Cooking Veal Chops

Veal chops could become the star of your next dinner. These tender, flavorful cuts of meat can elevate any meal. But if you’ve never cooked them before, they might seem a bit intimidating. After all, they’re often what expert chefs highlight in their meals on competition TV shows. The good news? Veal chops are actually quite simple to prepare, and with a few tips and tricks, you can create a restaurant-quality dish at home. 

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know, from choosing the right chop to exploring different cooking methods and pairing them with delicious sides.

What are Veal Chops?

Veal chops come from young calves, usually males that are around 16 weeks old. The younger animal allows for more tender meat than traditional beef. Veal also tends to be milder in flavor than regular beef from a full-grown beef animal. Veal chops typically include a bone.

You may find veal chops in one of two varieties: veal loin chops and veal rib chops. Loin chops look similar to T-bone steaks, which have a portion of tenderloin and strip loin attached to the bone. Rib chops, on the other hand, are usually a little smaller than loin chops, but because they come from the rib section rather than the loin section like loin chops, they can be more tender than loin chops. You can’t go wrong with either, as both cuts pack a lot of flavor and offer a similar cooking process.

Tips and Tricks to Cooking Veal Chops

Make the most out of your veal chops by considering the following tips:

• Know how to choose the right cut: Shop for high-quality veal chops, which typically are pale pink, have firm-to-the-touch meat, and have lots of marbling—thin strips of fat—running through the meat.
• Leave the bone intact: The bone of veal chops really makes your plating stand out, but many chefs swear that it also adds flavor to the meat and helps chops cook more evenly, so it’s best practice to leave it in place.
• Bring the chops to room temperature: Before cooking your veal chops, let them rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This allows the temperature to rise a little, resulting in a more even cook.
• Use plenty of seasoning: Don’t go easy on the seasoning of your veal chops. Treat them as you would steak, seasoning on both sides with plenty of salt, pepper, and other spices you like.
• Get a good sear: Searing veal bumps up its flavor by several notches. Use high heat for the first few minutes of cooking to sear both sides. The golden brown crust locks in juices and adds more savory flavor to the veal.
• Rest before serving: Let your veal chops rest at room temperature for 5-10 minutes after cooking to let the juices redistribute throughout the meat.

Choose Your Cooking Method

In the following sections, we explain how to cook veal chops using popular cooking methods, like the grill and the oven. Before cooking your veal, we recommend letting it rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes, which will help the inside of the veal cook more evenly.

Oven Baked Veal Chops

If you don’t want to heat the grill or make a mess on the stove, you can cook veal chops in the oven. Start by placing the veal chops on a foil-lined baking sheet and preheating the oven to 375°F. Brush each veal chop with a thin layer of olive oil on each side. Then, season the chops with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and rosemary on both sides.

Place the baking sheet on the middle rack of the oven. Cook the chops for 20-30 minutes, or until the center reads 135-140°F. Turn on the broiler and place the chops directly under the broiler to cook for 1-2 minutes on each side until they turn golden brown.

Rest the veal chops at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before enjoying. 

Grilled Veal Chops

If grill marks and traditional smoky flavors of the grill are the vibes you’re going for, then grilling your veal chops is the way to go. Just make sure your grill grates are completely clean before starting. Or, if food tends to stick to the racks, use a grill pan for the chops instead.

Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (375-400°F). Prepare the veal chops by brushing a light layer of oil on both sides and seasoning them with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and your other preferred seasonings. Transfer the chops to a grill pan or place them directly on the grill grates. Cook the chops for 8-10 minutes on each side, or until they read 140°F in the center.

Remove the chops from the grill and rest at room temperature for 5-10 minutes.

Pan-Seared Veal Chops

Pan-seared veal chops cook up quickly, so this is the best route to take if you want a quick meal that doesn’t involve operating anything else but your stove, or if you’re using your oven for roasting veggies or baking potatoes.

Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat with one tablespoon of butter. Brush a light layer of oil on both sides of each veal chop. Then, season with salt, pepper, and your preferred seasonings. 

Place the veal chops in the pan, and cook on each side for 3-5 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and continue cooking the chops until the internal temperature reads 140°F. This may take another 5-10 minutes.

Rest the chops at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Air Fryer Veal Chops

Get similar veal chop results as the oven without warming up your kitchen by using the air fryer to cook them.

Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Brush a layer of olive oil on both sides of the veal chops before seasoning with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and thyme. Place the chops in the air fryer basket, leaving some space around each one for proper airflow. 

Cook the chops for 10-15 minutes, flipping them over once about halfway through the cooking process. The chops should reach 140°F in their thickest sections.

Remove the veal chops from the air fryer basket and rest them at room temperature for up to 10 minutes. Enjoy!

What to Serve With Veal Chops

Veal is a mild-tasting meat, so many people prefer to pair it with flavorful side dishes, like rice pilaf or potato salad. Risotto, baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, and roasted balsamic vegetables also balance the more understated flavors of veal chops well.

Here are a few more side dishes to pair with veal chops:

• Mushroom pasta
• Scalloped potatoes
• Pasta salad
• Honey-roasted carrots
• Sautéed green beans
• Roasted asparagus with Parmesan
• Wedge salad
• Cornbread
• Garlic bread
• Avocado pasta
• Corn on the cob
• Parmesan-roasted broccoli 
• Boiled herb potatoes

Conclusion: How to Cook Veal Chops

Now, you don’t have to shy away from cooking veal chops because you have all the information you need to cook them in the oven, on the grill, in a pan, or in an air fryer. Remember that choosing high-quality chops is key, and if possible, look for bone-in veal chops for added flavor and even cooking.