Schnitzel Sandwich
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A favorite grab-and-go meal throughout Germany, this Schnitzel Sandwich recipe features pork cutlets that are breaded and fried until nice and crispy and are laid on a bread roll with mayo, lettuce and tomatoes and any other toppings or condiments of your choice.
Schnitzel sandwiches are “Imbiss food” in Germany – a quick lunch or light meal, often purchased from a street vendor, butcher, or from the deli section at grocery store. Like Bratwurst, Rotewurst, or Leberkäse on rolls, or Currywurst with fries, it’s a popular “fast food” dish in Germany.
One of the things I miss about Germany are the Fußgängerzone, which are the pedestrian zones in every German city and town. These are areas where where shops and restaurants are concentrated and where no cars are allowed. You can stroll along the streets and it is here that you’ll see any number of cafes and restaurants with tables and umbrellas set up outside. You can do your shopping and take a break to grab a table next an old fountain surrounded by flowers to enjoy a cold drink or a slice of cake, or find a table in the shade of an umbrella next to a centuries-old half-timbered restaurant to enjoy lunch or dinner.
Within these pedestrian zones you’ll also find street vendors selling things like bratwursts, rotewursts, currywurst, and Pommes mit Mayo (French fries with mayonnaise – oh that German mayo!). You can also pop into a bakery or a butcher and grab ready-made “fast food” items like bread rolls with thick slabs of Leberkäse, Fleischsalat to spread on a Brötchen from the bakery, German Potato Salad, Frikadellen, buttered pretzels or pretzel sticks with melted Emmentaler, gebratene Hänchen (roast chickens), bread rolls with salmon or pickled herring with onions or breaded fish filets. And you’ll also find Schnitzel sandwiches that you can grab and go or they’ll heat them up for you at your request. They make a meal to enjoy on foot while you’re meandering the cobblestoned streets window shopping.
A Glimpse of Germany
I’m from Stuttgart, Germany and a town in that area that I’ve always enjoyed visiting is Esslingen am Neckar. It sits on the Neckar River and has a beautiful historische Altstadt (historic old town) with numerous old timber-framed buildings and a 14th century wall with a watchtower that surrounded the castle on the hill overlooking the town and vineyards. If you’re in the Stuttgart area, I highly recommend visiting Esslingen am Neckar. Walk around the Altstadt and enjoy some lunch or dinner. Or grab a Schnitzel sandwich from the town butcher to take it up to the walled castle for picnic!
How to Make a Schnitzel Sandwich
To make a basic German Schnitzel sandwich you’ll need the following:
- Schnitzel – click for my traditional German Schnitzel recipe
- Bread roll
- Mayonnaise and/or mustard
- Lettuce
- Tomatoes and/or sliced cucumber
Variations
Feel free to change things up according to your preferences by adding things like dill pickles, bread and butter pickles, dill pickle relish, pickled banana peppers, or roasted red peppers. You can also experiment with other flavor variations by using a sauce like French Remoulade, Tartar Sauce, Romesco Sauce, Yum Yum Sauce, BBQ Sauce, or Creole Mustard.
Schnitzel sandwiches are perfect not only for enjoying at home but for taking to work for lunch and enjoying on picnics. And for a more rounded out meal you can pair it with a side of your choice.
What to Serve with a Schnitzel Sandwich
You can either enjoy the sandwich all by itself or pair it with a side for a more substantial meal. Here are just ideas:
- German Potato Salad
- Creamy German Cucumber Salad
- German Cucumber Salad (oil and vinegar-based)
- Creamy Coleslaw
- Sauerkraut Salad
- Classic Potato Salad
- French Fries
- Sweet Potato Fries
- Baked Potato Wedges
Schnitzel Sandwich Recipe
Let’s get started!
Have your Schnitzel made and ready to go. They’re best straight out of the pan while they’re still crispy, but you can also use leftover Schnitzel for these sandwiches and simply warm them up in the microwave before placing them on the sandwich. See my recipe for traditional German Schnitzel. If you prefer, you can follow the same recipe using chicken or turkey.
Slice the bread rolls lengthwise and spread them with mayonnaise (German, Dutch or Belgian mayonnaise if you can find it – it tastes sooo much better!) or your sauce of choice (see above for some ideas). Add some lettuce to the bread roll.
Add some sliced tomatoes.
Sliced cucumbers are also common or, if you prefer, you can add some pickles or sliced pickled peppers (see above for ideas).
Lay the Schnitzel on top and close the bread roll to make your sandwich.
Serve with French fries or side of your choice (see above for serving recommendations).
Looking for a refreshing German drink to pair with your Schnitzel Sandwich? Make some of Germany’s popular Apfelschorle!
Guten Appetit!
For more authentic German recipes be sure to try our:
- Sauerbraten
- Rouladen
- Spaetzle
- Käsespätzle
- German Potato Salad
- Kartoffelpuffer
- Senfbraten
- Jägerschnitzel
- Maultaschen
- German Potato Soup
- German Sauerkraut Soup
Schnitzel Sandwich
Ingredients
- 2 Schnitzel (click link for recipe)
- 2 bread rolls
- German mayonnaise (recommended for best flavor but you can use any mayonnaise)
- German mustard (recommended but can use any mustard; World Market also usually sells this)
- lettuce leaves , washed
- 1 tomato , sliced
- optional toppings: sliced cucumber, pickles, pickled peppers
Instructions
- Have your Schnitzel made and ready to go. They're best straight out of the pan while they're still crispy, but you can also use leftover Schnitzel for these sandwiches and simply warm them up in the microwave before placing them on the sandwich. Slice the bread rolls lengthwise and spread them with mayonnaise (German mayonnaise is best if you can find it) or your sauce of choice (see blog post for ideas). Add some lettuce, sliced tomatoes and/or cucumbers or pickles. Lay the Schnitzel on top and close the bread roll to make your sandwich.Serve with French fries or side of your choice (see blog post for serving recommendations).
Nutrition
Hi, I’m Kimberly Killebrew and welcome to Daring Gourmet where you'll find delicious originals, revitalized classics, and simply downright good eats from around the world! Originally from Germany, later raised in England, world-traveled, and now living in the U.S., from my globally-influenced kitchen I invite you to tour the world through your taste buds!
