The Best Grill Pans for Perfectly Seared Steaks

A favorite of Good Housekeeping Institute experts, this grill pan received high marks during grill tests for design, performance, and ease of use. It was comfortable to hold, produced well-defined grill marks, had excellent nonstick properties, and held up in the dishwasher. All in all, very impressive results—especially given the price point. 

This grill pan is a bit pricey, but will last a lifetime, says Heather Terhune, executive chef at Tre Rivali, a restaurant in Milwaukee. "This pan creates a good crust on meat or vegetables with the deep grill marks, plus has a roomy cooking service so you can make several items without overcrowding the pan." If you intend to put a lot of miles on this grill pan, consider purchasing the accompanying press, which is great for making paninis or grilled cheese. 

Pricey, yes, but the pan distributes heat evenly to cook protein to perfection, and the handle makes food easy to flip, says Spencer Rubin, founder and CEO of Melt Shop. Plus, this is one pan that improves with age. "If cleaned correctly, the seasoning of the pan lasts for a long time, which adds extra flavor to your food." 

For versatility, you can't beat this reversible grill pan. "It can be used in so many ways: oven, stove, wood grill, campfire, etc.," says chef Tamra Scroggins, director of food culture at Sizzler. Use the griddle (flat) side for things like pancakes and quesadillas and the grill side for anything you want to have grill marks—think chicken or even strips of eggplant.

The casual home cook doesn't have to splurge to get great results, says chef Tariq Nasir. The Cuisinart grill pan looks and functions just like the more expensive grill pans, but has a really good grip on it that's perfect for moving between the stovetop and oven, he says. 

This cast iron grill pan offers great value, especially for the price. The surface is pre-seasoned with a 100 percent non-GMO flaxseed oil that gets better with age. It's extremely versatile, too—use it on a traditional stovetop, on induction and ceramic cooktops, or even over a campfire. 

If you'd like to spend more time eating and less time worrying about how to care for your pans, go for a grill pan with a nonstick surface. This square pan is easy to clean, but has all the same great benefits of other grill pans. "It's easy to handle, the high sides keep drippings in, and the surface heats evenly for perfect grill marks," says Stephanie Barlow Sarikaya, founder of City Cooking West End, a cooking school in NYC.

For best results, look for an iron grill pan, says Macks Collins, chef at the forthcoming Piccalilli in Los Angeles. "Since it is such a good even conductor of heat, it can get super hot for great caramelization and make super even grill marks," he says. "It also imparts its own flavor onto whatever you cook when seasoned properly." If there's a downside to all this, it's that iron tends to be a bit more difficult to maintain. 

If you're looking for a dishwasher-safe option, try this nonstick grill pan. "This is my go-to when it comes to grill pans," says Justin Deering, executive chef at Scala’s Bistro in San Francisco. "The ridges give nice grill marks, and they aid in draining the fat away." And even at a reasonable price point, you can be sure this pan will last—All-Clad offers a lifetime warranty.