Ever spent an afternoon crafting the perfect marinara, only to have it scorch at the bottom because your stovetop has a “hot spot” the size of Texas? We’ve all been there. Learning How To Use It For Simmering Sauces—and by “it,” I mean that wonderfully versatile electric skillet—is a total game-changer. Forget constant stirring and temperature anxiety. Your electric skillet is about to become your secret weapon for rich, flavorful sauces that taste like they’ve been lovingly tended to for hours.
Let’s dive into how you can transform this humble appliance into a sauce-simmering powerhouse. It’s easier than you think, and the results are absolutely mouth-watering.
Why Is an Electric Skillet a Sauce-Simmering Superstar?
You might think of your electric skillet for pancakes or fried chicken, but its core features make it uniquely suited for the low-and-slow art of sauce making. Its superiority over a traditional stovetop comes down to a few key engineering advantages that directly combat common sauce-making frustrations.
Precision Temperature Control: Your Sauce’s Best Friend
The single biggest advantage is the thermostat. Unlike the vague “low, medium, high” settings on a stove, an electric skillet allows you to set and maintain a precise temperature. For simmering, this is pure gold.
- No More Guesswork: Set the dial to 200-220°F (93-104°C), and you have a perfect, gentle simmer that won’t boil over or burn.
- Consistency is Key: The skillet’s heating element cycles on and off to hold that exact temperature, ensuring your sauce cooks evenly from the first minute to the last hour.
- Prevents Scorching: The dreaded burnt taste in a tomato sauce is usually caused by intense, direct heat. The controlled, even heat of an electric skillet virtually eliminates this risk.
According to home appliance engineer John Carter, “The feedback loop in an electric skillet’s thermostat is its most underrated feature. It constantly measures and adjusts, providing a level of stability that most residential stovetops, especially older electric coil models, simply can’t match for low-temperature cooking.”
Even Heat Distribution: The End of Hot Spots
Electric skillets are designed with a heating element that snakes across the entire base of the pan. This means heat is distributed far more evenly than in a typical pot on a burner, which concentrates heat in the center.
For simmering sauces, this means:
- The entire base of your sauce is heated gently and uniformly.
- You don’t have to stir constantly to prevent the middle from burning while the edges stay cool.
- Ingredients meld together more harmoniously, leading to a deeper, more complex flavor profile.
How to Use It for Simmering Sauces: A Step-by-Step Guide
Ready to make the best sauce of your life? It’s time for the main event. Following this process will guarantee delicious, consistent results every time you decide how to use it for simmering sauces.
- Sauté Your Aromatics (The Foundation): Every great sauce starts with a great base. Use your electric skillet to sauté your onions, garlic, carrots, and celery (your soffritto or mirepoix). Set the temperature to around 300-325°F (150-163°C). The large surface area is perfect for getting everything nicely browned without steaming.
- Brown Your Meats (If Using): If you’re making a bolognese or a chili, remove the veggies and brown your ground meat in the same skillet. The even heating is fantastic for this, ensuring a beautiful crust. Once browned, drain any excess fat.
- Deglaze the Pan: This is a non-negotiable step for flavor! Return your veggies to the skillet. Pour in a splash of wine, broth, or even water. As it sizzles, use a wooden or silicone spoon to scrape up all those delicious browned bits (fond) from the bottom of the pan. That’s pure, concentrated flavor.
- Add Your Liquids and Solids: Now, add your main ingredients—crushed tomatoes, stock, beans, spices, etc. Stir everything together until well combined.
- Find the Simmer Sweet Spot: Place the lid on the skillet, leaving it slightly ajar to allow steam to escape. This helps the sauce reduce and thicken. Turn the temperature dial down to the 200-220°F (93-104°C) range. You’re looking for gentle, lazy bubbles, not a rolling boil. This is the most critical step.
- Let It Do Its Magic: Now, you can walk away. Unlike a stovetop, you don’t need to babysit it. Check on it every 30-45 minutes, giving it a quick stir to ensure nothing is sticking (though with the even heat, it’s unlikely). Simmer for at least one hour, but for sauces like bolognese, 2-3 hours will produce incredible results.
- Finishing Touches: Once your sauce has reached the desired consistency and flavor, turn the skillet off. Stir in any fresh herbs, like basil or parsley, or a touch of cream or butter for richness. The skillet will stay warm for a while, keeping your sauce at the perfect serving temperature.
|
Our Picks for the Best Electric Skillet in 2025
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
|
||
| Num | Product | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | bella Make & Take Electric Skillet, Fits-anywhere™ kitchenware, EverGood™ Ceramic Coating, Adjustable Temperature & Dishwasher-Safe Tempered Glass Lid, Cast Aluminum Base, 1200 Watt, Surf |
|
| 2 | Presto 06857 16-inch Electric Foldaway Skillet, Black |
|
| 3 | Chefman XL Electric Griddle with Removable Temperature Control, Immersible Flat Top Grill, Burger, Eggs, Pancake Griddle, Nonstick Extra Large Cooking Surface, Slide Out Drip Tray, 10 x 20 Inch |
|
| 4 | Presto 07117 12\" Electric Skillet with glass cover |
|
| 5 | Crux Extra Deep Nonstick Scratch Resistant Electric Skillet with Removeable Temperature Probe, 12\" x 12\", silver (14620) |
|
| 6 | Elite Gourmet EG-6203# Extra Deep 16\"x13\"x3.2\" (10.5Qt.) Scratch Resistant, Easy Pour Spout Dishwasher Safe, Non-stick Electric Skillet with Glass Vented Lid, Adjustable Temperature, Black |
|
| 7 | Presto 06852 16-Inch Electric Skillet with Glass Cover |
|
| 8 | Elite Gourmet 12\" x 12\" x 3” Ceralast™ Ceramic Non-stick PFAS Free, Dishwasher Safe Electric Skillet, Xtra Deep Dish, Rapid Heat 1200W, Black |
|
| 9 | Elite Gourmet EG808 8” x 8\" Non-stick Electric Skillet, Dishwasher Safe with Tempered Glass Vented Lid, Rapid Heat Up, 600W, Black |
|
| 10 | BLACK+DECKER Electric Skillet, Variable Temperature Control, Nonstick Cooking Surface, Dishwasher Safe, Tempered Glass Lid, 12\"x15\" |
|
Pro Tips for Perfect Electric Skillet Sauces
You’ve mastered the basics of how to use it for simmering sauces. Now, let’s elevate your game with a few insider tricks I’ve learned over the years.
- Use the Depth to Your Advantage: Most electric skillets are deeper than a standard frying pan. This is fantastic for preventing splatter and allows you to make big batches of sauce to freeze for later.
- The “Keep Warm” Setting is Your Friend: If your sauce is ready but dinner isn’t, switch the skillet to the “Keep Warm” setting. It holds the sauce at a food-safe temperature without overcooking it. Perfect for parties or busy weeknights.
- Lid On vs. Lid Off: Need to thicken your sauce faster? Remove the lid entirely for the last 30 minutes of simmering. This allows more moisture to evaporate, concentrating the flavors and reducing the liquid.
What Kinds of Sauces Can You Make?
Honestly, the sky’s the limit. If it benefits from a long, slow simmer, it will thrive in an electric skillet. Think about:
- Classic Tomato Marinara: Let the tomatoes break down and the garlic and herbs infuse over a couple of hours.
- Hearty Bolognese or Meat Sauce: The gentle, even heat is perfect for tenderizing the meat and melding the flavors of the wine, tomatoes, and aromatics.
- Flavorful Curries: After blooming your spices, let your coconut milk or tomato-based curry simmer away to develop incredible depth.
- Rich and Meaty Chili: An electric skillet is basically a chili-making machine. It can handle the browning, simmering, and holding with ease.
- Barbecue Sauce from Scratch: Gently simmer your ingredients to create a thick, sticky, and perfectly caramelized BBQ sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are some common questions people have when they first learn how to use it for simmering sauces in this versatile appliance.
Q: What is the best temperature for simmering in an electric skillet?
A: The ideal temperature for a gentle simmer is between 200°F and 220°F (93°C to 104°C). This range produces small, slow bubbles and prevents the sauce from boiling or scorching, allowing flavors to develop gradually.
Q: Can I leave an electric skillet unattended while simmering?
A: While an electric skillet is much safer to leave than a stovetop due to its precise temperature control, it’s not recommended to leave it completely unattended for extended periods. It’s best practice to check on your sauce every 30-60 minutes.
Q: How do I prevent my sauce from being too watery?
A: To thicken a sauce in an electric skillet, simply simmer it with the lid off or partially ajar. This allows steam to escape and the liquid to reduce. For a faster method, you can add a cornstarch slurry near the end of the cooking time.
Q: Is a non-stick electric skillet good for tomato-based sauces?
A: Absolutely. A high-quality non-stick surface is excellent for acidic, tomato-based sauces. It prevents sticking and makes cleanup incredibly easy. Just be sure to use wooden or silicone utensils to avoid scratching the surface.
Q: Can I cook pasta directly in the sauce in my electric skillet?
A: Yes, this is a fantastic one-pan meal trick! Once your sauce has simmered for a while, add your uncooked pasta and enough extra liquid (like water or broth) to cover it. Put the lid on, keep it at a simmer, and stir occasionally until the pasta is al dente.
Your New Favorite Kitchen Tool
So, there you have it. The electric skillet isn’t just for breakfast anymore. By leveraging its precise temperature control and even heating surface, you can master the art of the slow-simmered sauce with less effort and more confidence. It’s time to dust off that skillet, get your ingredients ready, and see for yourself just how easy it is. Learning how to use it for simmering sauces will unlock a whole new world of flavor in your kitchen.
Happy simmering! We’d love to hear about the amazing sauces you create, so feel free to share your experiences in the comments below.