Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes You Didn't Know You Could Make (2024)

Kitchen Kitchen Tools

Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes You Didn't Know You Could Make (1)

Photo courtesy of Perdue

Noah McGee|July 29, 2020 2:00 pm EST

A lot of people are using their cast-iron pan wrong or only break it out to cook the occasional burger recipe. But there is so much more the tool can be used for. Once well-seasoned, a cast-iron pan can cook just about anything, from pancakes to fried chicken. It can go from stovetop to oven with ease, it's nearly indestructible and it holds its heat like a dream. Here are 20 things we bet you didn't know you could cook in your cast-iron pan.

Easy Skillet Tart Cherry Crisp

Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes You Didn't Know You Could Make (2)

Courtesy of Chelsea Lord, Provided by Choose Cherries

Did you know that you can make desserts in your cast-iron pan? This easy skillet tart cherry crisp takes less than 30 minutes to prepare and is one of the best cherry dessert recipes you can make.

For the Easy Skillet Tart Cherry Crisp recipe, click here.

Cast-Iron Pan Jalapeño Cornbread

Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes You Didn't Know You Could Make (3)

Ronda Kimbrow Photography via Getty Images

This is not your normal cornbread. It's filled with jalapeños, green onions, corn and buttermilk. Don't have buttermilk? Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to 1 cup of regular milk — that's one of the great recipe swaps you need to know.

For the Cast-Iron Pan Jalapeño Cornbread recipe, click here.

Pan-Seared, Butter-Basted Rosemary Steak

Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes You Didn't Know You Could Make (4)

Slawomir Fajer/Shutterstock

You may think you need a grill to cook a steak perfectly every time, but a cast-iron pan is the real ticket for a great sear. This simple butter-basted rosemary steak dish is one of the best ways to cook your steak.

For the Pan-Seared, Butter-Basted Rosemary Steak recipe, click here.

Oven-Baked Skillet S'mores

Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes You Didn't Know You Could Make (5)

The Daily Meal

You don't need a campfire to enjoy s'mores. This oven-baked skillet s'mores recipe is a dessert that uses five ingredients or fewer and is ready to enjoy in 20 minutes.

For the Oven Baked Skillet S'mores recipe, click here.

Skinny Zucchini Frittata

Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes You Didn't Know You Could Make (6)

lauraag/iStock via Getty Images

This zucchini frittata can be swapped with squash or any other leftover vegetables you have on hand. But make sure to not replace the feta or sun-dried tomatoes. These particular ingredients give the dish an essential saltiness.

For the Skinny Zucchini Frittata recipe, click here.

Deep Dish Apple Crisp

Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes You Didn't Know You Could Make (7)

Courtesy of CONAGRA

Anything that is deep-dish is perfect for a cast-iron pan. This deep-dish apple crisp is no different and is right up there with the best apple pies in America.

For the Deep Dish Apple Crisp recipe, click here.

Red Shakshuka

Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes You Didn't Know You Could Make (8)

Courtesy of Handsome Brook Farms

A popular dish in the Middle East and North Africa, red shakshuka is immensely flavorful. It's a simple combination of cooked tomatoes, onions, garlic, spices and herbs with gently poached eggs nestled between divots in the sauce.

For the Red Shakshuka recipe, click here.

Sunny-Side Up Egg Pizza with Goat Cheese and Herbs

Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes You Didn't Know You Could Make (9)

Courtesy of Pete and Gerry's

This sunny-side-up egg pizza is not your typical homemade pizza but it is among the absolute best things to make for brunch.

For the Sunny Side Up Egg Pizza with Goat Cheese and Herbs recipe, click here.

Beef Stir Fry and Vegetables

Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes You Didn't Know You Could Make (10)

Courtesy of McCormick

If you're looking to get dinner on the table in less than one hour, this cast-iron beef and vegetable stir fry is going to be your best friend. You may think you need a wok for this type of dish, but a cast-iron skillet gets just as hot.

For the Beef Stir Fry and Vegetables recipe, click here.

Tuscan Chicken and Vegetables

Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes You Didn't Know You Could Make (11)

Courtesy of McCormick

This Tuscan chicken and vegetables dish is inspired by flavors from the Mediterranean and is packed with oregano, sun-dried tomatoes, lemon and earthy seasonings. It's one of the best chicken recipes for busy weeknights considering it takes only about 20 minutes to throw together.

For the Tuscan Chicken and Vegetables recipe, click here.

Chicken Frittata With Kalamata Olives

Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes You Didn't Know You Could Make (12)

Courtesy of Perdue

This chicken frittata with Kalamata olives can be eaten for breakfast or dinner. This recipe combines chicken with vegetables, herbs, cheese and eggs, one of the foods you should eat every day.

For the Chicken Frittata With Kalamata Olives recipe, click here.

Chicken-Fried Steak

Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes You Didn't Know You Could Make (13)

bhockack2/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

Chicken-fried steak is one of those recipes straight from Texas, but even if you've never been to the Lone Star State, you can enjoy this decadent dish.

For the Chicken-Fried Steak recipe, click here.

Eggs in Purgatory with Chorizo

Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes You Didn't Know You Could Make (14)

Courtesy of Eggland's Best

Love heat? Then eggs in purgatory, which uses chorizo and pepper jack cheese just might be the cast-iron recipe for you. If you want some extra fire in your meal, add red pepper flakes or some of the world's hottest hot sauces.

For the Eggs in Purgatory with Chorizo recipe, click here.

Fried Green Tomatoes

Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes You Didn't Know You Could Make (15)

Courtesy of McCormick

Fried green tomatoes are one of those classic Southern recipes everyone needs to try. Don't feel the need to whip out a deep fryer — a cast-iron skillet is great for fried foods.

For the Fried Green Tomatoes recipe, click here.

Vegetable and Cheese Frittata

Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes You Didn't Know You Could Make (16)

Brent Hofacker/ Shutterstock

This vegetable and cheese frittata is just as delicious as it is versatile. It is very easy to make and once you have the basic recipe down, you can add many types of ingredients to make it your own.

For the Vegetables and cheese Frittata recipe, click here.

Easy Curried Rice

Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes You Didn't Know You Could Make (17)

Tatiana Volgutova/Shutterstock

This is not a curry recipe, it is a curried recipe and it all comes together in 20 minutes. This great rice recipe can all be done from your cast-iron pan to simplify the cooking process.

For the Easy Curried Rice recipe, click here.

Sizzling Steak Fajitas

Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes You Didn't Know You Could Make (18)

MiguelMal/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

Sizzling steak fajitas are one of the best Mexican-inspired recipes you can make at home. Just chop your steaks into strips and cook them with peppers and onions.

For the Sizzling Steak Fajitas recipe, click here.

Arroz con Pollo

Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes You Didn't Know You Could Make (19)

Courtesy of Muy Bueno

This Mexican chicken and rice recipe is anything but boring. Garlic, brown sugar, lemon pepper and many other seasonings that make it a delicious meal for everyone.

For the Arroz con Pollo recipe, click here.

Hearty Apple Chicken Breakfast Skillet

Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes You Didn't Know You Could Make (20)

Courtesy of Perdue

Who doesn't love recipes that use a lot of eggs? You can start your day with this apple chicken breakfast skillet, and you can make it all in a cast-iron pan. It's packed with shredded potatoes and ground chicken, and it's perfect for when the sun rises. If you are in love with eggs, here are 101 ways to cook eggs.

For the Hearty Apple Chicken Breakfast Skillet recipe, click here.

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Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes You Didn't Know You Could Make (2024)

FAQs

Is there anything I shouldn't make in a cast iron skillet? ›

Is There Anything You Shouldn't Cook in Your Cast-Iron Skillet? Experts Weigh In. While there's nothing that's technically off limits, the pros say you should be careful with acidic foods, like tomato or wine sauce, which can corrode the seasoning if left in the pan for too long.

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What foods Cannot be cooked in cast iron? ›

4 Foods You Shouldn't Cook in Cast Iron

Acidic foods (unless you make it snappy) ...
Fish (particularly delicate varieties) ...
Eggs. ...
Skillet brownies (if you just fried a batch of chicken last night) ...
A lot more (if your skillet isn't properly seasoned)

Mar 11, 2023

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What foods are best cooked in a cast iron skillet? ›

The Best Foods to Cook in Cast Iron Pans

Pan-seared veggies and proteins.
Fatty foods like bacon.
Burgers.
Grilled cheese sandwiches.
Pizza.
Eggs (yes, you read that right!)
Potatoes.
Cornbread and other breads.

Aug 30, 2022

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Why can't you cook eggs in cast iron? ›

Eggs fall into the category of sticky foods that are not ideal for cast iron skillets that haven't built up their seasoning yet. While cast iron can become non-stick with sufficient use over time, a newer skillet will almost certainly cause your eggs to stick to its porous surface.

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What is the biggest problem with cast iron? ›

If cast iron is left in the sink to soak, put in the dishwasher, or allowed to air dry, it will rust. It can also happen when you store your cookware in moisture-prone environments, such as a cabinet near a dishwasher, an open cabinet in a humid location, or stored outside.

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Is it OK to cook in cast iron everyday? ›

The type of iron that comes from cast iron cooking is nonheme iron and is safe to consume. It is the same type of iron as found in plant sources such as beans, spinach and tofu. Children one to three years old only need 7mg iron daily, so if it's best not to cook every meal for children this age in cast iron cookware.

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Is it bad to cook in cast iron everyday? ›

Cast iron pans are popular, especially for searing, and are generally safe to use. But they can leach iron, which is a strong pro-oxidant. Those genetically at risk for iron overload should learn more about cast iron safety. For well over a thousand years, cast iron has been used as a reliable cooking surface.

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Why do you not use soap on cast iron? ›

But before you go squeezing out a deluge of Dawn, you should know a few things about using soap on cast iron. Cooks for generations didn't use soap on cast iron pans because the soaps were made with lye and vinegar, two ingredients that will absolutely strip the seasoning and can even damage the pan's iron.

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Is it OK to soak a cast iron skillet? ›

Can I soak my cast iron pan? No! Soaking cast iron in water is a recipe for rust. If you need to remove sticky or stubborn stuck-on food, use a nylon scrubbing brush or a pan scraper and rinse under warm water.

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Is it healthier to cook with cast iron? ›

You get an iron boost (kind of)

You've probably heard at one point or another that cooking in a cast-iron pan releases iron into your food. It's not a myth, nor is it a bad thing, especially for women, kids, and vegetarians, who are more prone to being iron-deficient.

What is the first thing you should cook in cast iron? ›

Start with Vegetables

Any seared, sautéed, or pan-roasted vegetable recipe is a great place to start breaking in your skillet. Vegetables won't stick to your cooking surface like fatty proteins, and are easy to spread out over the entire cooking surface, helping to build even seasoning.

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What is the first thing I should cook in my cast iron skillet? ›

We recommend starting with vegetables as they are more forgiving than most proteins - they taste delicious and won't stick to your pan! Keep in mind that using a little bit of oil is necessary to help to keep food from sticking.

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Can you use butter on cast iron? ›

Yes, you can season the pans for frying, sautéing, or baking in cast iron cookware like pans, pots, or skillets with butter, but it's not the right choice to season it for the first time. Butter immediately starts to smoke when added to a heated pan because cast iron can withstand a lot of heat.

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Is cooking in a cast iron skillet bad for you? ›

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Can you cook everything in a cast iron skillet? ›

Caveat: A really, really well-seasoned pan has a film of fat (oil, lard) that protects the metal from whatever food or kitchen tools that come in contact with it. If you've religiously cared for your pan, feel free to simmer that tomato sauce. The rest of us mortals should avoid overly acidic foods in our cast irons.

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Is it bad to cook on a cast iron pan? ›

Cast iron works wonders for many foods, but there are a few cases where you might want to avoid cast iron cookware, such as when you're boiling water or letting something simmer. The reason is that your food may absorb more iron flavor than you'd like if it's cooked in cast iron for an extended period of time.

What is one thing you should never use to clean and season a cast iron skillet? ›

For regular cleaning, avoid using harsh detergents or steel wool since they can remove the seasoning. However gentle dish soap and a light scrubbing with a dishcloth, sponge, or stiff brush will work.