If you’re here, then first thing first: congratulations! You’re lucky enough to own a cast iron skillet, and that means the world is your oyster. These best cast iron skillet recipes are for you!
For many people, their skillet is their pride and joy.
Considering how versatile and well-made these kitchen tools are, I don’t blame them! But there’s one secret that these delightful skillets carry: they make all food taste twice as good.
Much like a well-made wok, cast iron skillets are designed to be seasoned by the chefs who own them.
If properly taken care of, they’ll last for years and season food even as it cooks, taking any easy recipe to the next level!
So, whether you’ve just acquired a skillet or you’re looking for some new recipes to try your tried-and-true kitchen companion on, I’ve got an easy skillet recipe for you.
Let’s get into sixty-one delicious cast iron skillet recipes for you to try! It’s time to put your skillet to good use and make some delicious meals!
What is the Best Food to Cook in a Cast-Iron Skillet?
The best food to cook in a cast-iron skillet depends on personal preferences, but there are some dishes that particularly shine when prepared in this versatile pan! Here are some popular options:
- Steak: if you have a cast iron skillet in your corner, you’re prepared to sear your steak to perfection.
- Fried Chicken: cast iron skillets can maintain a consistent heat, meaning they’re ideal for evenly browning your chicken. In crust and color, cast iron skillet chicken is unmatched.
- Cornbread: these versatile pans are just at home in the oven as they are on a stove. That means you can use them to distribute heat through your cornbread and turn it golden evenly.
- Frittatas: here’s another way that powerful versatility can help! Frittatas are best enjoyed after a little stint in the oven and on the stovetop, and a cast iron skillet can do both.
- Dessert: that’s right, you can even make desserts in this kind of pan! From baby pancakes to one-pan s’mores, there’s something for everybody in the world of cast iron skillet desserts.
The power of a cast iron pan lies in its ability to season food.
To get that delicious cast iron pan sensation into your delicious recipes, it’s essential to properly prepare and season your pan before cooking with it.
This will also keep your cast-iron pan healthy and happy for a long time, allowing you to pass it down like an heirloom.
Since cast iron cooking utensils are known for how well they’re made, they’re a beautiful generational gift that will last until it can make a home on your grandchild’s stove.
Breakfast Cast Iron Skillet Recipes
They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. When a cast iron skillet is a part of that equation, I can’t help but agree.
Experience the joy of a quick and easy breakfast in your skillet with these favorite cast-iron skillet recipes!
1. Breakfast Skillet
Source: allnutritious.com
I have to kick off this list with one of my favorite recipes I’ve ever developed: my cast iron breakfast skillet. This was my answer to busy mornings that still needed a healthy, delicious breakfast.
You only need your skillet and about half an hour to make this breakfast happen, and the whole family will love it!
2. Dutch Baby Pancake
Source: ramshacklepantry.com
The name of this recipe is a little bit misleading because these pancakes aren’t tiny. In fact, a single pancake takes up an entire skillet!
These Dutch baby pancakes are an example of a delicious breakfast pastry you can whip up at a moment’s notice.
All you need is a quick and easy batter, some butter, and some quality time with your skillet.
3. French Toast Casserole
Source: chocolatemoosey.com
Take French toast to a whole new level with this amazing French toast casserole for two! While it might seem more complex than standard French toast, it’s actually easier to make.
All you have to do is rip up some of your favorite bread (I recommend brioche) and coat it in the French toast mixture. Fry in your skillet, top with fresh fruit, and you’re away!
4. Shakshuka Poached Eggs
Source: rachnacooks.com
When it comes to breakfast-style comfort food, there’s nothing better than shakshuka. This recipe hails from North Africa and features eggs poached to perfection in a tomato-based sauce.
The myriad spices and other vegetables in the sauce make it taste twice as good as it looks (and it looks pretty darn good). This is a great way to get your nutrients in first thing in the morning.
5. Canned Corned Beef Hash
Source: summeryule.com
Humble ingredients make wonderful meals! Canned corned beef might not have the best reputation, but you can do a lot with it, including transforming it into a delicious dinner!
Not only is this a single skillet recipe, it’s actually a hash! That means it has potato as a foundation to add some extra starch, giving you the carb-filled kick your day needs.
On a day you need tons of energy, you can’t go past this great recipe.
6. Southwest Breakfast
Source: fromvalskitchen.com
Bring Southwestern flavors to your kitchen table with this super simple breakfast idea. This is a breakfast casserole prepared first on the stovetop and then finished in the oven.
The crispy cheese on top of this dish really completes the look and taste. Make it your own by including whichever vegetables you happen to have on hand!
7. Smoked Salmon Avocado Ricotta Frittata
Source: mashupmom.com
Opt for a delicious classic with a refined twist with this smoked salmon and ricotta frittata. Smoked salmon, avocado, and ricotta is a well-known flavor combination with a lot of success under its belt.
In a tender, creamy frittata, that same combination simply can’t miss! Take just half an hour out of your day to create this perfectly-cooked breakfast frittata.
8. Homemade English Muffins
Source: livingsmartandhealthy.com
If you’ve ever found a bag of English muffins, you bought from the grocery store sub-par, then good news! You can make them at home for yourself, and it’s so much easier than you might have thought.
These homemade English muffins are super light and fluffy, with plenty of pockets for melted butter or jam to sit.
Cast Iron Skillet Recipes with Chicken
As I said before, cast iron distributes heat better than most other cooking materials. That means that it’s the ideal material to cook chicken on!
Achieve a golden brown exterior, the perfect crunch, and a juicy, tender piece of chicken with almost no effort, thanks to these favorite cast iron skillet recipes.
9. Chicken Breast
Source: allnutritious.com
Here’s another one of my recipes! This time, we’re putting the spotlight on pan-seared chicken breast. I love cooking chicken breast in cast iron skillets because they help to season the chicken well.
With simple ingredients and a short cook time, this recipe is the ideal companion for anyone looking to add more lean protein to their diet.
10. Thai Chicken
Source: fromvalskitchen.com
Bring the flavors of Thailand to your kitchen without shelling out for the plane ticket!
This amazing single-skillet Thai chicken recipe with fresh herbs will be a family favorite the second you serve it.
The secret to this dish’s success lies in searing the chicken skin until it’s golden and crunchy. Paired with the Thai glaze, the tenderness of the chicken against the crispy skin is out of this world!
11. Chicken Thighs with Toasted Coriander Vinaigrette
Source: cravingcalifornia.com
If Thai flavors aren’t quite your speed, try out this coriander variation of crispy chicken thighs. This features a light and bright coriander vinaigrette to offset the heavy flavors on the chicken skin.
This is a super versatile recipe you can whip out at a moment’s notice. Although, if you do have some extra time, try to brine your chicken first!
12. Creamy Tomato Chicken
Source: allnutritious.com
This creamy tomato chicken skillet recipe is one of my go-to dinners when a busy week is looming. No more stress about feeding the whole family with little time and few ingredients.
Serve four people a deliciously creamy plate of tomato chicken in just twenty-five minutes!
13. Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
Source: wholeandheavenlyoven.com
No muss, no fuss, and tons of flavor in every mouthful. That’s what this honey garlic chicken thighs recipe promises you! You can prepare your entire dinner in a single pan since even the potatoes fit.
To cook the potatoes quickly, you have to chop them up nice and small. This gives them a chance to soak up all that delicious honey garlic marinade, making this an unbeatable crowd-pleaser of a dish.
14. Roast Chicken
Source: thedizzycook.com
Cast iron pans are an essential piece of the puzzle when cooking the perfect roast chicken. They can perfectly distribute heat with ease. Plus, you can move the skillet from the stove to the oven.
No additional dishes are needed! You can even whip up the gravy in the very same pan, using all the juices that seep out as the chicken roasts. That’s what I call using every part of the buffalo.
15. Blackened Chicken Tenders
Source: bluesbestlife.com
‘Blackened chicken tenders’ may sound a little bit like a mistake made in a restaurant, but trust me, it’s on purpose! These tenders are deliberately coated in spices that blacken as they cook.
The result is a smoky, tender piece of chicken with the aroma of spices baked into every crevice.
16. Mediterranean Chicken
Source: asformeandmyhomestead.com
Bring the flavor of Greece and Turkey to your stovetop with this super simple Mediterranean chicken recipe. It doesn’t use a ton of pots and pans, and you can whip it up in just half an hour.
Best of all, it really delivers on flavor! The roasted peppers, heavy cream, and herbs create a symphony of great taste.
17. Lemon Garlic Chicken and Asparagus
Source: bobbiskozykitchen.com
Lemon, garlic, and asparagus? Sign me up for that party! This single skillet recipe is proof that you can cook multiple things in a single pan and have them all turn out beautifully.
The chicken is seasoned to perfection and super crispy. Meanwhile, the asparagus is light, crunchy, and steamed just enough to become tender.
18. Parmesan Chicken
Source: powered-by-mom.com
This parmesan chicken is a super versatile weeknight dish you can enjoy with anything from pasta to rice. It’s even great on its own!
Of course, the main flavor of the dish is parmesan, but there are plenty of others in the mix to make it even better. Baby potatoes, spinach, and tons of herbs and spices all round out the guest list here.
19. Chicken Thighs Marsala
Source: tastefulventure.com
Marsala is an Italian dish that uses a particular kind of cooking wine called ‘Marsala wine’. That’s where it gets its name!
The key to nailing this dish is to cook the chicken evenly while nailing the sauce.
With the secret powers of your cast iron skillet, that won’t be a problem. It’s just you and your pan against the world with this dish, and it comes out looking beautiful.
20. Cheesy Baja Chicken Bell Pepper Skillet
Source: xoxobella.com
Switch up Mexican night this week and opt for this cheesy Baja chicken instead of the usual tacos or burritos! This is a baked chicken recipe that really stands out from the crowd.
Every inch of this chicken has flavor baked into it. From the bed of street corn to the light squeeze of lime to finish things off, there’s no step wrong with this dish.
21. Jalapeno Popper Chicken Skillet
Source: afullliving.com
If you love the flavor of jalapeno poppers, but you don’t want to deal with all that finicky work, here’s a great option! This is a chicken dish that echoes all those great flavors in a healthy way.
Lean chicken thighs, crispy bacon, garlic, and plenty of spice all feature in this simple weeknight-friendly dish.
22. Chicken Tagine
Source: littleferrarokitchen.com
A tagine usually refers to the kind of dish used to bake a traditional Moroccan dish. The dish features chicken, vegetables, herbs, spices, and some form of rice or carb to round it out.
If you don’t have a real tagine, but you want the same effect, your cast iron skillet can get the job done!
23. Chicken and Cashew Nuts stir fry
Source: gohealthywithbea.com
In my opinion, cashews aren’t used enough in savory cooking outside of the vegan community. They’re so great at absorbing flavor, and their natural nuttiness is a great addition to many meals.
That’s why this chicken and cashew nut stir fry is a favorite! Crunchy, warm, and packed with great nutrients, this is a super easy single skillet recipe the whole family will love.
Cast Iron Skillet Steak Recipes
The perfect steak is seared to a crisp on the outside and tender, pink, and juicy on the inside.
While you can absolutely achieve this result with other cookware, nothing’s going to do it better than cast iron.
Discover all the delicious ways you can prepare a cut of steak with your versatile cast iron skillet!
24. Steak
Source: theflattopking.com
Before we get into the many ways to cook steak in a cast iron skillet, we’ve got to start with the basics. Nailing your foundational steak skills will ensure you get the best possible results.
The great thing about a cast iron skillet is that it’s a perfect substitute for a grill. If you have a pan with grill lines, that will work beautifully, but a standard skillet will work too.
25. Steak Fajitas
Source: thehealthnutmama.com
Fajitas are one of the best ways to enjoy a Mexican night without spending too much time on your stove. Simply cook your sliced peppers and steak together in the pan and add plenty of spice!
This fajita mix is wonderful on its own, served with tortillas or even over a bowl of Mexican rice.
26. Steak Mushroom Onion
Source: flippedoutfood.com
Steak, mushroom, and onion is one of the most delicious flavor combinations known to humankind. There’s just something so comforting about combining these elements with one another.
Luckily, your cast iron skillet presents the opportunity for you to cook an entire steak dinner in a single go. Let the flavors bleed into each other, and enjoy the stunning results.
27. Filet Mignon
Source: adventuresofanurse.com
Filet mignon is known for being one of the best cuts of beef you can buy. It’s tender, flavorful, and juicy when treated properly! It’s essential to cook one of these cuts in a cast iron pan.
Luckily, you have one on hand! This recipe calls for blue cheese to top your filet mignon with, adding another layer of earthiness and flavor to the whole meal.
28. Chuck Steak
Source: mediterraneanlatinloveaffair.com
On the other side of the spectrum, chuck steak is a symbol of great budget steaks everywhere!
If you can nail cooking this cut of meat, you can enjoy steak as much as you want without blowing out your budget!
This recipe guides you through the steps to nail the cook on your chuck steak. This is a budget-friendly option that’s great for the whole family.
29. Steak with Mushroom
Source: littleferrarokitchen.com
Need a stunning centerpiece for your dinner party that you know your guests will love? This steak and mushroom dish is a guaranteed hit! It’s a wonderful combination you can enjoy with many sides.
The best part about this steak dish is that everything comes together very quickly. Flash fry the steak, cook to perfection in the oven, and serve with a side of steamed greens. Easy!
30. Garlic Butter Steak Bites
Source: peelwithzeal.com
On those nights when you feel like something warm and hearty, these garlic butter steak bites are for you. These are an absolute dream to prepare, coming together in less than half an hour.
Use these as the foundation to create your very own steak bowl in just twenty minutes!
