February 02, 2023

Cast Iron Cookware 101

Written By: Le Creuset Canada February 02, 2023

Cast iron cookware offers home cooks and chefs alike a number of benefits in the kitchen and is extremely versatile. Whether you want to sear a steak, or are looking to bake a loaf of bread, cast iron cookware accommodates with ease, allowing you to tackle a number of new recipes.

Familiarizing yourself with this cookware material will open up the possibilities in the kitchen and simplify meal preparation for years to come. From providing superior heat retention and even heat distribution to tackling a variety of new cooking techniques, learning how to use cast iron cookware can make a world of difference in the kitchen.

Le Creuset’s enamelled cast iron cookware has established itself as the world’s quality benchmark and is cast individually in sand molds before being hand inspected by French artisans, ensuring its durability and performance.

Here is the complete guide to cast iron cookware, including its benefits, common uses, and three unique recipes to experiment with.

What is Cast Iron Cookware?

Cast iron cookware is known for its durability, superior heat retention, versatility, and ability to provide an easy-release nonstick surface when it is properly seasoned. Le Creuset’s cast iron cookware features a crack- and chip-resistant exterior enamel and is compatible with all cooktops, including induction.

Cast iron cookware is extremely versatile, accommodating a number of cooking techniques including searing, pan-frying, grilling, sautéing, slow-cooking, braising and even baking. In many ways, no kitchen is complete without cast iron cookware as it can help elevate traditional meal preparation for years to come. Crafted with premium materials and hand-inspected by French artisans, Le Creuset’s Enamelled Cast Iron cookware embodies the buy-it-once-for-life-nature of quality cookware.

Benefits of Cooking with Cast Iron

Cast iron cookware is beloved by home cooks and experienced chefs alike, offering a number of benefits in the kitchen. Here are the four main benefits of cast iron cookware.

Provides superior heat retention and even heat distribution

Cast iron cookware is primarily known for its ability to provide superior heat retention and even heat distribution. Whether you need your cookware to maintain consistent heat while baking, or need to sear and sauté ingredients at higher temperatures, cast iron cookware simplifies everyday meal preparation. Cast iron cookware is designed to heat up evenly, exposing ingredients to a consistent heat source so your food cooks evenly.

Extremely durable

Cast iron cookware is built to last a lifetime, accommodating daily use in the kitchen. Crafted with heavy-duty cast iron, this type of cookware is as durable as it is versatile. Le Creuset’s enamelled cast iron cookware also features a chip-resistant exterior enamel, refining traditional cast iron cookware. In fact, each piece of Le Creuset’s enamelled cast iron is hand-inspected by French artisans to ensure it can last a lifetime.

Versatile

Few, if any, types of cookware are as versatile as enamelled cast iron cookware. Adding cast iron cookware to your Le Creuset collection is the best way to experiment with new cooking techniques, including searing, sautéing, pan-frying, oven-baking, braising, slow-cooking and simmering. Cast iron cookware is also compatible with all cooktops, including induction, highlighting its versatility in any type of kitchen. This type of cookware goes from stovetop to the table with ease, making for a convenient addition to any kitchen collection.

Requires little maintenance

Le Creuset’s enamelled cast iron cookware does not require seasoning, making it easy to use and easy to get started with in the kitchen. Whether you want to sear a steak, or fry an egg, our enamelled cast iron cookware will create the ideal environment for ingredients to be prepared to perfection with no seasoning required. This type of cookware is also safe to use in the dishwasher, eliminating the hassle of cleaning up.

The Many Uses of Cast Iron Cookware

Now that you’re aware of the versatility of cast iron cookware, let’s take a better look at how exactly it can be used. Here are eight different cooking techniques ideal for cast iron cookware.

Searing

Searing is typically used to create a crisp browning on the outside of ingredients, usually meat, to enhance the flavour of a dish. Searing typically is done in a small amount of oil, butter or fat, and requires high heat to successfully achieve a crispy, brown exterior. Cast iron cookware particularly excels with this cooking technique as it is designed to heat up evenly and maintain a consistent level of heat throughout. Searing can be done in a Dutch Oven, an Iron Handle Skillet and even a Braiser.

Pan-Frying

Pan-frying is a dry-heat cooking technique that relies on oil and fat to transfer heat to ingredients. Typically, the oil or fat cooks the meat, poultry or fish via direct contact with the bottom of the pan. Cast iron cookware is ideal for pan-frying given its heat retention properties and ability to expose ingredients to a consistent and even heat throughout.

Grilling

Much like pan-frying and searing, grilling relies on a significant amount of direct heat applied to the surface of food. Cast iron grills are typically recommended when grilling, helping you achieve inch-perfect grill-marks from the comfort of your home. Grilling with cast iron cookware can be used for a wide selection of meats, including steak and chicken, as well as fish.

Sautéing

Sautéing, the French verb for jumping, is yet another dry-heat cooking method that involves tossing ingredients around in a hot pan with the help of a small amount of fat. For this cooking technique to be successful, the pan must be hot before introducing the fat. Cast iron cookware simplifies sautéing, ensuring your pan will heat evenly and remain hot as you brown ingredients.

Baking

Cast iron cookware can also be used for baking decadent desserts as well as fluffy cornbread. It is typically recommended to preheat your cast iron cookware before introducing the batter, ensuring an even bake. While not traditionally associated with baking, cast iron cookware offers many of the same benefits as other types of cookware, even heat distribution in particular.

Roasting

Roasting is yet another cooking technique that can easily be done with cast iron cookware, exposing ingredients to a consistent heat source. In fact, Le Creuset’s Rectangular Roaster features a low-profile design, optimized for oven-roasting. Whether you want to roast a whole chicken, or are simply looking to prepare a side dish, cast iron cookware has you covered.

Slow-Cooking

Slow cooking, as its name suggests, is a cooking technique that is used to cook food slowly over a long period of time. Once again, cast iron cookware’s superior heat retention properties make it a perfect choice for slow-cooking ingredients of all sizes, locking in heat and moisture for a truly tender final dish. Slow cooking can be used to prepare stews, soups, sauces, or to cook tough cuts of meat with little to no preparation time.

Braising

Using wet and dry heat, braising is a cooking technique best used to tenderize tough cuts of meat. The first step involves searing ingredients at a higher temperature before partially submerging them in aromatic liquid to cook on low heat for an extended period of time. Cast iron cookware is extremely versatile and can accommodate the different changes in temperature easily, delivering a delicious meal for the whole family.

Recipes to Make with Cast Iron Cookware

Here are three recipes you can experiment with your cast iron cookware, including one you might not have been aware of.

Batard Bread

Our Batard Bread recipe highlights the versatility of cast iron cookware, helping you bake a fresh loaf of bread in no time. Requiring five simple ingredients, this recipe is a fun activity to try with your family over the weekend.

The Round Dutch Oven creates the perfect environment for the dough to rise thanks to its tight-fitting lid. Once the dough has risen, preheat the oven to 450°F and bake it for approximately 25 minutes.

This iconic piece of cookware will take care of much of the rest, locking in heat and moisture until your Batard Bread has a fluffy interior and crispy exterior. While this recipe takes just over three hours to prepare, there is nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked bread. The wait is worth it!

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Pearl Couscous with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

Looking for a healthy meal that is easy to put together? Look no further than our Pearl Couscous with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes. Begin by bringing the stock, couscous, butter and harissa to a boil in a 4.2 L Round Dutch Oven before covering it with a lid. The Dutch Oven’s tight-fitting lid is designed to lock in heat and moisture, allowing your ingredients to simmer to perfection.

Next, you’ll need your Rectangular Roaster. Toss the cherry tomatoes with oil, vinegar and brown sugar and roast them in the oven for approximately 20 to 25 minutes. The Roaster’s wide surface area allows the cherry tomatoes to roast evenly. Finish by combining all the ingredients for the dressing and slowly whisk in the oil until the dressing is emulsified.

The enamelled cast iron Dutch Oven and Rectangular Roaster are ideal for this recipe, exposing all ingredients to a consistent heat source. This dish should take just under an hour to prepare, offering up to six servings.

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Steak Frites

Every home chef has their own take on the classic steak frites recipe, however, there is no denying this dish is best prepared with cast iron cookware. From searing the steak to maintaining consistent heat for the perfect doneness, cast iron cookware accommodates with ease. The Iron Handle Skillet is perfectly suited for this recipe, providing superior heat retention and even heat distribution, thanks to its matte black interior finish that helps achieve the perfect sear.

Once the Iron Handle Skillet has achieved medium heat, cook the steaks on either side for four minutes. Our Steak Frites recipe takes just over 30 minutes to prepare from start to finish, and can serve up to six portions at a time.

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Cast Iron Cookware 101

Cast iron cookware is among the most versatile, offering home cooks and experienced chefs alike the flexibility they need in the kitchen. Whether you are looking to bake a decadent dessert, or simply want to sauté vegetables to complement a main course, cast iron cookware has you covered.

Cast iron cookware is not only extremely versatile, but is also built to last daily use, providing superior heat retention and even heat distribution. Adding cast iron cookware to your Le Creuset collection is a great way to experiment with new recipes and cooking techniques, and help you become a seasoned home chef.

We hope you enjoyed our complete guide to cast iron cookware, including what it is, its many benefits, and its most common uses. For more inspiration, visit our blog for all the latest tips on getting the most out of your Le Creuset cookware.