Milanesa de res was one of my favorite dishes growing up! Taking inspiration from the Italian milanese, milanesa is thinly sliced beef that is dipped in egg, tossed in seasoned breadcrumbs, and then fried until golden. While this recipe is for beef milanesa, you can easily swap the beef for chicken, pork, even eggplant!
As a child, and even now, I loved the crispy exterior of the fried milanesa. My mom would crush saltine crackers in a Ziplock bag and use that instead of breadcrumbs. The result was a perfectly golden milanesa with a thick and crunchy exterior. The exterior was so yummy, that I’d devour any leftover pieces of breading by mixing them with a side of sweet corn.
Why You’ll Love This Milanesa de Res Recipe
- Taste – The breading will take the flavor of whatever spices you use! While my mom used lemon pepper seasoning, I prefer to use a mix of salt, pepper, and season-all to season my breadcrumbs.
- Texture – This milanesa recipe calls for crushed saltine crackers, instead of traditional breadcrumbs, which helps to make the exterior even crunchier!
- Quick & Easy – Prepping and cooking this dish takes less than 30 minutes, making it an ideal option for a weekday dinner.
- Versatile – Milanesa can be the star of the show, by serving as the main dish accompanied with sides, such as corn, Mexican rice, beans, or mashed potatoes. It can also be made into a torta de milanesa, by combining the breaded beef cutlet, mayonnaise, cheese, avocado, tomatoes, and refried beans into a bolillo (bread roll).
Recommended Tools for This Recipe
- Small Frying Pan – I prefer to use a small frying pan when making milanesa, because it requires less oil than a wider pan.
- Whisk – Using a whisk for eggs ensures they’ve been perfectly beat prior to dipping our milanesa in them.
- Bowls – Wide-mouth bowls will ensure you’re able to dip your protein in the egg and breadcrumbs mixtures.
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Milanesa Ingredients
- Wafer Thin Beef for Milanesa – Sourced from premium cuts, wafer thin beef has a delicate texture and robust flavor. When tenderized, it ensures each bite is tended and optimally crispy.
- Cooking Oil – I prefer using vegetable oil or canola oil for frying, as they are more affordable than other cooking oils.
- Eggs – Eggs will serve as the binding agent, ensuring the breadcrumbs stick to our milanesa.
- Saltine Crackers – Crushed into fine crumbs, saltine crackers will enhance the texture and flavor of milanesa. If you do not have saltines on hand, feel free to use breadcrumbs instead!
- Season-All – A versatile seasoning blend, season-all will elevate the taste of the saltine crackers even further.

Beef Milanesa Recipe
Description
Learn how to make milanesa de res. The beef in this recipe can be swapped with chicken or pork.
Beef Milanesa Ingredients
How to Make Milanesa de Res
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Heat oil
Heat oil in a small frying pan for 5 minutes. -
Mix eggs and spices
In a bowl, whisk two eggs with salt, pepper, and garlic.
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Prepare breadcrumbs
In a second bowl, pour breadcrumbs or crunched saltine crackers and mix with season-all.
I used a rolling pin to crunch my crackers inside of a Ziploc. -
Coat the beef
Dip the wafer thin beef and dip into the egg mixture, then into the breadcrumbs.
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Cook milanesa
Carefully place the beef into the frying pan, and fry both sides until golden brown.
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Serve
Place your milanesa on a plate lined with a paper towel to absorb the oil. Serve and enjoy!
love this, can I make it with chicken?