Our Test Kitchen shows you how to season a cast-iron skillet to keep it in tip-top shape.
How to Season a Cast-Iron Skillet
Cast-iron skillets are one of our favorite kitchen tools (this one won our hearts). But along with those incredible steaks and deep-dish pizzas, these skillets come with a hard-to-clean reputation. Lucky for cast iron lovers, it’s not true!
For daily cleaning, rinse with hot water, using a stiff nylon brush to remove residue. Use a mild dish soap for extremely greasy pans. And don’t submerge a hot pan in cold water; it can crack. Towel-dry and apply a light coat of oil while the pan is warm.
But when you use it as much as Grandma did, even if you clean it daily, you might notice food starting to stick. That means it’s time to re-season the pan.
Psst: Master cast iron cooking with our guide.
Seasoning a Cast-Iron Skillet
Seasoning is the process of adhering oil to the surface to create a nonstick coating. New pans are factory-seasoned, but if you have an older pan, here’s what to do.
Tools
- Aluminum foil
- Stiff brush
- Hot, soapy water
- Clean towel
- Vegetable oil
Directions
Step 1: Line the lower oven rack with aluminum foil and preheat the oven to 350°F.
Step 2: Scrub the pan with hot, soapy water and a stiff brush to remove any rust. (Watch this video if you need help restoring a really rusty skillet.)
Step 3: Towel-dry and apply a thin coat of vegetable oil to the entire pan—outside and handle included.
Step 4: Place on top oven rack, upside down; bake for 1 hour.
Step 5: Turn off the oven and leave the pan inside to cool. Now you’re ready to cook.
Read More About Cast-Iron Skillets
Seasoning is just the start! Check out more about our Test Kitchen’s favorite skillet.
- The Best Thing You Can Do for Your Cast-Iron Skillet
- What NOT to Cook in Cast Iron
- How to Cook with Cast Iron on Any Type of Stove
Here's What to Make in Your Cast-Iron Skillet
One-Skillet PastaThis recipe was given to me 25 years ago and remains a family favorite. It's a tasty twist on traditional spaghetti, and making a one-skillet pasta saves time on prep and cleanup, too. —Susan Spence, Lawrenceville, Virginia
Muenster BreadMany years ago my sister and I won blue ribbons in 4-H with this bread. The recipe makes a beautiful golden loaf with cheese peeking out of every slice. —Melanie Mero, Ida, Michigan
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
Hash Brown Pork SkilletAdd potatoes and veggies to leftover pork tenderloin for an easy, creamy weeknight supper in minutes! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
PizookieWhat's better than a chocolate chip cookie? How about a giant chocolate chip pizookie!
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
Skillet Pork ChopsSkillet pork chops are the kind of hearty, comforting, fuss-free meal everyone needs to have in their repertoire. With just a handful of ingredients and one pan to clean up, it's an ideal weeknight meal.
Potato Pan RollsMy family loves these rolls and requests them often. They don't take long to make because you use quick-rise yeast. —Connie Storckman, Evanston, Wyoming
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
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
Eggs and PotatoesLoaded with tender potatoes, semi-runny eggs and gooey cheese, this skillet eggs and potatoes recipe captures the perfect combination of flavors and textures. This recipe uses a single skillet to whip up a hearty meal in only 30 minutes.
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 HashSweet potato hash might be the ultimate breakfast-for-dinner recipe. Loaded with sauteed vegetables, browned ham, soft eggs and cheese, it has all the flavors and textures you want, whether it's morning, day or night.
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 cheesecake and learn how simple ingredients like cream cheese, brown sugar and canned pineapple can 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
Grilled CatfishGrilled catfish boasts a delicious flavor, especially when it's infused with spices and served with lemon and parsley.
Butternut Squash RollsThese butternut squash rolls will add some subtle vegetable goodness and fun fall color to your dinner table.
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
Sausage PattiesThese quick and easy-to-make sausage patties are loaded with flavor thanks to ground sage, spicy peppers and just enough sugar to balance everything out.
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 onions, bell peppers and mushrooms in a robust tomato sauce. But the ingredients combine to create a rustic stew with hearty, rich, complex flavors.
Caramel-Apple Skillet BuckleMy grandma used to bake a version of this for me when I was a little girl. She would make it using fresh apples from her tree in the backyard. I've adapted her recipe because I love the combination of apples, pecans and caramel. —Emily Hobbs, Springfield, Missouri
Chicken Bulgur SkilletThis recipe was passed on to me by a friend. I've altered it slightly to suit our tastes. We like it with a fresh green salad. —Leann Hilmer, Sylvan Grove, Kansas
Rustic Honey CakeServe this sweet, moist honey cake with ripe berries and a sprinkle of crunchy pistachios.
Maple-Glazed Pork ChopsThe best foods are sometimes the simplest. Our maple-glazed pork chops, with a sweet, tangy glaze of maple syrup and cider vinegar, come together quickly, and they're so delicious you'll be thinking about making them again before you finish eating.
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
Southwestern SpaghettiChili powder and cumin give a mild Mexican flavor to this colorful one-skillet supper. With chunks of fresh zucchini, it's a nice change of pace from typical spaghetti dishes. —Beth Coffee, Hartford City, Indiana
Stuffed Pepper SkilletThis stuffed pepper skillet recipe reimagines the classic dish of bell peppers stuffed with tomatoey beef and rice as a hearty and satisfying skillet dinner that's packed with flavor and easy to make.
Funnel CakeWhip up a contest-winning funnel cake at home with our simple recipe. Just add cotton candy and corn dogs!
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
Enchilada ChickenWe enjoy southwestern flavors and this six-ingredient recipe never gets boring. The chicken sizzles in the skillet before getting baked and comes out tender and juicy every time. —Nancy Sousley, Lafayette, Indiana
Lemon Roasted ChickenLearn how to make lemon roasted chicken, a foolproof and super tasty dish.
Peach Upside-Down CakeGet ready to flip for this peach upside-down cake! It's easier than you think to prepare, and when it's finished it will look just as good as you'd hoped.
Taco SkilletBeefy, cheesy, saucy and oh, so delicious, this easy taco skillet recipe comes together in under 30 minutes and is made with everyday pantry and kitchen staples.
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
Cheese & Mushroom Skillet PizzaThis Italian skillet toss is an awesome way to use up extra spaghetti sauce at the end of the week. It fits right in on Friday pizza night. —Clare Butler, Little Elm, Texas
Skillet BrowniesSkillet brownies boast a rich, chocolaty flavor and the perfect velvety, fudgy texture. Serve them warm with ice cream, whipped cream or strawberries, and you'll be more than pleased.
Blackened HalibutThis blackened halibut recipe brings a restaurant-quality seafood dinner to the table with very little prep and cook time. Serve it with an equally indulgent side dish, like garlic and herb mashed potatoes.
Lemon-Pepper Tilapia with MushroomsMy husband and I are trying to add more fish and healthy entrees to our diet and this one makes it easy. It comes together in less than 30 minutes, so it's perfect for hectic weeknights. —Donna McDonald, Lake Elsinore, California
Cran-Apple CobblerMy cranberry-packed cobbler is the crowning glory of many of our late fall and winter meals. My family isn't big on pies, so this favorite is preferred at our Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations. The aroma of cinnamon and fruit is irresistible. —Jo Ann Sheehan, Ruther Glen, Virginia
Blackened Catfish with Mango Avocado SalsaA delightful and tasty rub makes this quick recipe fantastic. While the fish is sitting to allow the flavors to blend, you can easily assemble the salsa. My family loves this! —Laura Fisher, Westfield, Massachusetts
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
