How to Fry Frozen Cutlets

Cooking method

1. Step 1:

   

   All you'll need is refined sunflower oil and frozen cutlets. The cutlets can be homemade or store-bought — that's entirely up to you.

2. Step 2:

   

   If the cutlets have a thick layer of frost on them, gently brush it off so you don't damage the breading (if there is any). This mostly applies to store-bought cutlets rather than homemade ones. A thin, barely-there layer of frost like this one doesn't need to be removed.

3. Step 3:

   

   Take a non-stick skillet with medium-high sides. Set it over high heat and let it warm up well for a couple of minutes while still dry.

4. Step 4:

   

   Pour odorless sunflower oil into the hot pan and heat it for 20 seconds. Turn the heat down to medium. You can add more oil as you go if needed.

5. Step 5:

   

   Put the frozen cutlets in the pan and cover it with a lid right away! The moment the ice hits the hot oil, moisture flashes into steam — there will absolutely be splattering, so protect your hands. Fry the cutlets over medium heat, covered, for about a minute. Then (and this is my main trick), just slide the cutlets around with a spatula without flipping them — simply get them moving freely again. This makes it far less likely they'll stick and scorch.

6. Step 6:

   

   Now flip the cutlets. You can add a little more sunflower oil. Cover and cook another minute. Then use the trick again — nudge the cutlets around with the spatula and cover once more. After that, you can flip them every two minutes until they're done. Keep the heat at medium throughout.

7. Step 7:

   

   Once the cutlets are nicely browned, you can take the lid off. They'll gradually cook all the way through inside. All told, I fried mine for 15 minutes and flipped them well more than 4 times, but it'll be a bit different for everyone.