What to Cook in a Cast Iron Skillet

Years ago, we wrote a post all about the versatility of cooking and baking with a cast iron Dutch oven. As baking season approaches, we thought it was high time to write a companion post praising the equally versatile cast iron skillet.

If you own and adore a cast iron Dutch oven, make a cast iron skillet the next item on your wish list. Keep reading to find out why.

Cast Iron Skillet Basics

Just like a cast iron Dutch oven, you can use a cast iron skillet on the stovetop, in the oven, and even over a campfire or on the grill. Cast iron conducts and retains heat, so it's ideal for searing, browning, and baking. Unlike a Dutch oven, a cast iron skillet doesn';t have a lid, so it's better suited to recipes that have a shorter cooking time.

While you can buy skillets made from a wide variety of materials, a cast iron skillet has the added benefit of being oven- and broiler-safe. If you choose an enameled cast iron skillet, the interior enamel will clean up easily (once you let your skillet cool down, of course). Better yet, an enameled cast iron skillet is fine for cooking acidic foods (like tomatoes) and won't absorb flavors.

Make Breakfast in a Cast Iron Skillet

This section alone might be enough to convince you to head to our site right now and add a cast iron skillet to your cart. While nonstick still reigns supreme when it comes to preparing eggs, a cast iron skillet is an outstanding tool for making breakfast scrambles. Try this hearty scramble from Fresh Off the Grid that's great whether it's prepared over a campfire or on a kitchen stovetop.

Sweet breakfast recipes are just as delicious as savory ones. We're eyeing this Break Room Coffee Cake from Lodge Cast Iron. Although it's intended to serve a crowd, we'll understand if you cut a slice for yourself and leave the rest at home.

Make Dinner in a Cast Iron Skillet

We love easy weeknight recipes that come together in 30 minutes or less, and a cast iron skillet definitely comes in handy. This Chicken Piccata from Southern Living goes with angel hair pasta (which also cooks quickly) for a dinner that tastes like you spent hours making it.

While this Chicken and Chorizo Paella from Food & Wine takes longer to cook, your cast iron skillet is the only pan you'll need, which cuts down considerably on clean-up. When you have a cast iron skillet, you don't need a paella pan.

Finally, don’t forget about steak! Check out our post about how to reverse sear a steak, which is best done with a screaming hot cast iron skillet.

Make Dessert in a Cast Iron Skillet

If you sprung for an enameled cast iron skillet, get ready to make some sweet treats! Because enameled cast iron doesn't hold onto flavors, you can use the same skillet for sweet dishes without worrying that hints of garlic and herbs will cling to your delicate desserts.

While chocolate chip skillet cookies are a classic, we want to try this Peanut Butter Cookie from Feeding Your Fam. Skillet brownies, like this recipe from NYT Cooking, are also a big hit and easy to make.

Crisps and cobblers also bake up beautifully in a cast iron skillet. This Apple Crisp recipe from Ree Drummond on the Food Network is rated "easy" and has over 100 five-star reviews. It's definitely got us in the mood for fall!

Want more options? Serious Eats collected nearly two dozen of their favorite cast iron skillet recipes, and Simply Recipes offers two dozen more that are perfect for weeknight dinners.