Kotellet facts for kids

Raw kotelett from veal

Koteletts (pronounced "koh-TLETTS") are a popular meat dish, especially in Germany. They are basically slices of meat that come from the rib area of an animal, and they usually include the bone. Think of them as a meaty "chop" from the ribs! The ribs are found on both sides of the spine, right behind the neck.

You'll most often find koteletts made from pork, veal, or mutton. Sometimes, they can also be made from beef. Koteletts are usually cooked by roasting or grilling them. But sometimes, they are also coated in bread crumbs and fried, like a breaded cutlet.

Different Kinds of Koteletts

Koteletts can come from different animals and even different parts of the same animal. This gives them different names and slightly different tastes!

Pork Koteletts

Pork: front or neck kotelett

Pork: middle kotelett

Pork: hind or fillet kotelett

Pork koteletts are cut from the front to the back of the pig's rib area.

• Neck Kotelett: These come from the front, close to the pig's neck. In Germany, they are called "Nackenkotelett."
• Middle Kotelett: These are from the middle part of the ribs. They are often called "Stielkotelett" or "Rippenkotelett" because of the long rib bone.
• Loin Kotelett: These are from the back part of the pig, near the fillet. They are known as "Lummerkotelett" or "Lendenkotelett." These koteletts usually have less bone and fat, making them very lean.

Veal Koteletts

When it comes to veal (meat from a young cow), koteletts are usually taken only from the front part of the ribs. The back part of the ribs is typically sold without the bones.

Mutton Koteletts

Similar to veal, koteletts from mutton (meat from a sheep) are usually cut from only the front or middle sections of the ribs.

Beef Koteletts

Beef koteletts are less common than pork or veal koteletts, but they do exist!

• Front Beef Kotelett: This cut is called "Hochrippe" in Germany. It's often used for boiled beef dishes or goulash. If the bones are removed, it can be used as a steak.
• Hind Beef Kotelett: This cut can come with or without the ribs. With the ribs and the fillet, it's very similar to a t-bone steak. Without the bones, it's often sold as roast beef or rump steak.

Dish Variants

Koteletts can be prepared in many tasty ways!

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  Salted and boiled pork kotelett

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  Grilled pork koteletts

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  Fried and breaded pork kotelett