Rachael Ray Cucina Hard-Anodized Nonstick Grill/Griddle Pan 11 Inch
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There is nothing quite like a delicious, juicy steak. Whether you're cooking it at home or eating out at a restaurant, there's just something special about it.
If you're looking for the best pan for cooking steak, look no further! In this article, we will discuss the best skillets for steak and provide product reviews of some of the best ones on the market.
We'll also talk about the different types of cookware materials that are good for cooking steak so that you can make an informed decision before buying a pan.
Let's get started!
What's the Best Pan for Searing Steak?
To answer this question, we need to take a look at different cookware materials and their benefits.
For example, cast iron is a popular material for fry pans because it heats evenly and retains heat well.
This is important when cooking steak, because you want to make sure that the outside of the steak is nice and browned, while the inside is cooked to your desired level of doneness.
Another benefit of using a cast iron pan is that it can be used on any type of stovetop, including induction cooktops.
Another great material is stainless steel. Stainless steel pans are non-reactive, which means they won't cause the steak to develop an off-flavor.
They also heat evenly and retain heat well, just like cast iron pans.
One thing to keep in mind with stainless steel pans is that they're not as nonstick as a seasoned cast iron pan, so you'll need to use a little more oil when cooking.
Now that we've talked about some of the best materials for fry pans, let's move on to reviews of some specific pans that are great for cooking steak.
Best Pan to Sear Steak: Our 5 Picks
If you're looking for the best pan to sear steak in, here are five of our top picks. We've chosen a mix of both stainless steel and cast iron pans so that you can choose the one that best suits your needs.
Each pan is reviewed based on its features, pros, and cons and the list is in no particular order.
This grill pan from Rachel Ray is a great option if you're looking for a steak grill pan. It's made from durable, hard-anodized aluminum and has a nonstick coating that makes it easy to use and clean.
Hard-Anodized cookware is naturally nonstick and twice as durable as stainless steel!
It's also oven-safe, so you can easily transfer it from the stovetop to the oven. The double-riveted handle is comfortable to grip and the pan is dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup.
When it comes to grilling an authentic steak, this is a great option. You can fit two New York Strip Steaks in this pan and get beautiful grill marks with this fry pan.
- Durable
- Nonstick
- Easy to clean
- Oven safe up to 400F
- Can fit two medium steaks
- The bottom of the pan is smooth, which means it can slide around a bit on the stovetop if you stir something without holding the handle.
This cast-iron pan from Cuisinel is a great option if you're looking for a pan for steaks. It's preseasoned with vegetable oil, so it's ready to use right out of the box.
It has a smooth finish that helps promote even heat distribution, and the pan is also suitable for use on induction cooktops. The silicone hot handle holder protects your hand from heat while you're cooking or serving up a steak.
The pan also comes with a tempered glass lid that fits tightly to trap heat and moisture into the meat.
This skillet is backed by a lifetime warranty, so you can be confident in your purchase.
- Preseasoned with vegetable oil
- Smooth finish for even heat distribution
- Silicon handles fit well and keep your hand safe
- Guaranteed quality from Cuisinel
- Some reviewers found that the pan wasn't as nonstick as they would have liked.
- Others noted that the handle is a bit short, which we have to agree with.
The Misen Stainless Steel Frying Pan is a great pick for the best pan to cook steak.
It is made from thick, 5-ply stainless steel and aluminum, heats quickly and evenly, and has a large cooking surface.
The cooking surface is bigger than most other brands offer for steak pans, so you can cook two big steaks at once. The ergonomic handle remains cool during stove-top cooking, making it perfect for searing steaks or sautéing vegetables.
Best of all, it is priced fairly and sold directly to you, making it an unbeatable value for the quality that you get.
Cons:
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Heavier than some other pans
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Not nonstick
- Won't warp or bend
- Large cooking surface
- Ergonomic handle
- Very fair price for the quality
- Heavier than some other pans.
- It's not nonstick.
Lodge makes some of the best pans for cooking steaks. If you're looking to cook juicy, restaurant-quality steaks at home, you need a good-quality skillet.
The Lodge 12-Inch Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet is our personal top pick as the best pan for searing steak.
This skillet is made in the USA from high-quality materials. It's also been pre-seasoned, so it's ready to use right out of the box.
It's large enough to accommodate multiple steaks, and the cast iron construction ensures even heat distribution.
The pan also has a silicone hot handle holder for safety. Lodge cookware is known for its quality, and this steak skillet can last you for generations if treated right.
- Made in the USA
- Pre-seasoned
- Well-known and sought-after brand of steak pans
- Even heat distribution
- Silicone hot handle holder
- You may want to season it despite it being pre-seasoned, as it's not fully nonstick.
If you're looking for a fry pan that can cook steak to perfection, then the HexClad 14-Inch Hybrid Stainless Steel Frying Pan is for you.
This pan features a patented laser-etched hexagon design and tri-ply construction, making it PFOA-free, oven safe up to 500 degrees, and stovetop and induction-ready.
The laser-etched design also makes the surface nonstick, so you can cook with less butter and oil. You can also season it for even better performance.
Plus, it has stay-cool handles for a premium cooking experience. Made with high-quality materials, this durable fry pan will last you for years to come.
It's also dishwasher-safe and scratch-resistant, so you can use metal utensils while cooking.
The next time you're cooking steak, make sure to use the best pan for the job. With the HexClad fry pan, you can't go wrong.
- PFOA-free
- Oven safe up to 500 degrees
- Stovetop and induction-ready
- Nonstick surface
- High-quality material
- Big! This frying pan can fit 3-4 T-Bone steaks, depending on their size.
- Dishwasher-safe
- Scratch-resistant
- Comes with a lifetime guarantee from Hexclad
- Pricey. This is one of the more expensive pans on our list; however, we (and most reviewers) believe it's worth every penny for the quality and size of the skillet.
How to Find the Best Pan for Steak
Now that you know a little more about the best pans for cooking steak, it's time to find the right one for you.
When choosing a pan, it's important to consider the following factors:
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Size: The size of your pan will depend on how many steaks you want to cook at once. If you're cooking for a large group, you'll need a bigger pan.
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Material: The material of your pan will affect how evenly your steak cooks. For example, cast iron pans are great for evenly distributing heat, while stainless steel pans are better for browning and searing.
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Price: Pans can range in price from around $20 to $200. It's important to find a steak pan that's within your budget.
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Features: Some pans come with features like nonstick surfaces or oven-safe construction. These features can be helpful, but they're not necessary.
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Cooktop Compatibility: Where are you going to be cooking your steak? If you're cooking steak on the stove, most pans will do - but if you want to cook on an induction cooktop or grill, you'll need to find a pan that's compatible.
Once you've considered all of these factors, you should be able to choose the best pan for cooking steak.
What is the Best Steak to Pan Sear?
The best steak to pan-sear is a thick cut of steak, like a ribeye or New York strip. These steaks have enough fat to prevent them from drying out during the cooking process.
Thin cuts of steak, like filet mignon, are not ideal for pan searing because they can easily overcook. If you're set on pan searing a filet mignon, make sure to cook it for a shorter amount of time.
No matter what type of steak you choose, be sure to let it rest for at least five minutes before cutting into it. This will help the steak retain its juices.
Happy cooking!
Rachael Ray Cucina Hard-Anodized Nonstick Grill/Griddle Pan 11 Inch
Talya Davis
Talya, like all members of the HomeDesignX team, is enamored by all things related to cooking and eating. She’s written cookware articles for numerous publications before working with her lifelong friend Jessica to create their very own website on cookware.
She's currently writing a book on induction cooktops, and enjoys making clean, vegan meals for her family.