This Is Ina Garten’s Secret to a Perfectly Cooked Steak, and Shoppers Say You’ll Never Need Another

Cast iron cookware is versatile, durable, and a must-have in the kitchen. It’s oven-safe, naturally nonstick, and you can even put it right on the grill. Don’t believe us? Just ask Ina Garten. We’re constantly spotting cast iron skillets in Garten’s kitchen, whether she’s winning a steak throwdown against her husband, Jeffrey, or sharing fondue with Allison Janney in an episode of Be My Guest. We rounded up some of the best cast iron pans at Amazon, including the Lodge cast iron skillet we spotted in one of Garten’s recipes and our top-tested pick from Lancaster.

Best Cast Iron Skillets at Amazon

• Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet, $24
• Lancaster No. 8 Cast Iron Skillet, $175
• Cuisinel Cast Iron Skillet, $60
• Field Company No. 8 Cast Iron Skillet, $165
• Utopia Kitchen Premium Cast Iron Skillet, $24, originally $30

Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet

$24 at Amazon

Garten used this Lodge skillet to make baked fontina for Allison Janney on her show Be My Guest. The affordable pan doubles as a serving dish in the host's “adult version” of fondue. It’s also our favorite affordable cast iron skillet for making fried eggs, searing steak, and so much more.

Lancaster No. 8 Cast Iron Skillet

$175 at Amazon

The Lancaster No. 8 tops our list of cast iron pans. It costs seven times as much as the Lodge pan, but its lightweight design and exceptional performance make it well worth the price. Plus, it develops a nice patina with use, which gives us the impression that the skillet will last a lifetime.

Cuisinel Cast Iron Skillet

$60 at Amazon

With more than 34,100 perfect ratings, shoppers said this Cuisinel skillet “elevates” their cooking and only gets “better with time”. The pan comes with a lid, silicone holders, and a scraper, all for under $60. It’s easy to understand why one shopper called it their “new favorite pan,” adding that they “should never need another.”

Field Company No. 8 Cast Iron Skillet

$165 at Amazon

Cast iron cookware is known for being hefty and sometimes unwieldy. If you don’t want a full arm workout in the kitchen, this Field Company skillet is our favorite lightweight pick. It’s uncharacteristically smooth, with a machine-polished matte finish you won’t find on more budget-friendly skillets. It’s easy to maneuver and maintain, too, and you can even pay extra for a care kit.

Utopia Kitchen Premium Cast Iron Skillet

$30

$24 at Amazon

This frying pan is currently on sale for the same price as the Lodge one, and it’s been purchased more than 2,000 times in the last month. Despite the affordable price, one shopper noted that there’s “nothing cheap” about it. “This has become one of the only pans I use now,” another person said, adding that it’s the “perfect pan for any cooking needs, but especially good for a professional sear on your food.”