Have you been to Germany and tried the myriad of schnitzels on order? What makes a great schnitzel is the sauce you put on it, and we’ve got 12 variations of schnitzel right here for you! Recipes included.
Since living in Germany, I have discovered that my Mom’s version of Wiener Schnitzel just doesn’t exist in the real world. Seriously, I have no idea where she learned or made up that recipe, but there are so many variations on this delicious dish and yet hers is not one of them. Naturally, schnitzel is on our list of foods you must eat when visiting Germany.
It’s All About the Pork Schnitzel Sauce!
You see, making the schnitzel is one thing; it’s pretty straight forward. Measure, cut, pound, fry, and serve, but the magic happens when you start developing the schnitzel toppings or better yet, fillings, for these amazing pork dishes. We’ve come up with 12 ways to serve schnitzel and 4 schnitzel sauces that you will absolutely love!
- Traditional Schnitzel
- Parmagiana Sauce
- Spargel Topping
- Farmer’s or Bauern Schnitzel
- Mexican Schnitzel
- Greek Schnitzel
- Gorgonzola Sauce for Schnitzel
- Zigeuner or Paprika Schnitzel Sauce
- Alsatian Topping for Schnitzel
- Hunter’s or Jaegerschnitzel Sauce
- Peppercorn or Madagascar Schnitzel Sauce
- Cordon Bleu
What you do with your schnitzel after it is cooked is also up to you. That traditional Wiener Schnitzel is served on the plate with a slice or two of lemon, a sprig of parsley, and serving of potato (usually potato salad or french fries) on the side.
Other schnitzel options include a variety of sauces, most cream based and featuring some kind of mushroom. There’s Jaegerschnitzel (Hunter Schnitzel), covered in a brown, gravy-like mushroom sauce; Zigeunerschnitzel (Pepper Schnitzel), with its sauce of tomatoes, bell peppers, and onion; Rahmschnitzel (Cream Schnitzel), a rich cream sauce, usually with mushrooms; Mexikanschnitzel, covered in jalapenos and cheese baked on top (uberbaecken); Hawaiischnitzel, add a slice of ham, pineapple, and cheese on top and baked in the oven; and so on, and so on…the possibilities are limitless!
Schnitzel Sauces and Schnitzel Topping Recipes
Parmagiana
This Italian flavored schnitzel topping is perfect for kids and adults alike. It's almost like a pork pizza. The marinara sauce and melted mozzarella is a perfect topping.
Ingredients
- 4 prepared pork schnitzels
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
- Mix mozzarella and parmesan cheese together.
- Take a prepared schnitzel and place on metal oven pan.
- On top of schnitzel put marinara sauce and cheese mixture.
- Bake in 400 degree oven until cheese is melted and starting to brown (about 8 minutes).
- Serve immediately with side salad and bread.
Quick and Easy Marinara Sauce
This easy and versatile marinara sauce can be used with a variety of meals from our Parmagian sauce for schnitzel to a topping for pizza or flammkuchen. Kids will love it.
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 cans (14.5 oz.) stewed tomatoes, crushed
- 1 can (6 oz.) tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basic
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 bay leaf
- salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Sauté the onions and garlic in olive oil in a sauce pan over medium heat until the onions are soft and transparent (about 5 minutes).
- Crush the stewed tomatoes and add them to the sauce pan (I crush the tomatoes by hand but a potato masher works just as well).
- Add the tomato paste, oregano, dried basil, sugar, and bay leaf and bring the mixture to a low boil, stirring occasionally.
- Add salt and pepper to taste and reduce heat to simmer for at least 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. The longer it simmers, the thicker and tastier it becomes.1/2 cu
Spargel (White Asparagus) Topping
Spargel or white asparagus is one of Germany’s most loved products. In early spring, wooden huts spring up selling this seasonal favorite and many dishes are created just for it. We also love spargel season and it goes extremely well as a schnitzel variation. Yum!
Ingredients
- 4 prepared pork schnitzels
- Hollandaise sauce, pre-prepared or bottled
- 12 white asparagus stalks, cooked or canned
- 4 thin slices of ham
- 8 slices of Swiss cheese
Instructions
Every ingredient should be prepared and ready to assemble. Place in oven baking tin and bake for 8 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve immediately
Notes
Assemble the schnitzel as follows:
- schnitzel
- ham
- Hollandaise sauce
- 4 stalks spargel
- 1 slice of each cheese
Farmer's or Bauern Schnitzel
Hearty and full of protein, this schnitzel traditionally is the perfect farmer's lunch. It's one of our favorites and will certainly keep you feeling full and happy all day.
Ingredients
- 4 prepared pork schnitzels
- 4 eggs
- 8 slices of Swiss Cheese
- 8 slices bacon, cooked
Instructions
- Top the schnitzel with two slices of cheese and put in a 400° F oven for about 8 minutes for melting.
- While the cheese is melting fry the eggs, sunny side up with very soft yolk or to your liking.
- Remove the schnitzel from the oven, place 2 strips of bacon on top of the cheese then one fried egg on top of the bacon.
- Serve with fried potatoes or french fries immediately.
Mexican Schnitzel Topping
Just what you might expect, Mexican schnitzel is a spicy number that is perfect for leftovers and served either in a roll or a tortilla.
Ingredients
- 4 prepared schnitzels
- 1 cup sliced jalapenos, canned works fine
- 1 cup Colby-Jack cheese, shredded
Instructions
Stack ¼ cup jalapeno slices on top of each schnitzel followed by ¼ cup of shredded cheese. Place in 400° F oven until cheese is melted and beginning to brown (about 8 minutes). Plate and serve with French fries.
Greek Schnitzel
Feta cheese, olives, all the goodness of a full Greek meal combined with traditional German, all rolled into one spectacular dish!
Ingredients
- 4 prepared schnitzels
- 1 cup red onion, thinly sliced in rings, medium sized
- 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1 cup, kalamata olives, pitted
Instructions
Stack ¼ cup feta, followed by the ¼ olives and then ¼ cup onion rings on top of each prepared schnitzel. Place in 400°f oven for 8 minutes (optional- it gets a little melty). Serve with a dollop of tzatziki on the side with some pita bread.
Gorgonzola Sauce for Schnitzel
Gorgonzola, you love it or you hate it! We love it, and it really goes well with a breaded schnitzel. Try it.
Ingredients
- 4 prepared schnitzels
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 1 shallot, finely diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled
Instructions
- Sauté the shallot and garlic in the butter in a sauce pan over medium heat until light golden color.
- Add the cream and whisk gently while reducing for about 2 minutes.
- Turn the heat down to low and add the crumbled cheese.
- Continue gently stirring until cheese is melted.
- Pour ¼ of the sauce over each prepared schnitzel. I prefer this schnitzel served with French fries.
Zigeuner or Paprika Schnitzel
One of the most popular varieties of schnitzel in all of Germany. You will see it on almost every menu. It's definitely one of our favorites!
Ingredients
- 4 prepared schnitzels
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 Tablespoon flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 can tomato paste (6 oz.)
- 1 large tomato, cubed
- 2 teaspoons red chili paste
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- salt, to taste
Instructions
- In a medium sauce pan on medium heat, sauté the mushrooms, onion, and bell peppers in the olive oil until soft and onions are slightly golden.
- Add the flour and continue cooking and stirring for another minute.
- Add the chicken broth, tomato paste, tomato, red chili paste, and sugar and bring to a slow boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes to thicken.
- Top each prepared schnitzel with ¼ of the sauce. This schnitzel goes really well with mashed potatoes or even served over rice.
Alsatian Topping for Schnitzel
The sliver of land that is known as the Alsace is a mix of the best French and German cuisine, and this schnitzel is an homage to that talent. It is by far my favorite!
Ingredients
- 4 prepared schnitzels
- 4 then slices ham (Virginia or Black Forest are the best)
- 1 cup crème fraiche or sour cream
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 4 slices Muenster Cheese (substitute with Swiss if necessary)
Instructions
- Caramelize the onion in the butter over medium heat (about 6 minutes).
- Place 1 slice of ham, ¼ cup crème fraiche, ¼ of the caramelized onions, and 1 slice of cheese on each prepared schnitzel.
- Place in 400°F oven for 10 minutes. Serve with boiled new potatoes.
Hunter's or Jaegerschnitzel
Cream and mushrooms, who can ask for more? It’s no wonder that this schnitzel is probably the number one variation served in Germany. When I first moved here, it was the first I tried, and of course I kept eating everywhere I went.
Ingredients
- 4 prepared schnitzels
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
- 1 shallot, diced
- 1 teaspoon whole grain mustard
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1/4 cup white wine
- 1 cup broth (beef or veal is best, chicken is ok, too)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a medium sauce pan on medium heat, sauté the mushrooms and shallot in the olive oil until soft and translucent.
- Add the mustard, and then the flour and continue cooking and stirring for another minute.
- Next add the wine and cook for an additional 5 minutes (any less and the sauce will still have an unpleasant wine taste).
- Stir in the broth and bring to a low boil. Reduce the heat, add the cream and Worcestershire and simmer gently for five minutes.
- Pour generously over prepared schnitzel. Serve with French fries or bratkartoffeln (homefries).
Hawaiian Schnitzel
Just like you would imagine, it's just like a Hawaiian pizza with pineapple, ham, and cheese. It's definitely a fan favorite, especially for the under 20s.
Ingredients
- 4 prepared schnitzels
- 1 then slices ham (Virgina or Black Forest is best)
- 4 rings pineapple
- 4 slices Swiss Cheese
Instructions
Top each prepared schnitzel with ham, pineapple, and cheese. Place in 400° F oven until cheese is melted and beginning to brown (about 10 minutes). Plate and serve with French fries.
Peppercorn or Madagascar Schnitzel
My absolute favorite topping, the spiciness from the peppercorns makes this schnitzel sauce just perfect. It's so good, you'll want to drink it right out of the serving dish.
Ingredients
- 4 prepared schnitzels
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 shallot, finely diced
- 1 tablespoon peppercorn mix (green and pink), crushed
- 1/4 cup port or sherry
- 1 cup heavy cream
- salt, to taste
Instructions
- Place the peppercorns in a ziploc bag and roughly crush them using a heavy skillet or mallet.
- Sauté the shallot in the butter until golden brown over medium high heat.
- Stir in the port and add the crushed peppercorns. Stir quickly and then add the cream, stirring until completely combined.
- You may have to lift the pan from the burner occasionally but continue heating and stirring until reduced to a thickened sauce that coats the back of a spoon. Serve over the prepared schnitzel with French fries.
Cordon Bleu
Found in almost every restaurant throughout Germany, this schnitzel is a staple. It's great for dinner, but put it between some bread for leftovers, and it's heaven on a plate.
Ingredients
- 4 prepared schnitzels
- 4 thing slices ham (Virginia or Black Forest is best)
- 4 thick slices of Swiss Cheese
Instructions
Follow the methods for preparing the schnitzel with these exceptions:
Pound the schnitzel out thinner and wider than usual, about ¼ inch thick.
Place on slice of ham and one slice of cheese on one side of the pounded out pork then fold over to cover with the other side of the schnitzel.
Use a tooth pick to hold the open side closed.
Coat and bread the cordon bleu as you would a regular schnitzel then fry in the skillet on medium high heat for about 8-10 minutes on each side.
Serve this with bratkartoffeln (home fries).
What is traditionally served with schnitzel?
Everything from German potato salad to mashed potatoes, along with a vegetable and a salad is served with pork schnitzel.
I would say that usually you will see some type of potato, more often french fries (pommes frites) or fried potatoes (bratkartoffeln). For vegetables, my favorite is the beans wrapped in bacon, but I’ve also seen a lot of peas.
Our Favorite Traditional Schnitzel Restaurants
Frankfurt – Restaurant Klosterhof
Berlin – Restaurant Nolle
Munich – Wirtshaus in der Au
We’d love for you to try making some of these schnitzel variations. Let us know what you think! Also, we love finding great traditional food wherever we travel, and we try to bring home recipes. Check out all our food and recipes!
Author Bio: Corinne Vail is a travel photographer, food lover, and a perpetual traveler who has been travel writing for over 14 years. For many years she lived overseas in Germany, Japan, Turkey, South Korea, and the Netherlands teaching the children of the US. military. She’s visited over 90 countries, and she’s not stopping anytime soon.
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Pin Pork Schnitzel Sauces, Toppings, and Fillings for later!
William
Monday 30th of May 2022
My favorite is Jager, my German is horrible, there ate a few here that I would love to try. My Gramda Switzer may have made It.
Jim Vail
Wednesday 1st of June 2022
That's my favorite as well. You just can't beat a good Jaegerschnitzel!
Rich Hughes
Monday 9th of May 2022
As a descendant of Welsh immigrants to the US, may I suggest a 13th variation: Schnitzel Rarebit topping the meat with a rarebit cheese and mustard spread, browned and bubbling briefly under the broiler. --Rich Hughes, St. Pete, FL.
Corinne Vail
Tuesday 10th of May 2022
Of course you may Rich! Great idea!
Daphne J. Emery
Monday 27th of May 2019
sooooo much Schnitzel!!! Yummmm!!
Tamara Steen
Tuesday 27th of November 2018
My junior year of college was spent in Germany at the Phillips University. I came home with two very important things: the love of my life (an American stationed at the Frankfort air force base during the Vietnam War) and the love of all things Schnitzel. It has been 48 years since those days, but both the man and the Schnitzel are still among my favorite things. What a treat to open up this blog and find more Schnitzel recipes to try! I plan to start with the first one and work my way down the list. Thanks for the recipes!
Corinne Vail
Tuesday 27th of November 2018
Tamara, Great story! Let us know how it goes!
A Busy Bees Life - Sheri
Tuesday 27th of June 2017
Living in Austria I usually stick to one type of Schnitzel, no sauce, and Kartoffelsalat. These look sooooo good. Saving this post. :-)
Jim Vail
Tuesday 27th of June 2017
That is the traditional schnitzel, some German places take it to extremes with around 20 variations!