Here’s the Best Thing You Can Do for Your Cast-Iron Skillet
Updated: Feb. 21, 2024
Want to know the best secret for caring for cast-iron skillets? The answer is simple—use it! Frying and sauteing as often as possible help keep the cast iron's seasoning at its best.
Cast iron is back! Twenty-first-century cooks have rediscovered the workhorse of Grandma’s kitchen, and while the mysteries of seasoning cast iron and safely cleaning it are known, Grandma knew how to care for cast-iron skillets the best and easiest way. She used them—a lot.
She didn’t have to remove rust from them because they were always on top of her stove or in her oven. Caring for cast-iron skillets was as easy as frying a batch of chicken or crisping up some bacon for breakfast. By doing so, she wasn’t just showering affection on her family and friends; she’d be giving her skillets a little love as well. The frequent heating of oil in cast iron keeps the protecting seasoning intact, darkening to a beautiful black patina over prolonged use. With frequent use and proper care, your cast-iron skillet will be just as nonstick as any Teflon-coated skillet.
What to Cook in Your Cast-Iron Skillet
So, in order to keep the skillet I inherited from my grandma at its best, I often cook these recipes in it. Each one helps restore its seasoning and keeps my skillet in tiptop shape.
- Gentleman’s Whiskey Bacon Jam: This sweet and savory jam should be slathered on everything. I mean everything.
- Gram’s Fried Chicken: Anytime your pan needs a little seasoning boost, make fried chicken.
- Pork Schnitzel: You don’t need a lot of fat to make your skillet happy. I often make this schnitzel for a quick and easy dinner my family (and my skillet) will love.
- Potato Latkes: Is anything better than crispy golden brown potatoes? A cast-iron skillet keeps the frying oil hot, resulting in amazingly crisp potato pancakes.
- Sage-Rubbed Salmon: Cooking fish in cast iron is one of the best ways to seal in flavor and moisture without overcooking. Start it on the stovetop and finish it in the oven.
- Skillet Steak Supper: Ready in less than 20 minutes, this one can be served right from your trusty skillet.
- Skier’s Skillet: The aromas of sausages and apples sizzling in a cast-iron skillet are sure to wake even the sleepiest family member.
I could go on and on. In fact, here are 35 more recipes to keep you cooking.
Obsessed with your cast-iron? We went behind the scenes to see how they’re made.
Impressive, right? Once you have a well-seasoned piece of cast iron, you can cook just about anything in it. Ooey-gooey mac and cheese will slide right out, and cornbread ends up golden brown and super moist. Even something as sticky as banana upside-down cake is no match for it. Isn’t it time to show your cast iron some love?
Our Best Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes
Deluxe Cornbread StuffingWhen my husband and I were newlyweds and far from family, we invited friends over for a traditional Thanksgiving feast. I searched for stuffing recipes and combined the best aspects of several to create this one. Everyone liked it, and I still make it for holidays. —Pamela Rickman, Valdosta, Georgia
Rhubarb CrispMake rhubarb crisp with strawberries in spring and apples in fall to enjoy a simple, year-round dessert.
Gnocchi Chicken SkilletStovetop chicken and gnocchi recipes like this one make for a homey dinner in a hurry. Personalize it with your own favorite sauce and seasonings. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Salsa Corn CakesThis recipe is super with fresh or canned corn. I whip up these patties to serve alongside nachos or tacos on hot summer evenings. The salsa is subtle but adds flavor. —Lisa Boettcher, Rosebush, Michigan
Hash Brown Pork SkilletAdd potatoes and veggies to leftover pork tenderloin for an easy, creamy weeknight supper in minutes! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Beef Skillet SupperSometimes I'll make extra of this comforting, noodle-y supper to guarantee leftovers. It's a great take-along dish for work or school. Trim calories from the entree by substituting ground turkey for the beef and low-fat cheese for the full-fat cheddar. —Tabitha Allen, Cypress, Texas
One-Skillet Pork Chop SupperMy husband, Clark, and I reserve this recipe for Sundays after the grandkids have gone home and we're too tired to prepare a big meal. It's comforting and quick. —Kathy Thompson, Port Orange, Florida
German Apple PancakeIf you're looking for a pretty dish to make when having guests for brunch, try this. Everyone I've served it to has enjoyed it—except for one time, that is, when my husband tried to make it following my recipe, which I'd written down incorrectly! If you don't leave out the flour as I did, it'll turn out terrific! —Judi Van Beek, Lynden, Washington
Homey Mac & CheeseI also call this "my grandson's mac and cheese." Zachary has been to Iraq and Afghanistan with both the Marines and Navy, and I've been privileged to make his favorite casserole for him for over 20 years. —Alice Beardsell, Osprey, Florida
Honey WalleyeMy state is known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes, so fishing is a favorite recreational activity here. This recipe is a quick way to prepare all the fresh walleye hooked by the anglers in my family. —Kitty McCue, St. Louis Park, Minnesota
Chicken Burrito SkilletWe love Mexican night at our house, and I love to re-create dishes from our favorite restaurants. This burrito-inspired dish is ready for the table in almost no time! —Krista Marshall, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Pizza RollsThis cheesy, pepperoni-studded pizza rolls recipe is so much fun to make! Serve the handheld snacks with warm marinara as a party appetizer, or pair each roll with a side salad for pizza night with the family.
Skillet Herb BreadWe had a lot of family get-togethers while I was growing up. My grandmother, aunts and mom were all good cooks, and each had her own specialty when it came to bread. Mom's was my favorite—she created this recipe more than 40 years ago. The flavors call to mind the taste of cornbread stuffing! —Shirley Smith, Yorba Linda, California
Baked Cheddar Eggs & PotatoesI love making breakfast recipes with eggs for dinner, especially this combo with potatoes and cheese that's started in a skillet on the stovetop and then popped into the oven to bake. —Nadine Merheb, Tucson, Arizona
Italian Sausage Veggie SkilletWe love Italian sausage sandwiches, but because the bread isn't diet-friendly for me, I created this recipe to satisfy my craving. If you like some heat, use hot peppers in place of the sweet peppers. —Tina Howells, Salem, Ohio
Sweet Potato and Egg SkilletI try to incorporate nutritious sweet potatoes in meals as often as possible, especially with breakfast. I came up with this recipe to feed my family a healthy, hearty breakfast—and it worked! —Jeanne Larson, Rancho Santa Margarita, California
Spicy Veggie Pasta BakeMy dad cooked with cast-iron skillets, so when I do, I remember his amazing culinary skills. I keep the tradition going with my veggie pasta. —Sonya Goergen, Moorhead, Minnesota
Chicken FajitasSizzling chicken fajitas are super easy to make and full of flavor. The secret is in the skillet, which can go from stove to table for restaurant-quality presentation.
Cinnamon-Sugar Apple PieCinnamon apple pie baked in a cast iron skillet is a real stunner. This beauty, with its flaky, tender crust, also works in a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate. —Renee Schettler Rossi, New York, New York
Sweet Potato and Ham HashTender sweet potatoes match up with ham, eggs and zippy seasonings for an impressive breakfast. Or serve it with salad and have an easy breakfast-for-dinner meal. —Judy Armstrong, Prairieville, Louisiana
Turkey Biscuit StewThis chunky stew makes a hearty supper, especially in the fall and winter. It'salso a great way to use extra turkey during the holidays. —Lori Schlecht, Wimbledon, North Dakota
Pineapple Upside-Down CheesecakeMake this pineapple upside-down can and learn how simple ingredients like cream cheese, brown sugar and canned pineapple create a visually stunning and delicious dessert.
KaiserschmarrenThe story goes that when Austrian Kaiser Franz Josef's chef noticed that he always broke his pancake into small pieces before eating it, he began serving it that way. —Erika and Peter Durlacher, Whistler, British Columbia
Butternut Squash RollsWith their cheery yellow color and delicious aroma, these appealing buns will brighten your buffet table. Plus, I've found this recipe is a wonderful way to use up squash from the garden. —Bernice Morris, Marshfield, Missouri
Deep-Dish Sausage PizzaMy grandma made the tastiest snacks for us when we stayed the night at her farm. Her wonderful pizza, hot from the oven, was covered with cheese and had fragrant herbs in the crust. Now this pizza is frequently a meal for my husband, our family and me. —Michele Madden, Washington Court House, Ohio
Homemade Sage Sausage PattiesOregano, garlic and sage add savory flavor to these easy ground pork patties. I've had this Pennsylvania Dutch recipe for years, and it always brings compliments. —Diane Hixon, Niceville, Florida
Pinwheel Steak PotpieOn cool nights, nothing hits the spot like a steaming homemade potpie—especially one you can get on the table fast. The pinwheel crust on top has become my signature. —Kristin Shaw, Castleton, New York
Chicken CacciatoreThis chicken cacciatore recipe is simple—it’s just chicken simmered with vegetables in a robust tomato sauce. But the ingredients come together to create a hearty stew with complex flavors that rivals the dishes found at an authentic Italian restaurant.
Rustic Honey CakeServe this sweet, moist honey cake with ripe berries and a sprinkle of crunchy pistachios. Â
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Parmesan-Bacon Bubble BreadWhen I needed to put some leftover bread dough to good use, I started with a recipe I often use for bubble bread and substituted savory ingredients for the sweet. —Lori McLain, Denton, Texas
Beef & Pepper SkilletI love Mexican-inspired food. I also enjoy experimenting with recipes like this one and making them healthier—and downright good! —Jenny Dubinsky, Inwood, West Virginia
Spanish Rice DinnerSpanish Rice Dinner has been a family favorite since I discovered it in our church cookbook. I always have the ingredients on hand, and it reheats very well in the microwave. —Jeri Dobrowski, Beach, North Dakota.
Apples 'n' Cream PancakeThis cozy recipe is delicious for breakfast or brunch. I usually make a double batch because everyone wants more! With our own orchard, we have plenty of Delicious and Winesap apples—they make this a true midwestern meal. —Ruth Schafer, Defiance, Ohio
Chili Beef Noodle SkilletA friend gave me this recipe. My husband likes the hearty blend of beef, onion and tomatoes. I like it because I can get it to the table so quickly. —Deborah Elliott, Ridge Spring, South Carolina
Saucy Beef with BroccoliWhen I’m looking for a fast entree, I turn to this beef and broccoli stir-fry. It features a tantalizing sauce made with garlic and ginger. —Rosa Evans, Odessa, Missouri
Skillet-Roasted Lemon Chicken with PotatoesThis is a meal I have my students make in our nutrition unit. It has a delicious lemon-herb flavor and is simple to make. —Mindy Rottmund, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Peach Praline Upside-Down CakeThis cake is filled with fresh peaches, roasted Saigon cinnamon, roasted ground ginger and toasted pecans – and that makes it different. — Jeanette Nelson, Sophia, West Virginia
Easy Beef Taco SkilletBusy day? Save time and money with this stovetop supper the whole family will love. It calls for handy convenience products, so it can be on the table in minutes. —Kelly Roder, Fairfax, Virginia
Basil-Butter Steaks with Roasted PotatoesA few ingredients and 30 minutes are all you need for this incredibly satisfying meal. A simple basil butter gives these steaks a very special flavor. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Skillet BrowniesSkillet brownies boast a rich, chocolaty flavor and the perfect velvety, fudgy texture. Serve them warm with whipped cream or strawberries, and you'll be more than pleased.
Blackened HalibutTry serving this spicy halibut recipe with garlic mashed potatoes, hot, crusty bread and a crisp salad to lure in your crew. After trying a few halibut recipes, this one is my family's favorite. —Brenda Williams, Santa Maria, California
Milk CakeThis is a simple recipe—and especially easy in a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet. The result is a deliciously light, airy cake. —Suzanne Coelman, Rabun Gap, Georgia
Banana Skillet Upside-Down CakeMy grandmother gave me my first cast iron skillet, and I've been cooking and baking with it ever since. Sometimes I add drained maraschino cherries to this banana skillet dessert and serve it with a ice cream. —Terri Merritts, Nashville, Tennessee
Up Next: If You See Black Residue on Your Cast-Iron Skillet, This Is What It Means
Originally Published: May 09, 2018
