The home chef starter kit typically includes a non-stick coated pan simply because there’s a learning curve to the alternatives, such as stainless steel cookware and cast-iron skillets. Each has its pros and cons, but for its versatility and affordability, the cast-iron skillet is a worthy contender for the top spot.
When properly seasoned, a cast-iron skillet becomes non-stick. And since it improves with age, it’s rumored to make your food taste better over time. Caring for a cast-iron skillet is no joke, however—soaking it in water is a cardinal sin, for example—but it’s more convenient in the long run.
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Cast-iron skillets are excellent at retaining heat and they’re oven-safe, so there’s a lot you can do with them. From the basics such as searing steak, to getting creative by baking a cake, here are the best cast-iron skillet recipes to try.
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Skillet Banana Pancakes
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If you’re used to making pancakes on a cast-iron griddle, this recipe will feel familiar—with an elevated presentation. You’ll whip up a homemade batter, fill your cast-iron skillet, and bake until it’s puffed up. The result is a large pancake pie that will feed the whole family. Sure, slicing pancakes like pizza seems like uncharted territory, but it’s a fun way to mix things up (and you don’t have to worry about flipping anything). Once you dig into a bite of the warm pancake topped with toasted coconut chips and broiled banana slices, you’ll never go back to the griddle.
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Beef and Beer Pot Pie
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Forget chicken pot pie and make this recipe instead. Pot pie recipes in general can be a labor of love—they require a lot of prep work. Using a cast-iron skillet can cut down on the hands-on time since you can cook the filling directly in the pan before popping the entire thing in the oven to bake. This beef pot pie recipe calls for half a cup of stout beer, making it one to remember.
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Chicago-Style Deep-Dish Pizza With Smoked Mozzarella
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How you like your pizza can be just as divisive as how you take your coffee. While this recipe doesn’t call for pineapples on pizza, it’s Chicago-style. The Chicagoans like their pizza thick and layered generously with cheese and sauce (in that order), and after trying this easy cast-iron skillet recipe, so will you. With three different types of cheese and a homemade sauce, this dish tastes like it came straight from the Prairie state.
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Zucchini Frittata With Parmesan
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To many, breakfast is optional and usually an afterthought. A healthy breakfast can do you some good, but if time is scarce in the mornings, this frittata recipe is totally meal-preppable. And it can all be done in your handy dandy cast-iron skillet, significantly cutting down on the dishes you’ll need to clean once the meal is over. You’ll begin by heating up your veggies on the stovetop. While your summer squash is getting tender, whisk up an egg mixture seasoned with spices and plenty of cheese. Pour the egg mixture into the skillet before transferring the entire thing to the oven. Once the frittata is cooked through, slice it up and portion it out so breakfast is served for the next few days.
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Apple Pie Skillet Cake
Apple picking is a fall favorite activity, but what are you to do with all those apples once you get home? Bake apple pie, obviously. But not just any apple pie—this apple pie cake recipe replaces your regular baking dish with a cast-iron skillet.
Start by caramelizing thinly sliced apples in a heavenly bath of butter, cinnamon, and sugar. By this point, your house should be smelling of autumn. Once your batter is ready, bake for about 25 to 30 minutes, until the center of the cake is cooked through. Top with more cooked apples, cinnamon, and syrup, and serve with a dollop of ice cream for a warm, comforting dessert.
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Skillet Hash Browns With Smoked Salmon
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Frying an egg is considered the ultimate way to test whether a pan is truly non-stick, but have you ever tried to make hash browns on the stove? One wrong move and the whole thing is stuck! If you’ve ever been victim to sticking hash browns, you need to convert to a cast-iron skillet. Once it’s really hot, it cooks food easily. Plus, if it’s seasoned properly, it develops non-stick properties.
This recipe makes a thin hash brown pancake, if you will. Top with smoked salmon and whatever else your heart desires for an easy breakfast recipe that looks like you put in way more effort than you actually did.
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Scorched Sugar Snap Peas and Burrata Salad
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Salad is associated with a bed of leafy greens, but that’s not always the case, and this salad recipe is a prime example. For this recipe, you’ll use your cast-iron skillet to sauté onions and char snap peas before tossing them with seasonings and Middle Eastern spices. Serve with burrata cheese for a plate that checks all the boxes—it’s creamy, crunchy, and citrusy.
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Steak With Gnocchi and Green Beans
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One of the most common uses for a cast-iron skillet is searing meat. Savory recipes, like this trio of hanger steak, gnocchi, and green beans, are perfect for cast-iron skillets because the pan adds a depth of flavor you just can’t get from stainless steel or non-stick coated pans.
Since you can use refrigerated gnocchi and frozen green beans, this dinner is ideal for busy weeknights. To sear the steak, heat up your skillet with some oil and add the seasoned steak to the center. Cook each side for about two to three minutes. And don’t forget to let your meat rest for five minutes or so—this is the secret to juicy steak.
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Lemon-Raspberry Dutch Baby
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A Dutch baby, or German pancake, is more like a pastry than a pancake since it’s poofy and airy and usually features a custardy center. So, this recipe is like a cross between American pancakes and popovers. If you like both, you’ll love this dish. It only requires a few steps, starting with baking a homemade batter. While it cooks, you’ll make a lemon-y whipped cream mixture that stands in for a custard. Sprinkle it with raspberries, lemon zest, and almonds, and don’t forget to bring this to your next brunch.
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Skillet Chicken Thighs With Balsamic Glaze and Fresh Cherry Salsa
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When you don’t feel like standing over a hot stove but you’ve got a full house to feed, make this recipe. It’s a one-pan chicken recipe, and with a balsamic glaze and cherry salsa topping, we can guarantee it won’t be dry or bland. While the roasted chicken is the star of the show, heat up some frozen rice and veggies for quick and easy sides.
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