The 20 Best Cast Iron Skillets for Non-Toxic Home Cooking

Cast iron cookware is a popular kitchen staple in the US. In fact, in 2022, the global market was valued at $1.6 billion, according to one report. But while you can buy various cast-iron pots and pans, a skillet is, without a doubt, a kitchen must. They are versatile, durable, and naturally non-toxic. Here’s what you need to know—plus 20 cast iron skillets to check out now (and skillet-based vegan recipes, too!).

Jump to the skillets

What is special about using a cast-iron skillet?

One of the biggest assets of cast-iron skillets is their heat retention capabilities. They heat up slowly but retain heat well, which helps ensure even cooking temperatures when searing, frying, or even baking. They also distribute heat evenly, which ensures that all of your recipes cook uniformly.

Desiree Nielsen 

RELATED: Non-Toxic Cookware: The Best Options on the Market

When properly seasoned, cast iron is also naturally non-stick. This not only reduces the need for lots of cooking oil, but it also means that chemicals, like PFAS (aka “forever” chemicals), are not added to the material to improve its non-stick properties. This means that cast-iron skillets are a great non-toxic cooking option (for more on non-toxic cooking equipment, find our favorite product picks here!). 

Top tip: many cast-iron skillets come pre-seasoned, but to season one yourself, apply a thin layer of oil to the surface and then heat. This creates a polymerized layer, protecting the pan from rust. 

Should you wash a cast-iron skillet?

With proper care, a cast-iron skillet can last for generations. But it’s important to wash it carefully—it’s not as simple as popping the pan in the dishwasher or soaking it in the sink with the rest of your dishes.

First, it’s important to wash a cast-iron skillet quickly, before the food has a chance to stick. It must also be dried quickly, too, to prevent any rust spots from taking hold (this may happen if the seasoning is damaged).

To avoid damaging the seasoning, opt for scouring pads or metal brushes and choose mild, gentle soaps.

20 cast-iron skillets for cooking delicious vegan meals

When cared for properly, a cast-iron skillet is a great kitchen tool to have on hand. As demonstrated in the recipes below, they can help you cook anything, from breakfast foods to cookies. Read on for some of our top cast-iron skillet picks.

Best budget skillets ($35 and under)

Mercer Culinary

1Mercer Culinary Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet

This good-quality, sturdy skillet from Mercer will make a durable, reliable addition to your kitchen. Pre-seasoned with vegetable oil, the pan is easy to wash, easy to hold, and can be hung up when not in use, thanks to the hole in the handle.
Try this skillet recipe: The Crispiest Vegan Potato Latkes
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2 Utopia Kitchen Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet

This versatile skillet from Utopia Kitchen is a true kitchen workhorse. With excellent heat retention, easy handling, and durable construction, it’s built for everything from quick weeknight veggie-packed sautés to elaborate weekend brunch spreads with all the bells and whistles. It comes pre-seasoned, so you can start cooking straight out of the box.
Try this skillet recipe: Szechwan Ginger Sautéed String Beans
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Lodge

3 Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron Dual Handle Pan

GreenPan

4GreenPan x Bobby Flay Pre-Seasoned Skillet

Best mid-range skillets ($36 through $85)

6 Amazon Basics Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet

This pre-seasoned cast iron skillet from the Amazon Basics range comes highly recommended. Reviewers praise its size, which is perfect for cooking large meals for the family, as well as its seasoning and durability. “If you are looking for a large durable skillet this will not disappoint,” reads one Amazon review.
Try this skillet recipe: Easy Vegan Outdoor Skillet Bread
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7 Zakarian by Dash 11-Inch Cast Iron Skillet

Available in multiple colors, including blue, black, and cranberry, this sleek cast iron skillet from Dash features a smooth non-stick coating, so you won’t need to pre-season it before use. One Amazon reviewer says the pan “is easy to clean and attractive.” Another added that it is the “perfect size and weight.”
Try this skillet recipe: Chickpea Breakfast Frittata With Hash Brown Crust
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8 Cuisinel 15-Inch Cast Iron Skillet

This set from Cuisinel doesn’t just offer a 15-inch pre-seasoned, cast-iron skillet, but it also includes a silicone handle holder, tempered glass lid, and pan scraper for extra convenience.
Try this skillet recipe: Vegan Salted Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie à la Mode
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Bayou

9Bayou Classic Cast Iron Double-Handled Skillet

Perfect for casseroles and stews, as well as sautéing and baking, this Bayou skillet doesn’t have a long handle like the others on this list. Instead, it has two smaller helper handles on the sides. This makes it easy to use and maneuver, and it’s great quality, too. “I can’t say enough good things about this pan,” reads one review on Amazon. Another adds: “This is my favorite pan! I cook just about everything in this.”
Try this skillet recipe: Chickpea Pancakes With Balsamic Mushrooms
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10Rachael Ray Nitro Cast Iron Frying Pan/Skillet

Available in multiple colors, like red, white, and agave blue, Rachael Ray’s Nitro cast iron skillet is designed with two handles and two pour spouts for easy cooking. According to the brand, this skillet is not like your standard cast iron. “It combines the performance of a pre-seasoned cast iron fry pan with easier cleaning and maintenance,” it notes. The Nitro pan doesn’t require regular seasoning, and it can be hand-washed with soap. 
Try this skillet recipe: Vegan Chili Jackfruit Tostadas
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Greater Goods

11 Greater Goods Cast Iron Skillet

Greater Goods’ cast-iron skillet is durable, versatile, and can be used on everything from the stove to the campfire. Don’t worry about seasoning: this skillet is pre-seasoned with 100-percent organic, Canadian-sourced flaxseed oil.
Try this skillet recipe: Vegan Cauliflower Peperonata Skillet
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12Edging Casting Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Dutch Oven Pot With Skillet Lid

This unique set includes a pre-seasoned cast iron Dutch oven pot, which is perfect for soups, stews, casseroles, and much more, but the best part is the lid: it’s a multi-purpose skillet, which can be used to top the Dutch oven or on its own to fry everything from pancakes to frittatas. The design is a real space saver when it comes to storage.
Try this skillet recipe: Fluffy Vegan Oat Milk Pancakes
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Blacklock

13 Lodge Blacklock Triple Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet

With an elevated cool-touch handle and a lightweight that’s 25 percent less than traditional cast iron, this popular triple-seasoned skillet from Blacklock is a great, comfortable-to-use option. Choose between the seven-, 10.25-, and 12-inch skillets. 
Try this skillet recipe: The Ultimate Vegan Breakfast Skillet
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Best premium skillets: $150 and up

14 Le Creuset Classic Cast Iron Handle Skillet

Another great lightweight option, this enameled cast iron skillet from Le Creuset offers excellent heat distribution and retention. It doesn’t require any seasoning, and the durable enamel resists dulling, staining, chipping, and cracking.
Try this skillet recipe: Tempeh, Mushroom, and Roasted Potato Breakfast Skillet
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15 Stargazer 10.5-Inch Cast Iron Skillet

Pre-seasoned, polished, and easy to clean, Stargazer’s 10.5-inch cast iron skillet, complete with a stay-cool handle and drip-free flared rim, is a great modern, lightweight choice. Plus, it comes complete with a lifetime warranty.
Try this skillet recipe: Vegan Skillet Breakfast Eggs and Potatoes
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Made In Cookware

16 Made In Cookware Enameled Cast Iron Skillet

Optimized for intense heat, Made In Cookware’s enameled cast iron skillet “guarantees heirloom-quality durability,” according to the brand. All of its cookware is made in France, a country with a long-standing tradition of cast iron craftsmanship.
Try this skillet recipe: Easy Vegan Skillet Chickpea Chilaquiles
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Best skillet sets

17 NutriChef 3pc Cast Iron Skillet Set

Complete with silicone handles, this three-piece set from NutriChef will cover all of your skillet needs. Each pan is designed with a drip spout, making it super easy to discard unneeded oil during cooking. The set is pre-seasoned, but it also comes with a handy guide on how to keep up the seasoning process after each use to give you the best quality results every time you use it.
Try this skillet recipe: Vegan Grilled Cheese With Pumpkin, Pear, and Candied Pecans
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18 Utopia Kitchen Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet Set

Utopia Kitchen’s ultra-affordable cast iron pan set includes six-, eight-, and 10-inch pans, each of which is pre-seasoned (that said, the brand still recommends seasoning again with vegetable oil before use). The unique handles make each pan easy to maneuver around the kitchen, too.
Try this skillet recipe: Five-Step Vegan Cherry Skillet Cobbler
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19Cuisinel Cast Iron Skillets Set with Lids

20Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron 3 Skillet Bundle