20 Best Vegan Cast Iron Skillet Recipes | Perfect Vegan Camping Food (2024)

FAQs

Is cast iron good for vegan cooking? ›

I would say cast-iron is a good choice for them because the only oil that is absolutely required for cooking in cast-iron is at the time of seasoning. Once polymerized into that non-stick coat on top of the cast-iron itself, the oil is unlikely to leach into your food – and if it does, it will be in minute amounts.

Coat the skillet with oil (high-heat oil like avocado or virgin is best). Place the pan upside on the top rack and a baking sheet underneath to catch any drips. Bake for 1 hour. Leave pan to cool inside oven.

Wash your cast iron with hot soapy water and dry thoroughly. Use a paper or cloth towel to rub a thin layer of a high-heat vegetable oil (such as canola or avocado) all over the surface (interior and exterior). You don't need much — just a thin layer. Place pan upside down on a center rack and bake for 1 hour.

For one, cast iron pans aren't perfectly smooth and foods like eggs may get stuck. For the best results, make sure to keep your cast iron pan seasoned, and preheat the skillet for a few minutes before you add any food to it. This allows the pan to heat evenly and prevents most food from sticking. Add fat as needed.

The disadvantages of cast iron

Additionally, cast iron pans require regular maintenance, including seasoning and careful cleaning, to prevent rust and maintain their non-stick surface. Improper cleaning or using harsh cleaning agents can strip away the seasoning and damage the pan.

To wash my cast iron skillets, I'll use hot water and a plastic brush or plastic mesh scrubbing pad to remove food and grease. I wipe dry. For dried or cooked on foods, I'll soak in hot water for no more than five minutes and hopefully less. I then brush and wipe dry.

One of my favorite tricks is to scrub those pesky bits of food away with salt. For this process, you'll actually dry off the cast iron. Then dump half a cup of coarse salt into the pan. Now, use a dish towel or some paper towels to scrub that food away!

Pre-heat oven to approximately 400°C, or heat over an outdoor grill. Wash the item with hot water and scrub with a stiff brush; repeat until rust is removed. Rinse and dry.

What oils can I use to season cast iron? All cooking oils and fats can be used for seasoning cast iron, but based on availability, affordability, effectiveness, and having a high smoke point, Lodge recommends vegetable oil, melted shortening, or canola oil, like our Seasoning Spray.

Is Crisco good for seasoning cast iron? ›

The best oil to season your cast iron, according to Ross, is Crisco. It's not only versatile and easy to find, but it's also food safe. You need to reseason your cast iron only occasionally—the pans actually get better with age when cared for properly—but you should still apply a fine layer of oil after every use.

Traditionally, lard was used to season cast iron, and while that is still okay, we do not recommend it unless you frequently use your cookware. If the cookware is stored for too long, lard and other animal-based fats can go rancid. Using flaxseed oil to season cast iron pans is a growing trend.

Pour 2 to 3 tablespoons of coarse kosher salt into your cast iron skillet. (If you have a smaller pan, one tablespoon will do just fine.) It's important that you use a coarse grained salt—this will provide the traction you need to remove food particles.

First cleaning

Place the pan on a stove burner on low heat for about 2 minutes to evaporate any excess water. After removing from the heat, wipe the interior of the pan with a paper towel and a few drops of oil or our cast iron seasoning a in order to protect the surface from rust.

Making Sauces in a Cast Iron Melting Pot

Add a small amount of fat, like butter or olive oil. Add minced garlic or shallots and cook until translucent. Add aromatics like rosemary, thyme, or sage. Add additional ingredients, like broth, soy sauce, and tomato sauce.

Everyone can enjoy cast iron meals.

Browse our selection of gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, and Whole30 recipes. Find delicious cast iron recipes to satisfy your dietary needs.

You'll use less oil, avoid harmful chemicals, and get a little extra iron in your diet. The reasons why we love a classic cast-iron skillet include but are in no way limited to the following: Pizza. Burgers.

Yes, cast iron pans are healthy to use for cooking food. But you need to make sure that you are using them correctly. The best way is to bring them up to temperature before putting in the fats and foods you are going to cook. This ensures that any potential bacteria are completely eliminated.