10 Delicious Reasons to Use Your Cast Iron Skillet on the Grill

Credit: Hector Sanchez

There is no need to spend time cooking in the kitchen while everyone else is outside enjoying the nice weather. Two of the South's favorite cooking appliances, cast iron cookware and the grill, team up to help you prepare pleasing and nourishing meals outdoors for your family - just keep an eye on the grill but you can still participate in a game of volleyball. If you think a cast iron skillet is just for cornbread, or your grill is only used for barbecue, you are in for a nice surprise when you look over this lineup of main dishes, sides, sandwiches, and even dessert. If you want more summer meal options, pick a refreshing main dish salad, loaded with fresh produce from the farmers' market. And always finish off your meal with a cool and revitalizing ice-box pie.

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Grilled Peach Cobbler

Credit: Greg Dupree

Recipe: Grilled Peach Cobbler

What is better than a summer peach cobbler? One made on the outdoor grill. Just add ice cream.

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Cast-Iron Cowboy Steak

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Cast-Iron Cowboy Steak

Get that delicious steak house crust without smoking up the house. Use your grill to heat the cast-iron skillet; the skillet surface area promotes a more assertive flavor and better sear than grill grates.

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Cast-Iron Salsa

Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Cast-Iron Salsa

This flavorful salsa is the perfect appetizer for an outdoor fiesta. Just add tortilla chips and margaritas.

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Smoked Trout-Apple Hash

Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Smoked Trout-Apple Hash

Equally at home on your stove or over a campfire, this fragrant skillet breakfast pulls double duty for dinner with a green salad.

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Chicken and Fontina Panini

Credit: Greg Dupree

Recipe: Chicken and Fontina Panini

No need to buy a Panini press to make grilled sandwiches. While you're cooking a sandwich in one skillet, heat the second on the grill grate. Once hot, place the second skillet on top of the sandwich for 1 to 2 minutes. Repeat on the flip side, cooking for 1 to 2 minutes more.

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Charred Peppers with Feta Dipping Sauce

Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Charred Peppers with Feta Dipping Sauce

If you are hosting an outdoor party, welcome your guests with these tasty, charred peppers.

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Top-Shelf Chicken Under a Brick

Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Top-Shelf Chicken Under a Brick

The "top-shelf" in this recipe speaks to the crispy skin, superior flavor, and juiciness of the bird. It also refers to a fun technique: cooking potatoes in the heavy cast-iron skillet that's used as a weight on the chicken.

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Barbecued Pork Quesadillas

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Barbecued Pork Quesadillas

This recipe uses barbecued pork from your favorite restaurant, which means you can have these tasty quesadillas ready in under an hour.

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The Ultimate Grilled Cheese

Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: The Ultimate Grilled Cheese

Go ahead and fire up the grill in order to make a batch of these simple but fabulous grilled cheese sandwiches. Your family will be so glad you did.

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Natalie’s Cajun-Seasoned Pan-Fried Tilapia

Credit: Oxmoor House

Recipe: Natalie’s Cajun-Seasoned Pan-Fried Tilapia

This recipe is a great choice for weeknight meals, and works well with catfish, chicken cutlets, or pork chops.

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