14 Easy Turkey Cutlet Recipes for Quick Dinners

Hey, friend. You just got home, the kids (or the dog) are losing it, and the fridge is staring back like “good luck.” I feel you. That’s why I rounded up 14 turkey cutlet recipes that clock in under 30 minutes—most closer to 15. Turkey cutlets are the unsung hero of weeknights: thin, lean, and they cook faster than you can scroll TikTok. Grab a pan, crank the heat, and let’s make magic. Ready? Let’s roll.

1. Lemon Garlic Butter Turkey Cutlets

Hook: One pan, five ingredients, and a sauce you’ll want to drink with a straw.

Ingredients

• 4 turkey cutlets (about 1 lb)
• 2 tbsp butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lemon (juice + zest)
• Salt, pepper, fresh parsley

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Pat cutlets dry. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
2. Heat butter in a skillet over medium-high until foamy.
3. Sear cutlets 3 minutes per side until golden. Remove to a plate.
4. Toss in garlic, cook 30 seconds. Add lemon juice + zest.
5. Spoon sauce over cutlets. Sprinkle parsley. Done.

Why You’ll Love It

The butter-lemon combo turns basic into bistro. I once served this to my picky brother-in-law—he asked for seconds. SECONDS.

2. Crispy Parmesan Turkey Cutlets

Hook: Think chicken parm’s healthier, speedier cousin.

Ingredients

• 4 turkey cutlets
• ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup Parmesan, grated
• 1 egg, beaten
• Olive oil, salt, pepper

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Mix panko and Parmesan in a shallow dish. Season.
2. Dip cutlets in egg, then press into crumb mix.
3. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a nonstick pan.
4. Fry 3–4 minutes per side until crunchy and 165°F inside.
5. Drain on paper towels. Serve with marinara for dipping.

Why You’ll Love It

That audible crunch? Chef’s kiss. Pair with a salad and call it balanced.

3. Honey Mustard Glazed Turkey Cutlets

Hook: Sweet, tangy, and sticky in the best way.

Ingredients

• 4 turkey cutlets
• 3 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• Garlic powder, salt

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Whisk mustard, honey, vinegar, and a pinch of garlic powder.
2. Brush half the glaze on cutlets.
3. Pan-sear in a hot skillet 3 minutes per side.
4. Brush with remaining glaze in the last minute.
5. Let rest 2 minutes—glaze sets like candy.

Why You’ll Love It

Kids lick their plates. Adults pretend they’re being healthy. Win-win.

4. Mediterranean Turkey Cutlets with Feta & Tomatoes

Hook: Vacation vibes in 12 minutes flat.

Ingredients

• 4 turkey cutlets
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• ½ cup feta, crumbled
• 1 tsp oregano
• Olive oil, lemon

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Season cutlets with oregano, salt, pepper.
2. Sear in olive oil 3 minutes per side. Remove.
3. Toss tomatoes in the same pan until blistered, 2 minutes.
4. Return cutlets, top with feta. Squeeze lemon over everything.
5. Cover 1 minute to melt cheese slightly.

Why You’ll Love It

Bright, briny, and stupidly easy. Pro tip: Add a splash of white wine if you’re fancy.

5. Spicy Cajun Turkey Cutlets

Hook: Kick your taste buds awake without breaking a sweat.

Ingredients

• 4 turkey cutlets
• 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp butter
• Lime wedges

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Rub cutlets with Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade).
2. Heat oil + butter until shimmering.
3. Cook cutlets 2–3 minutes per side.
4. Squeeze lime right before serving.

Why You’ll Love It

Heat level is customizable—go easy or go full fire. Rice or cauliflower rice soaks up the juices like a champ.

6. Pesto Turkey Cutlet Roll-Ups

Hook: Stuff, roll, slice—Instagram-worthy in real life.

Ingredients

• 4 turkey cutlets, pounded thin
• 4 tbsp pesto (basil or sun-dried tomato)
• ¼ cup mozzarella, shredded
• Toothpicks

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Spread 1 tbsp pesto on each cutlet.
2. Sprinkle mozzarella. Roll tightly; secure with toothpicks.
3. Sear seam-side down 2 minutes, then roll to brown all sides.
4. Slice into pinwheels to serve.

Why You’ll Love It

Looks like you tried. Tastes like a hug from Nonna.

7. Teriyaki Turkey Stir-Fry Cutlets

Hook: Takeout who? This beats the delivery guy by 20 minutes.

Ingredients

• 4 turkey cutlets, sliced into strips
• ¼ cup teriyaki sauce
• 1 bell pepper, 1 onion (sliced)
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• Sesame seeds

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Toss turkey strips in half the teriyaki.
2. Heat sesame oil; stir-fry veggies 3 minutes.
3. Add turkey; cook 4 minutes until sauce thickens.
4. Garnish with sesame seeds.

Why You’ll Love It

One wok, zero regrets. Swap veggies based on what’s wilting in your crisper.

8. Balsamic Fig Turkey Cutlets

Hook: Sweet figs + tangy balsamic = date-night energy on a Tuesday.

Ingredients

• 4 turkey cutlets
• 4 fresh figs, quartered (or 2 tbsp fig jam)
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbsp butter
• Fresh thyme

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Sear cutlets in butter 3 minutes per side. Remove.
2. Add figs and balsamic; simmer 2 minutes.
3. Return cutlets to coat in glaze. Top with thyme.

Why You’ll Love It

Fancy enough for guests, fast enough for solo Netflix nights.

9. Buffalo Turkey Cutlets with Blue Cheese Drizzle

Hook: Game-day flavors without the deep fryer.

Ingredients

• 4 turkey cutlets
• ⅓ cup buffalo sauce
• 2 tbsp blue cheese, crumbled
• 1 tbsp Greek yogurt
• Celery sticks

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Brush cutlets with half the buffalo sauce.
2. Pan-sear 3 minutes per side.
3. Mix blue cheese + yogurt for drizzle.
4. Plate with celery—crunch mandatory.

Why You’ll Love It

All the heat, none of the grease. Ranch works if blue cheese scares you (no judgment).

10. Italian Herb Breaded Turkey Cutlets

Hook: Your Nonna’s schnitzel, but make it turkey.

Ingredients

• 4 turkey cutlets
• ½ cup Italian breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp dried basil
• Marinara + mozzarella (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Beat egg; mix breadcrumbs + basil.
2. Dip, coat, fry in olive oil 3–4 minutes per side.
3. Top with warm marinara and melted mozzarella if you’re extra.

Why You’ll Love It

Freezes like a dream—double the batch for future you.

11. Coconut Curry Turkey Cutlets

Hook: Tropical escape in a skillet.

Ingredients

• 4 turkey cutlets
• ½ cup coconut milk
• 1 tbsp red curry paste
• 1 tsp fish sauce
• Cilantro, lime

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Sear cutlets 2 minutes per side. Remove.
2. Whisk curry paste into coconut milk; simmer 3 minutes.
3. Return cutlets to coat. Finish with fish sauce, cilantro, lime.

Why You’ll Love It

Creamy, spicy, and lighter than takeout. Jasmine rice is non-negotiable.

12. Spinach & Artichoke Stuffed Turkey Cutlets

Hook: Your favorite dip, now dinner.

Ingredients

• 4 turkey cutlets, pounded thin
• ½ cup spinach-artichoke dip (store-bought or homemade)
• ¼ cup Parmesan
• Toothpicks

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Spread dip on cutlets; sprinkle Parmesan.
2. Roll and secure. Sear seam down 4 minutes, rotate.
3. Bake at 375°F for 5 minutes if needed to finish.

Why You’ll Love It

Party app turned protein—genius, right?

13. Maple Bacon Wrapped Turkey Cutlets

Hook: Sweet, salty, smoky—breakfast for dinner, anyone?

Ingredients

• 4 turkey cutlets
• 8 slices bacon
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• Black pepper

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Wrap each cutlet with 2 bacon slices. Secure with toothpicks.
2. Brush with maple. Sprinkle pepper.
3. Pan-sear 4–5 minutes per side until bacon crisps.

Why You’ll Love It

Zero side dishes required. The syrup caramelizes into pure joy.

14. Chimichurri Turkey Cutlets

Hook: Argentine steakhouse sauce meets weeknight turkey.

Ingredients

• 4 turkey cutlets
• ½ cup chimichurri (parsley, garlic, vinegar, oil)
• Extra olive oil for cooking

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Marinate cutlets in half the chimichurri for 10 minutes (or skip if hangry).
2. Sear in olive oil 3 minutes per side.
3. Spoon remaining chimichurri on top.

Why You’ll Love It

Herby, garlicky, and stupidly fresh. Grill in summer for bonus points.