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This Argentine milanesa recipe is for a quintessential Argentine dish, considered the country’s unofficial national dish. Easy to make, all you need is thinly sliced beef or veal, coated in crunchy bread crumbs and then fried until deliciously golden brown.
What is Milanesa Argentinian-Style?
Argentines have a love affair with milanesa and it can be found in virtually any restaurant or home kitchen.
In its most simplest form, it is breaded steak or veal. The milanesa is similar to the Wiener Schnitzel from Austria and linked to the Cotoletta alla Milanese from Italy.
Versions of milanesa are eaten in several European countries like France and Germany. In North and South America it is also quite popular. In Mexico, it goes by milanesa de res or meat milanesa.
In Chile, it’s known as escalopa and it’s also found in Uruguay and Paraguay. Milanesa made with chicken is popular in the southern region of the United States, where it goes by chicken fried steak.
Milanesa Argentina is loved by all Argentines, young and old. In Argentina, the milanesa is made with different cuts of meat with no ribs or bones and then pan fried in vegetable oil.
So popular, it is said that Argentines eat at least one milanesa a week.
RELATED: Argentina Food Guide: Top 15 Authentic Foods You Must Try
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: A good milanesa starts with using high quality tender cuts of steak. Beef tenderloin and roast cuts are used in the Argentine traditional recipe. Porter Road, whom we recommend, ship humanely raised meat everywhere in the contiguous United States. Their meats are sourced from family-owned and operated farms whose animals are pasture raised without the use of antibiotics or hormones. Find out more.
Argentina Milanesa History
Argentinian milanesa is a meal that combines Argentina’s love for meat with their heavily Italian influenced cuisine.
Some people believe that the beef milanesa owes its name to the famous Italian city of Milan. In Milan, the most similar preparation to the Argentine beef milanesa recipe is called cotoletta alla milanese.
However, this Milanese dish has some differences with the Argentine milanesa recipe.
The cotoletta alla milanese is made with beef rib, a piece of meat that contains a bone, unlike the Argentine beef milanesa that has no bones.
On the other hand, the Argentine Milanesa is seasoned with garlic and a little parsley, whereas the cotoletta is a bit simpler.
The origins of the milanesa are heavily disputed between the Italians and Austrians. Some date the famous Austrian “Wiener Schnitzel” to the mid-1800s.
However, in Milan, Italy, the Chapter Archives of Sant’Ambrogio link the first mention of the Milanese cutlet to 1148.
The battle for the rights to claim the invention of this dish is ongoing and it is celebrated in both countries.
Meanwhile, in Latin America and Argentina specifically, the milanesa arrived with Italians during mass emigration between 1860-1920s.
Argentina milanesa is typically served hot and served with french fries or mashed potatoes.
There are several versions of milanesa including chicken milanesa, fish, soy or eggplant.
When topped with a fried egg, it’s known as milanesa a caballo. While milanesa napolitana has tomato sauce, melted cheese, and ham.
Every year on May 3, Milanesa Day is celebrated in Argentina.
RELATED: 5 Amazing Italian Argentinian Food That Would Make Italian Envious
Discovering Milanesa in Argentina
Local markets are troves of treasures. Places to discover the local culinary gems. When exploring the local food specialties in Argentina during our three month stay, we visited many local markets.
In Buenos Aires, at Mercado del Progreso, a historic market in the city, is where we first discovered Argentinian milanesa.
The market, predominantly made up of butchers, had several stands of people pounding meat and covering it with bread crumbs.
We watched in fascination as they prepared Argentina milanesa with beef, chicken, veal and soy.
Later, to try the milanesa, locals recommended Don Ignacio, a local restaurant with the best milanesa in the city.
We tried one of the specialty milanesa dishes topped with ham, melted mozzarella cheese, onion, olives and oregano.
Served with a side of thick cut fries, it was outstandingly delicious.
Argentine milanesa will make your belly deliciously happy.
Just one bite and you’ll quickly understand why this dish brought by Italian immigrants is the country’s unofficial national dish.
Argentine Milanesa Recipe – How To Easily Make Milanesa at Home
The ingredients for this Argentine milanesa recipe can be found in most kitchen pantries.
Meat is the most important ingredient. Choose lean, tender and thin slices with no excess fat.
Then you’ll need eggs, and garlic, parsley, salt and pepper for seasoning.
For the oil for frying, use a neutral oil like canola, sunflower oil or vegetable oil.
- Veal steaks, Milanese cut or thinly sliced
- Eggs
- Bread crumbs
- Canola oil for frying (Substitute with vegetable or sunflower oil)
- One bunch of parsley
- Garlic cloves
- Salt and pepper to taste
Argentine Milanesa Recipe Tips
Marinate the meat for the fullest flavors. Nothing could be simpler than this Argentinian milanesa recipe. If you have a good piece of meat, you are already halfway there. All that is left to do is to let the meat rest for about one hour to absorb the parsley, garlic and pepper flavors.
Breading technique. One easy trick for breading is to use a plastic container with a lid. First, place the bread crumbs in the container and then add the meat already moistened with egg. Cover the container with a lid and shake it well. In less than a minute all the pieces will be perfectly breaded.
Frying oil. When frying be sure the oil is very hot at the moment you insert the piece of meat. This will make your Argentine milanesa golden colored and perfect.
Type of Argentinian Milanesa
Milanesa a La Napolitana
Argentina Milanesa can be served in many different ways. Milanesa Napolitana is one of the most popular versions. It’s usually beef milanesa covered in tomato sauce, melted mozzarella cheese and ham.
In Argentina, it is usually served with mashed potatoes or french fries.
Another famous variation uses chicken instead of beef.
Milanesa a Caballo or Argentinian Milanesa on Horseback
While caballo translates to horse in Spanish, this milanesa does not use horse meat. The milanesa a caballo simply refers to a milanesa topped with a fried egg.
Sandwich de Milanesa
One surprising and equally delicious version of the milanesa Argentina is the sandwich version. In this case, the milanesa is served between two slices of baguette white bread with lettuce, tomatoes and mayonnaise.
This version is particularly popular as a street food and an easy way to enjoy delicious milanesa.
What To Eat With Argentinian Milanesa?
In Argentina, there is only one acceptable accompaniment for milanesa. It’s potatoes, potatoes, and more potatoes.
The best and tastiest are home cooked french fries. Mashed potatoes or puree is a great alternative as well.
In this Argentina milanesa recipe, we pair it with homemade french fries and a small green salad.
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST RECIPE: To complete your meal, check our Authentic Chocotorta Recipe for an easy to make dessert
Milanesa Step by Step Instructions
Season Veal Steaks and Prepare Beaten Eggs Mixture
Season the veal steaks and let them rest in the refrigerator. Add garlic and parsley to the eggs and mix together. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Soak and Bread The Veal Cuts
Place the veal steaks into the beaten eggs mixture. Coat with bread crumbs on both sides.
Fry Until Golden Brown
When the oil is very hot, fry the veal steaks on both sides until they are golden brown.
Enjoy with french fries and a side salad.
Argentina Milanesa Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb veal steaks Milanese cut or thinly sliced
- 2 eggs
- 3.5 oz breadcrumbs
- 1 ½ cups Canola oil for frying, can substitute with corn or sunflower oil, about 35cl
- 1 bunch parsley
- 2 cloves garlic
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Chop up parsley as finely as possible. Then peel the garlic and crush them in a mortar.
- Arrange milanesa steaks on a board and season with half the parsley, crushed garlic, pepper, and salt. Rub them well.
- If you have time and for the best flavors, let the milanesa steaks rest for an hour in the fridge.
- Crack open the eggs into a mixing bowl and add the rest of the parsley, a pinch of salt.
- Beat egg mixture well using a fork until everything is well integrated.
- Dip the milanesa steaks into the egg beaten mixture.
- Arrange the bread crumbs on a flat plate. Take the first piece of milanesa steak and place it on the plate. Flip so both sides are covered in breadcrumbs. Repeat this process for all pieces of meat.
- Heat a skillet with vegetable oil at medium-high heat. Wait at least three minutes for the oil to be very hot.
- Fry the steaks on both sides for about three minutes, until they are golden brown.
- After each steak is cooked, remove from the skillet, and drain on sheets of absorbent paper towels for about five minutes.
- Serve with fries and small green salad for a tasty Argentine feast.
Notes
- If your cuts of meat for milanesa are not thin enough, pound them using a meat mallet until they are about ¼ inch thick
- While optional you can top your milanesa with a fried egg and make a milanesa a caballo version
Nutrition
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Claire is co-founder of Authentic Food Quest and a lover of simple and exquisite cuisine. Since 2015, with her partner, Rosemary, she has been traveling the world as a digital nomad, creating content about local food experiences.
Her advice from visiting 45 countries and more than 240 food cities has been featured in Lonely Planet, Business Insider, Honest Cooking, Food Insider, and Huffington Post. She has also co-authored three books, including one in collaboration with Costa Brava Tourism.
An ex-mechanical engineer, Claire is responsible for SEO, keeping the website running, and the fun food & travel videos on YouTube.
When Claire is not eating, she can be found running or cycling. Find out more about Authentic Food Quest
Excellent article, ladies!!! Congrats form an Argie in Mexico!
One detail: milanesa with a fried egg on is “medio caballo”. You have it ” a caballo” with 2 fried eggs on.
For healthier versions of milanesa: just spray them with a little olive oil and cook them in the oven (gas, electric or convection air fryer). They are ready when the breaded crust is golden. Dry, crispy and as good as fried milanesas.
Friends from all over the world come and visit and we have milanesas on the terrasse with beer or red wine.
Cheers!
Thanks Argie for your kind words. Indeed so many ways to make delicious milanesas. So glad you enjoyed the write up. Cheers.
I have really enjoyed both the beef, and chicken variations of milinesa while in Argentina! I will be adding it to my home menu when I return to the States! (fyi: chicken fried steak is not chicken, its beef)
Wonderful to hear Libby, the milanesa in Argentina is really something else. Good to know about US chicken fried steak 🙂 Cheers
Thank you Libby, that is exactly what I was going to say…there is a variation with chicken, however, it is called chicken fried chicken lol!
Similar, but different, though. But altogether, delicious!
Nothing like a great Argentine milanesa. I lived there for 10 years and married to one, and it is a must in the house!
How wonderful. Totally agree, milanesa is a must in every Argentine household 🙂 Cheers
This looks so delicious! I need to try this recipe soon. 🙂
Thanks, Carrie. Glad you like the recipe. It’s super easy to make and excited for you to try it soon. Cheers.
Looks delish.
Thank you…and it’s easy to make at home. Excited for you to try it. Cheers.