Breaded veal cutlets are a delicious meal but enjoying the leftovers can be tricky. Reheating them improperly can lead to dried out mushy meat and soggy breading. Luckily, with a few simple tricks, you can reheat breaded veal cutlets perfectly every time.
Why Proper Reheating is Important
The breaded coating on veal cutlets is delicate. When they are first cooked, steam from the veal rises and helps crisp the breading to a beautiful golden brown.
However, once cooled and refrigerated, the breading loses that initial moisture and crisping. Simply microwaving breaded cutlets makes the breading chewy and soggy. It also rapidly dries out the veal.
That’s why it’s important to reheat them gently using methods that will revive both the crispness of the breading and juiciness of the veal With a little care, reheated cutlets can taste nearly as delicious as when first cooked.
Tips for Crispy, Juicy Veal Cutlets
Follow these tips for reheating breaded veal cutlets just like new:
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Use the oven or skillet not the microwave. The microwave makes breading soggy and veal dry.
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Use a rack or paper towels to allow steam to escape from the breading as it reheats.
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Brush breading with butter or oil before reheating to encourage browning.
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Re-crisp the breading by giving it a quick sauté after reheating.
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Keep an eye on cutlets to avoid overcooking. They can dry out quickly.
How to Reheat in the Oven
The oven gently reheats both the veal and its breading:
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Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with a wire rack.
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Place cutlets on the rack without overlapping.
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Brush breading lightly with butter or oil.
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Bake 7-10 minutes until hot throughout.
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For added crispness, broil 1-2 minutes to re-crisp the breading. Watch closely to avoid burning.
Reheating in a Skillet
A hot skillet crisps the breading without drying out the veal:
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Heat 1 Tbsp oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
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Add cutlets in a single layer without crowding.
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Cook 2-3 minutes per side until hot and breading is crispy.
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For extra crispness, add 1 Tbsp butter to the skillet and sauté cutlets briefly right after reheating.
Serving Your Reheated Veal Cutlets
Once reheated, here are some delicious ways to serve your breaded veal cutlets:
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Veal Parmesan – Top with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese.
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Veal Saltimbocca – Top with prosciutto and sage.
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Veal Piccata – Sauté in lemon-caper butter sauce.
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Veal Milanese – Serve over mixed greens for a fresh salad.
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Veal Sandwich – Layer on a crusty roll with all the fixings.
With the right technique, reheated breaded veal cutlets can be crispy, juicy, and delicious. Follow these simple steps for enjoying leftover cutlets that taste as good as new.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can breaded veal cutlets be refrigerated?
Properly stored, breaded veal cutlets will last 3-4 days refrigerated. Cooked veal cutlets can be frozen for 2-3 months. Reheat frozen cutlets by first thawing in the refrigerator before using the oven or skillet reheating methods.
Can you reheat breaded veal cutlets in the microwave?
It’s best to avoid reheating breaded foods in the microwave. The microwave can make the breading soggy and lead to a dried out texture. For best results, use the oven or skillet reheating methods.
Should you re-bread veal cutlets before reheating?
It’s not necessary to re-bread veal cutlets before reheating. As long as you use a gentle reheating method like the oven or skillet, the original breading will crisp back up nicely. Brushing the breading with butter or oil before reheating also enhances browning.
What oil is best for reheating breaded veal?
For reheating in a skillet, a high smoke point neutral oil like grapeseed or canola oil works well. Olive oil can also be used but has a lower smoke point. Avoid reheating with butter alone as it can burn quickly on the stovetop.
How do you keep breaded veal cutlets crispy after frying?
After frying, place cutlets on a wire rack rather than paper towels. This allows steam to escape from the bottom of the cutlets instead of making the breading soggy. Brush cutlets with a little butter or oil before serving for extra crispness. Eat cutlets shortly after frying for optimum crispness.
Reheating breaded foods like veal cutlets takes a little finesse, but is worth it for delicious results. With these simple techniques, you can enjoy leftover breaded veal cutlets that are hot, juicy, and crispy.