57 Incredible Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes

You and your cast-iron skillet are in it for forever. But that doesn't mean you're stuck with the same old cast-iron skillet recipes. If you love making cornbread and big, sharable cookies, you probably already know that those will work in your cast-iron pan. But have you done an upside-down cake? Charred green beans? A whole chicken?
New to cast-iron cooking? You might be wondering how best to clean cast iron (and season it too). But before we get to cleaning up, let's get to digging in. Scroll on down for some real cast-iron recipe inspiration.
Photo by Alex Lau1/57One-Skillet Chicken With Buttery Orzo
Orzo is cooked in the drippings from roasted chicken thighs in a comforting and impressive one-skillet dish that will start the week off right.
Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Pearl Jones2/57Date Night Pork Chop
A honey-shellacked chop, a sharp salad to break through the porky richness, and—best news yet—just one pan and bowl to clean.
Photo by Christopher Testani3/57Iron-Skillet Peach Crisp
We love any dessert cooked in a cast-iron skillet, but this one's really a treasure, since summer's best peaches can get extra-caramelized in this skillet crisp.
Photo by Brian W. Ferry4/57Skillet Chicken Pot Pie With Butternut Squash
One skillet, one homey and delicious one-pot meal. Store-bought puff pastry works just fine in this cast-iron skillet recipe.
Photo by Chelsie Craig, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich5/57Apple-Walnut Upside-Down Cake
Tender, nutty, and studded with caramel-glazed apple halves, this is your new favorite apple cake. Ground nuts bring a toasty, deep flavor and tenderize the crumb by adding fat.
Photo by Dennis Prescott6/57Double-Chocolate Skillet Brownie
This double-chocolate brownie with crunchy pecans and ice cream is perfect for dinner parties, family gatherings, or any time a hungry crowd wants something sweet and delicious.
Photo by Chelsie Craig, Food Styling by Frances Boswell7/57Skillet-Charred Summer Beans With Miso Butter
Your cast-iron skillet isn't just for meat (or dessert). Here, fresh green beans cook in it over medium-high heat until charred in spots and crisp-tender. (Ok, we admit it. Maybe we're really into this for the miso butter.)
Photo by Alex Lau8/57One-Skillet Roasted Butternut Squash With Spiced Chickpeas
No need to struggle slicing unruly butternut squash. Roast it whole first, then tear or cut it into portions and sear in a big skillet to caramelize.
Photo by Jonny Valiant9/57Clam, Chard, and Bacon Pizza
Using a cast-iron skillet to cook pizza creates a golden brown crust that's ready for any kind of topping. Here we used juicy clams, seared chard, and crispy bacon.
Photo by Peden + Munk10/57Charred Chicken With Sweet Potatoes and Oranges
A topping of feta and olives is a salty, bright complement to the caramelized oranges and roasted sweet potatoes in this flavor-packed chicken dinner.
Karen Mordechai11/57Challah Bread
Baked in cast-iron skillets, these loaves are dense, soft, and subtly sweet.
Quentin Bacon12/57Skillet Mac and Cheese
Cast iron takes this bubbly, old fashioned mac 'n cheese straight from the oven to the table. (Just make sure you put a hot pad under the pan!)
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell13/57Crispy Pan-Seared Chicken and Zucchini with Olives and Lemon
Crosshatching and salting zucchini before cooking removes excess moisture, allowing them to sear instead of steam.
Eva Kolenko food styling: Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling: Kalen Kaminski14/57Skillet Roast Chicken With Fennel, Parsnips, and Scallions
Cast iron is great for roasting whole chicken—and even better when you caramelize vegetables underneath.

Wilder Davies

Wilder Davies

Joe Sevier

Allison Robicelli