Cabbage Schnitzel with Mushroom Gravy Recipe
Cabbage Schnitzel is a delightful vegetarian twist on the classic schnitzel, featuring crispy breaded cabbage cutlets served with a rich mushroom gravy. This recipe combines tender, seasoned cabbage fried to golden perfection and topped with a savory mushroom sauce made from cremini mushrooms, onions, white wine, and aromatic herbs. Perfect as a hearty main course for a comforting meal.
- Author: Maya
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Vegetarian American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Mushroom Gravy
- 6 tbsp. vegetable oil, divided
- 8 oz. cremini mushrooms, thinly sliced
- 1 tsp. kosher salt, divided
- 1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
- 1 sprig thyme
- 1 tsp. vegetarian Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
Schnitzel
- 1 head green cabbage
- 2 1/2 tsp. kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
- 1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour
- 5 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard
- 2 1/2 cups panko bread crumbs
- 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- Neutral oil, for frying (1 1/2 to 2 cups)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- Mushroom Gravy Preparation: In a medium pan over medium-high heat, heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook, tossing occasionally, until deeply browned, about 12 to 15 minutes. Season with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and transfer mushrooms to a plate.
- Make Gravy Base: In the same pan, heat the remaining 4 tablespoons of oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the flour to form a thick paste and cook, stirring constantly, until pale gold and bubbles form at the bottom of the pan, about 1 minute.
- Add Liquids and Simmer Gravy: Whisk in the dry white wine until combined, then whisk in the vegetable broth, thyme sprig, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until the gravy thickens and reduces slightly, about 5 to 10 minutes.
- Finish Gravy: Stir the browned mushrooms back into the gravy and season with additional salt as needed. Keep warm until ready to serve. The gravy can be made up to 3 days ahead, cooled completely, stored in an airtight container, and refrigerated.
- Prepare Cabbage Cutlets: Peel off loose outer cabbage leaves. Cut the cabbage in half through the root, then each half into two equal wedges. From each wedge, cut two 1/2-inch thick cutlets ensuring some root stem remains attached to hold them together, totaling 8 cutlets. Reserve any leftover wedge pieces for other uses.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Stations: Preheat the oven to 200°F (93°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place a wire rack inside another baking sheet for draining and warming the schnitzels.
- Set Up Breading Stations: Place the flour in a shallow wide dish. In a second shallow dish, beat the eggs with Dijon mustard until well blended. In a third dish, combine the panko bread crumbs with black pepper and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt.
- Season and Bread Cabbage: Season the cabbage cutlets on both sides with 2 teaspoons kosher salt. One at a time, dredge each cutlet first in flour, then dip thoroughly in the egg-mustard mixture, rubbing to coat fully. Dredge in the panko mixture firmly pressing to adhere. Place breaded cutlets on the parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Heat Oil for Frying: In a large heavy pan, pour in neutral oil to a depth of about 3/4 inch. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C) on a deep-fry or instant-read thermometer. Test by dropping a breadcrumb in; it should sizzle immediately.
- Fry Schnitzels: Working in batches, fry the breaded cabbage cutlets until golden brown on the bottom, about 2 to 3 minutes. Carefully flip and continue frying, basting pale patches with spoonfuls of oil, until golden brown on the other side, 1 to 2 minutes more. Transfer the crisped schnitzels to the wire rack in the oven to keep warm. Adjust heat as needed to maintain oil temperature and add more oil if necessary.
- Serve: Divide the cabbage schnitzels among plates, spoon the warm mushroom gravy over each, and garnish with the finely chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- The mushroom gravy can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and refrigerated in an airtight container.
- When cutting cabbage cutlets, keeping root stems attached helps maintain structural integrity during frying.
- Maintain oil temperature carefully while frying to ensure crispy and evenly browned schnitzels without greasiness.
- Leftover cabbage wedges can be saved for other recipes like coleslaw or stir-fries.
- Use a thermometer to monitor oil temperature precisely for best frying results.
Keywords: Cabbage Schnitzel, vegetarian schnitzel, mushroom gravy, fried cabbage, crisp cabbage cutlets, vegetarian main dish