The Perfect Fried Egg in a Cast Iron Skillet

I know cast iron can be intimidating sometimes, especially when it comes to frying an egg. It can stick, it can tear up but folks cooking an egg in cast iron can be a pretty easy deal. So, today I’m going to walk you through some really easy tips and tricks to the perfect fried egg whether you like sunny side up, over easy or an over medium egg.

To start off, there are a few things you’re going to need…

• A good seasoned skillet
• water
• butter
• lid for the cast iron

Cast iron can be non-stick and as smooth as glass but it has to be seasoned properly. If you’re having trouble with your skillet we’ve created you a playlist that will go over some of the tops problems folks have about using cast iron and how to fix it!

Watch the playlist HERE

The lid is also an important factor because that’s going to trap in that steam from the water we add to the skillet and help it cook evenly.

I get a lot of questions on how to find a lid for a cast iron skillet

Folks, it’s actually an easy fix. You don’t have to use a lid specifically for cast iron. Most lids are universal sizing and you can use any lid that came from another set of skillets, pot lid, etc. It doesn’t have to be a cast iron lid either.

Hey, I’ve even been in a tight and actually flipped another cast iron skillet lid over and placed it on top… sometimes you’ve got to get creative!

Let’s Get To It…

Place the skillet over a medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of butter. Let it heat for about 1 1/2 minutes. When that butter is melted give it a good swirl around.

Cracking Egg Tip

Don’t crack the egg on the side of the skillet. That can cause egg to run down the side and also you chance getting some shell in there. Crack the egg on a flat surface like the counter and add to the skillet.

Pour the water around the outside edge of the egg. Turn the heat to low and place the lid on.

Timing

Get your stopwatch out because you’ll want to time this

For an sunny side up egg: Cook about 1 1/2 minutes

For an over easy egg: Cook about 2 1/2 minutes

For a medium fried egg: At 2 1/2 minutes remove the lid and flip the egg over with spatula and cook uncovered an additional 30 seconds or until desired doneness.

If you’re cooking multiple eggs

1 – 2 eggs, use the same measurements for butter/water.

4 eggs or more at a time, double the butter/water.

Now how easy was that?! 

This is a great way to start the day and a great trick for frying those eggs in cast iron.

Watch the How-To Video

The Perfect Fried Egg in Cast Iron - Cowboy Kent Rollins

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 2 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Ingredients

  

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 large egg

Instructions

 

• Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the butter and warm for 1 1/2 minutes and the butter is melted. Swirl the butter around the bottom of the skillet.
• Crack the egg on a flat surface (not the skillet edge) and add to the skillet.
• Pour the water around the outside edge of the egg. Cover with the lid.
• Sunny side up - Cook 1 1/2 minutes.

  Over Easy - Cook 2 1/2 minutes

  Medium - Cook 2 1/2 minutes, remove the lid, flip the egg over and cook an additional 30 seconds, uncovered.

Notes

If you're cooking multiple eggs

1 - 2 eggs, use the same measurements for butter/water.

4 eggs or more at a time, double the butter/water.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!