The Best Classic Southern Cast Iron Skillet Recipes

Get ready for a collection of The Best Classic Southern Cast Iron Skillet Recipes that will have you using your beloved cast-iron skillet every single day. We give you 40 delicious ways to use this southern staple in any home kitchen.

Like any good  southern cook, cast iron is one of my favorite pans to use on a regular basis.

There are generations of recipes that have been handed down and most every recipe for delicious southern food can be found using these unique collectibles. Our southern skillet CORNBREAD is a great example of this and a little different than just plain cornbread.

Cast iron is not only great because of even distribution of heat and cooking efficiency, it is also considered heirloom cookware. Many southern cooks have a cast-iron skillet or some form of cast iron cookware that was handed down to them by a cherished family member. Thus, it is a great example of the durability of the cookware. 

They can also be quite habit forming once you get and start to use them. Personally, I have 4 different sizes of cast iron skillet, a cornbread pan, a cast-iron dutch oven, a cast iron muffin pan as well as a grill pan and cast iron griddle.

That is not counting the amount of enameled cast iron I also own.  All of which gets used regularly.

They are perfect for party appetizers, any southern cornbread or biscuit recipe, searing or roast chicken, making a rich gravy to making skillet suppers too.

So if you are new to the world of cast-iron cooking, never fear, we have some tips and tricks for you as well as some fine recipes for southern cuisine for classic cast iron cooking.

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We will also share how to care for your cast-iron cookware to get you started. Be sure to take a look at our post  for MAINTENANCE TRICKS of your new and soon to be beloved cast iron.

Some of the regular issues people have with cast iron are the following:

How to remove cooked on food

The easiest method I have found is to place the pan back on the heat and pour in a little bit of water, bring to a boil and gently scrape the bottom of the pan. The heat and liquid should help loosen any cooked on food.

What to do if there are rust spots

Clean the pan gently with steel wool and water to remove excess rust and dry completely.  Apply a thin layer of an oil that can tolerate high heat like avocado oil and place in a 250 degree oven for about an hour. Carefully remove and use once cooled.

How should I best maintain or season the cast iron?

That is simple. Cook on it and often. Use it for any and all corn bread recipes, brown and sear your meats in it. Cook bacon, sausage, eggs and potatoes in it. Use if for prep for any classic recipe you may be cooking. Regular use of it will keep it in good working order. 

I have so much love for my cast iron. I would even venture to say that even simple ingredients can show signs of real southern tastes simply by using this deep south favorite. Once you use one, you will see for yourself how wonderful they are!  

We hope you enjoy some of our family recipes and they become timeless southern favorites in your house too. We hope you will make one for dinner tonight!

1
a basket of homemade buttermilk biscuits.
Homemade Biscuits
Homemade Biscuits with tall, buttery and flaky layers. Just when you thought they were too hard to make. We show you how simple and delicious they really are.
Check out this recipe
2
sausage gravy in a cast iron pan
Homemade Southern Sausage Gravy
Homemade Southern Sausage Gravy is a staple at any breakfast table. Crumbled cooked sausage, velvety white roux make a delicious breakfast whenever you need comfort and a rib sticking start to your day.
Check out this recipe
3
cast iron skillet steak
www.mrshappyhomemaker.com
Cast Iron Skillet Steak
With this easy and foolproof method, you will produce a perfectly cooked Cast Iron Skillet Steak each and every time, now matter what temperature you like your steaks cooked to.
Check out this recipe
4
www.callmepmc.com
Loaded Blackened Skillet Chicken
Loaded Blackened Skillet Chicken is a simple and delicious dish that’s easy enough for weeknight meals yet impressive enough for a dinner party. You can have a restaurant-worthy meal on the table in less than thirty minutes with just a few key ingredients, some spices, and one pan.
Check out this recipe
5
gritsandgouda.com
Vidalia Onion Cornbread with Caramelized Onion Fans
Vidalia Onion Cornbread with Caramelized Onion Fans sounds fancy but it's actually a shortcut recipe that starts with your favorite cornbread mix. Thin slices of sweet onions are arranged on the bottom of the cast iron skillet. When the cornbread is turned out, the Vidalia onion slices have caramelized and make an impressive design on top!
Check out this recipe
6
juliassimplysouthern.com
Easy Skillet Breakfast Potatoes Recipe with Greek Seasoning
These spuds are a real crowd-pleaser, whether you’re serving them up for a lazy weekend brunch or as a tasty side dish at dinner. With their crispy edges and tender, melt-in-your-mouth centers, these skillet potatoes are a true delight.
Check out this recipe
7
southernbite.com
Skillet Chops with French Onion Gravy
These Skillet Chops with French Onion Gravy are juicy and flavorful. We take pork chops and add mushrooms, beef broth, onion soup mix for a huge flavor blast, a little vinegar for bite, and we tighten it all up into a delicious gravy that you’ll be eating with a spoon.
Check out this recipe
8
juliassimplysouthern.com
Easy Southern Cornbread Recipe without Buttermilk
Grab your cornmeal, flour, and a few other pantry staples. I’m gonna share with you my tried-and-true, down-home recipe for the most delicious Southern cornbread you’ve ever tasted.
Check out this recipe
9
crunchy oven baked shrimp feature
Crunchy Oven Baked Shrimp
Crunchy Oven Baked Shrimp is a delicious way to enjoy shrimp any time you like. Crispy breadcrumbs seasoned with butter and lemon enhance the flavor of baked shrimp and make for a great week night special meal.
Check out this recipe
10
oven baked sausage feature
Oven Baked Sausage Pasta
Oven Baked Sausage Pasta is a decadent dish. Smoky sausage baked in ricotta and mozzarella cheeses surrounded by fresh basil, crushed tomatoes and capped off with rotini to hold all that glorious sauce.What a great way to have a fancy weeknight supper!
Check out this recipe
11
gritsandgouda.com
2 Ingredient Biscuits
Easy homemade biscuits without milk, butter or shortening! These 2 Ingredient Biscuits are the quickest biscuit recipe and made with just two ingredients: self-rising flour and heavy whipping cream. That's it! Even kids can make them!
Check out this recipe
12
southernbite.com
Cast Iron Patty Melts
You will love this easy-to-follow Cast Iron Patty Melts recipe. This shortcut classic dish features gooey cheese, tangy sauce, and sweet and savory onions.
Check out this recipe
13
www.mrshappyhomemaker.com
Melting Potatoes
These delicious spuds sear in a cast iron skillet on one side and then are flipped & finished up in the oven with some chicken broth.
Check out this recipe
14
www.callmepmc.com
Shrimp Fajitas
Quick Skillet Shrimp Fajitas are a quick, healthy, delicious one-pot meal that the whole family loves. Shrimp, bell peppers, onion, fajita seasoning, and zesty lime juice can be enjoyed traditionally with tortillas or served over rice or salad greens.
Check out this recipe
15
white roux feature
White Roux Recipe
This White Roux Recipe is a staple in most Southern Cooking. Used as a flavorful way to thicken sauces and gravy it is also a very versatile tool. Here we will show you how easy and delicious it is.
Check out this recipe
16
A round, golden-brown Irish soda bread with a crispy crust sits on a wooden surface. A slice has been cut from the loaf, showing a slightly moist interior with bits of dried fruit. A plate with a stick of butter is in the background.
Cracklin’ Cornbread
Cracklin' Cornbread is a true Southern recipe. Made with a traditional cornbread recipe and buttermilk. We take the succulent pork cracklin' and bake it up in a cake of cornbread for a succulent surprise in every bite.
Check out this recipe
17
flat bread feature
Skillet Flat Bread
Skillet Flat Bread is the easy way to have that delicious, soft flat bread right in your own home. We show you how easy it really is. Five ingredients and one rise will get you on the way to delicious bread every time!
Check out this recipe
18
www.mrshappyhomemaker.com
Cheesy Sausage Corn Dip
This Easy Cheesy Sausage Corn Dip can be made with as little as 5 ingredients! It’s full of flavor and a family favorite.
Check out this recipe
19
www.callmepmc.com
Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Chicken Pasta
Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Chicken Pasta is my new obsession! This restaurant-quality dish is attributed to the flavorful, creamy, and cheesy roasted red pepper sauce.
Check out this recipe
20
gritsandgouda.com
Baked Pimento Cheese Dip with Bacon
Make this crowd pleasing Baked Pimento Cheese Dip with Bacon the next time you're looking for a savory appetizer! Combine everything in a cast iron skillet or another oven safe dish and you'll have an easy and hot pimento cheese dip in no time.
Check out this recipe
21
juliassimplysouthern.com
Southern Skillet Fried Corn
This basic corn dish fried in a cast iron skillet is a Southern favorite. Southern cooks love to create vegetable dishes that are savory. This is what folks go looking for when in search of soul food.
Check out this recipe
22
southernbite.com
Southern Fried Cabbage
This quick and easy recipe for Southern Fried Cabbage is a family favorite and is the perfect side dish for nearly any menu! And there’s bacon!
Check out this recipe
23
A close-up of a stack of three hash brown patties on a blue and white plate. The hash browns appear golden brown and crispy. There is a fork resting on the plate. A bowl of sauce with a spoon in the background is slightly out of focus.
Louisiana Crab Cakes
Louisiana Crab Cakes are a wonderful addition to any seafood meal. Flaky crab coupled with fresh veggies keep true to the Southern favorite. The slightly spicy chili sauce is so good you'll want it on everything on your plate!
Check out this recipe
24
a scoop with a bite of shrimp dip
Spicy Shrimp Dip
Spicy Shrimp Dip is a great way to kick up your appetizer game. Filled with creamy mayo and cream cheese, this zippy dip will become the superstar of all your tailgate dreams. Cajun seasoning and pepper jack cheeses give it just enough kick to replace any extra point kicker on your team!
Check out this recipe
25
southernbite.com
Old School Skillet Fried Okra
Fried Okra done the old school way in a cast iron skillet. Producing the texture and flavor you love straight from your Grandmothers kitchen.
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26
gritsandgouda.com
Simple Shrimp and Grits (No Roux)
This simple Shrimp and Grits recipe has Gouda cheese stirred into quick yellow grits (never instant). No roux in this easy recipe, so you'll have dinner on the table in a snap.
Check out this recipe
27
cooked fish on a wooden plate garnished with parsley
Pan Fried Cod Recipe
Pan Fried Cod is a great little recipe. So simple and delicious, we let the tender white fish shine through with just some smoky seasonings.
Check out this recipe
28
www.callmepmc.com
SKILLET MEXICAN STREET CORN
Skillet Mexican Street Corn Recipe is corn off the cobb served Mexican style. It’s smothered with a creamy spread and topped with feta cheese, cilantro, and green onions.
Check out this recipe
29
www.mrshappyhomemaker.com
Mama’s Buttermilk Biscuits
Mama’s Buttermilk Biscuits are the BEST biscuits I’ve ever had in my life. Her ‘secret tool’ is the reason that they are as perfect as they are.
Check out this recipe
30
a stack of lace cornbread on a tea towel
Southern Fried Lace Cornbread
Southern Fried Lace cornbread is an easy Southern delicacy. This light, crispy cornbread is as easy to eat as it is to make. Made with simple ingredients, this cornbread will compliment any meal in a great way!
Check out this recipe
31
www.callmepmc.com
Copycat Chili’s Monterey Chicken
Copycat Chilis Monterey Chicken Recipe is a super easy, quick, low-carb skillet recipe that’s ready in 15 minutes from start to finish.
Check out this recipe
32
Cast Iron pan with bacon and skillet fried corn.
Skillet Fried Cream Corn
Skillet Fried Cream Corn is a delicious way to have that famous side dish. Flavored with bacon and butter, this recipe takes cream corn from normal to wonderful!
Check out this recipe
33
A black cast iron skillet contains a baked dish with mixed blackberries and a caramelized topping. A piece of this dish is spooned onto a cracker resting on a wooden cutting board in the foreground.
Easy Baked Blackberry and Pecan Brie Skillet Recipe
Enjoy the simplicity of our Easy Baked Blackberry and Pecan Brie Skillet Recipe. Featuring brie, blackberries, and pecans, this uncomplicated dish is a flavorful and effortless addition to your menu.
Check out this recipe
34
www.callmepmc.com
HOW TO MAKE THE BEST BLACKBERRY COBBLER
The ultimate Southern summertime dessert, Grandma’s Old Fashioned Blackberry Cobbler, has a buttery crust over warm, bubbly, tart blackberries. This dessert recipe is best served warm with vanilla ice cream.
Check out this recipe
35
gritsandgouda.com
Cast Iron Skillet Pecan Pie
This Southern pecan pie recipe with brown sugar is called Cast Iron Skillet Pecan Pie because, well, it's made in an iron skillet! It may just be the best and easiest pecan pie recipe you'll ever bake.
Check out this recipe
36
www.mrshappyhomemaker.com
Blackberry & Cream Biscuits
BLACKBERRY & CREAM BISCUITS – this recipe has just 4 ingredients & is so easy to make. Great for breakfast or dessert. They’re out of this world!!
Check out this recipe
37
southernbite.com
Old Fashioned Skillet Cake (or Plain Cake)
Simple and delicious skillet cake made in a cast iron pan. The sugars caramelize in the pan for delicious flavor and texture.
Check out this recipe
38
A close-up of a plate with a sliced apple muffin topped with frosting, placed on a blue and white plate. Behind it is a skillet with more muffins, a bowl of green apples, and a white mug. A wooden fork is used to hold a piece of the muffin.
Delicious Fresh Apple Biscuits
Delicious Fresh Apple Biscuits! We take the classic goodness of biscuits with the natural sweetness of fresh apples to form a delightful combo of flaky, tender layers and the irresistible taste of apples.
Check out this recipe
39
southernbite.com
Skillet Cherry Cobbler
This skillet cherry cobbler recipe only calls for 4 ingredients and can be put together in about 10 minutes. The crunchy cobbler topping is the real star.
Check out this recipe
40
Cooled candied peanuts on brown parchment.
How to Make Spicy Caramelized Peanuts
The perfect blend of sweetness and heat is right here with our Spicy Caramelized Peanuts recipe. Crunchy peanuts caramelized to perfection, with a kick of chili and a hint of cinnamon. An irresistible treat!
Check out this recipe

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2 Comments

  1. What a fantastic line up of delicious Southern recipes made in cast iron! I can’t wait to check them all off my list and make each one!