Garlic & Herb Turkey Cutlets Recipe

The Perfect Garlic & Herb Turkey Cutlets Recipe for Family Dinners

Garlic and herb turkey cutlets change ordinary weeknight dinners into something extraordinary, bringing vibrant flavors and lean protein to your plate.

Home cooks often seek simple yet impressive meal solutions that don’t require complicated techniques.

These delectable cutlets promise a delightful culinary experience with minimal preparation time.

Mediterranean-inspired seasonings infuse each tender slice with robust, aromatic qualities that tantalize taste buds.

The combination of fresh herbs and garlic creates a harmonious blend that elevates basic poultry to gourmet status.

You’ll appreciate how quickly these cutlets come together, making them perfect for busy households craving restaurant-quality meals.

Nutritious and satisfying, this recipe offers a delicious way to incorporate wholesome protein into your diet.

Why These Turkey Cutlets Deserve a Spot

  • Quick Flavor Boost: Minimal ingredients create an explosion of garlic and herb taste, transforming simple turkey cutlets into a restaurant-worthy dish with just a few pantry staples.
  • Speedy Weeknight Winner: The entire cooking process takes under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy professionals or families craving a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
  • Foolproof Cooking Method: Searing and pan sauce technique ensures tender, juicy turkey with golden-brown edges, even for home cooks with limited culinary experience – zero complicated techniques required.
  • Versatile Meal Option: Easily adaptable recipe that pairs beautifully with various sides like roasted vegetables, rice, or salad, making it a flexible dinner solution for different taste preferences and dietary needs.

What You’ll Need for Turkey Cutlets

Main Ingredients:

Protein:
  • Turkey Cutlets: Lean and quick-cooking protein that absorbs marinades beautifully; best when fresh and evenly sliced.
Aromatics and Herbs:
  • Garlic, Fresh Herbs: Provides robust flavor and aromatic essence; choose fresh herbs for bright, vibrant taste.
  • Sea Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings for enhancing natural meat flavor; use freshly ground pepper for maximum taste.
Cooking Liquids:
  • Olive Oil: Helps create golden sear and prevents sticking; choose extra virgin for richer flavor.
  • White Wine: Adds depth and helps deglaze pan; select a dry variety like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.
  • Chicken or Vegetable Broth: Creates silky sauce and adds additional flavor complexity; low-sodium options recommended.

How to Cook Turkey Cutlets with Flavor

Step 1: Whip Up Flavor Packed Marinade

Grab a small mixing bowl and toss in:
  • Minced garlic
  • Olive oil
  • Chopped fresh herbs
  • Sea salt
  • Black pepper

Blend ingredients until well combined.

Step 2: Coat Turkey Cutlets

Massage the marinade thoroughly over turkey cutlets, ensuring complete coverage. Let sit for 30 minutes at room temperature or refrigerate overnight for deeper flavor infusion.

Step 3: Sear Cutlets to Golden Perfection

Heat skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and wait until it shimmers.

Carefully place marinated turkey cutlets in hot skillet. Cook until each side turns golden brown, approximately 3-4 minutes per side. Avoid overcooking to maintain tenderness.

Step 4: Create Delicious Pan Sauce

Remove cooked cutlets and set aside. Pour wine into same skillet. Use wooden spatula to scrape delicious browned bits from pan bottom.

Add broth and simmer until sauce reduces and slightly thickens. Optional: Sprinkle additional herbs for extra aroma.

Step 5: Reunite Cutlets with Sauce

Return turkey cutlets to skillet. Gently coat with sauce, warming through for 1-2 minutes.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Transfer cutlets to serving plate. Generously spoon remaining sauce over top. Serve immediately while hot.

Cooking Tips for Herb Turkey Cutlets

  • Massage Marinade Thoroughly: Ensure every inch of the turkey cutlets gets coated with the garlic and herb mixture for maximum flavor infusion.
  • Control Cooking Temperature: Use a medium-high heat setting to achieve a perfect golden-brown sear without drying out the delicate turkey meat.
  • Don't Overcrowd the Skillet: Cook cutlets in batches if necessary to maintain proper heat and prevent steaming instead of searing.
  • Rest Meat Before Serving: Let the turkey cutlets sit for a few minutes after cooking to help retain their juicy texture and redistribute internal moisture.
  • Enhance Pan Sauce Depth: Scrape up all those delicious brown bits when deglazing to build a rich, flavorful sauce that complements the turkey perfectly.

Reheat Turkey Cutlets Like a Pro

  • Refrigerate Carefully: Transfer leftover turkey cutlets and sauce to an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep sauce separate from cutlets to maintain their texture and prevent sogginess.
  • Reheat Gently: Warm turkey cutlets in a skillet over medium-low heat to prevent drying out. Add a splash of broth or water to maintain moisture. Alternatively, use the microwave with a damp paper towel covering the meat, heating in 30-second intervals until warmed through.
  • Freeze for Later: Wrap individual cutlets in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months.

Dishes That Match Turkey Cutlets

  • Pair with Crisp White Wine: Complement the garlic and herb flavors with a zesty sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio, which cuts through the richness of the turkey and enhances the herb notes.
  • Create a Mediterranean Side Salad: Toss together a fresh Greek salad with cucumber, tomatoes, feta cheese, and a light olive oil dressing to balance the savory turkey cutlets.
  • Match with Roasted Vegetables: Prepare a colorful medley of roasted zucchini, bell peppers, and asparagus seasoned with similar herbs to create a harmonious flavor profile that echoes the turkey's marinade.
  • Serve with Herbed Couscous: Prepare light, fluffy couscous mixed with fresh parsley, mint, and a touch of lemon zest to provide a complementary grain side that absorbs the flavorful sauce from the turkey cutlets.

Fun Spins on Turkey Cutlets

  • Mediterranean Zest: Replace herbs with oregano, rosemary, and thyme, then add lemon zest for a bright, tangy profile perfect for summer meals.
  • Spicy Southwest Style: Mix in chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika to create a bold, southwestern-inspired marinade with a gentle heat kick.
  • Asian-Inspired Fusion: Swap herbs for ginger, sesame oil, and soy sauce, then finish with green onions and a splash of rice wine for an authentic eastern flavor.
  • Creamy Herb Elegance: After cooking, stir some heavy cream into the pan sauce for a rich, velvety texture that complements the tender turkey perfectly.
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Garlic & Herb Turkey Cutlets Recipe

Garlic & Herb Turkey Cutlets Recipe


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4.5 from 14 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Succulent Garlic & Herb Turkey Cutlets deliver Mediterranean-inspired flavor with minimal effort. Quick pan-seared cutlets showcase delicate herbs and robust garlic, offering you a delicious meal ready in less than 30 minutes.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Protein:

  • 1.5 pounds (680 grams) turkey breast cutlets, ½ inch sliced

Liquid Ingredients:

  • 1.5 cups (360 milliliters) chicken or turkey bone broth
  • 0.5 cups (120 milliliters) white wine
  • 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) extra virgin olive oil

Herbs and Seasonings:

  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 sprigs fresh rosemary, picked and chopped
  • 3 sprigs fresh thyme, picked and chopped
  • 3 sprigs oregano, picked and chopped
  • Additional herbs for the sauce, if desired
  • 0.25 teaspoon sea salt
  • 0.25 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Craft a fragrant marinade by whisking together finely chopped garlic, olive oil, freshly chopped herbs, sea salt, and cracked black pepper in a compact mixing vessel.
  2. Thoroughly massage the aromatic mixture across the entire surface of the turkey cutlets, ensuring complete coverage and deep flavor penetration.
  3. Allow the seasoned cutlets to marinate, either for a brief 30-minute window at room temperature or overnight in the refrigerator for more intense flavor development.
  4. Position a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat, introducing an additional olive oil and heating until the oil shimmers and becomes translucent.
  5. Carefully place the marinated turkey cutlets into the heated skillet, searing each side until a rich golden-brown crust forms, maintaining vigilance to prevent overcooking and preserve the meat’s tenderness.
  6. Once the cutlets achieve a perfect golden exterior, transfer them to a waiting plate, preserving their succulence.
  7. Within the same skillet, pour in wine and initiate a reduction process, using a wooden spatula to dislodge and incorporate the caramelized flavor-packed brown bits from the pan’s bottom.
  8. Introduce broth to the skillet, allowing the liquid to simmer and condense into a slightly thickened sauce, optionally enhancing with additional fresh herbs for complexity.
  9. Gently return the seared turkey cutlets to the skillet, coating them luxuriously in the reduced sauce and warming them through.
  10. Present the turkey cutlets immediately, generously spooning the aromatic sauce over the top, ready to be savored.

Notes

  • Marinate turkey cutlets with garlic, herbs, and olive oil for maximum flavor infusion and tenderness.
  • Let the cutlets sit in marinade for at least 30 minutes or overnight to enhance taste and texture.
  • Sear turkey quickly over medium-high heat to achieve a golden-brown exterior without drying out the meat.
  • Create a delicious pan sauce by deglazing the skillet with wine and broth, capturing all the rich, caramelized bits.
  • Fresh herbs can be added at the end for a vibrant, aromatic finish to the dish.
  • Serve immediately to enjoy the cutlets at their most succulent and flavorful peak.
  • Prep Time: 40 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 250 kcal
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 300 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 3 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 30 g
  • Cholesterol: 80 mg
Lucas Bennett

Lucas Bennett

Founder & Recipe Creator

Expertise

Simple Everyday Recipes, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Creative Meal Planning, Recipe Testing and Improvement

Education

Fox Valley Technical College, Appleton, Wisconsin

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Practical culinary training, fundamental cooking techniques, meal planning, and using fresh, local ingredients.

Lake Superior College, Duluth, Minnesota

  • Program: Certificate in Sustainable Food Systems
  • Focus: Cooking methods that promote sustainability, farm-to-table practices, and eco-friendly meal creation.

Lucas Bennett’s cooking journey started in his parents’ kitchen, where he learned to prepare tasty, no-fuss meals from scratch. His culinary passion led him to Fox Valley Technical College, where he gained practical cooking skills.
He then expanded his focus on sustainability at Lake Superior College. Today, Lucas shares easy, approachable recipes designed to make cooking enjoyable and stress-free for everyone.

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