Best Cast Iron Skillet for Steaks in 2023

Last Updated on January 13, 2023 by Claire

For some delicious steaks, you want to get the best cast iron skillet for steaks. Cast iron is great for steak on the stovetop since it retains lots of heat and is good at keeping the sear going. They are also oven-safe. So, after you get the desired sear level, toss your steak in the oven until it reaches a reasonable internal temperature.

Regarding the cooking to medium, just heat oil in the pan, sear for about 2 minutes per side, and leave it in a 400° preheated oven until you get a 5° cooler center than your desired temperature. There you go, done! Stick your steak in some aluminum foil and allow it to rest for about 6-8 minutes.

Best Cast Iron Skillet for Steaks

As a chef who appreciates great taste, I picked several cast iron skillets to determine the best for steaks and after a long test and observation, I have compiled a list of the very best for your steaks.

Do you choose quality over quantity when it comes to your health and nutrition? Then this is for you as you are getting the best cast iron skillet for your steaks preparation.

1. Zakarian by Dash 9.5″ Nonstick Cast Iron Skillet

Quality

Zakarian skillet is perfect for cooking restaurant-quality dishes. I don’t need to worry about my meal quality because this skillet gives me the best.

NonStick:

Uses the TruPro Titanium Ceramic technology. This nonstick coating helps to prevent rust. I don’t worry about my food as it doesn’t burn nor does it stick to the pan. I don’t need seasoning to wash the skillet.

Cooking

I have tried all methods of cooking with this pan and so far I’ve gotten good results in all. It fits well for frying, grilling, baking, etc.

Versatility

The cooking surface is never a problem as it is very versatile and can withstand any cooking surface while maintaining its great nature.

Pour spouts

Comes with 2 pour spouts. Makes it convenient to turn out a dish (mostly liquid) using the double spout. It makes it easier to serve.

2. Lodge L14SK3 15-Inch Pre-Seasoned Cast-Iron Skillet

Craving for the best-served steaks? Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet got you covered.

The lodge is a popular name in manufacturing quality cookware and the Lodge skillet is not an exception.

It has the best heat retention and distribution as my steak searing is always the best. All the parts of the steak is being heated evenly and this gives me a perfect result

This pan is pre-seasoned with 100% natural vegetable oil, my meals always produce a natural flavor due to the skillet pre-seasoning.

Speaking of versatility, I can use the Lodge skillet in the oven, on the stove, on the grill, or over a campfire as the skillet can withstand high temperatures. It also has great induction cooktops.

This skillet is my favorite as it doesn’t stick thereby making me worry less about cleaning. You won’t regret getting one of these.

3. Jim Beam JB0159, Heavy Duty Construction, Pre Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet

Surface

The ridged surface allows you to get those perfect grill marks while draining the excess fat away. I don’t worry about consuming excess fat as the Jim Beam skillet takes care of that due to its ridged surface.

Moreover, the Jim Beam skillet lets you prepare your steak over the stove or in an oven, or on a BBQ. Cooking has been made easy as I can prepare my steak on any cooking surface without any fear of damaging the skillet.

The wood trivet is a great help when it gets to food serving and as a bonus, this pan can accommodate 2 different meals comfortably.

Durability

The skillet is incredibly durable. I have been using this pan for a few months now and I have met with chefs who use it for years. There is never a complaint of wearing off the surface. It is very strong and with its superb qualities intact.

It’s nonstick

Another benefit of the Jim Beam skillet is that when it’s seasoned and used regularly, it’s fairly nonstick. Owning a nonstick skillet is every chef’s dream as it makes cleaning easier and the pan neater.

The Jim Beam skillet even has a health benefit: its uncoated cast iron tends to leach small amounts of iron into food as it cooks. Imagine getting a skillet and also adding nutrients. A small amount of iron is gained when cooking with this skillet. So you get a good meal and good health. Per the Examine,  cast iron pans are generally safe to use but they can leach iron into food.

Taking the skillet off the fire is never a worry as the mitt is used for the handle. It is quite light and makes the pan easy to handle and move around.

4. Utopia Kitchen Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet

Its superior heat retention helps keep food warm and fresh. I don’t rush to put my food in a warmer as I know that Utopia skillet got that covered. The pan also helps increase the intake of iron by 20%

It is 12 inches deep and I  cook varieties of food with it and it doesn’t disappoint. The taste is always great. It is less smooth than other cooks.

It is not dishwasher safe but can be washed easily with your hands. For the best performance, I wash the pan using hot soapy water with a sponge. However I don’t try washing it when hot so you shouldn’t too.

You wouldn’t want to miss this amazing cast iron skillet with a high rating of durability and versatility.

5. Uno Casa Cast Iron Fajita Skillet

Looking for a skillet with steak plates sizzling? Uno Casa Cast Iron Skillet is the best for that purpose.

This fajita cast iron skillet set features a unique wooden serving board with grooves for the skillet & dip bowls. I particularly love the dip bowls as it makes food serving easy.

With 4 stainless ramekins, I serve my steaks comfortably. It gives me great ease as I don’t need to get extra bowls for food.

This cast iron plate with a wooden tray comes pre-seasoned & non-stick! I have enjoyed the nonsticking feature of this pan although it needs re-seasoning to get the perfect result.

Remember to re-season your skillet: apply a thin coat of vegetable oil, then bake it in the oven at max temperature (~400℉) for an hour. Let the sizzling plate cool down, then rinse it & dry it off.

The steak plates are sizzling set for searing beef, as sizzler plates for chicken. I enjoy its multi-purpose nature which is well suited for my steaks.

The fajita plate with wood base works well with induction, ceramic, electric, and gas cooktops and is also suitable for oven and open-fire cooking. A cooking surface is never a problem as it is highly versatile and performs well on different surfaces.

6. Cast Iron Skillet with Lids Pre-Seasoned Covered Frying Pan

Famous for its outstanding heat distribution and unrivaled heat retention, Cuisinel Cast Iron Skillet is the best you can ever get.

It comes with heavy-duty cast iron braised lids and this helps majorly in heat retention and helps in the protection of your well-cooked steaks.

This pan can be hand washed and seasoned with a natural oil for the best result. It doesn’t stick therefore cooking your steaks to perfection.

With a silicone hot handle holder for both the pan and the lid, Cuisinel can be held and cooked on all cooking surfaces.

Highly versatile and can be used for cooking, frying, baking, grilling, etc.

7. Lodge Cast Iron Square 11″ Griddle

Square Cast Iron Skillet is the best choice for anyone who appreciates deep pans for a perfect meal.

The right Grill pan for stove tops with a smooth texture on the inside and outside. I like it most as it saves space, there are holes at both ends of the pan which I use to hang the pan. This creates spaces for other items.

No Synthetic coatings or chemicals used. This pan has natural seasoning which makes my dishes flavored. Additionally, I also gain extra iron by using the cast iron pan, this makes the food extra nutritious.

The square cast iron pan is deep enough to keep food from splattering. While using this pan, I cook in large quantities as I know it can accommodate that much due to its enameled nature. I enjoy it because it doesn’t leave a mess while cooking.

8. HAWOK Cast Iron Fajita Skillet Japanese Steak Plate with Handle and Bamboo Tray…

HAWOK takes you back in the day as it is perfect for traditional and slow cooking techniques with superior heat retention quality.

It comes in a set of 4 with each of them carrying its own wooden try for the best performance.

Enables you to prepare your steaks on all cooking surfaces ranging from oven, stove, gas, etc. It also comes with a removable gripper for ease when working with the cast iron skillet.

This pan needs pre-seasoning and re-seasoning for the best performance. It is durable and easy to hand wash as it doesn’t stick.

9. LAVA Premium Cast Iron Frying Pan, Cast Iron Skillet

Lava Enamelled Cast Iron Skillet is the best for chefs who love a combination of liveliness and a  good meal as it comes with a colored bottom and handle.

With its unique nonstick coating, it serves the best meal as you don’t need to worry about rusting.

This pan also has double side spouts which make it easy to serve meals from the skillet and also has a high heat distribution.

You can easily toss it into your dishwasher and not worry about the pan as it is dishwasher safe.

Perfect enameled skillet for your deep-fries, highly durable, and totally worth your money.

10. Fresh O2 Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet

Want to travel comfortably with your cast iron skillet? Fresh O2 Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet is the perfect choice for you.

Perfect for steak grilling as it has a griddle surface and can be carried anywhere as it is travel safe.

This pan is great with heat distribution and retention as it cooks evenly and retains the heat for a longer time.

It is oven safe and can work well on other surfaces. Good for grilling, frying, etc, and highly durable.

11. New Star Foodservice 1028614 Commerical Grade Cast Iron

This pan conducts heat perfectly and also retains heat as well. It doesn’t stick as it has a nonstick property.

With the Walnut-stained wooden base, you don’t need to worry about where to place your pan after use.

It also has a decorative chilli-pepper handle mitt which gives your hands maximum protection while cooking and when taking it out from the fire.

It is seasoned to give the best steak flavor and taste. It can easily be hand washed as it is not dishwasher safe.

12. NutriChef Nonstick Cast Iron Grill Pan

Have ever had difficulty using a cast iron pan and wished for a solution? NutriChef Nonstick Cast Iron Grill Pan has a manual attached for you, in order to enable you to make use of the pan easily.

This nonstick pan gives your steak the best grill with its griddled surface and this also helps prevent excess oil.

It can heat up to 500 F as it can withstand high temperatures while still giving the best results.

This skillet is stain resistant and compatible with any heating method. It has double-side drip spouts which can help discard excess oil or any other liquid easily.

It can be easily hand washed, easy to maintain, and highly versatile. You should definitely try it out.

What are the Benefits of Cooking Steak with a Cast Iron Skillet?

Below are reasons cast iron skillet is beneficial to your steak.

1. Even Distribution of Heat

Cast iron skillet doesn’t give hot spots. The heat is distributed evenly in order to get the best result from the steak.

2. Versatility

You can use any method of food preparation with the skillet as it is highly versatile. You can fry, braise and do lots of things with it while it still maintains its nature and qualities.

3. Heat Retention

The best part of a skillet for searing steak is heat retention as it can handle heat which is up to 500 F in temperature.

Do you Grease a cast iron skillet for steak?

For a skillet that isn’t pre-seasoned from the manufacturers, Yes. A seasoned skillet gives the best steak sear. If the skillet is not already seasoned, simply add 1-2 tablespoons of vegetable oil to the skillet. The quantity should be enough to cover the bottom of the pan.

Is it better to cook steak on a grill or cast iron skillet?

It is preferable to cook steak with a cast iron skillet, this is due to better heat conduction. The grill is good with heat concentration however it touches and heat is not evenly distributed. Cast Iron skillet however distributes the heat evenly to achieve a perfectly cooked steak. It also helps prevent hot spots which are usually due to overheating of some part of the steak.

How long do you cook a steak for medium rare on a cast iron skillet?

For a cast iron skillet, it takes about 3 to 4 minutes on each side for it to reach the medium rare temperature. You can make use of the meat thermometer to achieve the perfect medium-rare steak temperature.

Final Thought

To get the best cast iron skillet for steak, you need a skillet that has good resistance to heat and has even heat distribution as it will help the steak cook well. The pan should also be easy to wash.

Go through the list and pick the best for your steaks as the pans have been carefully tested and approved by our team of certified chefs.