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For a quick and flavorful turkey dinner, this turkey cutlet recipe is perfect for one! Enjoy a tender, juicy cutlet topped with a rich gravy, all made in one pan for minimal cleanup. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s a satisfying meal that’s both easy and delicious.
If you’re a fan of turkey and want to try something different, check out these other delicious single serving turkey recipes: Roast Turkey Breast, a small Herb-Crusted Turkey Roast or a tender and juicy Turkey Tenderloin.
Planning a “Thanksgiving for One,“? These turkey cutlets make a wonderful addition to your menu. And if you have any leftover turkey, try using it in tasty Thanksgiving Sliders.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick to Prepare: This turkey cutlet is ready in under 30 minutes, ideal for a fast and satisfying meal.
- Simple Ingredients: Made with pantry staples you likely already have on hand.
- Easily Adaptable: The flavors can be adjusted to match your preferences.
- Healthier Choice: Turkey is a lean protein, making this a lighter option.
- Perfectly Portioned: This recipe is sized for one, so there’s no waste—just the right amount!
RELATED: Comfort Food Recipes For One
What Are Turkey Cutlets?
Turkey cutlets, sometimes called turkey chops, are thin, boneless slices of turkey meat that cook quickly, making them perfect for fast meals. You can usually find them in the fresh turkey section of your grocery store.
Most packs come with 5 or 6 cutlets. If you’re keeping them in the fridge, store them in an airtight container, and they’ll stay fresh for about 1-2 days.
For longer storage, freezing is a great option. Wrap each cutlet individually in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container to prevent freezer burn. Properly stored, turkey cutlets can keep their best quality in the freezer for up to 9 months.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this turkey cutlet recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Turkey Cutlet: Turkey breast cutlets, also known as turkey chops, are lean and cook quickly, and are commonly available at most grocery stores. If turkey cutlets aren’t available, you can substitute with chicken or pork cutlets.
- Butter: This recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of salted butter—one for cooking the cutlet and the other for the gravy. For a dairy-free option, you can swap butter with olive oil.
- Seasonings: Salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning add flavor. Italian seasoning typically includes basil, oregano, thyme, and rosemary. If you don’t have Italian seasoning, use any combination of these herbs.
- Vegetables: Chopped onions and garlic add depth to the gravy.
- Flour: All-purpose flour helps thicken the gravy.
- Chicken Broth: Low-sodium chicken broth is recommended, allowing you to control the salt level in the gravy. Add more salt as needed.
Recipe Variations
Want to put your own spin on this turkey recipe? Here are a few ideas:
- White Wine Sauce: For a touch of elegance, add a splash of white wine to the gravy. It adds a nice depth of flavor that makes the dish feel extra special.
- Chili-Infused Sauce: If you’re craving a bit of heat, sprinkle in some chili flakes. This simple addition gives the sauce a warm, spicy kick.
- Mushroom Gravy Turkey Cutlet: Sauté sliced mushrooms with the onions to create a creamy mushroom gravy. This adds an earthy, comforting flavor that pairs well with turkey.
How To Cook A Turkey Cutlet
These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to make this turkey cutlet recipe. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Season both sides of the turkey cutlet with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- In a medium-sized skillet melt 1 tablespoon of the butter over medium heat.
- Add the cutlet to the pan and cook until no longer pink, 2-3 minutes per side. Remove from the pan and place on a plate. Cover to keep warm.
- In the same pan, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and minced garlic to the pan. Cook, stirring occasionally for 2 minutes.
- Add the flour to the pan and cook, stirring constantly for a minute.
- Pour in the chicken broth and cook, stirring constantly for 2 minutes or until the sauce thickens.
- Add the turkey cutlet back to the pan; reduce heat to low. Cover the cutlet with the sauce and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
Expert Tips
- Resting the Turkey: Let the turkey cutlet rest briefly after cooking. This helps lock in the juices, keeping it tender and flavorful.
- Adjusting Sauce Thickness: To reach the perfect sauce consistency, adjust the amount of flour or let it simmer a bit longer if needed.
Serving Suggestions
Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a special holiday meal, these small batch sides pair perfectly with turkey cutlets, making it easy to create a well-rounded meal without leftovers.
Everyday Sides
- Mashed Potatoes: Creamy and comforting, mashed potatoes add a classic touch that pairs wonderfully with turkey.
- Roasted Carrots: Slightly sweet and savory, roasted carrots add color and a boost of nutrients.
- French Bread: A slice of crusty French bread is perfect for soaking up every bit of flavorful gravy.
- Rice Pilaf: Light and fluffy, rice pilaf makes a versatile side to complement the tender turkey cutlets.
Holiday Favorites
- Cranberry Sauce: Add a festive touch with a spoonful of homemade cranberry sauce.
- Sausage Dressing: For a holiday vibe, a small portion of savory sausage dressing brings cozy, herbed flavors.
- Sweet Potato Casserole: A Southern-inspired small-batch sweet potato casserole adds a comforting, slightly sweet side.
Don’t Forget Dessert
- Pumpkin Pie: No holiday meal is complete without pumpkin pie. A single serving pie is just right for one.
- Pecan Pie: For a nutty treat, a mini pecan pie satisfies any sweet craving.
- Dutch Apple Pie: If you’re in the mood for something fruity, mini Dutch apple pie makes a perfect ending.
These sides are perfectly portioned for one or two, giving you all the variety and balance of a full meal, minus the leftovers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! If you can’t find turkey cutlets in your grocery, you can purchase a turkey breast or turkey tenderloin and thinly slice it.
Yes. This turkey chops recipe is absolutely delicious with chicken too. You can purchase chicken cutlets or use a boneless, skinless chicken breast that has been thinly sliced horizontally.
Yes, you can make this recipe ahead of time. Simply cook the turkey cutlets and then store them in the refrigerator. When you are ready to serve, reheat the turkey cutlets and then top them with the sauce.
Yes, this recipe can easily be doubled. Be sure your pan is large enough to not crowd the meat for best results.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
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Turkey Cutlet With Gravy For One
Watch How To Make This
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 (5-ounce) turkey breast cutlet
- 2 tablespoons salted butter -divided
- ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
- ¼ cup chopped onions
- 1 clove garlic -minced
- ½ tablespoon all-purpose flour
- ½ cup low sodium chicken broth
Instructions
- Season the turkey cutlet with the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.In a medium-sized skillet melt 1 tablespoon of the butter over medium heat.
- Add the cutlet to the pan and cook until no longer pink, 2-3 minutes per side. Remove from the pan and place on a plate. Cover to keep warm.
- In the same pan, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onions and minced garlic to the pan. Cook, stirring occasionally for 2 minutes.
- Add the flour to the pan and cook, stirring constantly for a minute.
- Pour in the chicken broth and cook, stirring constantly for 2 minutes or until the sauce thickens.
- Add the turkey cutlet back to the pan; reduce heat to low.Cover the cutlet with the sauce and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
- Serve.
Notes
- Resting the Turkey: Let the turkey cutlet rest briefly after cooking. This helps lock in the juices, keeping it tender and flavorful.
- Adjusting Sauce Thickness: To reach the perfect sauce consistency, adjust the amount of flour or let it simmer a bit longer if needed.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
great recipe I cooked 4 cutlets, the gravy is delicious and the whole recipe very easy to make. thanks for sharing.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe. Thank you for taking the time to let me know.
Very good. Turkey nice and tender
This was delicious! I had a package of 5 turkey cutlets. I sauteed finely diced carrot and celery in butter and removed before browning the cutlets. Then added that back in with once the onion and garlic were sautéed. Also added some white wine with the stock. Served with mashed potatoes and string beans. A taste of Thanksgiving in May and will definitely make again. Thank you!
That sounds like such a delicious meal. I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe.
My husband liked this very much!! The turkey was very moist. Gravy was easy to make and delicious.
Just made these for Thanksgiving; they were easy and really good! I got a package of turkey cullets at Trader Joes, subbed in turkey broth and Herbes De Provence, doubled the broth amount and flour and served the gravy in a boat. So fast and great for a small group so we don’t have a giant turkey to deal with. Plus, it is super economical! Thank you 🙂
Sounds wonderful, Brenda! I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe. Thank you for taking the time to let me know.
Joanie
This was SO good! I doubled the recipe for my son and I. I put an extra portion of the turkey aside to make a little leftover container for his lunch tomorrow. There was just enough gravy leftover, but when my son finished his lunch, he asked if he could have some more gravy. I told him he wouldn’t have any tomorrow if he ate it now and he said he didn’t care and drank the rest of the gravy! Thanks for another wonderful and easy recipe.
Aimee,
Your comment made my day! Thank you so much for taking the time to write to let me know how much your son enjoyed the turkey cutlets. It’s a great “little” recipe and I’m so happy you both loved it.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Joanie
I made this recipe for my husband and he gobbled it up! He said that it was very tender and juicy. He got home late from being out of town and went in the freezer and grabbed the turkey cutlets. He was just going to “figure something out” for preparation. I decided to look up a recipe and picked this one which was the first one I saw. I had all the ingredients at home, prep and preparation time was reasonable and the rest is history. I pared it with mashed potatoes and steamed green beans that I made while the turkey was cooking. Since it was so late he said he was only going to eat half. Well…he ate it all, scraping the plate!
Hi Jacqueline,
Your comment made my day! Thank you so much for letting me know how much your husband loved our recipe, it really means the world to us.
Joanie
In India Turkey is rarely available thus I cooked your recipe with chicken, it was equally delicious.
Mmmm…I’m salivating just looking at your image of these delicious turkey cutlets. This recipe is perfect for singles and couples all year round.
This is perfect for my daughter who is studying in France this year! I know she will love this!