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With hundreds of skillets on the market with a wide range in prices and different features, choosing the perfect skillet can be overwhelming! I gathered and tested some of my favorites so you can find the best option for your needs.
If you’re like me and love a good one-pot meal, you’ve come to the right place! Here at Dance Around the Kitchen, one-pot meals have been hugely popular over the years. Not only are these recipes so delicious and quick to whip up, they also tend to create very few dishes….yep, I’m doing a happy dance, too!
No matter which skillet recipe is your favorite, one thing is true: you need a skillet big enough that it’ll hold all the ingredients. One of the most common questions I get is “what’s your favorite skillet?”
After lots of research and testing different skillets & sauté pans (I’ll explain the difference), I’m excited to share some of my favorites with you that are big enough for a one pot meal. Whether you’re focused on a low price-point, ease of clean-up, impeccable quality or where the cookware is made, I’ve got you covered!
Skillet vs Sauté Pan
A sauté pan has straight, vertical sides and a wider cooking surface, while a skillet has sloping sides and a smaller cooking surface. The word “saute” means “jumped” in French, so a sauté pan is designed to have a lid to keep this “jumping food” to remain in the cookware. It’s perfect for one pot meals and more.
A skillet is designed for cooking food by frying, searing, and browning. A skillet does not typically have a lid, but I do use the term skillet in several of my recipes as it’s more understandable to most consumers.
How to Choose the Best Skillet for You
- Decide if you want non stick or stainless. Read through the benefits of each below.
- Determine how much you’re willing to spend. There are skillets available for just about any budget!
- Prioritize the features of a skillet that are most important to you. Do you want it dishwasher safe? Or maybe it’s important to you that they’re made in the US? Or perhaps you just want something that looks beautiful and works well, too.
- Purchase the skillet and do a happy dance because you finally made a decision!
- Read carefully through the care instructions to keep your pan in good condition for as long as possible.
Should You Get Stainless or Non Stick?
There are advantages and disadvantages of each, so it really depends what’s most important to you. Below is a summary of the benefits of each.
Benefits of Stainless Steel Cookware
- Durability: Stainless steel is a very durable material that can withstand high temperatures and resist scratches and dents, making it suitable for long-term use.
- Versatility: Stainless steel is a versatile material that can be used for a variety of cooking methods, including sautéing, searing, and browning.
- Non-reactive: Stainless steel is non-reactive, meaning it won’t react with acidic or alkaline foods, which can change the taste of the food or leave a metallic taste.
Benefits of Non-Stick Cookware
- Easy to Clean: Non-stick coatings make cleaning up after cooking much easier, as food won’t stick to the surface of the pan.
- Reduced Oil Usage: Non-stick coatings allow for cooking with less oil, which can be beneficial for those who are watching their fat intake.
- Convenient: Non-stick coatings can make cooking and flipping food easier, as the food won’t stick to the surface of the pan.
In summary, while stainless steel is more durable and versatile, non-stick coatings can be more convenient and easier to clean. The choice between the two largely depends on personal preference and cooking needs.
Quick Guide to the Skillets Tested
Pan (NS = Nonstick, SS = Stainless Steel, T = Titanium) | $ | Made In | Induction Compatible | Oven Safe to 450F+ | Dishwasher Safe |
GreenPan GP5 (NS) | $$ | Italy & China | Yes | Yes | Yes* |
GreenPan Reserve (NS) | $$ | Italy & China | No | Yes** | Yes* |
Hestan Nanobond (T) | $$$$ | Italy | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Hestan Probond (SS) | $$$$ | Italy | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Swiss Diamond (NS) | $$ | Switzerland | No | Yes | Yes* |
Thyme & Table (NS) | $ | China | Yes | Yes** | No |
Zavor (NS) | $ | China | Yes | Yes*** | Yes*** |
GreenPan GP5
The GP5 Stainless Steel Sauté Pan is a beautiful non stick pan. Though it’s a splurge and a little on the small side (4 quarts), it would be a great option for smaller one pot skillet meals and cooking eggs, etc. It’s one of the most durable of the non stick pans I looked at. By the way, if you’re looking for a whole set, the 10 piece GP5 cookware set is absolutely gorgeous!
- Size: 4 quarts
- Weight: 4.6 pounds
- Made of: Stainless steel
- Coating: Ceramic non stick
- Price: $185.95
- Made In: Italy & China
- PFOA, PFAS, lead and cadmium-free.
- Link to Purchase
Pros | Cons |
-Gorgeous exterior -Very durable for non stick -Great heat transfer for non stick | -A bit small for large one pot meals -Handwashing recommended -A bit of a splurge for one pan |
GreenPan Reserve
The GreenPan Reserve Sauté Pan
- Size: 4.5 quarts
- Weight: 5 pounds
- Made of: Anodized aluminum
- Coating: Diamond-Infused ceramic non stick
- Price: $139.95
- Made In: Italy & China
- PFOA, PFAS, lead and cadmium-free.
- Link to Purchase
Pros | Cons |
-Durable non stick -Beautiful exterior -Toxin free -Transparent lid | -A little bit small (I prefer 5 qt+ for one pot meals) |
Hestan Nanobond
If you’re looking for a durable skillet that will last forever, the 5 quart Hestan Nanobond Titanium Saute Pan is the one! Though it’s a splurge, it’s an incredible piece of cookware.
- Size: 5 quarts
- Weight: 4.5 pounds
- Made of: Titanium
- Price: $549.95
- Made In: Italy
- Link to Purchase
Pros | Cons |
-Dishwasher-safe -Flush rivets (easy cleaning) -Can use oil, butter or spray (unlike nonstick) -Can use high heat (unlike nonstick) -Even heating & excellent heat transfer -Lasts forever -Stain resistant | -More expensive -More difficult to fry an egg |
Hestan Probond
The Hestan Probond 5 quart Sauté Pan is the top of the line when it comes to high-quality stainless steel cookware. Made in Italy, this beautiful skillet is a stunner and perfect for all one pot skillet meals.
- Size: 5 quarts
- Weight: 4.8 pounds
- Made of: Stainless Steel
- Price: $349.95
- Made In: Italy
- Link to Purchase
Pros | Cons |
-Dishwasher-safe -Flush rivets (easy cleaning) -Can use oil, butter or spray (unlike nonstick) -Can use high heat (unlike nonstick) -Lasts forever | -More expensive -More difficult to fry an egg |
Swiss Diamond
This 5.8 quart Swiss Diamond Sauté Pan is moderately priced, big enough for large one pot skillet meals and possibly the best non stick skillet for eggs. It’s a cinch to clean and durable – what more could you want?!
- Size: 5.8 quarts
- Weight: 8 pounds
- Made of: Aluminum
- Coating: Non stick
- Price: $149.00
- Made In: Switzerland
- Link to Purchase
Pros | Cons |
-Great non stick surface -Rounded bottom edges make for easy stirring -Nice large size -Top knob can twist to vent steam -Transparent lid | -Not dishwasher safe -Heavy (good and bad) |
Thyme & Table
This Signature Edition Sauté Pan is not only beautiful, but also a wonderfully low price. If you’re on a tight budget, this is the pan for you!
- Size: 5 quarts
- Weight: 3.9 pounds
- Made of: Aluminum
- Coating: Non stick
- Price: $39.94
- Made In: China
- Free of PFOA and PFO’s
- Link to Purchase
Pros | Cons |
-Very pretty pan -Budget-friendly -Lightweight (easy to maneuver) -Transparent lid | -Not dishwasher safe -Lightweight (not as durable) |
Zavor
The Zavor 6 quart sauté pan has a really great non stick surface and is on the lower end of prices. It’s a really nice size for large one pot meals. I like the sleek look of the flat lid and the different color options on the silicone handles. I don’t love the silicone handles as they get hot anyway and don’t stay on well.
- Size: 6 quarts
- Weight: 5.3 pounds
- Made of: Aluminum
- Coating: Non stick
- Price: $89.95
- Made In: China
- 6 Color Options for handles
- Link to Purchase
Pros | Cons |
-Sleek, flat lid (takes up less room) -Many color options for silicone handles -Nice large size -Lightweight, easy to maneuver -Inexpensive -Transparent lid | -Silicone grips get hot -Possibly less durable (scratches if not careful) |
Other Options to Consider
ScanPan – These pans are made in Demark and there’s a variety of sizes. These pans are non stick and very heavy duty. Linked is a great option in terms of size. $150 on Amazon.
Caraway Saute Pan – This non stick pan is a beauty! With several colors to choose from, it’s a great size at 4.5 quarts, but several reviews mention easy scratching. $145 on Amazon.
All-Clad – Many people love their All-Clad cookware, so if you’re looking for a mid-price, high quality stainless pan, this is certainly one to look into. I find their sauté pans a bit shallow, so it could be more difficult to stir a large batch of pasta without spilling.
Our Place Always Pan – This non stick pan has been hugely popular lately. Though some people love the pan and others don’t seem to get the hype, I didn’t include it because of the size. At just 2.6 quarts, it’s simply too small for many one-pot meals. $150 on OurPlace website.
My Personal Favorites
Favorite Non Stick: Swiss Diamond is my new go-to non stick skillet! The size of the pan is perfect for one pot meals and has nice rounded edges, which makes it easy to stir. It’s got a great clear lid with a vent and has a really durable non stick surface perfect for pancakes and eggs.
Favorite Budget Stainless: I’ve had my Calphalon stainless steel sauté pan for 8 years now (it was a wedding registry gift) and love it. Though I have an older version, here’s the more current option at $88.
Favorite Super Low Budget: If you’re looking for a really low price, Thyme & Table is a really great option! Just be careful you follow the care instructions to get the most life out of it!
Best Induction Skillet: I’d go with the Induction Compatible Swiss Diamond pan, for all the same reasons I love the Swiss Diamond pan (this just adds the induction capabilities).
Splurge: The Hestan skillets are second to none. The fact that they’re pretty much indestructible is my favorite. I don’t have to worry about using cooking sprays, I can use any utensil on them and scrub with my favorite scubbies in the sink. Though it takes some practice to master the art of frying an egg (without it sticking), it’s totally doable! You’ll feel like a professional chef with these beauties!
Made in the USA: Though I didn’t test them this time around, I have many friends who LOVE their All-Clad cookware (including the large sauté pan), which is made in the USA.
Caring for a Non Stick Pan
As I mentioned above, non stick pans can be a little more finicky, so I wanted to be sure to cover the basics. Though the care instructions may be different from brand to brand, most will recommend the following:
- Avoid using metal utensils: Non-stick coatings can be easily scratched by metal utensils, so use silicone, wooden, or plastic utensils instead.
- Use gentle cleaning tools: Avoid using abrasive sponges or scrubbers, which can damage the non-stick coating. Instead, use a soft sponge or cloth to clean the pan.
- Hand wash: Though many non stick pans say they’re dishwasher safe, it’s best to hand wash them with warm, soapy water. Also be sure to let the pan cool before washing and avoid soaking the pan for long periods of time.
- Avoid high heat: Non-stick coatings can be damaged by high heat, so avoid using the pan on high heat settings. Instead, use low or medium heat.
- Store properly: To avoid scratching the non-stick coating, stack your non-stick pans carefully, with a soft cloth or paper towel between each pan.
- Avoid using cooking sprays: While cooking sprays may make cooking easier, they can leave a residue that can build up on the non-stick coating over time, reducing its effectiveness. Use butter or oil instead.
Things to Note
- Prices may vary – prices listed are from the original blog post date in 2023.
- Though all of the nonstick pans preformed great when I bought them, I can’t speak on how long they’ll keep their great surface. However, following the tips for caring for a non stick pan will help increase their lifespan.
- A huge thank you to Hestan, GreenPan, Zavor, Thyme & Table and Swiss Diamond for sending me product to test so I could test them out in my kitchen and give my full opinions of the products.
Which is Your Favorite Skillet?!!
Do you have a skillet you’ve been using for years and simply LOVE??
Please share below!
Great comparison! We do love a good one pan meal, so a nice big sauté pan is a must.
Will try these fun recipes! My go-to skillet is All-Clad non-stick. It heats evenly, cleans up beautifully and is a heavy-duty pan for both big and small recipes.
I have heard great things about the All-Clad pans!!