A kitchen without a roasting pan is like a pub with no beer. However, you can find several alternatives to use. They include a braiser, cast iron skillet, baking dish, and a bundt pan.
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What Can I Use Instead of a Roasting Pan?
Sometimes, for whatever reason, you may not have a roasting pan handy.
You can use other cookware pieces instead of a roasting pan in the absence of a roasting pan. There is no way you should skip roasting a turkey during Thanksgiving or any other day for that matter.
Here is how various options come in handy.
Braiser
A braiser is suitable for recipes that need more moisture, like stewed greens or braised chicken. However, you should use the braiser without the lid for excellent roasting. Most braisers are made of heavy material depending on the brand you choose to buy.
A cast-iron one comes in handy for roasting as it allows even distribution of heat and retains it for hours after you are done roasting.
Cast iron skillet
A cast-iron skillet is ideal for cooking frittatas and searing steaks. However, it can also be used instead of a roasting pan.
It has thick walls, low sides of the roasting pan, and conducts heat evenly. The low walls allow even uniform circulation of heat, which ensures your meat cooks perfectly.
Baking dish
A baking dish comes with two side firm handles that enable easy movement of your food. It can be used to cook lasagne, chickens, and turkeys for large families or groups.
Since most are cast iron made, this pan can go straight on the top stove when looking to turn the drippings into the gravy and still be used in an oven without any problems.
Bundt pan
When looking for an excellent alternative for a roasting pan, you should go for a bundt pan. It brings out your roasted chicken recipes perfectly while maintaining the natural flavorful of your meat.
If you love roasted meat with crust, you will love using this pan for chicken, seafood, beef, or any other meat type. You can also roast veggies, bread cubes, and potatoes in the pan.
Baking sheet
A baking sheet I light in weight, thin, and easy to handle compared to a roasting pan. It is used in different ways in the kitchen and is more versatile than your roasting pan. The best thing is that you can use it instead of a roasting pan and still get excellent results.
Apart from roasting your meat on the sheet’s surface, you can also set a wire cooling rack inside the baking sheet for other recipes to allow sufficient air circulation as the meat roasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What else can a roasting pan cook apart from meat?
A roasting pan comes with a rack that makes roasting meat a walk in the park. Your meat sits above the pan’s bottom, which allows excess oil and juices to drip away. Apart from making meat cuts, you can use it roast veggies and starches such as potatoes.
Why should I have a roasting pan in my kitchen?
If you love roasted food and have many recipes to try out, you definitely need a roasting pan in your kitchen. Buy one that is spacious enough to roast large meats such as a turkey. Though it may take up space in the cookware storage area, it’s worth owning if you roast food regularly.
Why are my roasted vegetables soggy?
Roasted vegetables should be crunchy; so if they turn out soggy, something is terribly wrong. Too much oil is mostly the cause of watery vegetables, but on the hand, too little or no oil makes them extremely dry. So, you have to add the right amount for delicious roasted vegetables.
Conclusion
The above list consists of some of the best alternatives to a roasting pan, which many people only use once or twice, maybe thrice a year. The options have several more uses in the kitchen and are therefore preferable.
However, if you can get the one big roasting pan and use it for a considerable amount of time, then go for it. Let the alternatives simply be that. Alternatives!
You might also like: How To Use A Roasting Pan With Lid
