How to cook scrambled eggs in a cast iron pan?

Add Eggs and Stir, Stir, Stir Once you've poured your eggs into your buttered cast iron pan, immediately turn the heat down to low. Let your eggs cook for about 30 seconds without stirring to set up, then give them a good stir with your spatula, scraping the bottom as you stir constantly.

Why should one avoid using a cast iron skillet for scrambled eggs?

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.

Why do scrambled eggs turn green in a cast iron skillet?

Why do Scrambled Eggs Turn Green In a Cast Iron Skillet? This harmless but unappealing color change is the result of a chemical reaction between iron in the pan and sulfur in egg whites.

What oil is best for cooking eggs in cast iron skillet?

You can also use butter, bacon fat, avocado oil, coconut oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil . Butter and bacon fat are just the right consistency to evenly coat the pan and stay in place. Other oils will also do the trick, just make sure to give them an extra swirl around the skillet before adding the eggs.

What is the best skillet to scramble eggs in?

Our top picks: Best Overall Egg Pan. Le Creuset Toughened Nonstick PRO Fry Pan. Read more. Best Value Egg Pan. Ayesha Curry Home Collection Porcelain Enamel Nonstick Skillet. Read more. Best Ceramic Egg Pan. GreenPan Valencia Pro Healthy Ceramic Nonstick 5-Piece Incredible Egg Set. Read more. Jan 29, 2024

Is cast iron or stainless steel better for eggs?

Cast iron reigns supreme Though cast iron pans do not always heat in an even manner, they retain heat better than other pans. This means pre-heated cast iron pans will maintain a consistent temperature throughout the cooking process, which allows the eggs to reach cooking completion before they lose their fluffiness.

Why do my scrambled eggs stick to my nonstick pan?

You are probably getting the pan too hot. Try turning down the heat. Use a pad of butter, or a small dollop of oil. If the eggs are getting crispy and bubbly around the edges they are too hot, and will stick, even in a fairly new non-stick pan.

What temperature to scramble eggs?

Preheat the pan over medium heat, but don't get too crazy with the flame when it comes time to actually cook the eggs. "Scrambled eggs should be cooked slowly, over medium-low heat ," explains Perry. "A good scramble takes a minute!" Go hotter, and you'll have overly dry eggs.

What do you put in the pan before scrambling eggs?

To make scrambled eggs on the stove, melt a teaspoon of butter or olive oil — or a combination of both — in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Butter and oil add rich flavor to the eggs and help prevent sticking, but you can also use cooking spray.

What temperature should the stove be on to heat the skillet for scrambled eggs?

Warm the skillet over medium heat. Finally, cook. Pour in the egg mixture, and let it cook for a few seconds, undisturbed. Then, pull a rubber spatula across the bottom of the pan to form large, soft curds of scrambled eggs.

What kind of heat transfer is making scrambled eggs in a skillet?

Conduction is the process of heat being transferred between objects through direct contact, and it's the most common type of heat transfer. For example, in cooking the burners on stoves will conduct heat energy to the bottom of a pan sitting on top of it. From there, the pan conducts heat to its contents.

The Right Way to Cook Scrambled Eggs in Cast Iron (2024)

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The Right Way to Cook Scrambled Eggs in Cast Iron (1)

Lots of people will tell you that you should never, ever cook scrambled eggs in cast iron. Why not, you may ask? They stick and make a big mess!

But what if I told you they don’t have to stick? I’m here to give you all the tips and tricks for light, fluffy scrambled eggs every time – and a sparkling clean pan you won’t need to scrub when you’re done.

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Scrambled Eggs Basics

Have you ever had lifeless, rubbery scrambled eggs? I love eggs, and I will eat them no matter what terrible thing I might inadvertently do to them. That said, I definitely prefer a fluffy scrambled egg to a rubbery one.

Adding dairy like milk, cream, or even cottage cheese or yogurt, can give your eggs a softer texture. Personally, I like to add buttermilk.

Some people add water to eggs. The idea is that the water will convert to steam as the eggs cook and the eggs’ texture will be more open as a result. When I add water, my results aren’t any better so I don’t do it. However, there may be some trick I’m missing – so feel free to try!

Choose the right Cast Iron Skillet

The Right Way to Cook Scrambled Eggs in Cast Iron (2)

One essential thing when cooking eggs in cast iron is to choose the right cast iron skillet.

As with anything you cook in cast iron, it’s best to use a well-seasoned skillet. You can heap extra butter on your pan all day long; you’re still likely to have sticking issues if your pan isn’t well-seasoned.

That said, the texture of your cast iron itself also makes a difference. For example: my grandmother’s old cast iron pans are a smoother texture than my new ones. The ones I bought have a rough, pebbly texture.

While I have successfully cooked scrambled eggs on my newer pans, my results were inconsistent. When I use my grandmother’s cast iron, I can consistently guarantee my eggs won’t stick when I use this method.

If you’re looking for smoother skillets you can do one of two things. My first suggestion would be to hit one of your local thrift stores or antique shops. If it’s rusty, no problem. It’s very easy to restore cast iron.

Alternatively, You could purchase a modern polished cast iron skillet. Manufacturers polish the surface of these pans in order to create a smoother cooking surface. The three main companies I would recommend are Stargazer, Smithey, and the Field Company.

Use a well-seasoned pan

Traditional nonstick pans have toxic coatings that, while allowing you to cook oil-free without your food sticking, also have health risks associated with them. I highly recommend switching to a non-toxic cooking option!

Your cast iron skillet needs to be well-seasoned in order to prevent sticking with scrambled eggs. You can tell if your pan is well-seasoned if other food you’ve been cooking has been lifting away nicely, and also by looking at it. If you’re seeing lighter patches or even chipped away patches in your black finish, then it may be time to re-season.

Even if you have the most well-seasoned cast iron skillet in the nation, it isn’t perfectly non-stick on its own. You need to cook the food in oil. My favorite is butter, but you can also use other healthy oils like coconut or olive oil.

I recommend using a thin-edged metal spatula to help prevent sticking. I like to cook with my nice wooden spatula, but I’ve found that the thicker edge makes it harder to guarantee that my eggs won’t stick.

How to Cook Scrambled Eggs

The Right Way to Cook Scrambled Eggs in Cast Iron (3)

Preheat the pan. It’s essential to preheat any cast iron pan before cooking. Let it get hot before adding your fat and eggs.
Mix thoroughly. Whisk the egg mixture a lot! This will help guarantee that the whites, yolk, and buttermilk are well incorporated. It also adds a lot of air into the egg mixture so your final result is fluffier. You can use an electric mixer if you wish. For this recipe, you’ll want to add your buttermilk and salt and pepper before whisking. (If you want to add cheese, do this after whisking and stir gently to incorporate.)
Add fat to the pan. All cast iron pans need a fat in the pan to prevent sticking, even if you have the most well-seasoned pan in all of history. I add 1 tbsp of butter for six eggs, which is enough for my family of four. I let it cook in the pan until it becomes golden, which adds to the depth of flavor.
Let eggs sit. Add your eggs to the pan and turn the heat down to low. Because cast iron retains its heat well, they’ll cook thoroughly. The most important thing here is to let your eggs sit for at least 30 seconds. Make sure a skin has formed all along the bottom of your eggs before you begin to stir.
Stir SLOWLY. Stir gently with long strokes, scraping the bottom of the pan as you go. This will create large curds. Stirring too quickly might cause the eggs to stick. Stir only until they’re mostly set, but still a little wet, and remove from the heat. Stir a bit more until eggs are the desired texture.
Serve. Remove the eggs from the pan immediately after cooking. Because cast iron retains heat so effectively, your eggs may turn dry and overcooked if you leave them in the pan.

Buttermilk Scrambled Eggs on Cast Iron

Yield: 4 servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

These tasty, fluffy scrambled eggs not only taste great, but they won't gum up your cast iron pan!

Ingredients

6 eggs
1/4 c. buttermilk
Salt & Pepper to taste
1/4 shredded or cottage cheese (optional)
1 Tbsp of butter for pan

Instructions

Preheat a 10-inch cast iron skillet over medium heat.
Whisk eggs, buttermilk, and salt & pepper thoroughly until mixture has turned a lighter yellow and is full of bubbles.
Add cheese to egg mixture if desired and stir gently until incorporated.
Add butter to pan and spread it thoroughly with a metal spatula. Wait until it turns golden, then turn heat down to low and add the egg mixture.
Let the eggs sit for at least 30 seconds before stirring. This will allow the eggs to cook partially which helps prevent sticking. Then, stir slowly with long strokes, dragging spatula across the bottom of the pan. This should form large curds. Stirring too quickly could cause eggs to stick.
Remove pan from heat after eggs are set but still a little wet. Stir a little more until eggs are the desired texture, then serve immediately. Do not leave eggs on the pan, as they will continue cooking and could become dry and overcooked.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 165Total Fat: 12.3gSaturated Fat: 5.4gCholesterol: 294.4mgSodium: 189.3mgCarbohydrates: 1.5gFiber: 0gSugar: .8gProtein: 11.7g

I hope you enjoy cooking these delicious buttermilk scrambled eggs on your own cast iron skillet. Leave me a note in the comments or a rating to let me know how it goes!