What should you cook first in a cast-iron skillet?

Start with Vegetables

Any seared, sautéed, or pan-roasted vegetable recipe is a great place to start breaking in your skillet. Vegetables won't stick to your cooking surface like fatty proteins, and are easy to spread out over the entire cooking surface, helping to build even seasoning.

How do you start cooking in a cast iron skillet?

Whenever you're cooking in your cast iron skillet on a stovetop, make sure you preheat the cast iron for 5-10 minutes on a low to medium heat before adding food to the pan. Cast iron pans don't typically heat evenly, but they do keep the heat really well.

What do you do to a cast iron skillet before you use it?

Do you put oil in cast iron before cooking?

When cooking in cast iron, you should add a little oil to the pan before adding your food. This helps ensure the food doesn't stick, and it helps build layers of seasoning. You can generally use whatever oil you prefer, as long as the cooking temperature is below the smoke point of the oil.

Should cast iron be seasoned before first use?

Many new skillets come with a factory seasoning on them, but if you bought yours used, chances are high that you'll want to create a hardier seasoning by cleaning up the pan and re-seasoning it.

How To Cook With Cast Iron

Should I oil my cast iron after every use?

— To get the best out of your cast iron skillet, it's recommended that you oil it after each use. However, depending on how frequently you use it, 2-3 times a year is sufficient. How can I tell when my skillet is seasoned properly? — A well-seasoned skillet will be noticeably dark with a shiny, semi-gloss finish.

Is olive oil good for seasoning cast iron?

Do not use olive oil or butter to season your cast-iron pan — they're great to cook with, just not for initial seasoning. Place the pan upside down on the top rack of the oven and bake for 1 hour. Turn off the oven, leaving the pan in the oven to cool completely as the oven cools down.

Is it OK to use butter in a cast iron skillet?

Yes, you can cook with butter in your cast iron skillet or Dutch oven. Keep in mind that butter burns at temperatures above 350°F (177°C), so you shouldn't use high heat when you're frying foods with it. Either turn down the heat or substitute it with an oil that has a higher smoke point.

What can you not cook in cast iron?

Can you spray Pam on cast iron?

Do not try to use nonstick sprays like Pam to season your cast iron skillet, as they contain other ingredients that aren't good for your pan.

Should you season a new cast iron skillet?

Classic cast iron skillets need to be seasoned before you can use them. (This is what makes them nonstick!). But many cast iron skillets come “pre-seasoned” now, with the hardest part done for you. Beyond that, the key really is just using the pan.

How are cast iron skillets pre-seasoned?

It is virtually non-stick out of the box.

This is known as seasoning. With pre-seasoned cast iron skillets, though, they add coat the pan in vegetable oil at the factory, and it goes through high-temperature commercial ovens that allow the oil to deeply seep into the iron — essentially jump-starting the whole process.

Why should you season a cast iron skillet?

It gives your cookware that classic black patina. Seasoning forms a natural, easy-release cooking surface and helps prevent your pan from rusting. It may take a little extra care, but a well-seasoned cast iron pan will last for generations.

Do you have to season cast iron every time?

Every time you use your cast-iron skillet, you're wearing some of the seasoning down, and eventually it won't function as well. So season it again whenever you see dull spots. Or do what I do: season it whenever it's out and your oven is on.

What do you do with a new cast iron skillet?

Can you cook eggs in cast iron?

With a few simple tricks to choose the right oil and get your pan to that just-right temperature, you'll get eggs with crispy edges and runny yolks every time (if that's your jam). But don't worry, cast iron makes the perfect egg no matter how you like them done!

What can ruin a cast iron skillet?

Can I cook onions in cast iron?

Pre-heat your Field Skillet, then melt butter over medium heat. Add the onion slices and cook, stirring frequently, until translucent and lightly golden in spots, about 4 - 5 minutes.

Should you use soap on cast iron?

Can I use soap to wash cast iron? Contrary to popular belief, you can use a small amount of soap to clean cast iron cookware! Large amounts of soap can strip the seasoning off your pan, but you can easily re-season your pan as needed.

What oils are best for seasoning cast iron?

The best oil for seasoning cast iron is grapeseed oil because of its high smoke point and versatility. Similar options include peanut oil and vegetable oil. The oil you choose also depends on the heat you intend on using as well as which flavors you prefer.

Do you preheat a cast iron skillet?

How to preheat your cast iron skillet. Because cast iron is slower to heat and does so unevenly, preheating, essential for searing, is also almost always recommended for frying, roasting, and baking. You can do this in your oven or, when you're doing a stovetop preparation, on a burner.

How do you cook a steak in a cast iron pan?

Preheat a heavy cast-iron skillet over high heat until very hot, about 5 minutes. A hot skillet delivers the best sear. Add 1-2 tablespoons of vegetable oil to the pan (enough to coat the bottom). Immediately place your steaks in the hot skillet and sear them for 1 minute on each side.

Can you use Crisco to season cast iron?

Any cooking fat will work, but some make more sense than others. For example, there's absolutely no reason to waste extra-virgin olive oil or other expensive oils for your cast-iron seasoning. We use Crisco shortening because it's inexpensive and easy to apply.

Can you season cast iron with bacon grease?

Cast iron cookware retains heat well and cooks food evenly if cared for properly. Part of caring for your cast iron skillet is seasoning it to keep the surface smooth and to give it a non-stick sheen. Although you can use oil or shortening to season your cast iron skillet, bacon grease works just as well.

Why is food sticking in my cast iron skillet?

Sticking. The Cause: Occasionally food may stick to your cast iron cookware. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as not using enough fat or oil when cooking, using cookware that isn't well seasoned, or when breaking in new cookware that hasn't built up additional layers of seasoning.