10 Top Recipes for Cast-Iron Pans

Southwest Corn Pudding
Photo: Blaine Moats

These 10 recipes will inspire you to pull a cast-iron pan—yours, your mother's or your grandmother's—off the shelf.

01 of 10

Southwest Corn Pudding

Southwest Corn Pudding
Blaine Moats

Buttery onions, cheddar and green chilies lace our stuffinglike pudding. Inspired by traditional skillet corn bread, this recipe works as a side or as a meatless main served with a salad or garlicky sauteed kale.

02 of 10

Cajun-Rubbed Salmon

Cajun-Rubbed Salmon
Blaine Moats

Fish made easy! Start with a quick sear-one of cast iron's best tricks-to seal in moisture; finish by baking in the oven. A simple pickle relish tops the spice-rubbed fish with tang.

03 of 10

Caramel Pecan Skillet Brownie

Caramel Pecan Skillet Brownie
Blaine Moats

Caramel in the bottom of the pan melds with the brownie, creating a dessert so rich and gooey that you need a spoon to serve it. Because cast iron holds heat, the brownie will still be warm when you go back for seconds.

04 of 10

Bacon-Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Bacon-Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Blaine Moats

Frying bacon in the skillet, then tossing sprouts and red onion in the drippings before roasting means you'll only dirty one pan making this elegant side dish.

05 of 10

Greek Burgers

Greek Burgers
Blaine Moats

After searing a burger on cast iron (and tasting the crust that develops), you may never grill burgers outside again. We topped ours with herby veggies and feta cheese.

06 of 10

Sausage and Spinach Skillet Pizza

Sausage and Spinach Skillet Pizza
Blaine Moats

A hot cast-iron skillet mimics a pizza stone to create a crisp, evenly browned crust. We loaded our pizza with oozy red sauce and stretchy cheese. Fork and knife highly recommended.

07 of 10

Potato Latkes

Potato Latkes
Blaine Moats

Cast iron's heat retention means oil holds a high temperature, so fried foods crisp quickly and evenly. These traditional Jewish potato-onion fritters have tender centers and lacy rims. Top them with sour cream or applesauce.

08 of 10

Blackberry Clafouti

Blackberry Clafouti
Blaine Moats

Cherries usually dot this French country dessert, but we opted for plump blackberries and a wisp of orange liqueur. Baked in a large skillet or a group of minis, the simple, eggy batter yields a texture between cake and custard.

09 of 10

Roasted Chicken with Sage Pan Sauce

Roasted Chicken with Sage Pan Sauce
Blaine Moats

This sage-infused, company-worthy recipe takes full advantage of cast iron's versatility. The pan goes from stovetop to oven and back to stove top.

10 of 10

Cranberry Orange Upside-Down Cake

Cranberry-Orange Upside Down Cake
Blaine Moats

Invert this moist cake while it's still warm to reveal a kaleidoscope of glistening, tart berries and sweet mandarin oranges.

Was this page helpful?
Related Articles