Don’t Know Which Pan To Seize When It’s Time To Cook dinner? A Dietitian Explains

[ad_1] <img width="800" height="534" src="https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/dont-know-which-pan-to-grab-when-its-time-to-cook-1024x684.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="Don't Know Which Pan to Grab When it's Time to Cook? | MyFitnessPal" decoding="async" srcset="https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/dont-know-which-pan-to-grab-when-its-time-to-cook-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/dont-know-which-pan-to-grab-when-its-time-to-cook-300x200.jpg 300w, https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/dont-know-which-pan-to-grab-when-its-time-to-cook-768x513.jpg 768w, https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/dont-know-which-pan-to-grab-when-its-time-to-cook.jpg 1348w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /> Why the Proper Pan Issues

In case your rooster sticks to the pan, your veggies steam as an alternative of crisp, or your eggs come out a large number, the issue may not be your cooking abilities—it is likely to be your pan.

Should you’re utilizing MyFitnessPal’s meal planner to make life simpler, otherwise you’re simply getting your toes moist with MyFitnessPal’s recipes, it could be time to get aware of tips on how to use totally different pans. Utilizing the suitable cookware is without doubt one of the easiest methods to enhance your outcomes and really feel extra assured within the kitchen.

I’m a registered dietitian who cooks most nights of the week, however I didn’t develop up cooking for myself. It has taken me numerous meals (and a few epic failures) to understand the suitable pan issues.

You don’t want an enormous assortment of pans, nevertheless it’s useful to have some well-chosen items that swimsuit the way in which you prepare dinner. This manner, meals end up the way in which you propose, which is a confidence booster.

Should you’ve ever questioned why you'll be able to by no means get your rooster to appear to be it does in photographs, preserve studying. I’ll stroll you thru some standard kinds of pans and when to make use of them, so you'll be able to end up constantly scrumptious meals.

No Pans? Begin With One

I attain for a similar pan on repeat. You actually don’t want a dozen pans to make nice meals at dwelling. The truth is, in the event you’re simply getting began, a single, versatile pan is usually all you want (1).

If I had to decide on one, I’d go along with a forged iron skillet. It holds warmth superbly, works on the stovetop and within the oven, and may deal with quite a lot of dishes (2). I exploit mine for a variety of meals, together with salmon dishes (it supplies an ideal sear), flatbreads, and fried eggs.

I additionally love that seasoned forged iron is nonstick and simple to wash. It’s the sort of pan that will get higher with age and may final a lifetime.

That stated, the most effective starter pan actually is dependent upon what you wish to prepare dinner. So, begin with the pan that matches your cooking type and increase from there.

Nonstick pans are one other good choice in your first buy. They work nicely for brand spanking new cooks and people who gravitate towards easy recipes.

<img decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/guide-to-meal-prepping-1024x683.jpg" alt="A person wearing an apron stirs a bowl of spiral pasta with a wooden spoon in a kitchen. With meal planning in mind, various utensils and ingredients, like baby corn and a glass bottle of oil, are arranged on the counter nearby. MyFitnessPal Blog" class="wp-image-57316 size-full" srcset="https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/guide-to-meal-prepping-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/guide-to-meal-prepping-300x200.jpg 300w, https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/guide-to-meal-prepping-768x512.jpg 768w, https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/guide-to-meal-prepping.jpg 1504w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> You may additionally like

Important Information to Meal Planning

Nonstick Pans: Greatest for Mild, Low-Warmth Cooking

Once I’m making scrambled eggs or flipping protein pancakes on a weekend morning, I attain for a nonstick pan. Nonstick pans are perfect for delicate meals which can be susceptible to sticking. They’re additionally a stable selection for cooking tofu or flaky fish with out making a large number.

Execs:

Meals stays intact and releases simply

Requires much less oil or butter, which might help decrease energy

Makes cleanup quick and simple

Nice for newbie cooks

Cons:

Not appropriate for top warmth—this could injury the nonstick coating

Scratches simply if used with metallic utensils

Coating wears out over time and finally wants changing

Care Ideas:

Hand wash solely—even when it’s labeled dishwasher secure

Use silicone, wood, or plastic utensils to guard the coating

Keep away from stacking with different pans until you place a protecting layer between them

Substitute your pan if the floor is scratched or meals begins to stay extra typically

Stainless Metal Pans: Nice for Browning, Searing, and Sauces

Should you’re in search of a pan that may deal with excessive warmth and offer you that golden-brown crust on rooster or steak, chrome steel is the way in which to go (2).

Execs:

Nice for searing, sautéing, and stir-frying (2)

Superb for constructing pan sauces (2)

Sturdy and sometimes dishwasher secure (2)

Can deal with excessive warmth with out injury (2)

Cons:

Meals sticks if not preheated correctly

Requires extra approach than nonstick choices

Could result in further cleanup if used incorrectly

Care ideas:

Preheat the pan earlier than including oil and meals to forestall sticking and enhance browning

Contemplate handwashing to increase pan life–examine producer’s steering (2)

In regards to the Consultants

Samantha Cassetty, MS, RD, is a nationally acknowledged meals and diet knowledgeable, media character, diet guide, and writer. Cassetty is a former diet director for Good Housekeeping and the co-author of the e-book Sugar Shock.

Emily Sullivan, RD, is a meals information curator at MyFitnessPal. She earned her bachelor’s diploma and accomplished her dietetic internship at The Ohio State College, and obtained her culinary arts diploma from Johnson and Wales College.

Solid Iron: The Crispy, Taste-Constructing Workhorse

“I exploit my forged iron skillet for 99% of issues that I prepare dinner on a day-to-day foundation,” says MyFitnessPal registered dietitian Emily Sullivan. Right here’s what makes this a sensible choice.

Execs:

Superior warmth retention for even, excessive warmth cooking (2)

Nice for searing, roasting, baking, and one-pan meals, like frittatas

Oven-safe and stovetop pleasant (2)

Naturally nonstick, and will get higher with age (2)

Cons:

Heavier than most pans, which might make it tougher to deal with

Requires ongoing upkeep to retain nonstick qualities (2)

Can’t go within the dishwasher and shouldn’t be soaked (2)

Care ideas:

Wipe or rinse with sizzling water (2)

Dry completely and rub with a skinny layer of oil to keep up seasoning (2)

As Sullivan factors out, forged iron is particularly nice for recipes like spatchcocked rooster. “A forged iron skillet is superb for this as a result of it retains and distributes warmth evenly, which helps the rooster prepare dinner evenly (2). Its heavy building permits for a excessive warmth preliminary sear, giving the rooster pores and skin an exquisite, crispy, golden-brown crust (2). Plus, you can begin by searing the rooster on the range and end roasting it within the oven—all in the identical pan,” she explains (2).

Dutch Ovens: Superb for One-Pot, Sluggish-Cooked Meals

Dutch ovens are superstars for cooking comforting meals. Should you’re somebody who likes to meal prep or prepare dinner as soon as and eat a number of instances, a Dutch oven is a useful addition to your kitchen.

Execs:

Glorious warmth retention and even cooking (2)

Superb for simmering soups, stews, and chili, slow-cooking braised meats, boiling pasta, and even baking

Can go from stovetop to oven (2)

Nice for one-pot meals and batch cooking

Cons:

Heavier and bulkier than many different pots

Conventional forged iron variations require seasoning to keep up nonstick properties

Care ideas:

Select enameled variations for simpler upkeep since these don’t require seasoning (2)

For forged iron, dry completely and season usually with a skinny layer of oil (2)

Should you’re massive on doing weekend meal prep, chances are you'll wish to put money into a Dutch oven. Sullivan makes use of hers to make beef stew. “The heavy lid helps entice moisture, which retains the meat and greens tender throughout lengthy cooking instances,” she says. “Most likely an excellent greater bonus for one thing like a beef stew is you could begin it on the range and switch it to the oven to prepare dinner for a number of hours when you do different issues.”

Should you love the thought of flavorful, make-ahead meals that prepare dinner themselves when you unwind or examine issues off your to-do listing, a Dutch oven is the pot for you.

Often Requested Questions (FAQs)

Do I want a couple of sort of pan? Not essentially. You possibly can prepare dinner loads of meals with only one or two pans—begin with what matches your cooking type and construct from there (1).

Can I exploit a nonstick pan for every thing? Not fairly. It’s nice for delicate meals, however it could possibly’t deal with excessive warmth, so it’s not perfect for browning or searing (2).

What’s essentially the most versatile pan? My vote goes to a well-seasoned forged iron skillet because it goes from stovetop to oven and may deal with a variety of meals (2).

Is forged iron exhausting to keep up? It takes just a little care, nevertheless it’s not exhausting. Simply clear, dry, and rub with oil after use—it really will get higher with time (2).

When ought to I substitute a pan? If the coating is scratched, meals sticks greater than it used to, or it heats inconsistently, it’s most likely time for a brand new one (2).

The Backside Line

You don’t want a completely stocked kitchen to prepare dinner scrumptious, satisfying meals—only a few reliable pans that match your cooking type. With the suitable cookware, cooking turns into just a little extra approachable and fewer irritating, permitting you to organize your meals with higher confidence. With extra talent and confidence, you’ll be capable to prep a broader vary of meals and dishes, and the variability could make it simpler to maintain wholesome consuming habits and attain your targets (3).