BrazilianMedium · Hot
Bife à Parmegiana Brazilian Steak Cutlet with Tomato Sauce
Thin beef cutlets breaded and fried golden, topped with a garlicky tomato sauce and gooey melted mozzarella, finished with a squeeze of lime. Beatriz's Brazilian take on the classic, served with white rice and a fresh cilantro garnish.
Prep
20 min
Cook
35 min
Rest
5 min
Total
1h
Method
Prepare the Beef Cutlets
1
Season the beef steaks generously with salt, black pepper, and minced garlic on both sides. Press the seasoning into the meat with your hands.
Set Up Breading Station
2
Set out three shallow bowls: one with flour seasoned with salt, one with beaten eggs, and one with seasoned breadcrumbs.
Bread and Fry the Cutlets
3
Dredge each beef steak in flour, shaking off excess. Dip into beaten egg, letting excess drip off. Press firmly into breadcrumbs, coating all sides evenly.
4
Heat 1 cup of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
5
Fry the breaded cutlets in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until deep golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a paper-lined plate.
Make the Tomato Sauce
6
In a large saucepan, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add diced yellow onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
Assemble and Bake
8
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place fried cutlets in a baking dish. Spoon a generous layer of tomato sauce over each cutlet.
9
Top each cutlet with shredded mozzarella, covering the sauce completely. Bake for 10-12 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
C
Nutri-Score
Fair balance
A–E · lower is better · score 4
Calories
1801
per serving
Calorie-dense · 1801 kcalSource of protein · 77gLow sugar · 11g
Protein
77g
Carbs
106g
Fat
122g
Sat. fat
29g
Fiber
9g
Sugar
11g
Sodium
2340mg
Not VegetarianNot VeganNot Gluten FreeNot Dairy FreeNot Egg FreeNot KetoNot PaleoNot Low FatHeart ConcernsHigh SodiumHigh Saturated FatWeight Loss CautionExcessive SodiumHigh ProteinLow Carb AlternativeBalanced Meal
Nutri-Score is a general nutritional-balance guide, not medical or dietary advice.
E
Environmental impact
Very high impact
A–E · lower is better · includes estimates
kg CO2e
24
per serving
ECarbonCEU all-round· carbon sets the grade
Water
2.5m³
Land
493Pt
Runoff
0.4g P
beef steak drives 94% of this recipe’s estimated footprint.
Carbon from Poore & Nemecek 2018; water, land & runoff from Agribalyse — modelled averages for comparing recipes, not a measurement of your groceries.
Flavor Profile
7
Umami
4
Sweet
5
Salty
3
Sour
1
Bitter
2
Spicy
Textures
CrispyTenderChewySilky
Aromas
HerbalTomatoeyCheesyCitrus
Kitchen Equipment
Primary Tool
Large SkilletLarge SkilletSaucepanBaking DishChef KnifeCutting BoardMeasuring CupsMeasuring SpoonsShallow BowlsCitrus JuicerGraterSpatulaPaper Towels
Counter FootprintMedium
Safety & Storage
Cooking Temperature
Heat frying oil until shimmering before adding breaded cutlets. Fry for 3-4 minutes per side until deep golden brown. Ensure oil temperature is maintained between batches to achieve proper cooking and avoid greasy results.
Bake assembled cutlets at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes until cheese is fully melted and bubbly. Use a food thermometer to confirm the dish reaches safe serving temperature.
Cross Contamination
Use separate utensils and plates for raw beef during seasoning and the breading process. Do not allow raw meat to contact the finished fried cutlets. Clean work surfaces between handling raw ingredients and ready-to-eat items.
Set up breading station with separate shallow bowls for flour, egg, and breadcrumbs. Avoid double-dipping cutlets after contact with raw egg to prevent bacterial transfer.
Allergen Warning
This dish contains multiple priority allergens (eggs, wheat, milk). If serving to guests with food allergies, prepare allergen-free portions first using dedicated equipment and workspace before handling allergenic ingredients.
High Risk Population
Ensure eggs are fully cooked during frying. Pregnant individuals, young children, elderly, and immunocompromised persons should only consume eggs cooked to firm consistency. Avoid using raw eggs as a dipping component.
Storage
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking. Store in airtight containers. Consume within 3-4 days. Reheat thoroughly to 165°F (74°C) before serving. The tomato sauce component may be stored separately for better texture retention.
Handling
Use long tongs and a spider strainer when handling cutlets in hot oil at 350-375°F. Place fried cutlets on paper-lined plates to drain excess oil. Allow oil to cool before discarding.
Equipment Safety
Never leave hot oil unattended on the stovetop. Keep a tight-fitting lid nearby to smother any grease fire. Do not use water to extinguish oil fires. Ensure baking dish is oven-safe before baking at 400°F.
Pro Tips
Technique
When breading the cutlets, press the breadcrumbs firmly with your hands and let the cutlet rest for a few minutes before frying — this creates a crust that stays crispy even under the sauce and cheese.
Flavor Boost
Don't skip the lime! A generous squeeze right before serving brightens the entire dish and cuts through the richness of the cheese and fried coating.
Substitution
If you can't find fresh mozzarella, provoloneolone fresco works beautifully — it melts just as well and has a lovely mild tang that pairs with the garlicky tomato sauce.
Reheating
This dish reheats wonderfully in a 350°F oven for 15 minutes covered with foil — the microwave makes the breadcrumbs soggy, but the oven revives that golden crisp.
From the chef
The secret to bife à parmegiana is in the layers — the cutlet breaded and fried until deeply golden, the garlicky tomato sauce that has simmered long enough to lose any sharpness, the mozzarella melted and bubbling on top in a hot oven. Every element earns its place. Season the beef generously with garlic before you bread it, fry in batches so the crust stays crisp, and let the sauce reduce until it coats the back of a spoon. Then that final squeeze of lime over the melted cheese — bright against all that richness — is the move that makes this dish. Serve over white rice with extra sauce.
TagsBreadedFriedCheesyComfort FoodTomato SauceLimeCilantro
AllergensEggsWheatMilk
Source: generated · June 10, 2026