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    You are here: Home » Food and Drink

    25 Great Cast Iron Skillet Recipes

    September 29, 2021 By Mary Leave a Comment

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    Cast Iron Skillet Recipes Pin
    Cast Iron Skillet Recipes Pin

    A cast iron skillet is one of the most versatile tools in the kitchen. It easily goes from stove top to grill to campfire, and offers excellent heat distribution. Here are 25 of our favorite cast iron skillet recipes.

    Grilled Steak Bites in a cast iron pan
    Grilled Steak Bites in a red wine sauce cooked in a cast iron skillet are absolutely irresistible!
    Jump to:
    • Benefits of Cast Iron
    • What Cast Iron Pieces Should I Buy?
    • Caring for Cast Iron
    • What Can You Cook in Cast Iron?
    • Appetizers on the Grill
    • Main Dish Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Campfire Cast Iron Recipes
    • My Favorite Cast Iron Accessory: Teeny Tiny Cast Iron Pan

    Benefits of Cast Iron

    If you’ve received your Grandma’s old cast iron skillet, or bought a set from an estate sale, you already know benefit #1:

    • Cast iron lasts forever. Unless you drop it on concrete or take a hammer to it, cast iron is not going to melt, chip or break.
    • Once the pan is hot, it stays hot. If you want to geek out with us, cast iron has a whopping .64 emissivity rating, which means that when you’re cooking in it, you’re not just cooking the surface in contact with the metal, but you’re cooking a good deal of food above it as well. This is great for searing steak, or keeping soups warm at a potluck. The best way to make sure your skillet or dutch oven is heated evenly is to preheat it in the oven, or over an even fire or grill.
    • The more you use it, the better it becomes. What is this mysterious “seasoning” you always here about in relation to cast iron? Seasoning is when the skillet is rubbed with oil and heated repeatedly, causing the oil to polymerize. That’s right, it’s not just residual oil, it’s chemically altered and bonded to the metal. This is what makes cast iron non-stick. So go ahead and scrub with soap, it’s not going to come off. You can read this Serious Eats article for more details.
    Cornbread cooked in a cast iron skillet

    What Cast Iron Pieces Should I Buy?

    We fell in love with Finex Cast Iron years ago. We have a 10″ skillet, a Dutch Oven, and a sauce pan, and love them all. These are handmade in Portland, Oregon and aren’t cheap, but they will be smoother than less expensive brands.

    Lodge Cast Iron is our go to for a more affordable purchase for someone just starting out. They also have a great variety of grilling specific pieces as well. Either makes for an amazing heirloom gift for the food lovers in your life. Both come pre-seasoned.

    Grilled Scallops in a white wine pan sauce in cast iron pan.
    Scallops in a 10″ Finex Skillet

    Caring for Cast Iron

    There are a lot of misperceptions on cast iron care.

    • The number ONE thing you should never do is leave it sitting in water soaking. Ever. Over time you erode the seasoning and rust can more easily develop.
    • You CAN use dish soap if you want. But remember rule one – don’t let it soak. And be sure to oil it again.
    • If you have a lot of stuff on it add water and bring to a simmer. After 5 minutes use a long stiff brush to remove all the junk in the pan.
    • Consider special tools like a chainmail tool that scrapes cast iron.

    Whenever you have finished cooking and cleaning your cast iron add a touch of oil to the pan and scrub it with a paper towel. This keeps it looking shiny and protects that precious investment.


    What Can You Cook in Cast Iron?

    You can cook just about anything in cast iron. On the stove you can use it to sear fish or meat. On the grill you can use it like a flat top griddle to cook eggs or pancakes. Over a fire you can use a cast iron skillet to roast nuts or make a melty cheese fondue. Lastly in the oven you can bake brownies, bread, and more. Read on for our favorite Cast Iron Skillet recipes.

    Appetizers on the Grill

    When you’re already outside grilling the main dish, add one of these appetizers to the grill for friends and family to nibble on before dinner.

    Baked Brie dip with crostini.
    Grilled Baked Brie with Wine and Thyme
    Grilled brie wheel with white wine and thyme served with grilled crostini.
    Full Recipe
    Chestnuts roasting over a grill
    Roasted Chestnuts over Open Fire
    An easy recipe for roasting chestnuts over an open fire of charcoal or embers.
    Full Recipe
    Sausage Queso Bean dip in a cast iron pan
    Sausage Queso Chipotle Bean Dip Recipe
    A jazzed up Queso Bean Dip featuring ground sausage, green chilies, smoky chipotle pinto beans, and real shredded cheese. Smoky Chipotle Bean and Sausage Queso dip is a fantastic dip for summer cookouts, tailgating, or even camping.
    Full Recipe
    Brisket Nachos
    Smoked Beef Brisket Nachos
    Brisket Nachos are the perfect use for leftover smoked beef brisket. Create a rich chili out of leftover brisket and use that chili to make indulgent, spicy, cheesy, nachos.
    Full Recipe
    Smoked Stuffed BBQ Meatballs in a cast iron pan
    Smoked Stuffed BBQ Meatballs
    Smoked meatballs stuffed with mozzarella cheese, slowly smoked on the grill, and then finished with a BBQ sauce glaze. These are the ultimate game day food or appetizer for your next gathering. 
    Full Recipe
    Smoked Pulled Pork Nachos in a Cast Iron Skillet
    Smoked Pulled Pork Nachos
    An incredible use for leftover pulled pork. Pulled Pork Nachos. These were made with smoked pulled pork, but you don’t have to have smoked pork to make these indulgent nachos. Can be cooked in the oven or directly on the grill. 
    Full Recipe

    Main Dish Recipes

    Cooking on a cast iron pan is like a one pot meal! These dishes are all cooked in the cast iron pot and on the grill. These recipes couldn’t be easier.

    Grilled Garlic White Wine Shrimp
    Grilled Garlic Chardonnay Shrimp
    Grilled Shrimp in a cast iron pan finished with a chardonnay, wine, and, garlic pan sauce.
    Full Recipe
    Steak Fajitas
    Grilled Flank Steak Fajitas Recipe
    Tequila and Soy Marinade and grilled flank steak with cast iron seared peppers and onions.
    Full Recipe
    Grilled Scallops in a white wine pan sauce in cast iron pan.
    Grilled Scallops Recipe with White Wine Butter Sauce
    A rich and buttery white wine pan sauce with grilled scallops cooked in a cast iron pan directly on the grill. Rich and tender flavor and ready in less than 10 minutes.
    Full Recipe
    stuffed peppers on the grill
    Grilled Ground Beef Stuffed Peppers
    Ground beef, rice, tomato paste, herbs, and cheese cooked on the grill.
    Full Recipe
    Classic Shepherd's Pie on the Grill
    Shepherd’s Pie on the Grill
    A Classic Shepherd's Pie recipe cooked on any grill or smoker for great smoky flavor. This recipe is easy, healthy, delicious and perfect for your St. Patrick's Day celebrations!
    Full Recipe
    Grilled Steak Bites.
    Grilled Steak Bites Recipe with Red Wine Pan Sauce
    Savory seasoned sirloin bites grilled in a cast iron pan and then finished with a quick red wine pan sauce.
    Full Recipe
    Smoked Ham Breakfast Hash
    Smoked Ham Breakfast Hash
    Ham and Potato Breakfast Hash made with smoked ham leftover from your holiday dinner. Learn how to make an incredible breakfast hash with any leftover meats and vegetables you have. 
    Full Recipe
    cast iron pan of mussels on the grill
    Grilled Mussels Recipe with White Wine and Garlic
    Mussels cooked on the grill in a steaming broth of garlic, shallots, white wine, and herbs. Don't forget the crusty bread to soak up all that delicious broth.
    Full Recipe
    grilled chicken fajitas in a cast iron skillet
    Grilled Chicken Fajitas Recipe with Chipotle Marinade
    A tasty and slightly spicy garlic chipotle marinade for chicken, and how to use it for Grilled Chicken Fajitas.
    Full Recipe
    Smoked Tri Tip Macaroni and Cheese, Cooked on the Grill
    Smoked Tri Tip Mac and Cheese
    Smoked Tri Tip Mac and Cheese is made with perfectly smoked and tender tri tip, mixed with an ultra creamy cheese sauce and cooked on the grill.
    Full Recipe
    Smoked Chuck Roast Pot Roast Stew in a large cast iron pot
    Smoked Chuck Roast Stew with Red Wine Braise
    A slowly smoked Chuck Roast finished in a red wine, beef stock, and vegetable braise. This Chuck Roast is tender and a perfect roast alternative.
    Full Recipe
    Smoked Beef Short Ribs. How to smoke short ribs and incorporate them into an incredible, rich, stew
    Smoked Beef Short Rib Stew
    How to cook incredibly tender beef short ribs on the smoker and finish them in a rich and indulgent stew.
    Full Recipe
    Smoked Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
    Smoked Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese Recipe
    Creamy smoked butternut squash puree mixed with smoked chicken, bacon, and cheese for a creamy and flavorful mac and cheese.
    Full Recipe

    Side Dishes

    Pair these sides with a traditional BBQ Brisket or Ribs, or pair them with your Thanksgiving turkey.

    Skillet Cornbread Cooked on the Grill
    Skillet Cornbread Recipe on the Grill
    Grilled Cornbread in a cast iron skillet with green chilies and cinnamon topped with smoked honey drizzle.
    Full Recipe
    Smoked Sausage, Caramelized Onion, Cornbread Stuffing for Thanksgiving, cooked on the smoker or grill
    Smoked Sausage, Caramelized Onion, and Cornbread Stuffing Recipe
    A simple smoked sausage, caramelized onion, and cornbread stuffing for Thanksgiving, cooked on the smoker or grill.
    Full Recipe
    BBQ Baked Beans in a cast iron pan
    Smoked BBQ Baked Beans
    Easy barbecued baked beans that are comforting, slightly sweet, mildly smoky, rich, meaty, and totally indulgent.
    Full Recipe
    Sausage Gravy in a cast iron pan
    Smoked Sausage Gravy Recipe
    Sausage Gravy starts by smoking the sausage, and then adding layers of flavor into the gravy for a savory jam-packed bite. This recipe provides is an easy way to add a ton of flavor to your favorite breakfast biscuits.
    Full Recipe

    Campfire Cast Iron Recipes

    No meal is complete without a scrumptious dessert! These cast iron skillet dessert recipes can be baked over the campfire, on the grill, or in the oven, wherever you happen to be!

    top view of skillet brownies
    Skillet Brownies on the Grill
    Made to be dense and rich in chocolate, these Skillet Brownies are cooked on the grill and then topped with a chocolate drizzle and vanilla bean ice cream. Gluten free.
    Full Recipe
    grilled apple crisp cooling
    Grilled Apple Crisp
    How to make a traditional apple crisp on the grill. Grilled Apple Crisp is going to become your new favorite fall dessert! It's also the perfect dessert for Thanksgiving dinner!
    Full Recipe

    My Favorite Cast Iron Accessory: Teeny Tiny Cast Iron Pan

    Check out what to do with a tiny 4″ cast iron pan.


    Thank you for being part of our community. If you make any of our dishes we’d love to see them on social media using the hashtag #vindulge and give it a 5 star review.

    This post may contain affiliate links. This means if you click on the link, we may receive a small commission if you purchase through the link. We partner with brands we know and love and use and it helps keep the blog going!


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    Mary-Cressler-Sept-2015-smI'm Mary, a wine/food/travel writer, Certified Sommelier, mom of twins, former vegetarian turned BBQ fanatic, runner, and founder of Vindulge and author of Fire + Wine cookbook.  Thanks for stopping by!

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