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These Are the Very Best Skillets for Sautéing, Searing, Simmering, and More

Every one of these pans has passed our rigorous reviews.

By Madeline Muzzi

Madeline Muzzi Madeline Muzzi is a food writer with more than 10 years of experience covering cooking, restaurants and wine. She is an accomplished cook and certified sommelier.

Serious Eats' Editorial Guidelines

Updated on November 7, 2025

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In This Article

Credit: Serious Eats

The terms “frying pan” and “skillet” both refer to a wide, shallow pan with sloping sides. The names are interchangeable, and you can use whichever one you prefer. In my personal opinion, however, “frying pan” is somewhat limiting—a good skillet can do so much more than fry. These multitasking kitchen staples can crisp, sear, braise, sauté, and even bake.

Of course, different pans have different specialties.…