Cast-Iron Recipes

Find a wide variety of recipe uses for your cast-iron skillets and pans that will deliver full flavor in every bite.

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A Calling for Cast-Iron

Photo: Brian Woodcock

These delicious cast-iron recipes range from cobbler and cakes to burgers and steaks. All delectable and amazing, you’ll be wondering why you neglected your cast-iron cookware for so long.

First up is Chimichurri Mac and Cheese. Chimichurri–the South American herb sauce typically served with meat–revs up basic mac and cheese with tangy flavors. You can also serve this in individual ramekins or small serving skillets.

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Spiced Pork Tenderloin with Sautéed Apples

Photo: John Autry

View Recipe: Spiced Pork Tenderloin with Sautéed Apples

This one-dish pork tenderloin entree is perfect for fall. Sweet spices coat lean pork tenderloin, while apples get a savory treatment with shallots and thyme. Serve with a spinach salad.

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Spicy Jalapeño Corn Bread

Photo: Oxmoor House

View Recipe: Spicy Jalapeño Corn Bread

Zing goes the chile, pop goes the fresh, sweet corn; this corn bread recipe is perfect for those who like their corn bread loaded with flavor.

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Omelet with Turmeric, Tomato, and Onions

Photo: John Autry

View Recipe: Omelet with Turmeric, Tomato, and Onions

Full of flavor and ready in just 10 minutes, this omelet is the perfect, healthy breakfast option for even the busiest of weekday mornings.

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Beef Tenderloin Steaks and Balsamic Green Beans

Photo: John Autry

View Recipe: Beef Tenderloin Steaks and Balsamic Green Beans

We pair simply seasoned beef tenderloin with a flavorful sauté of fresh green beans, onions, shallots, garlic, and balsamic vinegar—all for under 250 calories per serving.

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Pan-Seared Strip Steak

Photo: Charles Masters

View Recipe: Pan-Seared Strip Steak

A little butter adds richness and keeps leaner-than-usual beef moist without adding much total fat. This recipe is smoky, so keep an exhaust fan on high or cook in a skillet on a hot outdoor grill.

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Herbed Potatoes

Photo: John Autry

View Recipe: Herbed Potatoes

For a full-flavor, comfort food side dish, try this recipe for potatoes, ready in less than 40 minutes and only 132 calories per serving.

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Arctic Char with Blistered Cherry Tomatoes

Photo: Marcus Nilsson

View Recipe: Arctic Char with Blistered Cherry Tomatoes

Farmed char is widely available and has a mild flavor and a great texture. It's similar to salmon but not quite as rich and fatty. Wild arctic char from the northern seas is available only for a few weeks in late summer. It is a sought-after delicacy, and one that will cost you. If you find fresh, it's well worth the splurge.

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Philly Cheesesteak Pizza

Photo: Francesco Tonelli

View Recipe: Philly Cheesesteak Pizza

Full of flavor, ready in 30 minutes, and only 424 calories per serving, what’s not to love about this hearty steak pizza?

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Blackened Tilapia Baja Tacos

Photo: Levi Brown

View Recipe: Blackened Tilapia Baja Tacos

Make food truck-style fish tacos at home using fresh tilapia, avocado, cilantro and corn tortillas and topping with a creamy onion-jalapeño mixture for amazing flavor.

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Asparagus, Tomato, and Onion Farinata

Photo: John Autry

View Recipe: Asparagus, Tomato, and Onion Farinata

Italian flavors abound in this vegetarian one-dish meal of Asparagus, Tomato, and Onion Farinata. Farinata is a thin cake made with chickpea flour. The chickpea flour makes this crispy crust high in fiber and gluten-free.

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Lamb Burgers with Cilantro Raita

Photo: John Autry

View Recipe: Lamb Burgers with Cilantro Raita

The tangy, herby yogurt sauce (raita) stands in for mayonnaise on this blended burger. For more spicy kick, leave the seeds in the serrano chile.

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Ginger-Scented Corn and Asparagus Stir-Fry

Photo: John Autry

View Recipe: Ginger-Scented Corn and Asparagus Stir-Fry

The key to a successful stir-fry is the level of heat. Use a cast-iron skillet to ensure the dish is hot enough during cooking and this Asian style stir-fry will be ready to devour in no time.

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Rainbow Trout with Smoked Tomato Salsa

Photo: Iain Bagwell

View Recipe: Rainbow Trout with Smoked Tomato Salsa

Incorporate more fish into your healthy diet with this easy-to-make trout recipe. Enjoy an extra kick of flavor from the smoked salsa that serves as an elegant garnish for this fish-based main dish.

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Sesame-Soy Meatballs

Photo: John Autry

View Recipe: Sesame-Soy Meatballs

Serve these garlicky, spicy meatballs with steamed sugar snap peas and two cups cooked rice tossed with 1 tablespoon chile paste—you'll find it on the ethnic aisle of most supermarkets or at Asian grocers.

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Chicken Tostadas with Avocado Salsa

Photo: John Autry

View Recipe: Chicken Tostadas with Avocado Salsa

Worthy of a special occasion, this recipe for chicken tostadas uses a cast-iron skillet to brown the tortillas for the perfect sear.

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Tex-Mex Hash Brown Casserole

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Photo: José Picayo

View Recipe: Tex-Mex Hash Brown Casserole

This simple skillet supper uses shredded potatoes as a base. The potato mixture cooks on the stove top first to get it browned and crisp on the bottom.

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Seared Scallops with Lemony Sweet Pea Relish

Photo: John Autry

View Recipe: Seared Scallops with Lemony Sweet Pea Relish

For the best results, pat your scallops dry with paper towels, and sear them in a superhot cast-iron skillet.

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Pork and Sweet Potato Hash

Photo: John Autry

View Recipe: Pork and Sweet Potato Hash

Sweet potatoes and sliced mushrooms add an interesting twist to this familiar comfort food. Although the pork takes a while to cook, the simmering is hands off.

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Seared Scallops with Summer Vegetables and Beurre Blanc

Photo: Nigel Cox

View Recipe: Seared Scallops with Summer Vegetables and Beurre Blanc

A screaming-hot skillet and baking sheet yield fantastic seared scallops and quick-roasted veggies. The luxurious sauce is little more than butter emulsified into reduced white wine--keep the butter cold and whisk it in gradually for the creamiest sauce.

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Sesame Albacore Tuna

Photo: Oxmoor House

View Recipe: Sesame Albacore Tuna

Although it is one of the most popular species, tuna is tricky when it comes to sustainability. To make sure you're making a sustainable choice for this delicious tuna dish, buy U.S.-caught fresh or frozen Pacific albacore tuna.

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Caramelized Onion, Gruyère, and Bacon Spread

Photo: John Autry

View Recipe: Caramelized Onion, Gruyère, and Bacon Spread

Serve this savory caramelized onion, Gruyère, and bacon spread with crackers or bread slices. If you can't find Gruyère, substitute raclette, fontina, or Swiss cheese.

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Steak and Charred Vegetable Tacos

Photo: John Autry

View Recipe: Steak and Charred Vegetable Tacos

If you like your beef more rare, keep the steak whole and rub with seasonings; grill about 3 minutes on each side. Let steak stand 5 minutes; cut across grain into thin slices for the tacos. If you'd like something richer than sour cream, try crema Mexicana, usually located with the Mexican cheeses.

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Cast-Iron Apple Cobbler

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Cast-Iron Apple Cobbler

Make your apple cobbler better than ever by baking this recipe in a cast-iron skillet. It will provide a perfect sear and is still ready in an hour.

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Barley Pilaf with Sautéed Mushrooms

Photo: Randy Mayor

The button mushrooms should be cooked in a cast-iron or heavy skillet instead of a nonstick skillet because you need high heat to get a nice browning. You could also use this hearty side dish as a filling for stuffed cabbage.

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Almond-Cranberry Corn Bread

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Almond-Cranberry Corn Bread

Nut meals can replace up to one-fourth the all-purpose flour in baked goods. Almond meal's hearty texture works well in this corn bread.

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Apple Upside-Down Cake

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Apple Upside-Down Cake

Take advantage of this opportunity to use your cast-iron skillet in a conventional way. This upside down cake tastes delightful and is ready in less than an hour.

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Charred Summer Vegetables

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Charred Summer Vegetables

Serve this vegetable medley with simple grilled pork, chicken, or fish. Add the vegetables to a hot cast-iron skillet, cover, and cook 5 minutes without stirring so the natural sugars caramelize and add flavor.

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Smoked Salmon and Onion Frittata

View Recipe: Smoked Salmon and Onion Frittata

You can make the onion mixture for this dish up to two days ahead of time. Refrigerate it in an airtight container, then bring the mixture to room temperature before assembling the frittata. Serve with cut-up fruit and toasted bagels with cream cheese.

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Pan-Grilled Flank Steak with Chermoula

Photo: Jan Smith

View Recipe: Pan-Grilled Flank Steak with Chermoula

Chermoula is a versatile North African herb-and-spice sauce that works beautifully with this dish. Use a cast-iron grill pan for this dish, as a nonstick grill pan can't handle high heat.

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Chocolate Chip Dutch Baby

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Chocolate Chip Dutch Baby

A Dutch baby is a puffy, baked pancake. A preheated cast-iron skillet enables the batter to start cooking immediately and causes it to puff. Cook the bananas while the Dutch baby is in the oven, so they'll be done at the same time.

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Pineapple-Coconut-Banana Upside-Down Cake

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Pineapple-Coconut-Banana Upside-Down Cake

Upside-down cakes are classically made in a cast-iron skillet because it gives the cake a crisp edge, cooks it evenly, and keeps it moist.

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Cast-Iron Burgers

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Cast-Iron Burgers

These top-rated cast-iron burgers prove that you don't have to own a grill to enjoy juicy, amazingly flavorful hamburgers.

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Whole Grain Cornsticks

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Whole Grain Cornsticks

You can prepare these in muffin tins, but the cast-iron cornstick pan yields a crisper crust and even richer taste.

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Cumin-Coriander Sirloin Steak

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Cumin-Coriander Sirloin Steak

The combination of cumin, coriander, and ground red pepper create a tasty rub for the beef. Brown sugar aids caramelization. Heating the cast-iron skillet results in a flavorful seared crust on the sirloin steak without having to first brown the meat on the stovetop.

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Crisp Mashed Potato Cakes

Photo: Randy Mayor

Just the thought of cooking these savory little cakes up in the cast-iron skillet should make your mouth water. We modernized this old-fashioned recipe by adding panko breadcrumbs, which makes the cakes nice and crispy.

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Lo Mein with Tofu

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Lo Mein with Tofu

Lo mein, a popular Chinese dish, is often a go-to choice when dining out. But making lo mein at home not only keeps calories in check, it boosts the flavor and gives you limitless variety.

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30-Minute Filet Bourguignonne with Mashed Potatoes

Photo: Iain Bagwell

View Recipe: 30-Minute Filet Bourguignonne with Mashed Potatoes

An earthy red, such as pinot noir, is the wine traditionally used in Burgundy, where the classic time-consuming stew was born. Serve the dish with mashed potatoes, as the recipe directs, or opt for pappardelle pasta, if you prefer.

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Corn Bread Sticks

Photo: John Autry

View Recipe: Corn Bread Sticks

Fun for the whole family, this recipe for corn bread in the shape of breadsticks works well as a side to a variety of weeknight dishes.

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Truffled Pommes Anna

Photo: Charles Masters

View Recipe: Truffled Pommes Anna

A small amount of truffle oil infuses the whole dish with loads of earthy essence. If you don't have truffle oil, you can use olive oil for a more subtle flavor. Use a mandoline for quick, easy, uniform potato slices.

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Chipotle Chicken Cheesesteaks

Photo: John Autry

View Recipe: Chipotle Chicken Cheesesteaks

This sandwich packs in gooey cheese, smoky spices, and chunks of chicken for a comforting family-friendly dinner.

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Curried Vegetable Samosas with Cilantro-Mint Chutney

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Curried Vegetable Samosas with Cilantro-Mint Chutney

Spicy, herby chutney complements the delicately seasoned vegetable samosas.

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Herbed Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Herbed Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Dish up a company-worthy dish that calls for only four ingredients, plus salt and pepper. Choose roasted asparagus as a bright, fresh partner for this main dish.

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Tarte Tatin

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Tarte Tatin

This iconic dessert was allegedly created by the Tatin sisters of France's Loire Valley. Legend is that while trying to repair a baking error, they ended up with this upside-down dessert of flaky pastry and apples bathed in caramel.

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Stuffed Heritage Pork Chops with Creamy Grits

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Stuffed Heritage Pork Chops with Creamy Grits

The inspiration for this dish is a Creole classic, grillades and grits. Look for Berkshire, Duroc, and other heritage pork at specialty markets.

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Red Lentil Dal with Charred Onions

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Red Lentil Dal with Charred Onions

Quick-cooking red lentils don't need to be pureed since they break down as they cook. Lentils are a great source of protein, as well as fiber. This recipe gives 20 percent of your daily fiber goal. Serve over brown rice with a side of broccoli for a vegetarian meal.

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Creamed Corn with Bacon and Leeks

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Creamed Corn with Bacon and Leeks

The combination of sweet corn and smoky bacon gives this uncomplicated dish sublime flavor. It's a delicious way to put fresh end-of-summer corn to use.

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Salt-Roasted Shrimp with Lemon-Honey Dipping Sauce

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Salt-Roasted Shrimp with Lemon-Honey Dipping Sauce

Roasting shrimp atop a bed of hot rock salt cooks the shrimp evenly and helps hold in moisture. Because the shrimp are cooked unpeeled, the salt does not permeate, and the results are tender and juicy.

Replay gallery

Account

1 of 49

A Calling for Cast-Iron

2 of 49

Spiced Pork Tenderloin with Sautéed Apples

3 of 49

Spicy Jalapeño Corn Bread

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Omelet with Turmeric, Tomato, and Onions

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Beef Tenderloin Steaks and Balsamic Green Beans

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Pan-Seared Strip Steak

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Herbed Potatoes

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Arctic Char with Blistered Cherry Tomatoes

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Philly Cheesesteak Pizza

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Blackened Tilapia Baja Tacos

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Asparagus, Tomato, and Onion Farinata

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Lamb Burgers with Cilantro Raita

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Ginger-Scented Corn and Asparagus Stir-Fry

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Rainbow Trout with Smoked Tomato Salsa

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Sesame-Soy Meatballs

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Chicken Tostadas with Avocado Salsa

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Tex-Mex Hash Brown Casserole

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Seared Scallops with Lemony Sweet Pea Relish

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Pork and Sweet Potato Hash

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Seared Scallops with Summer Vegetables and Beurre Blanc

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Sesame Albacore Tuna

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Caramelized Onion, Gruyère, and Bacon Spread

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Steak and Charred Vegetable Tacos

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Cast-Iron Apple Cobbler

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Barley Pilaf with Sautéed Mushrooms

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Almond-Cranberry Corn Bread

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Apple Upside-Down Cake

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Charred Summer Vegetables

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Smoked Salmon and Onion Frittata

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Pan-Grilled Flank Steak with Chermoula

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Chocolate Chip Dutch Baby

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Pineapple-Coconut-Banana Upside-Down Cake

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Cast-Iron Burgers

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Whole Grain Cornsticks

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Cumin-Coriander Sirloin Steak

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Crisp Mashed Potato Cakes

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Lo Mein with Tofu

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30-Minute Filet Bourguignonne with Mashed Potatoes

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Corn Bread Sticks