Veal Recipes

My top veal recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner highlight veal's juicy, tender texture and intensely beefy flavor. You can make these easy veal recipes at home, but the incredible results are restaurant-worthy! If you have this exquisite cut of beef on your hands, you're in the right place.

Serve veal with anything you would typically serve with your favorite beef recipes. You can't go wrong with potato side dishes, or try your veal with my popular prime rib sides!

Jump to:

• 1. Veal Short Ribs
• 2. Veal Osso Buco Alla Milanese
• 3. Veal Scallopini
• 4. Veal Piccata
• 5. Veal Parmesan
• 6. Pan-Fried Veal Chops
• 7. Veal Meatballs Italian Style
• 8. Veal Breakfast Sausage
• 9. Veal Saltimbocca with Prosciutto and Sage
• 10. Veal stew with potatoes
• 11. Veal Francaise
• 12. Pasta with Veal Bolognese
• 13. Veal Ragu
• 14. Veal Stew with Rosemary and Lemon
• 15. Grilled Veal T-bone Steaks
• 16. Veal Parmesan Breakfast Sandwich
• 17. Tuscan-Style Veal Chops
• 💭 Tips For Cooking The Best Veal
• ❔ What Is Veal?
• ❔ Does Veal Taste Different Than Beef?
• ❔ What Makes Veal So Special?
• ❔ What Are The Best Classic Veal Recipes?
• ❔ How Should Veal Be Cooked?
• ❔ How Do I Know When My Veal Is Done Cooking?
• 📖 Recipe Card
• Best Veal Recipes: 17+ Ideas To Make For Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner!
• 💬 Reviews

Veal is such a treat, and I look forward to this succulent, high-quality beef whenever I can get my hands on it. It's a fine-grained meat with an ultra-tender texture and delicate beefy flavor.

Veal is an incredibly versatile protein and makes a mouthwatering addition to pasta dishes, soups or stews, breakfast sandwiches, and more. Here are a few of the most popular veal recipes to try at home!

1. Veal Short Ribs

Once you dry brine, sear, and braise these veal short ribs, the tender meat slides right off the bone like butter!

They're cooked slowly in a rich marsala wine and mushroom sauce that is enough to make your mouth water on its own!

This is another amazing recipe to make for Saturday night family dinners or a dinner for two special occasions!

2. Veal Osso Buco Alla Milanese

This classic Italian recipe for braised veal shanks in garlic and lemon gremolata sauce would be an excellent introduction to cooking veal.

With plenty of butter, white wine, and tender vegetables, it's a stunning beef stew guaranteed to impress dinner guests.

You'll enjoy serving this hearty meal for family dinners over the weekends, and it's a great Valentine's Day dish to print and save!

3. Veal Scallopini

Thin and crispy fried veal cutlets in a decadent white wine piccata sauce over a bed of al dente angel hair pasta. Go all out and serve a few of these veal scallopini side dishes for a well-rounded meal!

4. Veal Piccata

Veal piccata is a delicious and elegant dish that features tender veal cutlets sautéed fried until golden brown. It's topped with a zesty lemon and caper sauce and served with pasta for a satisfying blend of savory and tangy flavors.

5. Veal Parmesan

Like classic chicken Parmesan, veal Parmesan features crispy fried veal cutlets topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese. The beef is so buttery and tender beneath the crunchy breading that you might never go back to chicken!

6. Pan-Fried Veal Chops

These pan-fried veal chops are a great way to show off your finesse in the kitchen because the results are incredible, but the recipe is simple! This recipe even walks you through reserving the pan drippings to make a delectable lemon sauce!

7. Veal Meatballs Italian Style

Veal makes for the most tender and juicy Italian meatballs you can eat as an entree or serve over pasta! Skewer each jumbo-baked meatball with a toothpick, and they make a great party appetizer!

8. Veal Breakfast Sausage

As much as I love pork breakfast sausage, nothing compares to the aroma of veal sausage patties sizzling on the griddle in the morning. Shaping the patties takes a little time, but then they cook up quickly in 3-5 minutes and can be frozen for quick weekday breakfasts!

9. Veal Saltimbocca with Prosciutto and Sage

This popular Italian dish features tender veal cutlets topped with prosciutto and sage leaves, then pan-fried to perfection. A squeeze of lemon on top ties all the flavors together for a gourmet restaurant-worthy meal at home!

10. Veal stew with potatoes

This hearty stew with potatoes and veal is one of my favorite fall soup recipes because it's so cozy and rich that it warms you to your core! It only requires an hour for prep and cooking and a handful of ingredients, but it tastes like it was simmering all day!

11. Veal Francaise

Crispy pan-fried veal leg cutlets (aka round steak) with a tangy buttery white wine sauce. It's similar to veal scallopini, but scallopini cutlets are pounded thin, whereas veal Francaise leaves them thick and juicy!

12. Pasta with Veal Bolognese

Spaghetti bolognese is a classic Italian comfort food. Simply swap out the ground beef for ground veal, and you have an upgraded spaghetti dinner suitable for family dinners and date nights!

13. Veal Ragu

Al dente pappardelle noodles (or any other wide and flat type of pasta) are topped with a robustly flavorful ground veal ragu and lots of cheese. Make sure to serve it with some crispy baked garlic bread to soak up every last drop of the incredible meat sauce!

14. Veal Stew with Rosemary and Lemon

This elegant and elevated stew is made with ultra-tender veal shoulder braised low and slow in white wine and tomato sauce. As it cooks, a rich and beefy stew forms that is fantastic served over a bowl of Parmesan Polenta.

15. Grilled Veal T-bone Steaks

These grilled T-bone steaks are the perfect way to showcase veal's buttery, tender flavor. Impress your steak-loving family and friends with just how tender these T-bones are and how much flavor they have with minimal seasoning!

16. Veal Parmesan Breakfast Sandwich

Take your leftover veal Parmesan from above and turn it into the most amazing breakfast sandwich! Stick a crispy veal cutlet between two English muffins, top with a fried egg (the runnier, the better), and enjoy!

17. Tuscan-Style Veal Chops

These gorgeous grilled veal chops are cooked to flame-kissed perfection, tossed in olive oil, and left to rest. It forms the most incredible sauce bursting with rich, beefy flavor that you can spoon right over the top of your chops!

💭 Tips For Cooking The Best Veal

If you've never cooked veal, there's no reason to avoid trying any of these recipes. Veal may be delicate, but it's very easy to cook as long as you keep these key things in mind:

1. Choose the Right Cut: Veal comes in various cuts, including chops, roasts, steaks, and shanks. Choose a cut that suits your recipe. For example, veal chops are great for grilling or pan-frying, while shanks are perfect for slow braising.
2. Handle with Care: Handle veal gently. Overhandling the beef can cause the muscle fibers in the meat to toughen.
3. Seasoning: Veal has a mild flavor and pairs well with many herbs and spices. Popular seasonings include thyme, rosemary, garlic, parsley, and garlic. Try a beef marinade for even more flavor!
4. Searing for Flavor: Searing veal before slow cooking or roasting develops a flavorful crust and helps retain moisture in the meat. Use high heat and a little oil to sear the veal quickly on all sides before roasting.
5. Use a Meat Thermometer: Veal is best when cooked to medium doneness (160°F/71°C). This is a higher temp than I cook most beef to. Use a meat thermometer to monitor the beef's internal temperature as it cooks to ensure you get your desired level of doneness.

❔ What Is Veal?

Veal is the meat of young cattle (calves). Typically, these are the males born to dairy breeds.

It's known for its tender texture and mild flavor compared to beef from older, more mature cows.

❔ Does Veal Taste Different Than Beef?

Veal has a much milder flavor than beef. It's less rich and intense, with a slightly sweet flavor and a tender, fine-grained texture.

❔ What Makes Veal So Special?

Veal is considered a delicacy due to its tender texture, delicate flavor, and the special care needed in raising young calves for veal.

It's also less common than beef, adding to its elevated status. Most times, you have to go to a butcher or order veal specially rather than being able to find it at your local grocers.

❔ What Are The Best Classic Veal Recipes?

Classic veal recipes include Veal Piccata, Veal Marsala, Veal Parmesan, Veal Scallopini, and Osso Buco. These dishes highlight the tender, mild flavor of veal.

❔ How Should Veal Be Cooked?

Veal can be roasted, grilled, smoked, slow-cooked, pan-fried, or braised. The key is to cook it at a moderate temperature to ensure its tenderness and moisture.

Overcooking with any method can lead to a tough and dry texture.

❔ How Do I Know When My Veal Is Done Cooking?

Veal should be cooked to at least an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) when checked at its thickest section for medium-rare doneness. Use a meat thermometer to ensure accuracy.

However, the Veal site recommends cooking to 160°F (71°C) for the very best flavor and juiciness. As with any meat, allow your cooked veal to rest before slicing to retain juices.

Give these veal recipes a try, then come back and share your delicious creations! I'd love to hear about your favorite veal dish – comment below, and I'll see if I've tried it!

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