To cook eggs without sticking in cast iron, thoroughly preheat the well-seasoned pan over medium-low heat, add enough fat (butter is great), then add the eggs and let them sit undisturbed for 30-60 seconds to form a slight skin before gently moving or scrambling, and always lower the heat once the eggs are in to prevent burning due to cast iron's heat retention.
How to Cook Eggs in Cast Iron. Step 1: Place your cast iron skillet over medium heat and let it warm up until you start to see smoke (this may take 3-5 minutes). Step 2: Add your fat of choice (I love using butter!) and swirl it around the pan. Step 3: Add your egg(s), but don't overcrowd the pan.
You shouldn't cook eggs in a cast-iron skillet, especially if it's new or not well-seasoned, because they tend to stick badly, leading to messy cleanup and potential damage to the pan's seasoning. While a perfectly seasoned, older pan can cook eggs with proper low-heat technique, eggs are delicate and can easily pull off the polymerized fat layer, especially scrambled eggs or omelets, making a nonstick pan a better choice for this food.
The "555 egg method" is a popular technique for making easy-peel hard-boiled eggs in an Instant Pot or other pressure cooker, involving 5 minutes of high pressure, a 5-minute natural pressure release, and a final 5-minute ice bath to stop cooking and loosen the shell, though results can vary, with some finding it perfect and others needing adjustments.
The skillet does half of the work: We first load the eggs into a cold pan, then set it over a moderately low flame—the cast iron's slow heat distribution is an asset, in this case, gently warming the egg mixture and preventing any scorches or dry spots.
You can use either a cast iron or non stick skillet, but you must heat the pan over medium heat for at least 3 minutes and the oil for another minute or two, until it's shimmering. Otherwise, the eggs may stick to the pan when using a cast iron.
You should avoid cooking highly acidic foods (tomatoes, wine sauces), delicate fish (tilapia, flounder), and eggs in cast iron, especially if the pan isn't perfectly seasoned, as these can stick or damage the non-stick seasoning, leading to metallic tastes or stuck food. Sticky desserts and strong-flavored foods can also be problematic as cast iron retains flavors.
A knob of butter – This adds flavour and keeps the eggs from sticking. You can use dairy-free or plant-based butter, or even a drizzle of olive oil if you prefer something lighter. Salt and pepper – Essential seasoning, I like to mix some in before cooking and finish with a crack of black pepper on top.
Preventing Food from Sticking to Cast Iron Cookware
5 Mistakes That Could Ruin Your Cast Iron Skillet
Eggs fall into the category of sticky foods that are not ideal for cast iron skillets that haven't built up their seasoning yet. While cast iron can become non-stick with sufficient use over time, a newer skillet will almost certainly cause your eggs to stick to its porous surface.
First, the black specks you see coming off into your food are not harmful. They are most likely carbon deposits. This happens due to overheating of fats and oils.
Incorrect Temperature
Another common reason is incorrect cooking temperature. "Eggs will stick if the pan is too cool or too hot," notes Tanner. Cast iron takes some time to heat up, so it's worth learning how to properly warm it before cooking eggs.
Grapeseed Oil
It's ideal for both cooking and seasoning cast iron pans, helping maintain a smooth cooking surface without leaving any strong flavors behind.
Cooking Eggs in Cast Iron: My Mom's 4-Step Foolproof Process
You can boil eggs in either cold or hot water, but starting in cold water is often recommended to prevent cracking by allowing gradual heating, while starting in hot (boiling) water can lead to easier peeling, especially for hard-boiled eggs, though you need to temper cold eggs first or risk cracking. Both methods work, but cold-start gives more consistent cooking for soft/medium eggs, while hot-start excels for easy peeling in hard-boiled eggs.
It raises good HDL while keeping LDL in check. 🔥 Testosterone boost → If you're eating whole eggs, you're getting vitamin D & healthy fats—critical for hormone production & performance.