17 Recipes To Break In Your Cast Iron Skillet
Cast iron cookware is a kitchen mainstay celebrated for its fusion of tradition, durability and unparalleled cooking performance. It has an uncanny ability to retain heat, ensuring perfectly seared, crisped and flavorful outcomes every single time. It’s also super versatile, transitioning from stovetop to oven and adapting to a myriad of cooking techniques, from simmering sauces to frying crispy delights.
Its timelessness and adaptability have cemented its place in kitchens around the world, proving that whether you’re whipping up an age-old family recipe or experimenting with contemporary cuisine, cast iron is always up to the task.
If you’ve got a brand-new cast iron gleaming on your countertop, it’s essential to give it a proper introduction to your kitchen’s flavor repertoire! Check out these 17 chef-curated cast iron skillet recipes tailored specifically to your newest cookware addition.
Hungry for more? Check out our new release of cast iron cookware to add to your kitchen’s collection—including our large capacity, 7-quart Dutch oven and 10″ enameled cast iron skillet!
Tuscan Rosemary Chicken Under a Brick
A quick marinade of garlic, salt, pepper, rosemary, pepper flakes, lemon juice and olive oil creates depth of flavor in this cast iron skillet recipe.
If you’re wondering where the brick comes into play, it’s to help flatten the chicken and ensure every part of the skin contacts the skillet, ensuring even, extra-crispy skin.
Salt Cod Fritters with Aioli Dip
These crispy fritters are perfect for an appetizer or even a game-day snack.
Russet mashed potatoes, herbs, a bit of breadcrumbs and of course, the salt cod come together to form mini cakes, which are flattened and fried for just four minutes per side. Paired with a creamy aioli dip that adds a garlicky zing and smooth texture, these fritters are a harmonious blend of taste and texture.
Creamy Chicken and Dumpling Soup
Dive into a bowl of comfort with this creamy chicken and dumpling soup, a heartwarming blend of tender chicken, pillowy dumplings and a rich, velvety broth.
The cast iron Dutch oven allows you to cook both the chicken and veggies in the same pot, so all the savory flavors meld together (it also means one less pot to clean!).
Beef Tenderloin Roast
Delight in the richness of beef tenderloin, beautifully roasted fresh herbs and a bit of red wine in a cast iron braiser.
This recipe emphasizes the meat’s natural flavors, enhanced by the skillet’s even heat distribution. With a crisply seared crust and a tender interior, this dish blends simplicity with gourmet elegance. Paired with your chosen sides like roasted potatoes, fresh veggies or a crisp salad, this is a cast iron cookware recipe that truly shines.
Chicken Thigh Stew with Olives and Preserved Lemons
Experience a burst of Mediterranean flavors with this delicious chicken thigh stew, cooked to perfection in a cast iron skillet.
Juicy chicken thighs perfectly meld with the briny richness of olives and tangy depth of preserved lemons (a staple in many North African and Middle Eastern dishes—you can find them at many specialty food stores or Mediterranean or Middle Eastern markets.)
Get the Chicken Thigh Stew with Olives and Preserved Lemons recipe!
Port Braised Short Ribs with Mushrooms and Pearl Onions
Savor the succulence of these port braised short ribs, perfectly paired with earthy cremini mushrooms and sweet pearl onions.
Slow cooked with rosemary, thyme and port wine to infuse deep flavors, each bite offers a meld of tender meat and soft veggies, creating a refined yet hearty dining experience.
Get the Port Braised Short Ribs with Mushrooms and Pearl Onions recipe!
Pear and Cranberry Bread Pudding
Savor warm autumn flavors in this sweet treat!
Using day-old country-style bread, walnuts, fresh pears and dried cranberries, this cast iron recipe combines classic texture with delicious flavors to create a soul-soothing dessert that’s perfect for chilly evenings or festive fall gatherings.
Pork Carnitas with Pickled Red Onions
Savor these irresistibly tender pork carnitas, cooked until fork-tender in a pressure cooker, and crisped in a hot cast iron skillet.
Complemented by the zesty crunch of pickled red onion, a homemade tomatillo salsa, and your favorite toppings like fresh cabbage or queso fresco, this dish offers complex, melt-in-your-mouth flavor with every bite.
Spiced Couscous with Chicken and Lime
This cast iron cookware recipe seamlessly combines the fluffy texture of couscous with succulent chicken, infused with rich spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric and cinnamon and the refreshing zest of lime.
The creamy yogurt marinade ensures every bite is tender and bursting with citrus undertones, making this dish a harmonious blend of warmth and zest, perfect for a vibrant meal anytime.
Garlic Lemon Rosemary Roasted Chicken
This dish celebrates the aromatic trinity of garlic, lemon zest and fragrant rosemary, all perfectly infusing the chicken as it roasts to golden perfection.
While this dish has a simple ingredient list, it’s still bursting with flavor and makes a timeless centerpiece for any gathering or family dinner. Be sure to use an instant thermometer and pull the chicken a little under 165°F—it will continue cooking as it rests.
Cast Iron Seared Steaks
All you need for this is salt, pepper, a bit of oil and a high-quality steak for this simple but classic recipe.
The cast iron skillet’s even cooking and heat distribution really shine here—ensuring a perfectly caramelized crust and a tender, juicy interior. To mix it up, you can always add a sprig of fresh rosemary, thyme or garlic to the pan to infuse a bit of extra flavor, too.
Classic Latkes
Latkes are traditional Jewish potato pancakes—often associated with the celebration of Hanukkah—and are delicious year-round, served with sour cream, apple sauce or even smoked salmon or lox.
To make this dish, potatoes and onions are shredded in a box grater or food processor, combined with matzo and eggs, and then pan-fried to a golden crisp—resulting in a delightful blend of crunch and tenderness.
Grilled Garlic-Rubbed Lamb Chops
Don’t let weather hold you back from grilling all year round—use a cast iron grill pan!
In this recipe, each chop is generously rubbed with a fragrant garlic paste plus parsley and rosemary, then seared to perfection, boasting charred grill marks and a tender, juicy interior. The cast iron ensures even heating, capturing the lamb’s richness and the garlic’s aromatic allure in every bite.
Roast Chicken with Lemon and Herbs
Having a go-to roast chicken recipe is a must for every home cook.
This recipe is one you’ll want to add to your repertoire: it’s comforting and rustic to give you that homey feel you crave in a soulful dish, yet sophisticated enough to serve at a dinner party.
Braised alongside a medley of shallots, parsnips, and zesty lemon halves, the chicken absorbs the aromatic infusion of herbs and the refreshing citrus notes, while the surrounding vegetables caramelize and absorb the rich poultry flavors.
Pumpkin Spice Soufflé with Warm Vanilla Custard Sauce
This dish melds the comforting notes of pumpkin and spices with the luxuriousness of the soufflé, offering a dessert that is both nostalgic and gourmet—a true celebration of fall in every bite.
Orange Cointreau adds an unexpected and subtle tanginess, which perfectly complements the velvety Warm Vanilla Custard Sauce.
Get the Pumpkin Spice Soufflé with Warm Vanilla Custard Sauce recipe!
Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Thyme
These Brussels sprouts are pan-seared to perfection, giving them a sweet outer crunch that pairs wonderfully with the smoky bacon.
A sprinkle of thyme adds an earthy touch, turning this side dish into a flavor-packed favorite that even the most skeptical Brussels sprouts critics will adore!
Get the Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Thyme recipe!
Curry and Herb Shrimp Tempura
Dive into a crispy, flavorful twist with this cast iron recipe.
Succulent shrimp are lightly coated in a batter infused with aromatic curry and fresh herbs, then deep-fried to golden perfection. The result? A delightful crunch on the outside with a burst of spicy, herby goodness inside.
Get the Curry and Herb Shrimp Tempura recipe!
Hungry for more? Check out our new drop of cast iron cookware to add to your kitchen’s collection—including our large capacity, 7-quart Dutch oven and 10″ enameled cast iron skillet!
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