5best2buy
The Recipe · No.315 · Saltimbocca

Saltimbocca, and where to source it

Saltimbocca — 5best2buy.com 5BEST2BUY.COM Saltimbocca Italian 5best2buy.com

Cook the prosciutto side down first so it crisps and stays welded to the meat; press with a spatula so it does not curl off. The cutlet needs only ninety seconds a side, so build your pan sauce fast and do not let the veal sit and toughen.

By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026

Prep15 min
Cook15 min
Makes4 servings
CuisineItalian
Cost$$$
Contains  dairy · gluten
Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free flour blend (check the other labels too).
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for 4 servings
Veal cutlets
Pounded thin so they cook in under two minutes; pasture-raised veal stays tender.
8 small (about 1.25 lb)
Source it →
Prosciutto
One thin slice per cutlet; the salty, savory ham is half the dish.
8 thin slices
Source it →
Flour
A light dredge on the meat side for browning and to thicken the sauce.
1/3 cup
Source it →
Butter
Cold butter whisked in off the heat pulls the pan juices into a sauce.
4 tbsp
Source it →
Olive oil
For searing so the butter does not scorch.
2 tbsp
Source it →
Fresh sage and white wine
A whole sage leaf pinned to each cutlet, 1/2 cup dry white wine for the sauce.
8 leaves, 1/2 cup wine
Local / market
The Rundown
Greedometer ●●●●● Barely a splurge
A light hand — your arteries say thanks.
EffortEasy
Cook it with
Stovetop
The Method
  1. AssembleLay a sage leaf and a slice of prosciutto on each cutlet and press or pin with a toothpick. Dredge the bare veal side in flour.
  2. Sear prosciutto sideSear prosciutto-side down in oil first until crisp, about 90 seconds, then flip and cook 60 seconds more. Set aside.
  3. DeglazePour off excess fat, add the wine, and scrape up the fond as it reduces by half.
  4. FinishOff the heat, whisk in cold butter until glossy, then spoon over the cutlets and serve at once.
The Toolkit

Meat mallet · Stainless skillet · Toothpicks · Tongs

Straight Answers
Can you make Saltimbocca in an air fryer? — Sometimes

Sometimes — if the pieces are small and cooked dry, an air fryer can handle it in a single layer; anything saucy or liquid needs a pan. When in doubt, the stovetop or oven is the safe call.

Can you freeze Saltimbocca? — Yes

Yes — it freezes well. Cool it fully, portion into airtight containers, and it keeps a few months; thaw in the fridge and reheat gently.

Can you make Saltimbocca ahead of time? — Best fresh

Best made fresh and served soon — it loses its edge standing around. You can prep the parts ahead, but finish and serve it close to the table.

Is Saltimbocca gluten-free? — Not as written

Not as written — it contains gluten. Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free flour blend (check the other labels too).

Is Saltimbocca vegan? — No

No — it contains meat, so it isn’t vegetarian or vegan.

Community Notes

Cooked it? Changed something that worked? Leave a note for the next person — first-name basis, no account.

Loading notes…

Notes are public and posted as written. Be kind, no links. Spam and abuse get removed.

More Italian recipes
AranciniCannoliCheese RavioliTortelliniCannelloniBraciole
All Italian recipes →  ·  Browse all 1433 →
One list, with a link to where to buy each one.

Some ingredient and tool links are affiliate links — if you buy through one, 5best2buy may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never costs the maker anything, and it never decides who we recommend. The list is the list.
© 2026 5best2buy.com · Recipe No.315

Open data. Every maker on this site is published as a free dataset under CC BY 4.0 — use it in anything, commercial or not, as long as you credit 5best2buy. Browse the datasets →