four pots and pans on a colorful background
Serious Eats / Chloe Jeong

Cookware: depending on what you’re making, you literally can’t cook without it—be it a Dutch oven, cast iron skillet, saucier, or carbon steel pan. 

But cookware quality can vary wildly—some brown unevenly, have uncomfortable handles, are hard to clean, or stain, chip, or scratch with the slightest scrape. It’s why we’ve tested cookware for years, with the aim of finding models that are actually worth your cash and storage space.

But what’s even better than finding a truly great piece of cookware is buying it on sale. We culled through our reviews to find the best early Black Friday cookware that’s discounted right now.

Yosukata Carbon Steel Wok Pan

Normally $70, Now $60

Our favorite pre-seasoned wok is flat-bottomed (so it’ll work on any cooktop, including induction), heat responsive, and easy to season. We also like its helper handle.

Greens being stir-fried in a wok
Serious Eats / Tim Chin

Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet

Normally $30, Now $20

Our testing of 17 models proved you don’t have to spend a lot to get a great cast iron skillet. Case in point: our favorite model from Lodge, which is just $20 ($10 or 33% off) and performed exceptionally well and will last a lifetime. We recommend starting with the 10.25-inch model, though the 12-inch pan is worth having, too.

Cast iron pan pizza
Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik

T-fal Professional Nonstick Thermo-Spot Heat Indicator Fry Pan

Normally $50, Now $32

We don’t recommend nonstick cookware except for very specific things (eggs, crepes) and we especially don’t advocate for spending a ton of money on a nonstick pan. Because, the fact is, all nonstick has a limited, few-year lifespan. Our favorite nonstick pan from T-fal is just $32. We also recommend this model from Tramontina, which has a comfortable, non-slip silicone grip on its handle. It’s currently 20% off and just a few bucks more than the T-fal.

A folded omelet sitting in a nonstick skillet
Serious Eats / Donna Currie

Le Creuset 5.5-Quart Dutch Oven and Staub 5.5-Quart Dutch Oven

Normally $420, Now $290

Is $290 still expensive? Absolutely, but we think it’s worth investing in heritage brand enameled cast iron—for its quality, warranty, and performance. There are a few colorways on sale of our top Dutch oven from Le Creuset, but Marseille seems to be the most discounted at 31% off.

two hands with oven mitts on removing a Dutch oven from an oven
Serious Eats / Will Dickey

Winco Aluminum Stir Fry Pan

Normally $43, Now $38

For finishing pasta, senior culinary director Daniel Gritzer says of this Winco model, “If you’ve had trouble with that pasta sauce before, this pan will get you one step closer to perfecting it.” It’s not induction compatible, but if you have a gas or electric stove you’re good to go.

pasta in a pasta pot on the stovetop
Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik

Tramontina 16-Quart Gourmet Stainless Steel Covered Stock Pot

Normally $162, Now $78

For large batches of stock, vats of soup, or boiling lobsters, a 16-quart stockpot will do the trick. This model from Tramontina is our favorite. It has nice, wide handles that are easy to pick up,even with oven mitts on.

Two hands with oven mitts on gripping the handles of a stockpot
Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik

Presto Electric Tilt-n-Fold Griddle

Normally $70, Now $59

For pancakes, eggs, and bacon an electric griddle that holds a consistent temperature and allows you to make a whole bunch of food at once can make weekend mornings easier. We like this model from Presto, which has foldable legs for more compact storage.

Overhead of Presto Tilt-N-Fold griddle.
Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik

Lodge Reversible Cast Iron Stovetop Griddle

Normally $75, Now $50

If you want a griddle, but don’t want to store another electric appliance, we recommend a cast iron stovetop griddle. This one from Lodge is spacious, durable, and particularly great for burgers.

Great Jones Saucy

Normally $105, Now $75

As members of Team Saucier (over Team Saucepan, that is), we’re big fans of this model from Great Jones. It makes for smooth stirring, is heat responsive, and is gorgeous to boot.

Making risotto in a saucier.
Serious Eats / Tim Chin

FAQs

When should I look for cookware deals? 

Major shopping holidays (Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Prime Day) will likely have some great cookware deals. 

Are there Black Friday cast iron cookware deals? 

We’ll be updating this post if any of our favorite cast iron cookware is on sale on Black Friday. However, our top cast iron skillet and Dutch oven picks are currently discounted.

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