Recipe & Photos by Barebones
Cooking in cast iron can feel overwhelming, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll never go back! These four easy recipes are the perfect place to start. With just a cast iron skillet, a spatula, and a few simple ingredients, you can whip up everything from a Dutch baby pancake that’s light, golden, and perfect for brunch, to a perfect fried egg with crispy edges and a runny yolk. Craving something savory? Master the art of grilled cheese in cast iron with a crispy, buttery crust, and gooey center, or go all in with a pan-seared New York strip that’s rich, juicy, and packed with flavor.
What You'll Need
How to Make
A Dutch Baby Pancake
Servings: 4 | Prep Time: 15 min | Cook Time: 25 min | Total Time: 40 min
Ingredients
- 6 large eggs
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- Pinch of salt
- Suggested Toppings:
- Fruit
- Maple syrup
- Yogurt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F to warm your cast iron skillet.
- While your skillet is warming up, add your eggs, flour, milk, vanilla, and salt into your bowl or blender. Blend for about 4 minutes or until light and smooth.
- Very carefully remove the skillet from the oven and place on a hot pad. Add your butter to the skillet and let it melt.
- Once the butter is fully melted and bubbly, pour your batter into the skillet and place it in the oven.
- Bake your dutch baby pancake for 20-25 minutes at 425°F. It will rise quite a bit while baking but reduce once taken out. Your pancake is finished baking once it is golden brown.
- After removing your skillet from the oven, top with desired toppings, cut, and serve.
How to Make
The Perfect Fried Egg
Servings: 1 | Cook Time: 2 min | Total Time: 2 min
Ingredients
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon butter or avocado oil
Instructions
- Heat your cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until smoking just slightly.
- Add butter (or a high-heat oil like avocado) and ensure the whole pan is coated, then crack your egg into the buttered, hot skillet. Be careful not to break the yolk - being delicate is key!
- Let the egg cook without touching it for about 1 minute, or until the inner yolk has about ¼ of an inch of uncooked egg white surrounding it. Add some salt and pepper.
- Carefully flip the egg using a metal spatula. Once it’s flipped, don’t touch it! Let it cook on this side for about 30 seconds, then remove the egg from heat. The yolk should be perfectly runny and the whites should be perfectly fried…for the perfect fried egg!
How to Make
A Grilled Cheese In Cast Iron
Servings: 1 | Prep Time: 10 min | Cook Time: 10 min | Total Time: 20 min
Ingredients
- Sliced Bread of your choice (sourdough is great)
- Cheese of your choice (cheddar, swiss, gruyere, mozzarella—or a mix)
- Butter
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Heat your cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add a generous pat of butter and let it melt, ensuring the bottom of the skillet is evenly coated.
- Place your bread slices in the skillet. Keep an eye on the bottom to make sure it doesn’t burn—once it’s golden and crispy, flip both slices to toast the other side. Add more butter to the skillet as needed.
- Once both sides of the bread are perfectly toasted, pile on your cheese, either sliced or grated, and cover with the second slice of bread—the crispy side facing the cheese.
- Let the sandwich cook, pressing it down gently with a spatula to help melt the cheese. Once the bottom is golden and crispy, carefully flip the sandwich.
- Cook the second side until it’s also golden brown and the cheese is perfectly melted inside.
- Remove the sandwich from the skillet, slice it in half, and serve. Optional: pair with tomato soup.
How to Make
Pan Seared New York Strip
Servings: 1-2 | Prep Time: 5 min | Cook Time: 8 min | Total Time: 13 min
Ingredients
- New York Strip
- Butter
- Salt & Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F.
- Place your cast iron skillet on the stovetop over medium heat. Add a generous pat of butter and let it melt, ensuring the entire bottom of the skillet is coated.
Season your steak generously with salt and freshly cracked pepper on both sides. - Once the skillet is hot, add the steak and sear it for 2-3 minutes on each side, until a rich, golden-brown crust forms. If you prefer, sear the edges as well for extra flavor.
- Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and roast the steak for 3-5 minutes, depending on your desired level of doneness. For medium-rare, aim for an internal temperature of 145°F; for medium, aim for 155°F.
- Remove the skillet from the oven (using oven mitts or a hot pad!) and let the steak rest for a few minutes.
- Serve your steak with roasted potatoes, sautéed greens, or your preferred side dish.
