Look we don’t like to make assumptions but for the purposes of this article we’re going to presume that you’ve got a few saucepans and frying pans, maybe even a crockpot or Dutch oven in your cupboards, and of course, their lids. We’re going to further assume that the saucepans and frying pans get used fairly often but we bet that those matching lids spend more time in the cupboard than they do out of them. Trust us, it’s not just you. Most of us have a cupboard with lids that feel as though they don’t do much other than take up space. And while some recipes tell you when to cover with a lid, others just don’t give you any guidance, leaving you to wonder if you should cover or not. Here’s our top tips for when to put a lid on it and when you can leave it off.
PUT THE LID ON:
1. Retaining heat – trying to bring something to the boil? Put a lid on it and it will come to the boil faster and save energy.
2. Stopping evaporation – got a saucy dish that’s the perfect consistency but the veggies aren’t cooked through (think stews, casseroles, or soups)? Cover with a lid and it will stop the liquid from evaporating allowing you to retain the consistency while still cooking the vegetables.
3. Steaming – the gentle, moist heat from steam is a great method of cooking things like seafood and vegetables. Put those lids to use when steaming for tender results without dryness.
4. Braising – another moist heat cooking method, braising is ideal for tougher cuts of meat that require moist heat over a longer period of time. Pop on a lid to trap in the moisture and you’ll be rewarded with mouth-wateringly tender meat.
NO LID REQUIRED
1. Reducing – if you’re trying to thicken a sauce or soup, keep the lid in the cupboard. Evaporation is key in the reduction technique, so you want to allow that moisture to escape.
2. Searing or browning – that yummy crust on your steak comes from pan searing, and for that you need a very hot pan with no moisture. No lids for this one.
3. Stir-frying – another cooking method that requires a hot pan is stir-frying, so no lid is needed.
4. Deep-frying – never cover the pan when deep-frying as the steam created will gather on the lid and drip back into the hot oil. This is dangerous because the hot oil can erupt and splash you causing burns.
FAQs
If you want to reduce a sauce or liquid keep pot uncovered so that the excess water can evaporate. If you want the moisture to be absorbed e.g. when cooking rice keep the lid on. Slow cooking a casserole or braised dish cover the pot so that the vapour circulates and keeps the meat moist.
When should you use a lid when cooking? ›
Steaming foods like vegetables, tamales, seafood, and grains with the lid on supplies gentle, moist heat that will cook these foods to perfect tenderness without drying them out. "When you steam vegetables, you want the lid to trap the evaporating liquid in the pot, sealing the steam inside," says Welsh.
Is it better to cook with lid or without lid? ›
When you cook food, the heat travels from the stovetop into the pot or pan. Then, as the heat from the pot cooks the food, the heat passes into the air, creating steam. That steam is hot, and that heat goes out of your kitchen exhaust as waste. But when you put a lid on, the heat stays in the pot.
Do things cook better covered or uncovered? ›
If you prefer a tender and moist result, covered baking will be the better option. If you're desiring a crispy exterior and bolder flavors, uncovered baking is best.
When cooking do you put lid on or lid off? ›
Cooking with the lid off allows the steam (aka liquid) to evaporate out of the pot, thus reducing the amount of liquid in the pot. We cook with the lid off when we want something to thicken (for example: no-stir risotto after it comes out of the oven if it's still liquid-y).
Why do you cover cooked food? ›
Store ready-to-eat foods such as cooked meats, pies and dairy products such as cheese, butter, cream and yoghurt in the top part of the fridge. Covering and wrapping food stops harmful bacteria from being passed from raw foods to ready-to-eat foods. It also stops food from drying out and becoming stale.
What are the reasons for covering food? ›
Food storage covers your food from harmful bacteria and harmful substances and chemicals to food. There are some proteins that can be used for raw and ready-to-eat foods to prevent the spread of harmful bacteria. You can properly pack food in the cling foil.
When should you cover food on the stove? ›
Stopping evaporation – got a saucy dish that's the perfect consistency but the veggies aren't cooked through (think stews, casseroles, or soups)? Cover with a lid and it will stop the liquid from evaporating allowing you to retain the consistency while still cooking the vegetables.
Should you close the lid when cooking? ›
For thicker cuts, you want to close the lid to keep the temperature high and even. Large steaks, chicken, and roasts have much more depth for the heat to penetrate, and closing the lid will give the heat time to sink in and cook the meat through in much the same way an oven does.
How do you cook without a lid? ›
Foil. A double sheet of foil works well as a lid when you need a closer fit than a sheet pan or a frying pan would provide. It's a little more difficult to manipulate than a lid, but it traps heat and moisture just as effectively.
To achieve a perfectly golden, juicy turkey, let the bird spend time both covered and uncovered in the oven. We recommend covering your bird for most of the cooking time to prevent it from drying out; then, during the last 30 minutes or so of cooking, remove the cover so the skin crisps in the hot oven.
Do you simmer tomato sauce covered or uncovered? ›
Bring to a boil, covered, stirring occasionally, then reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, stirring more frequently toward end of cooking, until sauce is thickened and reduced by half, 2 to 3 hours.
Should I cover pasta when cooking? ›
It's okay to put a lid on the pot while you are waiting for the water to boil. However, after it starts to boil and you add the pasta to the water, you should remove the lid to prevent the water from bubbling over.
Should soup be cooked covered or uncovered? ›
Cooking a soup, stew, or sauce uncovered allows water to evaporate, so if your goal is to reduce a sauce or thicken a soup, skip the lid. The longer you cook your dish, the more water that will evaporate and the thicker the liquid becomes—that means the flavors become more concentrated, too.
Should you cover meatloaf when cooking? ›
Should I cook my meatloaf covered or uncovered? The meatloaf can be cooked uncovered. However, if you are concerned about it burning, you can cover the meatloaf with foil for the first 45 minutes and uncover it for the final 15 minutes to allow the meatloaf to brown on top.
Do you need a lid when cooking? ›
If you want to reduce a sauce or liquid keep pot uncovered so that the excess water can evaporate. If you want the moisture to be absorbed e.g. when cooking rice keep the lid on. Slow cooking a casserole or braised dish cover the pot so that the vapour circulates and keeps the meat moist.
What is a lid used for in cooking? ›
Covering a skillet, saucepan, or pot while cooking helps maintain temperature control, which is important for even cooking. It helps bring liquid to a boil faster, too (which uses less energy, aka, it's more cost efficient, too). Covering the pot keeps steam from escaping, too.
Is it better to heat food with lid on or off? ›
Since heat circulates, keeping food covered lightly helps ensure that the dish reheats evenly, doesn't overcook and tastes better. The moist heat created when food is steamed or vented with a lid that's not too tight also helps destroy harmful bacteria.
Should you cook meat with the lid on or off? ›
Lid off vs. lid on. Whether you've got a gas or charcoal grill, with the grill uncovered you can get a crustier char on the exterior of meat without overcooking the center. A closed grill will cook meat all the way through to the center for a more uniform doneness.
Are you supposed to simmer with lid on or off? ›
You can simmer with the cookware lid on or off, simply follow your recipe instructions. Keep in mind that when using a cover, you'll want to set your stovetop to a low setting as it can reach a simmer faster than without a cap. When you're not using a lid, adjust your stovetop setting to medium.
