Karadjordje's Schnitzel (Карађорђева шницла) — Serbian Kajmak-Filled Cutlet
Karađorđeva šnicla is a Serbian restaurant classic: a pounded pork cutlet wrapped around creamy kajmak, breaded, and fried until crisp. It is often served in kafanas with lemon, fries, tartar sauce, and ajvar.

Printable Recipe Card
Servings: 4 · Total: 48 min · Difficulty: medium
Ingredients (quick list)
- 4 boneless pork loin cutlets (each about 150 g and cut wide enough for rolling)
- 160 g kajmak (chilled until firm)
- 6 g fine sea salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 90 g all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 160 g plain fine breadcrumbs
- 600 ml sunflower oil (for shallow frying; nutrition allows for absorbed oil only)
- 8 wooden toothpicks
- 2 sheet plastic wrap
- 120 g ajvar
- 1 lemon (cut into 4 wedges)
+ 1 more in the full ingredients section below.
Steps (summary)
- Place one pork cutlet between 2 sheets of plastic wrap and pound it evenly to about 4 mm thick, working from the center outward…
- Put 40 g of chilled kajmak in a narrow line across the center of each cutlet, leaving at least 2 cm uncovered at the edges. Fol…
- Set up three shallow dishes with the flour, beaten eggs, and breadcrumbs. Coat each roll first in flour, then in egg, and final…
- Pour the sunflower oil into a heavy skillet to a depth of about 2 cm and heat it to 170°C. Fry the rolls seam-side down first f…
- Transfer the fried schnitzels to a rack set over a tray and let them rest for 5 minutes so the kajmak settles slightly instead…
Cultural Background
Created in Belgrade in 1956 by chef Milovan Mića Stojanović and named for Karađorđe, this cutlet became a kafana classic. Danijela Kracun’s Balkan Cookbook frames such rich Serbian dishes within the region’s generous hospitality.
Equipment
💡 Tips
- Keep the kajmak cold and firm before rolling; warm kajmak melts too quickly and can leak into the oil.
- Use a thermometer for the frying oil because breaded pork browns too fast if the oil climbs much above 175°C.
- After breading, rest the rolls for 10 minutes in the refrigerator to help the coating adhere during frying.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ The kajmak leaks into the frying oil.
✅ Fix: Chill the kajmak, leave a clear border around the filling, roll tightly, and begin frying seam-side down.
❌ The crust browns before the pork is cooked through.
✅ Fix: Keep the oil at 170°C and turn the rolls several times rather than using very high heat.
❌ The meat tears while pounding.
✅ Fix: Pound gently between plastic wrap and use glancing strokes from the center outward instead of striking straight down.
🧊 How to Store
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat on a rack in a 180°C oven for 12 to 15 minutes until hot and crisp; microwaving softens the crumb and can make the kajmak leak.
📅 Make Ahead
The cutlets can be pounded, filled, rolled, and breaded up to 6 hours ahead. Keep them covered in the refrigerator and fry just before serving for the crispest crust.
🍽️ Pairs Well With
- Ajvar
- French fries
- tartar sauce
- shredded cabbage salad
- crusty bread
- šljivovica.
Regional Variations
- Belgrade restaurant versions often use pork loin, while more delicate celebratory versions may use veal.
- Some kafanas plate the schnitzel with tartar sauce piped decoratively over the top, plus lemon and fries.
- Home cooks may make smaller rolls from chicken breast, although pork or veal with kajmak is the classic Serbian form.
Ingredients
- 4boneless pork loin cutlets (each about 150 g and cut wide enough for rolling)
- 5⅝ ozkajmak (chilled until firm)
- 6 gfine sea salt
- 1 tspground black pepper
- 3.2 ozall-purpose flour
- 2large eggs
- 5⅝ ozplain fine breadcrumbs
- 2½ cupsunflower oil (for shallow frying; nutrition allows for absorbed oil only)
- 8wooden toothpicks
- 2 sheetplastic wrap
- 4¼ ozajvar
- 1lemon (cut into 4 wedges)
- 4 sprigflat-leaf parsley
🔄 Substitutions
- pork loin cutlets→ veal cutlets
- kajmak→ clotted cream mixed with mild feta
- sunflower oil→ neutral rapeseed oil
Instructions
- 1
Place one pork cutlet between 2 sheets of plastic wrap and pound it evenly to about 4 mm thick, working from the center outward so the meat does not tear. Repeat with the remaining cutlets, then season both sides with the measured salt and black pepper.
- 2
Put 40 g of chilled kajmak in a narrow line across the center of each cutlet, leaving at least 2 cm uncovered at the edges. Fold the short sides inward, roll the cutlet tightly around the kajmak, and secure the seam with 2 wooden toothpicks so the filling stays enclosed during frying.
- 3
Set up three shallow dishes with the flour, beaten eggs, and breadcrumbs. Coat each roll first in flour, then in egg, and finally in breadcrumbs, pressing gently so the crumb layer is complete but not compressed.
- 4
Pour the sunflower oil into a heavy skillet to a depth of about 2 cm and heat it to 170°C. Fry the rolls seam-side down first for 3 minutes, then turn them carefully and continue frying for 7 to 9 minutes total, until the crust is deep golden and the center reaches at least 68°C.
- 5
Transfer the fried schnitzels to a rack set over a tray and let them rest for 5 minutes so the kajmak settles slightly instead of spilling out immediately. Remove the toothpicks before serving, then plate with ajvar, lemon wedges, parsley, and the usual Serbian sides such as fries or tartar sauce.
🪪 Recipe Passport
Cultural Background
Created in Belgrade in 1956 by chef Milovan Mića Stojanović and named for Karađorđe, this cutlet became a kafana classic. Danijela Kracun’s Balkan Cookbook frames such rich Serbian dishes within the region’s generous hospitality.
Regional Variations
Researched from multiple sources and validated by the Zaffaron editorial team. Every recipe is tested for accuracy, measurements, and cultural authenticity.
📚 Sources & Cultural References
- Danijela Kracun and Charles McFadden — The Balkan Cookbook — (1987)
Sources cited by the Zaffaron editorial team during recipe research. Cultural and culinary references supporting authenticity claims.
Nutrition per serving
Pairs well with
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