Pan-Seared Turkey Cutlets with Sage and Lemon
In short: Thin turkey breast cutlets dusted in flour, seared in butter with sage, then finished with a quick lemon and white wine pan sauce. Done in 25 minutes. It takes about 26 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 16 min
- Total
- 26 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 300 kcal
Turkey breast cutlets are one of the fastest proteins to cook, ready in about 6 minutes, and the pan sauce takes 5 more. A light dusting of flour gives them a golden crust and helps the sauce thicken. Fresh sage crisps in the butter and flavors the whole pan, then lemon juice and stock lift everything. Because turkey is lean, speed matters: pull the cutlets as soon as they are cooked through and they will stay tender.
Instructions
- Pat the cutlets dry and season both sides with half the salt and the pepper. If any are thicker than 1 cm (3/8 inch), pound them gently to even them out.
- Spread the flour on a plate. Dredge each cutlet in the flour and shake off the excess.
- Heat the oil and 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the cutlets in two batches for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until golden and 74°C (165°F) inside. Move them to a warm plate.
- Lower the heat to medium. Add the sage leaves and garlic to the pan and cook for 30 seconds, until the sage crisps.
- Pour in the wine and let it bubble for 1 minute, scraping up the browned bits. Add the stock and simmer for 3 minutes until reduced by about half.
- Take the pan off the heat and swirl in the remaining butter, the lemon juice and the remaining salt. Return the cutlets for 30 seconds to coat, scatter with parsley and serve.
Tips
- Pound the cutlets to an even thickness so they cook through in the same time. Do not overcook, since lean turkey dries out within a minute or two.
- Chicken breast cutlets work the same way. Capers or a spoonful of Dijon mustard in the sauce add extra bite.
Questions and answers
Can I use turkey tenderloin for cutlets?
Yes. Slice the tenderloin crosswise into 1.5 cm (1/2 inch) rounds, pound them to 1 cm (3/8 inch) and cook as written.
What should I serve with turkey cutlets?
Mashed potatoes, buttered noodles, rice or a green salad. Green beans or roasted broccoli go well.
Can I skip the flour?
Yes. The cutlets will brown less and the sauce will be thinner. Stir a teaspoon of cornstarch into the stock to thicken it.
How long does it take to make Pan-Seared Turkey Cutlets with Sage and Lemon?
About 26 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 16 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Pan-Seared Turkey Cutlets with Sage and Lemon?
About 300 kcal per serving, with 35 g of protein, 10 g of carbohydrates and 13 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 300 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 35 g |
| Carbohydrates | 10 g |
| Fat | 13 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 650 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
