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Milanesa Uruguaya

A thin beef cutlet in a shatteringly crisp golden crust, fried until crunchy and finished with a squeeze of lemon — the Uruguayan weeknight hero.

⏱ 20 minPrep time
🔥 15 minCook time
🍽 4Servings
🏷 DinnerCategory
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Milanesa Uruguaya

The milanesa crossed the Atlantic with Italian immigrants and became a pillar of Uruguayan home cooking, served with fries, mashed potatoes, or a simple salad. In Uruguay it is often eaten with a squirt of lemon and a spoonful of mayonnaise, and kids grow up on it from the school cafeteria to Sunday lunch.

Crispy, lemony, and loved by absolutely everyone

The crust is thin, golden, and audibly crunchy, while the pounded beef inside stays tender and juicy. The bright squeeze of lemon cuts through the fried richness, and the garlic-and-parsley crust gives every bite a savory, herby punch.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Season the pounded cutlets with salt and pepper on both sides.
  2. Whisk the eggs with the garlic, parsley, and a pinch of salt in a shallow dish, and spread the breadcrumbs on a plate.
  3. Dredge each cutlet in the egg mixture, letting the excess drip off, then press both sides into the breadcrumbs until evenly coated.
  4. Heat the oil in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat until a breadcrumb sizzles on contact.
  5. Fry the cutlets in a single layer for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until deep golden brown and crisp, working in batches if needed.
  6. Drain on paper towels, sprinkle with a little salt, and serve hot with lemon wedges, mayonnaise, and fries or mashed potatoes.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Let the breaded cutlets rest 10 minutes before frying so the crust adheres and stays on the meat. Leftovers keep 2 days refrigerated and crisp back up in a 400°F oven for 5 minutes.

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Recipe details

Prep20 min
Cook15 min
Servings4
CategoryDinner
PublishedAugust 17, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →