Steam Griddle Cooking: Creative, Healthy Recipes To Try

Griddles are a versatile cooking appliance that can be used to cook a variety of dishes. From breakfast foods like pancakes, sausages, bacon, eggs, and French toast to lunch and dinner options such as burgers, grilled sandwiches, fajitas, and stir-fries, the possibilities are endless. Griddles are ideal for searing meats and scorching vegetables, and they can also be used for cooking seafood. With a large, flat surface, griddles are perfect for cooking delicate foods like fish fillets and tofu, and they prevent small foods like shrimp and asparagus from falling through the cracks of a grill grate. Additionally, griddles can be used to make flatbreads such as tortillas, pita bread, and naan. So, whether you're in the mood for a classic breakfast, a juicy burger, or a sizzling stir-fry, a steam griddle is a great option for cooking up a variety of delicious meals.

Breakfast foods

Breakfast is a great time to use your steam griddle, as it's perfect for cooking up a big breakfast of champions! Here are some ideas for breakfast foods you can make on your steam griddle:

Pancakes

Pancakes are a classic breakfast food and are ideal for the griddle. You can cook several at once, making them an efficient breakfast option. Try some of these mouth-watering variations:

• Old Fashioned Buttermilk Pancakes
• Almond Milk Pancakes
• Chocolate Chip Pancakes
• Lemon Ricotta Pancakes with Blueberry Sauce
• Cinnamon Banana Pancakes
• Banana Oatmeal Pancakes
• Carrot Cake Pancakes
• Cranberry Chip Pancakes
• Polish Apple Pancakes
• Golden Zucchini Pancakes
• Buttermilk Buckwheat Pancakes
• Strawberry Cheesecake Pancakes

French Toast

French toast is another fantastic food for the griddle because you can cook several slices of bread at once. Try these tasty recipes:

• PB&J French Toast
• Stuffed French Toast
• Red Velvet French Toast
• Brioche French Toast
• Sourdough French Toast
• Nutella Stuffed French Toast

Hash Browns

The griddle is perfect for getting that crispy outer layer on shredded potatoes. Try these hash brown recipes:

• Tex-Mex Breakfast Haystacks
• Diner-Style Hash Browns
• Blackstone Loaded Hash Browns

Eggs

You can easily cook scrambled eggs on a griddle. You can also make fried eggs, over-easy, over-hard, or anywhere in between. For the perfect fried eggs, aim for a temperature of 375°F (191°C).

Omelets

Although they take time and practice to master, omelets are a classy way to serve up eggs, meats, and vegetables all at once. Try this Flat Top Bacon and Cheese Omelet recipe.

Breakfast Sandwiches

Stack up some meat, cheese, and eggs on bread for an all-in-one breakfast meal. Here are some breakfast sandwich ideas:

• Breakfast Quesadilla
• Blackstone Croissant Breakfast Sandwich
• Keto Griddle Breakfast Sandwich

Other Breakfast Ideas

There are plenty of other delicious breakfast foods you can make on your steam griddle, such as:

• Sausage
• Bacon
• Ham
• Griddle English Muffins
• Blackstone Breakfast Burritos
• Griddle Scones
• Blackstone Omelette

Meat

A steam griddle is a fantastic way to cook meat, especially if you want to sear a steak.

Steak

A steam griddle is a great way to cook a steak, allowing you to achieve a good sear and crust. You can cook many steaks at once, as well as some side dishes.

First, remove your steak from the refrigerator and pat it dry with paper towels. Season the steak with salt, and, if you like, pepper. Allow the steak to sit at room temperature for up to an hour. This will help the meat cook evenly and get a nice browned crust.

Preheat your griddle to between 400-500°F (200-260°C). When it's time to cook, put oil on the griddle and wait until it starts to sheen. Then place your steak on the griddle. Depending on its thickness, it may only need about two minutes of cooking before you flip it. Cook on the other side for another two minutes and then let it rest, covered with foil, for five to ten minutes.

The type of steak you use is a matter of personal preference and budget. Good options include ribeye, sirloin, filet mignon, and New York strip steak.

Other Meats

You can cook other meats on a steam griddle, too. Bratwursts with onions, chicken wings, chicken tenders, and sausages are all good options. You can also cook chicken, but make sure you cook it thoroughly so there are no pink bits in the middle. Wrap chicken legs or thighs in tinfoil and cook at a lower temperature. You can also cook burgers and bacon on a griddle.

Seafood

Before cooking, you should marinate your seafood. The heat of the griddle will turn the marinade into a crust, adding flavour and texture to the seafood.

When it comes to choosing your seafood, quick-cooking options such as shrimp, scallops, squid, octopus, and salmon are all good choices.

Grilled Scallops with Mint and Lemon

This recipe is a great choice as it uses the mint and lemon combination as both a marinade and a finishing sauce. The scallops are seasoned with salt and placed in a medium bowl. A second bowl is prepared with mint, parsley, lemon zest, and olive oil, which is then combined with the scallops and left to marinate for 20 minutes to 8 hours. After marinating, the scallops are threaded onto skewers and placed on a hot griddle for 3 minutes, or until a crust develops. The skewers are then flipped and left to sit for another 2 minutes. Finally, the reserved marinade is drizzled over the scallops before serving.

Lobster Tails, Salmon Fillets, and Scallops

This recipe involves preparing lobster tails, salmon fillets, and scallops on a flat-top grill. The lobster tails are cut down the middle and the meat is separated from the shell. The salmon is cut into fillets, and the scallops have their abductor muscles removed. The seafood is then seasoned and brushed with melted butter. The grill is prepared with one burner set to low and the other two set to 400°F. The seafood is cooked on the hot side of the grill, with the salmon and lobster tails being covered with a melting lid. Once the salmon has a crust, it is flipped over, and the lobster tails are brushed with more butter and squeezed with lemon juice. The scallops are cooked until they have a nice crust, and all the seafood is then moved to the low-temperature side of the grill to finish cooking. It is recommended to serve the seafood with melted butter on the side.

Fish on the Blackstone

This recipe involves cooking fish fillets on a Blackstone griddle. The fillets are seasoned with salt and pepper and then cooked on the griddle at medium-low heat. A mixture of lemon zest, juice, and garlic paste is spread over the fillets, which are then placed on the griddle, skin-side down. Lemon slices are placed on the griddle with a sprig of thyme on top, and after 2-3 minutes, the fish is flipped onto the lemon slices and covered with a dome. Some white wine is squirted under the dome to steam the fish for a couple of minutes. The fish is then removed from the griddle and served immediately.

Vegetables

Most vegetables can be cooked on a griddle, but some of the most popular options include asparagus, corn, onions, eggplant, peppers, and mushrooms. Before placing them on the griddle, brush the vegetables with olive or cooking oil, and be sure not to pour oil directly onto the griddle, as this will affect the flavor and texture of the vegetables.

When it comes to steaming vegetables, you can use a variety of methods, such as a pan with a steamer insert, a collapsible steamer basket, an electric steamer, or even a microwave. Steaming is a quick and easy way to cook vegetables, and it helps to lock in flavor, nutrients, and a tender texture.

• Cut your vegetables into uniform bite-sized pieces. This ensures that they cook evenly and at the same rate.
• For root vegetables like carrots, slice them or use baby carrots, which can be steamed whole.
• For vegetables like cauliflower and broccoli, break them into florets.
• For leafy greens like spinach, you can steam them in whole pieces.
• If you're using a steamer basket, add about 1 inch of water to the bottom of the saucepan or pot and bring it to a boil. Then, place the steamer basket in the pot, making sure the water level is just under the basket.
• Place the vegetables in the basket, cover, and steam until they are tender. The cooking time will vary depending on the vegetable, but remember not to overcook them.
• You can also steam vegetables in the microwave by placing them in a microwave-safe bowl with a small amount of water, covering, and microwaving according to the steaming times for each vegetable.
• To add flavor to your steamed vegetables, try tossing them with olive oil, butter, salt, and a squeeze of lemon juice, or fresh herbs.

• Spinach and Arugula: 3 minutes
• Broccoli Florets: 3 to 5 minutes
• Cauliflower Florets: 5 to 6 minutes
• Green Beans: 4 to 5 minutes
• Carrots: 4 to 5 minutes
• Brussels Sprouts: 6 to 7 minutes
• Cabbage: 7 to 10 minutes
• Cauliflower: 10 to 12 minutes
• Baby Potatoes: 10 to 15 minutes
• Sweet Potatoes: 25 to 35 minutes (halved; shorter for diced)

Tortillas

Preparing the Dough

It is important to get the right consistency for the dough. The water used should be warm, not hot, and added gradually until the desired consistency is achieved. The dough should be moist and elastic. For flour tortillas, it is also important to use hot milk or water to prevent the fat in the dough from stiffening.

Cooking the Tortillas

When cooking tortillas on a steam griddle, it is essential to work at high temperatures to create steam. This will ensure that the tortillas puff up and have a light and flaky texture. Preheat the griddle to at least 450°F (232°C). Once the griddle is hot, place the tortilla dough on the griddle and cook for about 30 seconds before flipping it over. Press down gently on the tortilla and cook for another 30 seconds. If everything goes according to plan, the tortilla should puff up. Look for lovely dark spots and a somewhat translucent appearance.

Serving the Tortillas

Steaming the Tortillas

If you want softer tortillas, you can try steaming them. This can be done in a microwave by placing the tortillas in a bowl with boiling water for about 10 minutes, then flipping them over and cooking for an additional 2-5 minutes. Alternatively, you can use a skillet or a pot of boiling water on the stove. Place a stack of tortillas in the skillet or pot, cover, and let sit for 10 minutes. Then, flip the tortillas, cover again, and cook for another 5-10 minutes.

Troubleshooting

If you are having trouble with your tortillas burning or sticking to the griddle, try lowering the heat or using less fat. For quesadillas, it is generally not necessary to add extra fat, as the tortillas already contain a lot. However, some people prefer to add butter or oil to their griddle to get a crispier texture.

Frequently asked questions