Technique

What to Cook on a Carbon Steel Griddle

Learn how to make the most of your griddle all day long from breakfast to dinner with our five favorite things to cook.

By Izzy Johnson
May 10, 2023
griddle cooking burgers
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Chances are, you’ve had food cooked on a griddle before, but you may have never used one in your own kitchen. Griddles, which take many forms across cultures—like the Comal in Mexico or the Girdle in Scotland—are great for making so many things: whether it’s tortillas from scratch, scones, or pancakes.

But the list doesn’t stop there. Here, we break down some of our favorite things to cook with our new griddle. If you don’t have a Stainless Steel Grill Press already, you should change that. At close to two pounds, it’s perfect for weighing down and pressing food, giving you those perfect, crispy edges that only a griddle can produce.

Pancakes

Griddles have long been associated with diners, where they are often built right into the stove. Our griddle fits comfortably over two vertical burners on a standard stove and can be used on gas, electric, or even induction cooktops. Whip up a traditional diner-style breakfast with pancakes, sausages, bacon, and hashbrowns.

Carbon steel’s superior temperature control makes it ideal for pancakes. This is especially important for these Lemon Blueberry Pancakes, because even if you like a little char, you likely don’t love the taste of burnt fruit. After you preheat the griddle, you can also reduce the heat and have one side to keep your already cooked pancakes warm until you’re ready to serve.

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Grilled Fish

grilled fish recipe
grilled fish recipe

Summer has many tastes, and one of our favorites is that of grilled fish. Charred, flaky, and smoky-sweet, grilled fish comes together beautifully on the Carbon Steel Griddle. Thanks to the preseasoned, naturally non stick surface, flaky fish and delicate skin doesn't stick, allowing you to enjoy familiar favorites like blackened snapper or new dishes like grilled achiote cod.

Paninis and Grilled Cheese

Step up your grilled cheese game with the help of our Stainless Steel Grill Press. The key to getting that melty cheese center surrounded by crunchy cheese bits is a little bit of pressure. Weighing down your sandwich with a press helps the cheese melt evenly and allows your bread to make full contact with the griddle’s carbon steel surface. Plus, because of its superior temperature control, you can cook your grilled cheese lower and slower so you don’t end up with burnt bread and sad, unmelted cheese.

You can also go the panini route and fill your bread with anything you like before weighing it down with the grill press. Chef’s tip: coat your sandwich with mayonnaise instead of butter for the most evenly browned bread, and we guarantee you won’t miss the marks from a panini press one bit.

Lamb Chops

lamb chops recipe

A delicate protein like lamb requires ample surface area to ensure it cooks thoroughly without becoming overcooked or burnt. The Carbon Steel Griddle provides more than enough space for cooking several lamb chops at once, perfect for a special occasion like Easter Sunday or just a regular weekend night.

Grilled Shrimp

Literally, a la plancha means “grilled on a metal plate”. Originating in Spain, these traditionally round disks are considered the first flat top grills. While our griddle isn’t round, it does just as good of a job conducting heat to create a cooking surface that gets super hot. Even in the dead of winter, you can still access some of the joy and flavor that grilling provides.

Cooking a la plancha is one of the best ways to get a great sear on proteins, yielding a crisp exterior, while locking in tenderness and flavor. The high heat does a lot of the flavor work for you, so keep the seasoning simple. In our Grilled Shrimp a La Plancha, we simply toss the shrimp in a buttery garlic oil, brightened with a kick of pimentón, and some freshness from parsley. Serve with grilled bread and lemon wedges for the perfect weeknight meal.

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Classic Smashburgers

No griddle roundup would be complete without mentioning the smashburger. These stackable patties can be given the nostalgic, fast food treatment or can just as easily be dressed up depending on your toppings of choice. The grill press is once again crucial to getting the right thickness and making sure they get as thin and crispy as possible. There’s no need to worry about grease during the cooking process either, as the high, slanted sides prevent the possibility of a fire.

After portioning and seasoning your meat and heating your griddle, use the grill press to smash them down as flat as possible. This allows the burgers to cook just a couple of minutes on each side. Once your burgers are done, you can toast your butter buns (we’re partial to potato rolls) directly on the griddle. In our signature Smashburger, we top ours with charred red onions, cheddar cheese, and a healthy dollop of secret sauce. With the griddle, the world is your oyster. Or at least your own personal burger joint.

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Ready to Cook?

These are just a few suggestions for what to cook using our Carbon Steel Griddle. The longer you have it and the more you cook with it, the better it will get so try your hand at one today, and share your creations and tag us. We’d love to see what you cook up.