and, of course, the famous schnitzels. I love gravy and I love mushrooms, so I decided to try Jägerschnitzel.

What is Jägerschnitzel?

Schnitzels are thin, often pounded, fried slices of meat. They are known by many names throughout the world, including “escalope” in France, “milanesa” in Italy and South America, and “tonkatsu” in Japan. The word schnitzel is of German origin.

Though originally from Austria, Jägerschnitzel is now a major part of German cuisine. It was traditionally cooked with veal, venison or wild boar, but now a days it is more commonly cooked with pork.

After pounding it is often breaded. It’s then fried and served with a rich, creamy mushroom gravy. The name Jägerschnitzel translates to “hunter’s cutlet”.

Why this Recipe Works

• Flavor Balance: Achieved through a mix of umami, tanginess, and seasoning, thanks to ingredients like mushrooms, beef broth, balsamic vinegar, and sour cream.
• Texture Heaven: The crispy schnitzel along with the creamy, silky gravy is almost too good to be true.
• Flawless Technique: The use of a roux for a lump-free gravy and a three-step dredging process for a crispy schnitzel ensures perfection.
• Simple and Accessible: Common, easy-to-find ingredients make this recipe doable for cooks of all levels.
• Versatile: Easily customizable seasonings and serving options make it adaptable to different palates and occasions.

Ingredients

Schnitzels

• Boneless pork chops – We are using loin, but any thin boneless pork chops will work.
• Flour, eggs and bread crumbs – For dredging, in that order.
• Salt and pepper – For flavor.
• Oil – To fry your schnitzels in.

Gravy

• Butter, flour and beef broth – Your brown gravy standards.
• Mushrooms – Hence the “mushroom gravy”.
• Sour cream, pepper, thyme and a touch of balsamic vinegar – because we want this gravy to taste really good!

How to Make Jägerschnitzel

1. Cook the Mushrooms: Sauté mushroom slices and garlic with 2 tablespoons of butter over medium high heat (you can caramelize a little chopped onions before adding mushrooms, but I avoided onions for my onionphobic husband, as this is something special for him). Remove mushrooms from pan when soft.

2. Create the Gravy: Reduce heat to medium and add 4 Tbsp butter into the pan. Yes, I never said anywhere this is a waist-friendly dish, this is rustic hunter-style cooking with a rich depth in flavors. And, as I always say for flavors, you need to add flavor to get flavor.

When the butter melts, add your flour and stir in for few seconds till the raw smell of the flour goes away. Then, slowly add your beef broth and stir continuously to avoid clumps for about 5 minutes.

3. Complete the Mushroom Gravy: Once you have a beautiful smooth gravy, add your mushrooms back in along with pepper, thyme and a touch of balsamic vinegar. In the very end, add a little sour cream to make it Germany 😊. If it gets too thick, just add a little water.

4. Flatten the Pork: It’s all about pounding your schnitzels very thin, about ¼ inch thick, that’s what gets them nice and tender. I recommend placing them, one at a time, in a ziploc bag and beating with a meat mallet, or any reasonable alternative (years back, we once used an empty wine bottle to pound conch!).

5. Dredge the Cutlets: Season the flour with salt and pepper, then dredge your pork cutlets in flour followed, by beaten eggs and finally breadcrumbs.

6 Fry: Immediately place these schnitzels in hot oil and fry for 2-3 minutes per side until they are a nice golden brown. They turn out perfectly crispy outside, yet nice and tender inside. Remove to a paper towel lined dish to drain off excess oil.

Serving Suggestions

Traditionally, this amazing dish is served with french fries or potato salad, but we want something to sop up some of that delicious gravy! We found some späetzle (a type of noodle local to central Europe) at our local grocery store.

Other great, if not traditional, side dish options are Mashed Potatoes or egg noodles. Whichever side you choose, spoon plenty of that wonderful gravy over your schnitzels. Perhaps you want to have an all out German night and have a side of my Sauerkraut Balls!

Recipe Tips and Notes

• Quality of Broth: Opt for a high-quality or homemade beef broth to elevate the gravy’s flavor.
• Sour Cream Substitute: If you’re looking for a lighter version, Greek yogurt can be used in place of sour cream.
• Meat Thickness: Consistency is key. Ensure all pork chops are pounded to an even 1/4 inch thickness for uniform cooking.
• Oil Temperature: Use a cooking thermometer to maintain the oil temperature at 325°F for consistent results.
• Drainage: Don’t skip the paper towel step. Properly draining the schnitzel prevents it from becoming soggy.
• Serving Time: Serve immediately to enjoy the crispy texture of the schnitzel, as it can soften under the gravy over time.
• Gravy Consistency: If the gravy is too thick, you can always add a little water. If too thin, let it simmer for a few more minutes.
• Season to Taste: Don’t forget to taste and adjust the seasonings for both the schnitzel and the gravy before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Leftovers and Storage

As with any fried foods, this is really best eaten fresh, so I recommend cooking what you will eat in one sitting.

If you do happen to have leftovers, refrigerate them for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Reheat over medium heat in a lightly oiled skillet.

Now all that is left, my dear friends, is garnish with some parsley and dig in with some nice chilled beer… Guten Appetit!!

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Jägerschnitzel, on our GypsyPlate… Enjoy!

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Filipino Adobo
Tonkatsu
Chile Verde
Pork Vindaloo
Pork Stir Fry
Pernil