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Three seasoned turkey steaks on a white plate garnished with fresh parsley.
Daniel

Turkey Steaks

Quick-seared turkey cutlets in a lemon-butter pan sauce that turns weeknight dinner into something worth slowing down for.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 285

Ingredients
  

Turkey Steaks
  • 1.5 lbs turkey breast cutlets about 4 cutlets, 1/2-inch thick
  • 0.5 cup all-purpose flour for dredging
  • 1 tsp kosher salt divided
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper freshly ground
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter divided
Lemon Pan Sauce
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 0.75 cup chicken broth low sodium
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice from 1 lemon
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

Equipment

  • Large Skillet (12-inch)
  • Meat Mallet or Rolling Pin
  • Instant-Read Thermometer

Method
 

Prep the Turkey
  1. Place turkey cutlets between two sheets of plastic wrap and gently pound to an even 1/4-inch thickness. This ensures quick, even cooking. Pat dry with paper towels. Mix flour with 1/2 teaspoon salt and the pepper on a plate. Dredge cutlets lightly, shaking off excess.
Sear the Steaks
  1. Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 2 cutlets and cook undisturbed until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Flip and cook until just cooked through, 2-3 minutes more. Internal temperature should reach 165 degrees F. Transfer to a plate and tent with foil. Repeat with remaining cutlets.
Make the Pan Sauce
  1. Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter to the skillet. Once melted, add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
  2. Pour in chicken broth and lemon juice, scraping up any browned bits from the pan bottom. Simmer until reduced by half, about 4 minutes, until slightly thickened. Taste and adjust salt with remaining 1/2 teaspoon.
Serve
  1. Return turkey steaks to the pan briefly to coat with sauce, then transfer to plates. Spoon remaining sauce over top and sprinkle with fresh parsley. Serve immediately with roasted potatoes or buttered noodles.

Notes

Pounding the cutlets evenly is non-negotiable - thick spots will dry out before thin sections cook through. If your cutlets are already thin, skip the pounding but watch them closely as they will cook faster. The sauce comes together fast, so have your lemon juiced and garlic minced before you start cooking. For a richer sauce, swirl in a tablespoon of cold butter off the heat at the end.