Cast iron cookware has been a staple in kitchens for centuries, known for its durability and even heat distribution. Now it is time to find out what types of food to cook in cast iron. But with so many options available, you might wonder which types of foods truly shine when prepared in a trusty cast iron pan. Whether it’s a perfectly seared steak or a mouthwatering cornbread, certain dishes are meant to be cooked in this versatile kitchen essential.
Get ready to discover the mouthwatering possibilities that await you in the world of cast iron cooking. When it comes to cooking, cast iron is a versatile and reliable option that can handle a wide variety of dishes. From meats to vegetables, desserts to one-pot meals, cast iron can handle it all with its excellent heat retention and even heat distribution. So, let’s dive into the world of cast iron cooking and explore the best types of foods to cook in this classic cookware!
Table of Contents
Foods To Cook In Cast Iron – Meats
Beef
Beef lovers rejoice! Cast iron is perfect for cooking all cuts of beef, whether it’s a juicy steak, tender pot roast, or flavorful burgers. The high heat retention of cast iron allows for a beautiful sear on the outside while keeping the inside moist and succulent. So, grab your cast iron skillet or grill pan and fire up the stove for your next beefy masterpiece!
Pork
From pork chops to pulled pork, cast iron is the go-to choice for cooking pork. The even heat distribution of cast iron ensures that your pork is cooked to perfection, with a crispy exterior and juicy interior. Whether you’re grilling, pan-frying, or slow-cooking, a well-seasoned cast iron skillet or Dutch oven will become your trusty companion in the kitchen.
Chicken
When it comes to chicken, cast iron is a winner. Whether you’re roasting a whole chicken, searing chicken breasts, or frying up some crispy chicken thighs, cast iron provides even heat and retains moisture, resulting in delicious and tender chicken every time. So, dust off that cast iron skillet or grill pan and get ready to enjoy some finger-licking goodness!
Fish
Fish and cast iron may not seem like an obvious pairing, but don’t underestimate its capabilities. Cast iron can handle delicate fillets of fish without sticking or falling apart. Whether you’re pan-searing salmon or grilling a whole fish, the even heating of cast iron ensures that your fish is perfectly cooked and beautifully caramelized. So, don’t be afraid to experiment with fish in your cast iron cookware!
Sausages
Sausages and cast iron are a match made in culinary heaven. Whether you’re cooking bratwursts, Italian sausages, or breakfast links, cast iron allows for excellent browning and crispy skins. The even heat distribution of cast iron ensures that your sausages cook evenly and retain their juicy flavors. So, next time you’re craving sausages, reach for your trusty cast iron skillet or griddle!
Bread
Though cast iron is often associated with savory dishes, it can also work wonders when it comes to baking bread. Cast iron retains heat exceptionally well, creating the perfect environment for bread to rise and develop a crunchy crust. Whether you’re baking a classic loaf of artisan bread or whipping up some cornbread, a cast iron Dutch oven or skillet will give your baked goods that perfect golden color and mouth-watering flavor.
Vegetables
Potatoes
Potatoes and cast iron go hand in hand. Whether you’re making crispy roasted potatoes, tender mashed potatoes, or hearty potato gratin, cast iron provides even heat distribution and excellent browning. The heat retention of cast iron ensures that your potatoes cook evenly, resulting in delicious and perfectly cooked spuds every time. So, get ready to elevate your potato dishes with the help of your trusty cast iron cookware!
Corn
Corn lovers, rejoice! Cast iron is the perfect choice for cooking corn. Whether you’re grilling corn on the cob, making creamy corn chowder, or whipping up a cornbread, cast iron delivers that perfect char and enhances the natural sweetness of corn. So, fire up your cast iron grill pan or skillet and get ready to enjoy the flavors of summer!
Asparagus
Asparagus is a delicate vegetable that needs gentle cooking to retain its vibrant color and crisp texture. Cast iron provides gentle and even heat, allowing you to perfectly sauté or roast asparagus to perfection. The excellent heat retention of cast iron helps in achieving that beautiful caramelization on the outside while keeping the inside tender and flavorful. So, grab your cast iron skillet or grill pan and let the asparagus shine!
Mushrooms
Mushrooms and cast iron are a winning combination. Whether you’re sautéing mushrooms for a delicious side dish, adding them to a stir-fry, or using them as a topping for pizzas or omelettes, cast iron’s even heat distribution allows for excellent browning and enhances the flavors of mushrooms. So, heat up your cast iron skillet and get ready to enjoy the earthy goodness of mushrooms!
Peppers
If you love your peppers with a bit of char and smoky flavor, cast iron is your best friend. Whether you’re roasting bell peppers for salads, sautéing spicy chili peppers, or charring poblano peppers for a tasty sauce, cast iron provides the high heat required for achieving that perfect char and smoky flavor. So, grab your cast iron skillet or griddle and get ready to add some zing to your dishes!
Desserts
Fruit Cobbler
Fruit cobblers are a classic and comforting dessert that is perfectly suited for cast iron cooking. The even heat distribution of cast iron ensures that your cobbler bakes evenly, resulting in a golden crust and gooey fruit filling. Whether you’re making a peach cobbler, apple crisp, or berry crumble, a cast iron skillet or Dutch oven will bring out the best flavors in your dessert.
Brownies
Who can resist a perfectly fudgy brownie? With cast iron, you can achieve that ideal combination of crispy edges and a gooey center. The even heat of cast iron ensures that your brownies bake evenly and develop that coveted crackly top. Whether you prefer classic chocolate, walnut, or even salted caramel brownies, a cast iron baking pan will take your brownie game to the next level.
Cornbread
Cornbread and cast iron are a match made in Southern heaven. Cast iron skillets provide the perfect vessel for baking cornbread, ensuring a crispy crust and moist interior. The even heat distribution of cast iron ensures that your cornbread cooks evenly, resulting in a golden brown delight with a touch of smokiness. So, dust off your cast iron skillet and indulge in some homemade cornbread goodness.
Upside-Down Cake
Upside-down cakes, with their caramelized fruit topping, are a beautiful and delicious dessert. Cast iron’s excellent heat retention and even heat distribution make it the perfect choice for baking upside-down cakes. Whether you’re making a classic pineapple upside-down cake, apple, or peach version, a cast iron skillet will help you achieve that perfect caramelization and moist cake.
Pancakes
Fluffy pancakes are a breakfast favorite, and cast iron can help you make them even better. The even heating of cast iron griddles ensures that your pancakes cook evenly and develop a golden brown color. The heat retention of cast iron also helps in achieving that perfect crispy edge while keeping the inside fluffy and tender. So, start your day off right with a stack of delicious cast iron-cooked pancakes!
Eggs
Fried Eggs
If you love your fried eggs with crispy edges and a runny yolk, cast iron is the way to go. Cast iron skillets provide excellent heat retention and even heating, allowing you to achieve that perfect sear on the bottom of your eggs while keeping the yolk deliciously runny. So, crack those eggs onto your sizzling cast iron skillet and get ready for breakfast perfection!
Omelettes
Creating a fluffy and perfectly cooked omelette is an art, and cast iron can be your canvas. The even heat distribution of cast iron ensures that your omelette cooks evenly without any hot spots. Whether you prefer a classic cheese omelette or a loaded veggie version, a well-seasoned cast iron skillet will help you create a beautifully cooked omelette every time.
Egg Frittata
Frittatas are a versatile and delicious option for breakfast, brunch, or even dinner. Cast iron skillets are perfect for making frittatas, as they can go from stovetop to oven seamlessly. The even heat distribution of cast iron allows the frittata to cook evenly and develop a golden crust. So, chop up your favorite veggies, whisk some eggs, and let your cast iron skillet bring the frittata to life!
Breakfast Skillet
A hearty and satisfying breakfast skillet is a great way to start your day, and cast iron is the best tool for the job. Whether you’re making a classic combination of potatoes, eggs, and bacon or experimenting with different ingredients, cast iron’s even heat distribution ensures that everything cooks evenly and develops beautiful flavors. So, fire up your cast iron skillet, toss in your favorite breakfast ingredients, and savor the deliciousness!
Pizza
If you’re a pizza lover, you’ll be thrilled to know that cast iron can help you achieve that perfect crispy crust and gooey cheese. Preheating a cast iron skillet or pizza pan in the oven allows the crust to get nice and crispy, similar to the brick oven effect. Whether you’re making a classic Margherita or a loaded meat lover’s pizza, cast iron will become your new favorite way to achieve pizzeria-quality results at home.
Grains
Risotto
Risotto, with its creamy and tender texture, is a dish that requires constant stirring and even heat. Cast iron Dutch ovens provide great heat retention and even cooking, allowing you to achieve that perfect risotto consistency. The ability of cast iron to hold heat ensures that the rice cooks evenly and absorbs the flavors of the delicious broth. So, grab your trusty cast iron Dutch oven and get ready for a comforting bowl of risotto goodness.
Grits
Grits, a Southern staple, are a delicious and versatile grain that can be served as a side dish or as a main course. Cast iron helps in achieving that creamy and smooth texture that grits are known for. The even heat distribution of cast iron allows the grits to cook evenly and prevents any scorching. So, grab your cast iron skillet or saucepan and whip up some comforting and flavorful grits!
Polenta
Polenta, a traditional Italian staple, is a cornmeal porridge that requires slow and gentle cooking to achieve its desired creaminess. Cast iron Dutch ovens are perfect for cooking polenta, as they provide even heat distribution and excellent heat retention. The sturdy construction of cast iron ensures that the polenta cooks gently and evenly, resulting in a silky smooth texture. So, embrace the Italian tradition and cook up some delicious polenta in your cast iron Dutch oven.
Sauces and Gravies
Tomato Sauce
Homemade tomato sauce is a staple in many kitchens, and cast iron can help you take it to the next level. The even heating of cast iron allows the tomato sauce to simmer slowly, enhancing the flavors and developing that rich and luscious texture. Whether you’re making marinara, Bolognese, or arrabbiata sauce, a cast iron Dutch oven or saucepan is your secret weapon for a delicious tomato sauce.
Red Wine Reduction
Adding a red wine reduction sauce to your dishes can elevate the flavors to new heights. Cast iron’s even heat distribution and excellent heat retention make it the perfect cookware for reducing wine. The wide surface area of cast iron skillets allows for quick evaporation, resulting in a concentrated and flavorful reduction. So, whether you’re making a red wine reduction for a steak or a sauce for roasted vegetables, reach for your trusty cast iron skillet and get ready to impress!
Bechamel Sauce
Bechamel sauce, also known as white sauce, is a classic French sauce made from butter, flour, and milk. Cast iron saucepans are perfect for making bechamel sauce, as they provide even heat distribution and excellent temperature control. The heat retention of cast iron allows the sauce to simmer gently, creating a silky smooth texture. So, grab your cast iron saucepan and whisk up some delicious bechamel sauce for your next pasta or gratin dish.
Gravy
No Sunday roast or Thanksgiving dinner is complete without a rich and flavorful gravy. Cast iron roasting pans are perfect for making gravies, as they allow for even heat distribution and excellent browning of meat drippings. The wide and shallow design of cast iron roasting pans ensures that the gravy reduces evenly and develops that deep and savory flavor. So, grab your cast iron roasting pan, deglaze it with some broth or wine, and get ready to pour some mouth-watering gravy over your favorite dishes!
Stir-fries
Stir-fries are quick, flavorful, and perfect for weeknight dinners. And when it comes to stir-frying, cast iron woks are a fantastic choice. The excellent heat retention and even heat distribution of cast iron allow for quick and efficient cooking of the ingredients. The wide bottom and high sides of cast iron woks provide ample space for tossing and flipping the ingredients without spilling. So, fire up your cast iron wok, chop up your favorite veggies and proteins, and stir-fry your way to a tasty and healthy meal!
One-Pot Meals
Chili
Chili is a hearty and comforting one-pot meal that is perfect for cold winter nights. Cast iron Dutch ovens are ideal for cooking chili, as they provide excellent heat retention and even heating. The even heat distribution of cast iron ensures that the flavors meld together beautifully and that the chili simmers gently for hours. So, grab your cast iron Dutch oven, gather your favorite ingredients, and let the flavors of your homemade chili develop to perfection.
Jambalaya
Jambalaya, a delicious Creole dish, is a combination of sausages, meats, and flavorful rice cooked in one pot. Cast iron Dutch ovens are the perfect vessel for making jambalaya, as they provide even heat distribution and excellent heat retention. The ability of cast iron to hold heat ensures that the rice cooks evenly and absorbs the delicious flavors of the meats and spices. So, embrace the spirit of New Orleans and cook up a flavorful pot of jambalaya in your trusty cast iron Dutch oven.
Paella
Paella, a classic Spanish dish, is a beautiful combination of saffron-infused rice, meats, and seafood cooked in a large and shallow pan. Cast iron paella pans are the traditional choice for making paella, as they provide even heat distribution and ample space for the ingredients to cook evenly. The excellent heat retention of cast iron ensures that the rice develops the coveted socarrat, a crispy and caramelized crust. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your cast iron paella pan, and get ready to enjoy the flavors of Spain right at home.
Ratatouille
Ratatouille, a delicious French dish, is a medley of vegetables cooked in a rich tomato sauce. Cast iron Dutch ovens are perfect for making ratatouille, as they provide even heat distribution and excellent heat retention. The wide surface area of cast iron Dutch ovens allows the vegetables to cook evenly and develop flavors while simmering in the sauce. So, chop up your favorite vegetables, add some herbs, and let your cast iron Dutch oven transform simple ingredients into a delectable ratatouille.
With its versatility and ability to deliver exceptional results, cast iron cookware is a must-have in every kitchen. From meats to bread, vegetables to desserts, and everything in between, cast iron excels at bringing out the best flavors in a wide variety of dishes. So, embrace the power of cast iron and let it elevate your cooking to new heights!