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Cast Iron Cookware – yes, today I am sharing my favorites, the ones I use every single day. These pots and pans are staples in my kitchen and there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t pull out my favorite Staub skillet or Coquette. Best part? These cast iron pieces are durable enough to last a lifetime. I truly could not love cooking with cast iron any more, and once you give it a try, I know you guys will too!

overhead photo of Honeycrisp Apple Pandowdy in skillet

{honeycrisp apple pandowdy}

You all remember on Sunday how I mentioned I might throw in a surprise post this week? Well, today’s the day, and instead of a recipe I am finally sharing a post detailing all of my favorite cast iron pots and pans. After countless emails, comments, and DM’s on Instagram asking about my favorite cast iron cookware, I finally decided I needed to just put it all into a blog post for you guys to easily reference.

It’s no secret that I love a good skillet recipe, my grill pan is my best friend in the summer, and come fall my Dutch oven is on the stove or in the oven braising something daily. I really love cooking with cast iron and I honestly don’t use any other kind of cookware, it’s all cast iron.

overhead photo of One Skillet Lemon Butter Chicken and Orzo in skillet with spoon

{skillet lemon butter chicken and orzo}

5 Reason why I love cooking with Cast Iron:

One: Cast iron is basically non-stick. You need to season your pans every few months, but it’s easy to do (more on that below).

Two: Cast iron has no harsh chemicals and instead gives off a little extra dose of iron. Cool. Cool.

Three: My cast iron skillets, braisers, and coquettes will last me a lifetime, they are so durable.

Four: Cast iron retains heat evenly and perfectly sears everything from meat, to seafood, to vegetables…and it cooks the BEST Dutch Baby Pancake.

Five: Cast iron is so pretty and timeless in any kitchen.

overhead photo of Cheaters No Knead Dutch Oven Sourdough Bread in dutch oven

{Cheaters No Knead Dutch Oven Sourdough Bread}

And with that, here are my favorites…

1. Skillets

I don’t know what I would do without my skillets, I use them every single day, multiple times. I like to use one skillet for meat, one skillet for seafood, and then leave one skillet just for sweet recipes and baked things like Dutch Babies. Normally I’ll use my meat skillet for vegetables too, but not going to lie, I have six plus Staub skillets…so I could easily have one just for vegetables too.

This Staub 11″ skillet is my favorite, but I also love the 12″ skillet and use both equally.

If you’re looking for something a little more affordable, check out the Lodge Skillet.

My Favorite Skillet Recipes:

overhead photo of Skillet Lemon Pepper Chicken and Garden Veggies with Feta and Basil

Skillet Lemon Pepper Chicken and Garden Veggies with Feta and Basil

overhead photo of Chicken Broccoli Cheddar Quinoa Casserole

Chicken Broccoli Cheddar Quinoa Casserole

overhead photo of Browned Butter Cinnamon Peach Dutch Baby

Browned Butter Cinnamon Peach Dutch Baby

Honeycrisp Apple Pandowdy

2. Coquettes and Dutch Ovens

I use these for everything from boiling pasta water, making soups and stews, and even baking bread. Again, I could not live without multiple coquettes.

I have (and love) both the Staub 4 quart and 8 quart. I love having both sizes, one for smaller batch recipes and one for bigger. If I had to choose just one size, I’d get the 4 quart.

If you’re looking for something more affordable, I have heard good things about this Lodge Dutch Oven.

PS. I have the Staub Pumpkin Coquettes in all colors and they are my FAVORITE. I am already excited to break them out this September…

My Favorite Dutch Oven Recipes:

side angle photo of 6 Ingredient Creamy Roasted Tomato Soup in bowls

6 Ingredient Creamy Roasted Tomato Soup

Cranberry Pot Roast

3. Braisers

I LOVE my braiser. Oh my gosh. These are great for recipes that call for a skillet, but need a little more room on the edge of the pan for lots of stirring. I love making skillet pastas in my braiser or one pan chicken recipes. My smaller braiser is my go-to for rice.

I have braisers of all sizes. This 2.75 quart is my go-to for rice, this 3 1/2 quart is great for roasting chicken and tossing up lots of pasta. I also have this pretty one with a glass lid that I equally love.

If you want something more affordable, this is a great option.

My Favorite Braiser Recipes:

overhead photo of Skillet Roasted Moroccan Chicken and Olive Tagine

Roasted Moroccan Chicken and Olive Tagine

overhead photo of Garlic Butter Creamed Corn Chicken

Garlic Butter Creamed Corn Chicken

overhead photo of Spring Skillet Roasted Lemon Chicken and Veggies

Lemon Roasted Chicken and Veggies

4. French Ovens

These are classic and so pretty. I mostly use mine for cooking big batches of quinoa, soups, and stews. I love their shape and have both the smaller (great for rice and quinoa) and larger French ovens. These look SO pretty on open kitchen shelves. Love them!

PS. I don’t have this pumpkin one, but oh my gosh, I want it…

My Favorite French Oven Recipes:

side angle photo of Poblano Corn Chicken Tortilla Soup

Poblano Corn Chicken Tortilla Soup

overhead photo of Pumpkin Beer Broccoli Cheddar Soup in bowl with pretzels on plate

Pumpkin Beer Broccoli Cheddar Soup

overhead photo of 20 Minute Peanut Noodle Soup with Lime Mango in bowl

20 Minute Peanut Noodle Soup with Lime Mango

5. Grill Pans

Oddly I do not own a grill, so I use this grill pan almost daily in the summer. I find it so easy and convenient.

If you want something more affordable, this is a great option.

My Favorite Grill Pan Recipes:

overhead photo of Whole Grilled Chicken with Peaches and Basil Vinaigrette on cutting board

Whole Grilled Chicken with Peaches and Basil Vinaigrette

overhead photo of Open Faced Rosemary Chicken, Peach, and Bacon Sandwich

Open Faced Rosemary Chicken, Peach, and Bacon Sandwich

overhead photo of Cinnamon Grilled Peaches with Mascarpone Ice Cream on plate with honey drizzler

Cinnamon Grilled Peaches with Mascarpone Ice Cream

Cleaning Your Cast Iron:

For everyday cleaning, rinse the skillet under hot water, and if needed, scrub with a kitchen scrunchy (nothing too abrasive). For stubborn pieces and crusted-on crumbs, pour in a few tablespoons kosher salt, add a little slash of water, and scrub that around with a scrunchy, then trash the salt and wipe the skillet clean. Simple as that!

Just be sure that whenever you rinse your cast iron out, you wipe it dry to ensure it doesn’t ever rust.

Seasoning Your Cast Iron:

All Staub products are already seasoned, so there is no need to season them. If you are using an unseasoned skillet, here is how to season it.

Spread a thin layer of neutral cooking oil (vegetable or grape seed oil) in the pan. Flip the pan upside down and transfer to an oven. Bake for 1 hour, turn the oven off, and let the skillet cool completely in the oven. DONE. Bon Appétit has a super helpful video for those of you who are interested.

It’s really as simple as that.

Just one thing? Never, ever put your cast iron in the dishwasher. That is one of the biggest NO’s when it comes to working with cast iron.

My Favorite Brand…

As if you could not tell I am a Staub girl through and through. I love their styles, colors, durability, and most importantly how well their pots and pans can cook just about anything.

Hope this post was helpful for you guys, please let me know what you think in the comments! I always want to be improving our content, so your feedback is very appreciated! Would you like to see more of these kinds of posts? Let me know!

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Comments

  1. I love all the tips on the cast iron cookware. Which one do you use for making pancakes? ( I’m looking for a healthy not non-stick alternative)
    Thanks!

  2. Hi, Tieghan.

    Loved this article on cooking with cast iron. If you were only going to have one, would you get the every day pan or the braiser? Thank you!

    1. Hey Marla,
      I would go with the everyday pan! Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan

    2. Hi, what is actually the difference between everyday pan and braiser? Aren’t they the same thing? Can you show me examples thanks

      1. Hi Mariam,
        The braiser has taller sides for dishes that might require more stirring. You can view all of their pans on their website:) xTieghan

    1. Hey Megan,
      I preferred the enameled, they require less maintenance, simply rinse with hot water and you’re good to go! xTieghan

  3. So glad I came across this post. Just ordered some new cookware. Not sure if the hubs will be happy about it, but it does look pretty, so there’s that. LOL

  4. Hi Tieghan ! You seem to use cast iron cookware for almost all your recipes – so i was wondering, would I get the same results using regular cookware ? The only item made of cast iron I own is a Dutch Oven… I’d love to try your one-skillet recipes, but I’m afraid it wouldn’t turn out great using a regular skillet.

    1. Hey Julie,
      I think if you were to use a regular oven safe skillet for most of the recipes that would be fine! I just love cast iron, the quality of Staub, and the longevity of their products. I hope this helps! xTieghan

  5. Hi Tieghan,
    I see that you own both “Color-Enamel on outside Cast Iron Staubs” and “Matte Black on outside Cast Iron Staubs”. Which do you prefer more?
    Will the Color-Enamel Staubs chip or discolor over time?
    Do the Matte Black Staubs need to be seasoned on the outside too?
    TY!

    1. Hi Riyeu,
      I love them both and they both provide the same performance. I guess it is whether or not you want a color or black. I have never had a discoloring issue with my Staubs. I hope this helps! xTieghan

  6. Love my cast iron! I have a Le Creuset Dutch Oven and three sauce pans, over 40 years old. Through various mishaps over the years the enamel on the inside of several of the sauce pans is totally destroyed (gone). Removing the last vestiges of it toke a little work with emery cloth and now I treat them like black cast iron and season/re-season them occasionally. Works great! This may seem a little over the top but given their quality, function, (and replacement cost!) it is worth the time.
    For cleaning the outside enamel of burnt on drips that steel wool won’t budge, or if you ever want to strip the inside and start over with a new seasoned layer, Easy -Off oven cleaner does the trick.
    By the way, your seasoning instructions lack a recommended temperature, I use 375F.

  7. I know this post highlights Staub, and pretty sure they sponsor you – but check out Smithy Ironware. I love their stuff and am looking at their double handled carbon steel. Although i have quite a few cast iron, my hands love it when I can use something a smidge bit lighter.

    1. Hi Janet! Thank you for this! I really do stick by the staub though.. I use it for everything and absolutely love it! xTieghan

  8. Hi! I am looking at getting a Staub braiser. I am wondering if you find the straight-sided edges (in comparison to the flared edges of the Le Creuset braiser) work well with pasta and other saucy dishes? I am on the fence!

    1. Hi Brittny! I LOVE the straight edge. My food never goes flying all over the stove and instead actually stays in the pan. Please let me know if you have any other questions. Hope this helps! Thank you! xTieghan

  9. Hi Tieghan! Love your recipes, blog, and instagram! And I LOVE this article! We just got gifted lodge cast iron skill and grill pan and we can’t wait to use them but we’re also thinking of investing in either an enamel-coated dutch oven or braiser (because of the registry completion discount!). Do you have a recommendation on which would be a better supplement and more versatile? Hopefully one day we will get the other!

    1. Hey Nancy! I would go for the Dutch Oven! It does everything the Braiser can do, but more! Please let me know if you have any other questions. Thank you! xTieghan

  10. Do you season your grill pan in the same way even though the outside it coated? I just bought a Staub grill pan so I was wondering if I should do that before using it

    1. Hi Grace! Congrats on your new grill pan! No the grill pan does not need to be seasoned if it’s a Staub. Have fun!

    2. Hey Grace! I do not season any of my Staub pans. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan ???

    1. Hi Dianna, Enamel cast iron does not need any seasoning. The enamel coating makes it non-stick. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan

  11. Hi, I am looking to upgrade my cookware and want to buy something from Staub but can only afford one piece. Which piece is more versatile, a skillet or a brasier? Is the cast iron lid necessary on the braiser (the glass one is a bit cheaper 🙂 ). Thank you!

    1. I’d go for the brasier!! It can do all the same things as the skillet, but more because it has higher sides. The glass lid is great! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan

    1. I’ll use steel wool occasionally or a spatula to help get really hard burnt pieces off. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe. Thanks so much!! xTieghan

  12. I love it amazing briliant post very helpful for me I love my cast iron but I would like to have more cast iron recipes