Lemon Turkey Cutlets – a healthy dinner that is ready in 15 minutes! Turkey or Chicken cutlets in tangy lemon sauce are prefect any night of the week.
I have always thought of the Roasted Turkey you have Thanksgiving, and that was it. I really enjoy it once a year on Thanksgiving, but that is usually enough turkey to last me the whole year. Then a few years ago I found turkey cutlets in the grocery store and figured I would give them a try.
Turns out they are a big hit at our house! They cook in minutes, take on whatever flavor you want, and are so easy! With only a few pantry staples and 15 minutes these can be on the table! Our other favorite are Italian Turkey Cutlets.
After a few moves around the country, I have found that not every store carries turkey cutlets. But I can always find turkey tenderloins. So if that is your only option, pick up a package of them. Then you just have to butterfly them open, and you have 2 cutlets! Super easy!
Lemon turkey cutlets has been a staple in our house for at least 8 years. The sauce is just 3 ingredients, and they are ingredients I always have in the house. So when turkey is on sale, I always pick a pack to have in the freezer for any night of the week.
Turkey breasts are very low in calories, so this is a super healthy dinner. But with the rich and tangy sauce, you won’t feel like you are missing out at all. Serve with a big salad, roasted asparagus, potatoes, or even this mushroom rice pilaf would be great.
You could even use this same recipe and make with chicken breasts or even pork chops if that is what your family likes best. Sometimes I make a little extra sauce, so there is lots for each bite. Something about the tangy mustard, Worcestershire sauce and lemon juice together that is just out of this world. Such an unlikely pairing!
Turkey cutlets are a tasty and healthy option for a quick weeknight dinner. Also known as turkey chops or turkey loins these thin slices of turkey breast cook up juicy and flavorful in minutes. With just a few simple ingredients, you can make tasty turkey cutlets that will satisfy your family.
Why Cook Turkey Cutlets?
There are many benefits to cooking with turkey cutlets
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Low in fat and calories Turkey cutlets are much leaner than chicken or beef A 3 ounce serving contains only 2 grams of fat and 120 calories This makes them an excellent choice if you are watching your weight,
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High in protein: Turkey is a great source of lean protein. Each serving provides 26 grams of protein to help you stay full and satisfied.
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Quick cooking: These thin cutlets cook up in just 5-10 minutes since they are only about 1⁄2 inch thick. This makes them perfect for busy weeknights.
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Budget-friendly: Turkey cutlets are an affordable alternative to chicken or beef. Pound for pound, turkey provides more servings at a lower cost.
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Versatile: Turkey cutlets take well to all kinds of seasonings and sauces. They can be breaded, pan seared, baked, or grilled.
Choosing Turkey Cutlets
When purchasing turkey cutlets, you want to select ones that are:
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Uniformly thin, around 1⁄2 inch thickness. Thicker cutlets may require extra pounding.
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Pale pink in color. Avoid cutlets that are grayish or dull looking.
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Free of blemishes or tears. The cutlets should have a smooth texture.
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Not overly moist or slimy. Excess moisture indicates they are past their prime.
For best results, plan to cook the turkey cutlets within a couple days of purchasing. Keep them chilled until ready to use.
How to Cook Turkey Cutlets 3 Healthy Ways
These simple methods result in moist, flavorful turkey cutlets without needing to bread or fry them.
1. Baked Lemon Herb Turkey Cutlets
Ingredients:
- Turkey cutlets
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice
- Dried oregano
- Dried basil
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions:
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Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil.
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Place cutlets on prepared baking sheet. Brush tops with olive oil.
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Squeeze lemon juice over cutlets and sprinkle with oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
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Bake 10-12 minutes until no longer pink inside.
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Serve with lemon wedges.
2. Sesame Ginger Turkey Cutlets
Ingredients:
- Turkey cutlets
- Low sodium soy sauce
- Minced ginger
- Sesame oil
- Brown sugar
- Red pepper flakes
- Scallions, sliced
Instructions:
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In a shallow dish, whisk together soy sauce, ginger, sesame oil, brown sugar, and red pepper flakes.
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Add turkey cutlets and marinate 15 minutes, turning once.
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Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add cutlets and reserve marinade. Cook 2-3 minutes per side until browned and cooked through.
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Add reserved marinade and scallions. Cook 1 minute until sauce reduces slightly.
3. Skillet Turkey Cutlets with Mushroom Sauce
Ingredients:
- Turkey cutlets
- Olive oil
- Butter
- Shallot, diced
- Cremini mushrooms, sliced
- Chicken broth
- Thyme
- Heavy cream
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions:
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Season turkey cutlets with salt and pepper.
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Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook cutlets 2-3 minutes per side until browned and cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
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Lower heat to medium. Add butter and shallot. Cook 3 minutes.
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Add mushrooms and thyme. Cook 5 minutes.
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Pour in broth. Simmer until reduced by half.
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Stir in cream and cook 2 minutes until thickened. Season with salt and pepper.
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Return turkey and any juices to skillet. Spoon sauce over top.
Cooking Tips for Moist Turkey Cutlets
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Pat the cutlets dry before seasoning to help browning. Moisture causes steaming instead of searing.
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Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to gently pound thicker cutlets to an even thickness. This allows them to cook faster.
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Don’t overcrowd the pan. Cook cutlets in a single layer with space between them.
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Let the cutlets rest 5 minutes before slicing. This allows juices to redistribute.
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Cook to an internal temperature of 165°F. Turkey should not show any pinkness.
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Avoid overcooking. This causes the turkey to dry out.
Healthy Ways to Serve Turkey Cutlets
Turkey cutlets pair nicely with all different flavors and textures. Consider serving them with:
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Roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts, squash, or root vegetables
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A fresh green salad or spinach salad
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Whole grains like brown rice, farro, or quinoa
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Roasted sweet potatoes or baked potatoes
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Steamed green beans, broccoli, or asparagus
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Fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, basil, or chives
With endless possibilities for seasoning and sauces, turkey cutlets make for a nutritious dinner option that can be dressed up or kept simple. Follow these tips for cooking moist, delicious turkey cutlets your family will request time and time again.
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How to Cook Turkey Cutlets
Turkey cutlets cook just like chicken. You can bake it, grill it, or sauté it. Cutlets my definition mean they are thinly sliced, so it should cook quickly. Turkey does not have a lot of fat, so you will want to put some kind of oil or non-stick spray in the pan.
- Season the both sides of the turkey with lemon pepper seasoning.
- Add it to a hot skillet with a little oil in the bottom and cook for 4-5 minutes per side.
- Meanwhile mix together Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard and lemon juice.
- When the turkey is almost completely cooked pour in the sauce and let it cook for about 2 minutes.
- Remove from the pan and spoon over any sauce to serve.
Turkey cutlets can be bland on their own, so you want to make sure you have a sauce or season them well. You do not want your dinner to be boring! But if you are looking for an easy weeknight dinner, this turkey cutlet recipe is it!
So next time you are at the store, pick up some turkey so you can make these lemon turkey cutlets. Your weeknights and family will thank me!
Healthy Turkey Cutlets
FAQ
What is the healthiest way to eat turkey?
Do you wash turkey cutlets?
How many calories are in a turkey breast cutlet?
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Serving Size
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4 oz
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Calories
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120
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Calories from Fat
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5
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% Daily Value*
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Total Fat 0.5g
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1%
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