Milanesa steak is a popular dish in many Latin American and European households. The traditional method involves coating thin slices of beef or chicken with breadcrumbs and frying them. But how about when you just want to savor this tasty dish minus all the calories and crunch? The good news is that cooking milanesa steak unbreaded is possible — and often just as satisfying. In this post, we are going to look at how to cook a milanesa without breading, with a variety of flavors and textures that will show you how to make it taste just as good as the original, without the breading.
Why Skip the Breading?
How To Cook Milanesa Steak Without Bread Crumbs Before I show you how to make it without breading, let’s talk about why you may want to skip the breadcrumbs. The breading contributes a crunchy outer layer that a lot of folks like. But it can also contribute extra carbs and calories that some people would rather not consume. Plus – no frying and breading to mask the flavor of the meat. If you are on the hunt for a healthier alternative or you want to eliminate an extra step, cooking milanesa steak without breading is ideal.
Key Ingredients for Milanesa Steak Without Breading
To prepare a breading-free delicious Milanesa steak, you need fresh and good-quality ingredients. Here’s what you need:
- Steak Cuts: I will use flank steak, sirloin, or round steak. These pieces will be thinly sliced so that they cook evenly.
- Seasonings: Garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, paprika, and salt. These basic seasonings will add to the wonderful natural tones of the steak.
- Herbs Fresh: Parsley or cilantro will bring some zip.
- Olive oil: To pan-fry the steak and give it a beautiful golden crust without coating it with bread crumbs.
- Lemon Juice: Makes the dish feel fresh.
You can definitely play around with the ingredients depending on the lifestyle of your family. The great thing about milanesa without breading, is that you can do just about anything with it!

Preparing the Steak
Pre-cook properly Before we start cooking, we have to prep right. To prepare your steak for the pan, follow these steps:
- Tenderize the Meat: If your pieces of steak are fairly thick, pound them with a meat mallet to tenderize them. This step tenderizes the steak and helps to flavor remove.
- A Hearty Seasoning: Mix all of your seasonings together. Rub them all over the meat, making sure they are evenly covered. The seasoning will help flavor the steak while it cooks.
- Let It Marinate: A longer steak rest will deepen the flavor of any steak, so if you center went cold by the grilling-hobo hour, let it rest for at least 15 (or up to 30). You can also leave it in the fridge to marinate for a few hours or overnight, for added flavor.
This method of preparing them ensures they are full of flavour without the breading.
How to Make Milanesa Steak Without Breading
When the steak is done, it’s time to cook. There are two primary ways to cook a milanesa steak un-breaded: pan-frying and grilling. Both ways make it so yummy.
Pan-Frying
When unbreaded, milanesa steak can be cooked by pan-frying. Here’s how to do it:
- Grease the Pan: Place a tablespoon of olive oil in a pan and cook it over medium high heat. The oil will also make a crispy crust, without breading.
- Cook the Steak: Put the seasoned steak pieces into the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the steak was cooked to your liking. If you like your steak well done, cook it a few more minutes on each side.
- Top With Fresh Herbs: As soon as the steak has been cooked through, add a handful of your favorite fresh herbs, such as parsley or cilantro, on top. This would give the dish a nice, bright note to end with.
Grilling
If you’d like a smoky taste, grilling is excellent, too. Here’s how to grill milanesa steak without breading:
- Preheat Grill: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. For a charcoal grill, do this when the coals are glowing red.
- Grill The Steak: Transfer the steak pieces to the grill and grill on each side for 3-4 minutes or until they reach the desired level of doneness (timing will depend on thickness). This is going to give the steak a nice and smoky char with juicy tender results.
- Top with a Zesty Sauce: You can add even more flavor by dressing up your steak with a zesty lemon sauce or squeeze some fresh lemon juice all over.
How to Serve Your Milanesa Steak Without the Breading
Once your milanesa steak is Continue reading “Milanesa de Carne (Breaded Beef Milanesa)” It’s already full of flavor, so you don’t require a heavy sauce or side dish. Here are some ideas for a healthy meal:
With Vegetables: A milanesa steak is perfect served alongside a portion of grilled vegetables, or even a simple salad. Try roasted bell peppers, zucchini, or asparagus – although they also go really well with the savory taste of the steak.
Rice or Potatoes: Serve steak with rice, mashed potatoes, or crispy roasted potatoes for a full meal.
As a Sandwich: If you need a fast lunch or dinner, add the steak to a sandwich with some lettuce, tomatoes and a not too heavy sauce, such as Italian dressing.
How to Make Milanesa Steak Without Breading
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: If you pan-frying, you’ll want to pay attention to not overcrowd the pan. This can result in the steak steaming instead of browning.
- Rest the Meat: Take the steak out of the pan and let it rest for a few minutes. The juices redistribute, and the steak will become more tender.
- Taste After Cooking: Sample the steak after it is made to check the seasonings. A pinch of salt and a squeeze of lemon will lift the flavors further.
Variations on Milanesa Steak Without Breading

Although a straightforward milanesa steak is great, you can always go a little crazy with flavor combinations. Here are some variations:
- Spicy Milanesa Steak: Stir chili powder or red pepper flakes into the seasoning blend for a little heat. You can even toss in some jalapeños or other chili peppers as it cooks if you really want to turn up the heat.
- Garlic Butter Milanesa: Once the steak is cooked through, smother it in melted garlic butter for an extra-rich, garlicky flavor that compliments the meat perfectly.
- Citrus Milanesa: Add extra zip to the steak by marinating it in orange or lime juice before cooking. The other takes a more citrus flavor that provides a nice contrast with the savory meat.
Health Benefits of Cooking Milanesa Without Breading
This dish, which is called world-famously known as milanesa, is Steak Milanesa without the breading. The following are some health benefits:
- Reduced Carb: Breading has extra carbs, but when you don’t bread the fish you’ve instantly got a reduced carb meal.
- More Protein: The steak alone is a good source of protein, and this is important for muscle repair as well as other functions in the body.
- Less Calories: Without the breading, this low carb chicken cutlet recipe offers less calories, creating a lighter meal.
Why You Should Want Milanesa Steak, Hold the Breading
If you like milanesa steak in traditional preparation, and you’re looking for a healthier alternative, you can prepare it without breading. The result is a juicy, tasty steak that allows the meat to speak for itself. You can pan-fry or grill it – this is a simple and versatile dish. Not to mention, a fantastic way to eliminate extra carbs while still getting a filling meal.
Conclusion
Milanesa steak without breading can indeed be done, and man is the result good. It’s all about using fresh ingredients, really seasoning the meat, and cooking how you like to cook! Whether you are looking to cut calories, eliminate carbohydrates or just enjoy the full flavor of the steak, you must try this recipe. So the next time you’re jonesing for milanesa steak, skip the breading, and experience the meat’s pure, deep flavor.
FAQs
Is milanesa steak tender to eat?
He makes this classic beef milanesa often because its coating is crispy and the beef is juicy and tender. It is delicious, easy to cook and matches great with any type of side dish.
How to tenderize milanesa?
Typically, the meat used is quite tough until it is mechanically tenderized (run on a jacquarding machine) like the steak in the chicken-fried steak I grew up eating—though that one could often be thicker than the Mexican beef milanesa. One way to do this is to use a mallet and flatten and tenderize the meat.
How to cook steak without frying?
Put a heavy cast iron pan (or another heavy pan) in the hottest area of your oven for 20 minutes. Place the steaks on the skillet, put the skillet in the oven, then flip after 2 minutes. Turn off the oven and let the food cook till it reaches the desired temperature.
Does thin steak cook faster?
Broiling is better with thin steaks since they cook quicker and are easier to work with. Because they operate at high temperatures, thinner steaks brown and crust on the outside fast. Just watch out — it’s easy for them to become overcooked and that might mean they’re not as tender as you would like.
What is the tastiest steak to eat?
Flannery says that many people think the best steaks are actually the ones in the middle cuts. Those steaks are from the middle of the cow, just between the ribs and rump. The ribeye, New York strip loin and filet mignon are known as the best and most would agree.