Best Veal Scallopini Recipe - The Big Man's World ® (2024)

The best veal scallopini recipe that is quick, easy and authentic. This dish is a perfect weeknight meal, served with a lemony, creamy sauce and pasta.

Italian American dishes have a special place in my heart, especially veal scallopini.

Similar to chicken piccata or chicken marsala, tender fillets of veal are sauteed and then simmered in a creamy sauce. In fact, it’s sometimes referred to as veal piccata.

What is veal scallopini?

Veal scallopini is a popular Italian American dish made with thinly sliced pieces of veal that are typically pounded to an even thickness and simmered in a creamy lemon butter sauce.

The term “scallopini” (or scallopine) refers to the thin, quick-cooking cuts of meat (like chicken breast, lean steak, or veal) that are coated with flour and cooked rapidly.

Here are some reasons why I LOVE this recipe:

• Incredible texture and flavor. The texture of the veal is tender and juicy, and the sauce is perfectly creamy. It has a rich, savory, and slightly tangy flavor.
• Quick. Veal is naturally a leaner cut of meat, so the cooking process is minimal, and, like veal cutlets, you’ll have this impressive dish in under 20 minutes.
• An underrated cut. Veal fillets are a severely underrated cut of protein that balances flavors well. Like a simple chicken breast or pork fillet, it absorbs flavors well and acts as a blank canvas (you may enjoy veal chops and veal Milanese!).

Ingredients Needed

This scallopini veal is so easy and besides some butter and cream, there isn’t much else needed to make. Here is what you’ll need:

• Veal cutlets. Look for thin slices of veal to make this recipe. If too thick, pound them to 1/2-inch thickness.
• Salt and pepper. To season the meat.
• Flour. Lightly dusting the meat in flour forms a thin crust, which not only makes it extra tender but traps the juices inside.
• Olive oil. To sear the meat.
• Butter. Not only does it add flavor to the meat, but it also adds some richness to the sauce.
• Chicken stock. I prefer using a stock with no added salt because there is already ample salt in this dish (the salt and the capers!).
• Lemons. For the acidity. Limes can also be used.
• Heavy cream. For that rich and creamy sauce. Opt for full-fat cream: This is not the kind of dish to use low-fat or light varieties.
• Capers. These salty, zingy bits balance out the richness of the sauce and complement the veal so well.

Find the printable recipe with measurements below.

How to make veal scallopini

This dish may look incredibly fancy but I promise you, it’s so simple to whip up.

Sear the veal: Season the veal with salt and pepper, coat it with flour, and pan-sear it in olive oil and butter in a skillet.

Make the sauce: Remove the cooked veal and add chicken broth to the skillet. Collect the meat scrapings and browned bits, and add heavy cream, lemon juice, and capers.

Combine and serve: After simmering the sauce for 3-5 minutes, place the veal in it. Cook your favorite pasta al dente and serve the veal over it.

Tips to make the best recipe

• Avoid overcooking the veal: Veal scallopini is a thin cut and easy to overcook. When overdone, it leads to an unpleasant, tough structure.
• Get the perfect crispy top: Sear the veal immediately after coating with the flour to get a crisp surface.
• Dry the veal: Before seasoning the veal with salt and pepper, dry it with a clean kitchen towel to remove excess moisture. This step is crucial to achieving the perfect exterior.
• Let the veal rest in the sauce: After combining seared veal with gravy, allow it to soak up the flavors for a few minutes before serving.

Recipe variations

Cook it with wine. Deglaze the pan with white cooking wine and reduce it to make a rich, sweet sauce.

Garnish with herbs. Garnish the veal with freshly chopped cilantro and parsley to spruce it up.

Season the flour. Season the flour with garlic powder, red pepper flakes, and dried herbs for a more flavorful veal coating.

Storage instructions

To store. This dish keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for three days.

To freeze. If you want to keep scallopini longer, freeze the leftovers in airtight containers for 2-3 months.

To reheat. Heat it in the pan or the oven until hot.

Frequently asked questions

More quick dinner recipes to try

• Greek chicken
• Filet mignon
• Stuffed pork chops
• Pan seared salmon
• Linguine with clam sauce
• Veal parmesan

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