Hunter Schnitzel (Jagerschnitzel) is one of the most popular variations of German pork schnitzel. Crispy pork cutlets are topped with a rich and creamy brown mushroom gravy. Served with mashed potatoes and vegetables it's the ultimate comfort meal!

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Mushroom Gravy Hunter Schnitzel (Jagerschnitzel) Recipe
Hunter schnitzel is our personal favorite variation of German schnitzel. The gravy is so rich and creamy it's pairs perfect with the crispy pork and a side of mashed potatoes. We love that schnitzel is quick enough to make on the weekdays but it's also fancy enough to serve on the weekends and for special occasions!
What is Hunter Schnitzel?
Hunter Schnitzel (Jagerschnitzel) is a famous variation of German schnitzel that features crispy pork cutlets and a rich mushrooms gravy. Thinly sliced pork is lightly battered and pan fried to golden brown perfection. A rich brown mushroom gravy is served over top of the schnitzel. Served with a side of mashed potatoes and vegetables it's the perfect comfort meal!
What to Serve with Mushroom Gravy Schnitzel (Jagerschnitzel)
- Kale Apple Salad
- Loaded Baked Potato Soup
- Olive Garden Salad Copycat
- Brussels Sprout Salad
- Olive Garden Breadsticks (Copycat Recipe)
What is in Mushroom Gravy Schnitzel (Jagerschnitzel)?
Schnitzel Ingredients
- Pork – with the rise in popularity in schnitzel this is a cut of pork that most grocery stores and butchers now carry. It is very thinly sliced pork chop. If you cannot find pork schnitzel at your grocery store you can purchase pork chops and pound them as thin as possible.
- Pork Seasoning
- Garlic Powder
- Paprika
- Salt & Pepper
- Breadcrumbs – traditional German schnitzel is made with plain breadcrumbs. You can use store bought or homemade. If you cannot find plain breadcrumbs or you only have seasoned breadcrumbs on hand you can use that instead.
- Flour and Egg– the schnitzel is first coated in flour then egg then the breadcrumbs.
- Oil – for pan frying, or cooking spray for oven baked and air fryer cooking methods.
Mushroom Gravy Ingredients
- Mushrooms -we recommend using cremini mushrooms or brown mushrooms for the gravy. They are more flavorful than white mushrooms. You can swap for white mushrooms if you prefer.
- Beef Broth - store-bought or homemade works great. You can even use a bone broth for added nutrients. We do not recommend swapping for chicken broth as you want a rich brown gravy made with beef broth.
- Balsamic Vinegar - this adds a bit of tang and a pop of flavor to the sauce.
- Onion and Garlic - adds a great flavor to the gravy.
- Butter and Flour - this creates a roux which thickens the gravy.
- Thyme - the perfect herb to pair with mushroom. You can use fresh or dried.
- Paprika
- Salt and Pepper
How to Make Mushroom Gravy Schnitzel (Jagerschnitzel)
Full Printable Recipe at Bottom of Page
Prepare the Schnitzel
- Place the pork chops between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound them until ¼ inch thick with the flat side of a meat tenderizer/mallet, or a heavy skillet/frying pan.
- Season both sides of the pork with garlic powder, paprika, salt and black pepper.
- Prepare the dredging station. Place the flour mixture, beaten egg, and breadcrumbs in 3 separate shallow bowls. Dip the pork first in the flour, then the egg, and then the breadcrumbs. Coating both sides and all edges in each. Gently shake off the excess flour, egg and breadcrumbs between each step.
Cook the Schnitzel
- PAN FRYING COOKING METHOD
In a deep pot or skillet heat the oil on medium high heat. Add enough oil so that it is about 1" deep in the pot. You want the schnitzel to be able to float in the oil while frying. Make sure the cooking oil is hot enough, about 330°F. Test the oil with the handle of a wooden spoon/wooden spatula/wooden chopstick (carefully dip the handle in the oil and if the oil bubble around the wood it is hot enough) or drop a few pieces of breadcrumbs into the oil and if the oil bubbles, the oil is ready.
Working in batches depending on the size of your pan, fry the schnitzel for about 3-4 minutes per side until deep golden brown in color (or until internal temperature of pork reaches 145ºF). Don’t overcrowd the pan when frying. Transfer to a baking sheet with a wire rack and keep warm in the oven while you fry the remaining schnitzel. - AIR FRYER COOKING METHOD
Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Working in batches depending on the size of your air fryer (standard size air fryer will fit 2-3 schnitzel at a time). Spray both sides of the schnitzel with cooking spray and place in the air fryer. Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through or until golden brown and cooked through (or until internal temperature of pork reaches 145ºF). - OVEN BAKED COOKING METHOD
Preheat oven to 400°F. For best results, place a wire rack on a sheet pan, or use a sheet pan lined with foil. Spray both sides of each schnitzel with cooking spray and place on the tray. Bake for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through or until golden brown and cooked through (or until internal temperature of pork reaches 145ºF).
Prepare the Gravy
- In a frying pan or sauce pot melt the 2 tablespoons of butter on medium-high heat.
- Add the onions and sauté until they just start to brown, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant, 2-3 minutes.
- Add in the mushrooms and cook for 5-7 minutes or until golden in color and all the liquid from the mushrooms has evaporated.
- Add in the 4 tablespoons butter and stir until fully melted.
- Add in the flour, stir to combine, and cook for about 2 minutes. Stir continuously until golden in color. This creates a roux which will thicken the gravy.
- Add in the beef broth, vinegar, thyme, paprika, salt and pepper. Stir continuously until the gravy has thickened.
- Cover and simmer on low, stirring occasionally, for 5-10 minutes. If you prefer the gravy thinner add a splash of water.
- Serve over the schnitzel, garnish with fresh parsley (optional) and enjoy!
Tips for the Best Jagerschnitzel
- Pork – if you can find pork schnitzel at your grocery store use that or you can use boneless pork chops and thin sliced pork loin. Pound out the pork chops or pork loin to ¼ inch thickness. It is very important that the pork is as thin as possible because it will be fried in high heat for a short period of time. If using pork chops that have an edge of fat on them, be sure to make small cuts along the fat or else the schnitzel will curl up while frying.
- Oil – make sure the oil is hot enough (approximately 330ºF), but not too hot. If the oil is too hot the breadcrumbs will burn before the meat has a chance to fully cook. On the other hand if the oil is not hot enough then the breadcrumbs will absorb too much oil and become soggy. To test if the oil if warm enough use a digital thermometer or place the handle of a wooden spoon or chopstick in the oil. If the oil bubbles around the wood then the oil is ready.
- Breading – when coating the cutlets keep one hand for dry ingredients and one for wet. For example, use your right hand as the ‘wet hand’ to pick up the schnitzel and place them in the flour. Use your left hand to coat the schnitzel in the flour. Then switch back to your right hand to dip the schnitzel in the egg. Lastly, use your left hand to coat the schnitzel in the breadcrumbs. Use your hand to pack in the breadcrumbs so that you get a nice even coating.
FAQs Mushroom Gravy Schnitzel (Jagerschnitzel)
If you have an air fryer, reheat for 5-6 minutes at 400°F for the best results (this can also be done straight from the freezer without thawing, add 3-5 minutes). Reheat in the oven at 400°F for 10-15 minutes on a wire rack set over a baking sheet flipping them halfway through. The gravy can be reheated in a pan on the stove or in the microwave until hot.
Fried food is always the best fresh when it is crispy, but leftovers will keep in the fridge for 2-3 days in an airtight container. We recommend storing the gravy separately for easy reheating stove top or in the microwave. You can freeze the pork schnitzel and the gravy separately for 2-3 months.
Yes it can be made ahead but the schnitzel will not be as crispy when reheated. Keep meat and gravy separate until ready to serve.
You can freeze the pork schnitzel and the gravy separately for 2-3 months.
Use gluten free bread crumbs and use a cornstarch slurry to thicken the gravy instead of using flour.
This recipe is dairy free.
Easy Dinner Recipes
- Pork Souvlaki
- IKEA Swedish Meatballs Copycat Recipe
- Chicken Costoletta Cheesecake Factory Copycat
- Bangers and Mash
- French Onion Pork Chops
- Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin
Enjoy!
- Sab
Hunter Schnitzel (German Jagerschnitzel)
Ingredients
Schnitzel
- 6 boneless pork chops (or pork loins, or pork schnitzel)
- 2 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup flour (combined with 1 teaspoon salt)
- 2 large eggs (whisked)
- ¾ cup breadcrumbs
- Oil (for frying (use a neutral-tasting oil with a high smoke point, i.e. canola, vegetable oil) or cooking spray for air fried or oven baked)
Gravy
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 1 small onion (finely diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 3 cups mushrooms (cleaned and sliced (cremini, white mushrooms, baby bella, or mushroom of choice))
- 4 tablespoon butter
- 4 tablespoon flour
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
Garnish (Optional)
- Fresh Parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
Prepare the Schnitzel
- Place the pork chops between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound them until ¼ inch thick with the flat side of a meat tenderizer/mallet, or a heavy skillet/frying pan.
- Season both sides of the pork with garlic powder, paprika, salt and black pepper.
- Prepare the dredging station. Place the flour mixture, beaten egg, and breadcrumbs in 3 separate shallow bowls. Dip the pork first in the flour, then the egg, and then the breadcrumbs. Coating both sides and all edges in each. Gently shake off the excess flour, egg and breadcrumbs between each step.
Cook the Schnitzel
- PAN FRYING COOKING METHODIn a deep pot or skillet heat the oil on medium high heat. Add enough oil so that it is about 1" deep in the pot. You want the schnitzel to be able to float in the oil while frying. Make sure the cooking oil is hot enough, about 330°F. Test the oil with the handle of a wooden spoon/wooden spatula/wooden chopstick (carefully dip the handle in the oil and if the oil bubble around the wood it is hot enough) or drop a few pieces of breadcrumbs into the oil and if the oil bubbles, the oil is ready.Working in batches depending on the size of your pan, fry the schnitzel for about 3-4 minutes per side until deep golden brown in color (or until internal temperature of pork reaches 145ºF). Don’t overcrowd the pan when frying. Transfer to a baking sheet with a wire rack and keep warm in the oven while you fry the remaining schnitzel.
- AIR FRYER COOKING METHODPreheat air fryer to 400°F. Working in batches depending on the size of your air fryer (standard size air fryer will fit 2-3 schnitzel at a time). Spray both sides of the schnitzel with cooking spray and place in the air fryer. Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through or until golden brown and cooked through (or until internal temperature of pork reaches 145ºF).
- OVEN BAKED COOKING METHODPreheat oven to 400°F. For best results, place a wire rack on a sheet pan, or use a sheet pan lined with foil. Spray both sides of each schnitzel with cooking spray and place on the tray. Bake for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through or until golden brown and cooked through (or until internal temperature of pork reaches 145ºF).
Prepare the Gravy
- In a frying pan or sauce pot melt the 2 tablespoons of butter on medium-high heat.
- Add the onions and sauté until they just start to brown, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant, 2-3 minutes.
- Add in the mushrooms and cook for 5-7 minutes or until golden in color and all the liquid from the mushrooms has evaporated.
- Add in the 4 tablespoons butter and stir until fully melted.
- Add in the flour, stir to combine, and cook for about 2 minutes. Stir continuously until golden in color. This creates a roux which will thicken the gravy.
- Add in the beef broth, vinegar, thyme, paprika, salt and pepper. Stir continuously until the gravy has thickened.
- Cover and simmer on low, stirring occasionally, for 5-10 minutes. If you prefer the gravy thinner add a splash of water.
- Serve over the schnitzel, garnish with fresh parsley (optional) and enjoy!
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