Shopper- and Editor-Loved Cast Iron Cookware Under $50

Cast iron is among the most dependable, enduring forms of domestic cookware, and for good reason — it’s super durable, easy to maintain (if you know how to take care of it properly), and, most importantly, it cooks delicious food. Indeed, cast iron is a great choice for everything from searing and caramelizing to baking, roasting, and broiling. 

Amazingly, this beloved form of cooking is as accessible as it is powerful, with editor- and shopper-loved pieces like Lodge’s 10.25-inch cast iron skillet — which has nearly 100,000 five-star ratings at Amazon — consistently clocking in at very low prices (in this case, $17). Below, we’ve rounded 10 excellent pieces, all under $50. And if you’re considering one for Christmas, make sure to order by Dec. 22 in order to receive it in time.

Best Cast Iron Cookware Under $50

• Lodge 10.25-Inch Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet, $17, originally $35
• Amazon Basics Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Dutch Oven, $43
• Utopia Kitchen 3-Piece Cast Iron Frying Pan Set, $35, originally $39
• Cuisinart 6.5-Inch Cast Iron Smashed Burger Press, $18, originally $20
• Lodge Cast Iron Reversible Grill/Griddle, $35, originally $60
• Best Choice 6-Quart Enamel Cast Iron Dutch Oven, $45, originally $70
• Cuisinel Cast Iron Skillet and Lid, $40, originally $60
• Victoria Cast Iron Grill, $19, originally $25
• Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Round Griddle, $20, originally $33

Lodge 10.25-Inch Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet

This skillet is hands down our overall favorite piece of cast iron on the market, not to mention our top cast iron skillet. “Lodge’s skillet continues to be the benchmark for cast iron pans,” our testing editors wrote. “We love this cast iron skillet’s large helper handle, and the unmatched consistent and even heating.” Amazon shoppers agree, giving it over 96,000 perfect ratings — and it’s only $17 right now.

Amazon Basics Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Dutch Oven

This pre-seasoned 7-quart Dutch oven makes a good case for Amazon to enter the cookware game. With over 8,800 five-star ratings, it’s a legitimately solid cast iron piece. One shopper said they enjoy it for soups, stews, casseroles, roasting proteins and veggies, and bread, adding that it’s great to use virtually anywhere: “on the stovetop, in the oven, on a campfire, and outdoor grills.”

Utopia Kitchen 3-Piece Cast Iron Frying Pan Set

This set features 10-, 8-, and 6-inch cast iron skillets, and at only $35 for the group, they’re just over $11 apiece. These have over 13,000 perfect ratings, and shoppers say that they’re “incredibly sturdy” and have an “exceptional value.”

Cuisinart 6.5-Inch Cast Iron Smashed Burger Press

There are a lot of ways to cook good burgers at home, to be sure, but if you’re a fan of smash burgers, there’s one tool you absolutely must have: a burger press. This heavy cast iron press helps you get an even cook and crispy, caramelized edges on your burger. If you want to use this press with a powerful griddle, check out the following product as well for a perfect pairing.

Lodge Cast Iron Reversible Grill/Griddle

Lodge’s reversible grill and griddle ensures you can get amazing grill marks and a thorough sear all year round. You can use it with stoves, ovens, grills, campfires, and more, and it’s 41% off right now, landing this two-for-one piece at only $35.

Best Choice 6-Quart Enamel Cast Iron Dutch Oven

This rustic Dutch oven comes in over a dozen handsome colors in both 6- and 7.5-quart options, meaning you can find the perfect one for your home. One shopper said that it’s “beautiful and well-made” and “fantastic” for turkey on Thanksgiving. A wide base and steep sides ensure your food will sit and cook evenly within.

Cuisinel Cast Iron Skillet and Lid

This dual-handled pot and skillet set is super versatile — you can use the pieces separately to cook multiple dishes or together, which would make a spectacular inverted Dutch oven for baking bread. The possibilities here are endless. Plus, it’s pre-seasoned and includes a scraper, so you can get right to the cooking and worry about little else.

Victoria Cast Iron Grill

This seasoned grill pan works with virtually any hot surface: induction, gas, electric, grills, campfires, and even pizza ovens. Regardless of where you cook, you can count on your food getting seared with awesome grill marks and achieving a super-even cook. One cast iron-loving shopper called this a “great cast iron skillet” that achieves “beautiful grill marks.” 

Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet

This 10.5-inch griddle is an awesome piece of cookware for pancakes, tortillas, crepes, fajita veggies, and countless other dishes that require a flat, hot surface with plenty of space. This has over 34,000 five-star ratings at Amazon, with one home cook who had never made crepes before saying, “Not a single crepe burned or stuck to the griddle.” They added that they’ve successfully used this griddle as a sheet pan in the oven for reheating leftovers like bread, biscuits, dough, fried chicken, and pizza.