Smažený Řízek (Czech Breaded Pork Cutlet)
Local name: Smažený řízek
In short: Thin pork cutlets coated in flour, egg and fine breadcrumbs and shallow-fried until golden, served with a lemon wedge and potato salad. It takes about 40 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Total
- 40 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 600 kcal
Smažený řízek is the breaded cutlet found on Czech family tables and in every pub. Pork is the usual meat, pounded thin, coated in flour, egg and fine breadcrumbs and fried in hot fat until the crust puffs and lifts away from the meat in soft waves. It is served with lemon, boiled potatoes or potato salad, and often a cucumber salad. Chicken or turkey cutlets work the same way.
Instructions
- Place the cutlets between sheets of plastic wrap and pound them to 5 mm (1/4 in) thick with a mallet or heavy pan. Season both sides with the salt and pepper.
- Set out three plates: flour, the beaten eggs and milk, and the breadcrumbs.
- Dredge each cutlet in flour and shake off the excess. Dip it in the egg, then coat with breadcrumbs, pressing only lightly so the crust can puff.
- Heat the oil in a wide, deep skillet to 170°C (340°F). It should be about 1 cm (1/2 in) deep.
- Fry the cutlets 1 or 2 at a time for 3 to 4 minutes per side until deep golden, swirling the pan gently so hot oil washes over the top and the crust puffs.
- Drain on a rack or paper towels. Thin cutlets that are golden all over are cooked through, at least 63°C (145°F) inside.
- Serve at once with lemon wedges and potato salad.
Tips
- Do not press the crumbs on firmly, and shake the pan gently as the cutlets fry. The loose coating puffs into the signature wavy crust.
- Keep the oil at 170°C (340°F). Hotter oil burns the crumbs before the pork cooks, while cooler oil makes the crust greasy.
Questions and answers
What is the difference between řízek and Wiener schnitzel?
They are close relatives. Czech řízek is usually made from pork, while Wiener schnitzel is traditionally veal. Both are breaded and fried in the same way.
Can I bake řízek instead of frying it?
You can bake coated cutlets on an oiled tray at 220°C (425°F) for 12 to 15 minutes, turning once, but the crust will not puff in the same way.
Can I use chicken instead of pork?
Yes. Use chicken breast cutlets pounded thin and cook them until the center reaches 74°C (165°F).
How long does it take to make Smažený Řízek (Czech Breaded Pork Cutlet)?
About 40 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Smažený Řízek (Czech Breaded Pork Cutlet)?
About 600 kcal per serving, with 44 g of protein, 32 g of carbohydrates and 33 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 600 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 44 g |
| Carbohydrates | 32 g |
| Fat | 33 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 750 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
