# How to Cook Eggs on Stainless Steel - Made In Cooking eggs in stainless steel pans instead of your trusty non stick can seem intimidating—but it doesn't have to be. Here’s how to do it flawlessly. If you’ve never done it before, cooking eggs in a stainless steel frying pan can seem intimidating. No non stick coating to offer guaranteed success? No infomercial-like slide onto the plate that you’d see on ceramic? Not even the non stick coating insurance that comes from carbon steel or enameled cast iron? But with a little homework (aka reading this blog post) and practice, you’ll soon find yourself reaching for a stainless steel skillet for all your egg cooking needs. Read on to learn how to cook eggs on stainless steel. ```json { "_key": "3753f7ec84ad", "_type": "tableOfContents" } ``` ## Why Would You Cook Eggs in a Stainless Steel Frying Pan? ```json { "_key": "74fd521ed133", "_type": "medium", "alignment": null, "captionStyle": null, "ctas": null, "description": null, "image": { "asset": { "altText": "A sunny-side-up egg fries in a stainless steel pan, seasoned with a sprinkle of pepper.", "metadata": { "dimensions": { "_type": "sanity.imageDimensions", "aspectRatio": 1.8, "height": 1000, "width": 1800 }, "lqip": "data:image/jpeg;base64,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" }, "url": "https://cdn.sanity.io/images/fr9flhkd/main/4aa31a4ce2212db3094003ae983477e356b90359-1800x1000.jpg" } }, "size": null, "tags": null, "type": "image", "video": null } ``` Stainless steel pans offer even heat distribution and retention, which is helpful for basically anything you cook, including eggs. Stainless steel is also incredibly durable, so even if the eggs do stick, you can easily [clean](https://madeincookware.com/blogs/stainless-steel-care-how-to-bring-your-stainless-steel-back-to-new#how-to-clean-stainless-steel-pans) and buff them back into their original shape. When it comes to fried eggs, a stainless steel skillet will grant you lacy edges, a perfectly cooked white, and a jammy yolk. Just add toast for a perfect little breakfast. ```json { "_key": "00622c88f663", "_type": "cta", "title": "Shop Stainless Steel Cookware", "url": "/collections/stainless-clad" } ``` ## How to Cook Eggs on Stainless Steel: Step-by-Step ```json { "_key": "dac99cf62f6c", "_type": "medium", "alignment": null, "captionStyle": null, "ctas": null, "description": null, "image": null, "size": null, "tags": null, "type": "video", "video": { "_id": "7dbfb318-c918-4dbf-b227-0b4fa41c87cc", "cloudflare": null, "manual": null, "mux": null, "muxData": null, "poster": null, "type": "youtube", "youtube": { "src": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmVyLOQQKro" } } } ``` We’re talking about the most versatile and glorious of cooked eggs in this guide—fried eggs—but we’ll briefly touch on scrambled eggs at the end. Follow these steps (in the video above or written below) to get the ideal sunny side up fried egg, with a medium-cooked, jammy yolk, opaque whites, and a beautiful golden brown crispiness around the edges. ### Step 1: Preheat the Pan First, the most important step to cooking eggs (or anything) in stainless steel cookware is preheating. Preheating your frying pan creates a cushion of steam between the pan's surface and whatever it's about to come in contact with, making your food glide across the surface rather than stick to it. This is the Leidenfrost effect: once the pan is hot enough, moisture flashes into vapor that lifts food off the metal instead of letting it bond to it. Heat your empty pan over medium-low to medium heat, depending on your stovetop (on our test kitchen stovetop, medium-low was enough to pass the water bead test below). After about 1 ½ minutes, check the surface temperature by flicking a few drops of water onto the surface. If they bead up and skitter around, your pan is preheated enough and ready for oil. If they sit there and evaporate slowly, give it another minute. If it’s taking longer than 3 minutes to pass the water bead test, try increasing the heat slightly. Just don't overheat it: be sure not to walk away while your pan is preheating on the stovetop. This will ensure the egg white cooks all the way but the yolk remains a little runny. (If you prefer your eggs with extra crispy edges, you can also preheat the pan over medium-high heat, then drop it down to medium-low once you add your egg.) ### Step 2: Add Fat Next, add your fat. For a crispier egg, use a neutral, high-smoke point oil like grapeseed. Olive oil also works well. If you want to use butter, lower the temperature slightly before you add it so it doesn't burn. Add about 1 tablespoon of fat to the frying pan and swirl it around to evenly coat the surface. If using oil, watch for it to shimmer across the pan; if using butter, watch for it to foam. If it starts smoking, your pan is too hot; more on that below. ### Step 3: Frying the Eggs Finally, add the egg, then season with a little salt. If you're going for a more gently cooked egg and haven't already lowered the heat, do so now. After about 1 ½ minutes, the egg will start crisping around the edges. At this point, tilt the pan so the fat pools on one end, then use a spoon or spatula to baste the egg with the fat. This will help the top of the egg finish cooking. Keep cooking until the white and yolk reach your desired doneness. For set white and a slightly runny yolk, this will take about 1–2 more minutes. Slide the egg onto your plate, atop a slice of toast, or on a bed of chilaquiles. You did it. ### Bonus: Scrambled Eggs To make scrambled eggs, the process is very similar. Preheat your pan as in Step 1, then add your fat. For soft, creamy curds, use low to medium-low heat once you add the eggs; for firmer, more separated curds, medium-low to medium works well. Stir as infrequently or frequently as you'd like, depending on your preference, gentle and infrequent stirring for large, glossy curds, more frequent stirring for smaller, fluffier ones. You might run into slight sticking around the edges of the pan, but a brief soak in soapy water should loosen it up. ## Troubleshooting Common Issues ```json { "_key": "642c54f6c2cf", "_type": "medium", "alignment": null, "captionStyle": null, "ctas": null, "description": null, "image": { "asset": { "altText": "A person is cooking eggs in a skillet on a stove while wearing an apron.", "metadata": { "dimensions": { "_type": "sanity.imageDimensions", "aspectRatio": 1.8, "height": 1000, "width": 1800 }, "lqip": "data:image/jpeg;base64,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" }, "url": "https://cdn.sanity.io/images/fr9flhkd/main/0da2cf9bdf2657068c2bb6d1801c1aefc14e1216-1800x1000.jpg" } }, "size": null, "tags": null, "type": "image", "video": null } ``` This isn’t non stick cookware, which pretty much guarantees a well-cooked fried egg, so there are a few problem points you might run into as you learn how to cook eggs on stainless steel. ### Sticking The main cause of sticking on stainless steel is a lack of preheating. If you skipped the water test in Step 1, or your pan didn't pass it, go back and try again before adding your egg. Keep in mind that the pan also releases food when it's browned, not necessarily when you want it to. If you try to flip your egg and it's stuck to the surface, give it a bit longer before trying again. If you're used to the ease and convenience of non stick, it may take a few tries to build your trust, so don't get discouraged by one stuck egg. If you run into sticking issues, don’t give up. Your pan isn’t ruined by any means—read our [guide on restoring all manner of stainless steel messes](https://madeincookware.com/blogs/stainless-steel-care-how-to-bring-your-stainless-steel-back-to-new)—and with a little more practice, you’ll soon nail it. ### Temperature Control Our 5-ply construction makes for pans that heat quickly, perhaps more quickly than you're used to with other brands of stainless steel cookware. As such, it's easy to overshoot the water test and end up with a pan that's too hot. If you add your fat and it immediately begins smoking, your pan is too hot. Remove it from the heat to cool down for a minute or two, then wipe the pan clean and start again. ## Ready to Cook? ```json { "_key": "d123e505bb9f", "_type": "variant", "data": { "_id": "77603c7e-4f78-4b04-af2d-2cd2d28a043b", "badges": [ { "_key": "Best Seller", "logoAsset": null, "title": "Best Seller" } ], "collegiateAsset": null, "computed": { "compare_at_price": 387, "discount": 23, "isAvailable": false, "isPrimary": false, "offset": 88, "price": 299, "status": "soldOut" }, "handle": { "current": "set" }, "imageBadges": null, "media": [ { "_key": "dfaacf6fafa2", "alignment": null, "captionStyle": null, "description": null, "hotspots": null, "image": { "asset": { "altText": "stainless frying pan 12 inch lifestyle", "metadata": { "dimensions": { "_type": "sanity.imageDimensions", "aspectRatio": 1, "height": 1440, "width": 1440 }, "lqip": "data:image/jpeg;base64,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" }, "url": "https://cdn.sanity.io/images/fr9flhkd/main/3e7821f8d88b33153c0a6f19728db35e09d95763-1440x1440.jpg" }, "hotspot": null }, "markets": null, "size": null, "tags": [ "gallery", "secondary" ], "type": "image", "video": null } ], "meta": { "hasCollegiate": false, "hasTrial": false, "hasWaitList": false, "isCollegiate": false, "isDiscountEligible": false, "isFinalSale": false, "isHidden": true, "isOnSale": true, "isSet": true, "marketOverrides": { "eu": { "expectedShipDate": null, "hasWaitList": null, "isComingSoon": null, "isHidden": true, "isOutOfStock": null } }, "promoDates": null, "promoPrice": null, "warranty": "lifetime" }, "product": { "ranking": 12, "rating": { "rating": 4.9, "rating_count": 5388 }, "shopify": { "handle": "stainless-steel-frying-pan", "id": 11080104522, "image": { "alt": null, "height": 1500, "src": "https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2131/5111/files/Web_Stainless_FryingPan_12in_1x1_Hero.jpg?v=1762197921", "width": 1500 }, "title": "Stainless Clad Frying Pan" } }, "shopify": { "handle": null, "id": 40384190283855, "image": { "alt": null, "height": 1500, "src": "https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2131/5111/files/Web_Stainless_Set_3p_FryingPan_1x1_Hero.jpg?v=1719871974", "width": 1500 }, "option1": "Set", "option2": "Stainless", "option3": "Standard", "title": "Set / Stainless / Standard" }, "taxonomies": [ { "handle": { "current": "stainless-clad" }, "title": "Stainless Clad", "type": "material" }, { "handle": { "current": "frying-pans" }, "title": "Frying Pans", "type": "product_type" }, { "handle": { "current": "cookware" }, "title": "Cookware", "type": "product_category" }, { "handle": { "current": "sets" }, "title": "Sets", "type": "product_category" }, { "handle": { "current": "best-sellers" }, "title": "Best Sellers", "type": "merchandising" }, { "handle": { "current": "induction-compatible" }, "title": "Induction Compatible", "type": "features" }, { "handle": { "current": "pfas-free" }, "title": "Free of PFAS", "type": "features" }, { "handle": { "current": "stay-cool-handle" }, "title": "Stay Cool Handles", "type": "features" } ], "title": "3-Piece Set" } } ``` You might worry about food, especially eggs, sticking to stainless steel, but with a little practice, proper preheating, and a small amount of fat, you'll soon see it's easy to make eggs on stainless steel. Check out our selection of [Frying Pans](https://madeincookware.com/collections/stainless-clad) and other cookware, and you'll be frying lacy, golden brown edged eggs in no time. ```json { "_key": "e4c0bb709719", "_type": "cta", "title": "Shop Stainless Clad Frying Pans", "url": "/products/stainless-steel-frying-pan/" } ``` --- URL: https://madeincookware.com/blogs/how-to-cook-eggs-on-stainless-steel