1. A thin, tender cut of meat (usually from lamb, pork or veal) taken from the leg or rib section. Cutlets are best when quickly cooked, such as sautéed or grilled. 2. A mixture of finely chopped meat, fish or poultry that's bound with a sauce or egg mixture and formed into the shape of a cutlet. This type of formed cutlet is often dipped into beaten egg and then into bread crumbs before being fried.