The 11 Best Healthy Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes On The Internet (2024)

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August 26, 2017

Author & Podcaster

By Liz Moody

Author & Podcaster

Liz Moody is the host of the top-rated The Liz Moody Podcast, author of bestselling books "100 Ways to Change Your Life," "Healthier Together: Recipes for Two—Nourish Your Body, Nourish Your Relationships," and "Glow Pops," and a popular online content creator who has helped millions of people transform their lives. A regular speaker, panelist, and podcast guest, Liz shares her own deeply personal anxiety journey that led her to where she is now as well as actionable, fun, and science-based ways for everyone to live their best lives.

The 11 Best Healthy Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes On The Internet (3)

Photo by The Bojon Gourmet

August 26, 2017

Cast-iron skillets are a healthy chef’s best friend. A well-seasoned one is nonstick with no need for chemicals, and it infuses iron into your food (especially important for vegans and vegetarians). The heavy bottom gets hot and stays hot, ensuring your food will be perfectly cooked. We scoured the internet for the absolute best healthy cast-iron recipes around, and these 11 dishes made our mouths water the most.

Gluten-Free Zucchini Skillet Cornbread

The 11 Best Healthy Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes On The Internet (4)

Photo by Yummy Beet

Gluten-free cornbread, say what?? This genius recipe has the taste—and more importantly and impossibly, the texture—of traditional cornbread, but it relies on a chickpea-flour base. Packed with fiber and with an added kick of vegetables (hello, zucchini!), it's a summer staple waiting to happen. Get the full recipe here.

Charred Lemon Garlic Asparagus

The 11 Best Healthy Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes On The Internet (5)

Photo by Tasty Yummies

This dish takes 10 minutes to come together—and when it does, it's a total showstopper. With immune-boosting garlic, detoxifying asparagus, and lemon zest (which is great for your skin), this dish is equally good as a side, or tossed into salads or stir-fries. Get the full recipe here.

Crispy Honey Ginger Salmon

The 11 Best Healthy Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes On The Internet (6)

Photo by Half Baked Harvest

Salmon is consistently recommended by doctors for its hormone-balancing properties, and this dish turns the omega-rich fish into a sweet and flaky delight. The Asian summer side slaw adds a fresh and crunchy dose of veggies as well. Get the full recipe here.

Smoky Lentil Tacos

The 11 Best Healthy Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes On The Internet (7)

Photo by The Bojon Gourmet

These vegan lentil tacos have a delightfully smoked flavor, thanks to an ingenious combination of spices. The lentils add a heart-healthy dose of fiber, and the customizable toppings make them super fun for kids and families too! Get the full recipe here.

Sweet Potato Rice Mexican Breakfast Skillet

The 11 Best Healthy Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes On The Internet (8)

Photo by Inspiralized

If you're in a breakfast mood, this delightful take on a hash-brown breakfast skillet is sure to spice up your mornings. With a whole host of good-for-you ingredients (fiber-packed sweet potato; skin-loving avocado; chelating cilantro), it's sure to kick off a super-healthy day. Get the full recipe here.

Avocado Tomato Socca Pizza

The 11 Best Healthy Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes On The Internet (9)

Photo by Cotter Crunch

Socca pizzas have become super-trendy recently, and for good reason. The ingenious chickpea-flour base takes no skill and just seconds to make, and the result is delightfully pizza-like, with enough structural integrity to hold whatever toppings you'd like. Get the full recipe here.

Chickpea Dumplings in Curry Tomato Sauce

The 11 Best Healthy Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes On The Internet (10)

Photo by Vegetarian Ventures

These chickpea dumplings are a genius gluten-free take on the classic comfort food, and the spicy tomato sauce they're in (seasoned with a melange of anti-inflammatory spices) takes the whole dish to the next level. Get the full recipe here.

Pan-Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Corn and Caramelized Onions

The 11 Best Healthy Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes On The Internet (11)

Photo by Lord Byron's Kitchen

If you haven't tried Brussels sprouts roasted in a cast-iron pan, you need to get on that, stat. They develop a natural sweetness that turns this cruciferous vegetable into nature's candy, a vibe that's only enhanced by the corn (frozen is totally fine) and caramelized onions. Get the full recipe here.

Kale and Tomato Breakfast Skillet

The 11 Best Healthy Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes On The Internet (12)

Photo by Aberdeen's Kitchen

If you're a vegetable lover, this skillet's for you. Bursting with sweet tomatoes and savory kale, this produce-packed meal comes together in only a few minutes, with very little cleanup. Get the full recipe here.

Dairy-Free Vegetable Frittata

The 11 Best Healthy Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes On The Internet (13)

Photo by Healy Eats Real

A frittata is a cast-iron classic, due to the sturdy pan's ability to go directly from the stovetop to the oven. This version swaps milk and cheese for dairy-free versions and tops the whole thing off with vegetables galore. Get the full recipe here.

One-Pan Mexican Quinoa

The 11 Best Healthy Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes On The Internet (14)

Photo by Damn Delicious

This one-and-done Mexican quinoa takes all your favorite fiesta flavors and combines them into a healthful, protein-packed bowl. Bonus: We bet you have all of the ingredients you need for it in your house already! Get the full recipe here.

The 11 Best Healthy Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes On The Internet (2024)

FAQs

What foods are best cooked in a cast iron skillet? ›

The Best Foods to Cook in Cast Iron Pans
  • Pan-seared veggies and proteins.
  • Fatty foods like bacon.
  • Burgers.
  • Grilled cheese sandwiches.
  • Pizza.
  • Eggs (yes, you read that right!)
  • Potatoes.
  • Cornbread and other breads.
Aug 30, 2022

Can you cook healthy in a cast iron skillet? ›

You'll use less oil, avoid harmful chemicals, and get a little extra iron in your diet. The reasons why we love a classic cast-iron skillet include but are in no way limited to the following: Pizza. Burgers.

What is the best meat to cook in a cast iron skillet? ›

A thick-cut steak such as a ribeye or New York strip is best for cooking in a cast iron skillet because it can withstand the high heat of the skillet and develop a gorgeous crust, while remaining juicy and tender in the middle. Avoid lean cuts like flank steak or skirt steak, as they are prone to drying out.

What is the best first cook on a cast iron skillet? ›

Start with Vegetables

Caramelized Onions will help you get a feel for your new skillet: you quickly understand how it retains and distributes heat, while the onions and oil give your pan an easy warmup for many meals to come.

Is it OK to cook in cast iron everyday? ›

The type of iron that comes from cast iron cooking is nonheme iron and is safe to consume. It is the same type of iron as found in plant sources such as beans, spinach and tofu. Children one to three years old only need 7mg iron daily, so if it's best not to cook every meal for children this age in cast iron cookware.

Is it healthy to cook on cast iron every day? ›

So, Is Cooking in Cast Iron Healthier than Cooking in Other Pans? In short: No. You'd have to be mouse-sized to see quantifiable health benefits from mineral intake exclusively with cast iron. Because mineral transfer happens at such a small scale, it's safe to say that cast iron is not any healthier than other pans.

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