Ah, the ever-reliable cast iron skillet. It’s a pan you can count on 24/7, a  sturdy friend equally at home in shoebox-size apartments and camping trips as it is in the fanciest chef kitchen.

My favorite cast iron pan lives right on top of my stovetop. It gets used throughout the day — to cook morning eggs, grilled sandwiches for lunch and roast chicken for dinner.

And the very best way to build up that glossy, seasoned patina on a brand new or hand-me-down skillet is too use it. A lot. Here’s some recipes to get started:

Superfast Burst Cherry Tomato Sauce

10 Minute Burst Cherry Tomato Pasta Sauce

Make this fast, super-tasty pasta sauce under the broiler — serve over pasta with fresh ricotta cheese.

Cast Iron Roasted Chicken with Italian Chili Butter

Cast Iron Roast Chicken with Italian Chili Butter

Crisp-skinned roast chicken with a spicy, savory chili butter. Butterfly the bird for even cooking.

Skillet Apple Whiskey Cake

Whiskey Apple Cake

A moist, pudding-like cake bursting with apples and the sweet hint of whiskey. Serve this cake warm with some vanilla ice cream.

Gooey and so satisfying — Stuffed Deep Dish Pizza with Hot Salami and Mozzarella

Stuffed Pizza with Spicy Calabrese Salami

Gooey, satisfying and cheesy deep-dish pie baked with spicy salami. This pizza is a great crowd-pleaser.

Warm French Potato Cake makes a cozy supper

Cheesy French Galette with Leeks

Tender layered potato cake with cream, cheese and leeks, inspired by Julia Child. Makes a great side or a main dish with a salad on the side.

One Pan Chili Chicken Thighs with Charred Lemon

Roasted Chili Chicken Thighs with Charred Lemon

One pan juicy chicken thighs in a lemony sauce with olive oil and chili. The pan sauce tastes delicious over simple cooked farro or orzo.

Do you have a collection of cast iron skillets or are you just starting to build one? Let me know in the comments!

Three cast iron skillets of varying sizes are arranged on a white surface. Two have handles on one side, while the largest has two handles. Each skillet shows signs of use, revealing how to properly season a cast iron pan for lasting performance.
5 from 1 rating

How to Season Cast Iron Pans

Karen Tedesco
Step-by-step instructions for seasoning and caring for your cast iron pans.
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Additional Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients
 

  • Cast iron pan
  • Clean paper towels and kitchen towels
  • Refined oil for high-heat cooking, such as peanut or grapeseed oil

Equipment

Instructions
 

  1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees.
  2. Clean the pan thoroughly with warm water and a scrubby pad. Wipe the pan dry with a towel.
  3. Place the pan in the oven for 10 minutes.
  4. Take the pan out of the oven and increase the temperature to 300 degrees.
  5. Pour 1 teaspoon oil into the pan. Rub the oil around the inside and outside of the pan with a towel, then wipe off all excess oil.. Add another teaspoon or so of oil if needed, depending on the size of your pan.
  6. Return the pan to the oven for 10 minutes.
  7. Turn the pan upside down on the oven rack and increase the temperature to 400 degrees. Leave the pan in the oven for 1 hour.
  8. Turn off the oven. Allow the pan to cool in the oven for an additional 30 – 60 minutes.

Notes

  • To oven-season cast iron, follow the steps. Repeat as needed and use the pan often to get a beautiful jet-black finish over time.
  • To clean your pan after cooking, scrub with a non-metallic scouring sponge in very warm water, with little or no soap.
  • To release any stubborn bits, apply a cleanser like Bon Ami. Dry the pan on the stovetop over medium heat and rub with a small amount of oil before storing.

Nutrition facts are calculated by third-party software. If you have specific dietary needs, please refer to your favorite calculator.

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