-
Our content is meticulously curated through independent research, testing, reviews, and AI-driven recommendations, all designed to present you with the finest product choices. When you make a purchase through our links, it could result in us earning a commission.
The Best Sauté Pans of 2024
Sauté pans are indispensable kitchen staples, engineered for versatility in cooking techniques like frying, searing, and sautéing. Their wide, flat bottoms and tall, straight sides maximize surface area, facilitating even heat distribution and ample space for ingredients to be tossed and stirred. With ergonomic handles and durable construction, these pans offer both comfort and longevity. Ideal for everything from browning meats to caramelizing vegetables, sauté pans empower home chefs and culinary enthusiasts to create flavorful dishes with ease. Elevate your cooking experience with the precision and reliability of our top choice, the T-Fal 5-Quart Jumbo Cooker Sauté Pan.
Our Top Picks For Sauté Pans
View all ContentsThe Best Sauté Pans
Best Overall
T-Fal is known for its superb range of cookware and kitchen appliances. It’s no wonder that their Specialty Nonstick Sauté Pan is such a hit amongst users. It is one of the most functional pans with scratch and corrosion-resistant surfaces. The most unique feature of this one is its thermos-spot indicator. The ring in the center of the pan turns red to indicate the pan is perfectly preheated and ready to be used.
This 5-quart sauté pan is large enough for a wide variety of cooking needs. We also highly recommend this kitchen piece for the heat mastery system it operates on. This brand’s three-ingredient recipe to deliver ideal cooking results is a long-lasting and high-quality nonstick coating, even heat base, and anti-warping technology.
Pros
- Sturdy riveted handles for easy handling
- Glass lid for viewing while cooking
- Nonstick coating to prevent burning
- Patented thermo spot technology
Cons
- Surface may not appear completely flat
Most Durable
Sauté pans usually need to be sturdy and durable to survive extended use and prolong their life. Well, HexClad understood the assignment very well and came up with an absolute unit of a sauté pan with their signature tri-ply construction that uses completely PFOA-free stainless steel and aluminum.
Its non-stick nature also comes in handy when cooking butter-free meals that may stick to every other pan. Lastly, its two stay-cool handles allow easy handling even when the pan is scorching hot, and you need to move it as carefully as possible.
Pros
- Tri-ply construction using aluminum and stainless steel
- Oven safe up to 500 degrees
- Backed by a lifetime warranty
- Its dual surface allows you to use less oil
Cons
- Pan and lid are too huge
Highly Rated
Calphalon Classic Sauté Pan is one of the finest options that won’t disappoint you. Whether you’re a steak-a-holic or love to deep fry chicken wings, this is the sauté pan for you. We found this product to be reliable, safe, durable, and one of the most versatile options out there. This unique sauté pan features a hard-anodized aluminum interior that guarantees steady and balanced heating.
Moreover, the lasting 2-layer nonstick coating is another main feature, making both cooking and cleaning a breeze. The tempered glass lid will allow you to keep a check on your food and the sturdy handles offer great grip. All of these optimal attributes make it one of the top choices that we totally recommend.
Pros
- Can be heated up to 450°F
- Durable and well-constructed shape
- 5-quart size suitable for large families
- Super easy to clean
Cons
- Not safe for dishwasher
- Cannot be used on an induction cooktop
Contender
If you need an even larger pan, this 5 ½ quart sauté pan by Cuisinart is a great choice. The design is as classy as classy can be with the chef’s choice stainless mirror finish. The cookware by Cuisinart is a popular choice for professionals for its amazing features. Expect great functionality from this sauté pan regardless of your cooking method.
The high-quality stainless steel cooking surface will maintain its shine and charm if taken care of. It will not discolor the food or mess with the flavors. In fact, this is one of the best sauté pans for classic cooking techniques such as rolling boils, slow simmers, and reduction of liquids.
Pros
- Handle for convenient carrying
- It is dishwasher safe
- Tight fitting, flavor-lock lid
Cons
- Does not have a transparent glass lid
Honorable Mention
If you’ve been looking for a safe and absolutely non-toxic sauté pan, this one by Gotham can be a great addition to your collection. The sauté pan is designed from 100% toxic-free materials free of cadmium, lead, PFOS, and PFOA. This kitchen tool is your ultimate eco-friendly pan which makes it a very popular choice.
That’s not all. Another attraction about this sauté pan is its premium interior. The pan boasts a 3-layer exceptional coating reinforced with diamonds to create the sturdiest pan. While it is best to use silicone or wood utensils with nonstick coating, even metal won’t ruin this one. The Y-shaped easy-to-grip handle stays cool and lets you cook with ease.
Pros
- Excellent for various cooking methods
- Guarantees even heating distribution
- The 3-layer interior coating is nonstick
- Ideal for large-capacity cooking needs
Cons
- The handle is a bit narrow and sharp
Also Consider
Featuring an excellent nonstick coating finish, the Ninja Foodi NeverStick pan does what it says: never lets the food stick to the base. However, that’s not the only reason why this one made it to our top five list. This super durable pan is designed to easily withstand temperatures as high as 500°F. You can easily place it in an oven for baking without worrying about any damage.
The high-quality nonstick coating also works well with metal utensils and is scratch-resistant. It features a hard-anodized exterior that ensures even heating for perfect cooking results every time. So whether you like it for pan-frying, sautéing, or roasting, this pan will let you cook your favorite delicacies in the best way possible.
Pros
- Sturdy construction can withstand extreme temperatures
- Nonstick, scratch-resistant surface
- Perfect for various cooking methods
- Stay-cool and easy-to-grip handle
Cons
- May require a longer time to heat
Most Lightweight
The Risa Saute Pan is nonstick, heats up rapidly, and maintains its temperature on the medium-low to low settings while being a manageable size for the cook. It’s simple to maintain and clean, and it looks great! Since it does not contain any potentially harmful substances, such as PFAs, it is a good option for your family. It’s safe for use in ovens as hot as 400 degrees Fahrenheit, and you can also use it with gas, electric, or induction ranges.
Since there are no printed instructions, you must scan the QR code on the packaging to activate your pan and access the online user manual. You can make a meal in this pan, which is large enough to accommodate a crowd and durable enough to withstand cooking at a high temperature. This skillet is multipurpose; you can cook sausages, chili, and French breakfast for your kids.
Pros
- Large enough to make decent-sized dish
- Quite simple to clean food
- Ideal for meat hash and mushrooms
Cons
- It isn’t dishwasher safe
Finding a High-Quality Sauté Pans: A Buying Guide
Balance your cooking skills with cookware that perfectly falls between a Dutch oven and a slanted skillet. Featuring immense versatility, the sauté pan is your best option to sear, simmer, braise, bake, deep-fry, and of course, sauté a variety of food. Now that you know you need a sauté pan for your kitchen, the only question is which one to buy.
Keep reading to find out more about our favorite picks of 2023.
What Makes Sauté Pans With Lids More Preferable
Do you cook regularly? Then you already know the importance of having a good sauté pan in the kitchen. There is a wide variety of sauté pans with tons of great features that you can choose from. However, the most preferable models are those that come with lids.
So why should you get a sauté pan with a lid? Because if there’s a lid, you have the option of using the pan with or without it. For dishes that require locking in the heat in the pan, having a lid is essential. Similarly, if you’re searing or frying some food in lots of oil, covering it with the lid will keep the oil from splattering everywhere.
And while you can use other lids of a similar size, having a matching one that comes with the sauté pan is definitely better as it will perfectly sit on the top without letting the heat or moisture escape.
Additionally, you can use the sauté pans with lids to perfectly reduce sauces and searing meats. Since these pans have taller, straighter sides, they offer a larger cooking surface for preparing such food with convenience. And while they’re the best cookware for sautéing, these pans are also great for steaming, frying, and searing – all of which may require covering the pan with a lid for best results.
Pick the Most Efficient Sauté Pan – Factors To Ponder Over
The variety available can be pretty overwhelming to compare, especially if you’re not aware of what to look for. To help you make a smart choice, we’ve jotted down all the important factors that must be taken into account before making your final decision.
Material
The cookware material should be one of your key considerations, and a sauté pan is no exception. You need to invest in a sauté pan that lasts you for years and offers you maximum efficiency and convenience in cooking. The best material for a sauté pan is one that provides excellent heat conductivity.
The most common materials available are stainless steel, aluminum, and copper. Some manufacturers also feature multiple materials for a smoother cooking experience, such as non-stick finish and advanced heat conductivity.
Size
Like any other pan, sauté pans are also available in various sizes to suit different needs. These usually range between 1-quart and 9-quart sizes. However, the ideal size falls between 3-quart and 6-quart, depending on your need.
Pick the correct size by deciding how many people you cook for, as well as the kind of cooking you will do using a sauté pan.
Handle
It is recommended that you choose an ergonomically designed handle, which allows easy maneuvering and ensures a better grip. The handle should be made of a material that stays cool during the cooking process, so you can easily hold it while using or picking up the pan.
The handle should also be securely attached to the sauté pan. A hanging hole at the end of the handle is a plus, which allows you to easily hang your sauté pan with the rest of your collection.
Lid Design
If you’re choosing a sauté pan with a lid, its design is also an essential factor to consider. The best sauté pans of 2023 should have a lid that seamlessly covers the top. You can choose between glass lids or lids made of stainless steel which is the same material as the pan. The advantage of a glass lid is that it allows you to keep an eye on your food without taking it off time and again. On the other hand, the former style could give it a more traditional look.
Regardless of what you buy, make sure it is oven-friendly before popping it in.
Functionality
Last but not the least, the functionality of the pan should be the ultimate deciding factor once you’ve ticked the rest. The pan should be able to provide you with an excellent cooking experience. If features like a pour spout or a helper handle are vital to you, make sure you get a pan one with those features.
Tips for a Lasting Sauté Pan
How easy it is to clean a sauté pan says a lot about its quality and longevity. The following tips will help you to clean your sauté pans and ensure it lasts a lifetime. First off, even if it is dishwasher-friendly, it is best to always wash your sauté pan by hand. Mild soap with warm water is all you need to wash them clean. Also, take note to not use metal utensils to stir as they may damage the surface. The best materials for utensils are silicone, plastic, and wood as they’re gentle on the surface and do not peel off the pan’s non-stick coating. It’s important not to use extremely high heat. You should stick to the ideal heat-withstanding level of your pan. Wild flames can burn the handles and ruin the rivets. Lastly, storing leftovers on a sauté pan – or any pan for that matter – can degrade the quality of your cookware and is not recommended.
People Also Asked
Is a sauté pan different from a skillet?
The only real difference between the two is the shape of the sides of the pan. If the sides are short and slanted, it’s a skillet, which is also known as a frying pan. If the sides are comparatively taller and straight, it is a sauté pan. However, despite this very insignificant difference, these two utensils can be used for entirely different purposes.
What are the best dishes to cook in a sauté pan?
A sauté pan is excellent cookware for a variety of recipes that require frying, poaching, searing, baking, braising, or any other task that requires large volumes of oil. This particular cookware falls right between a saucepan and a frying pan. The tall sides allow safe cooking despite the added liquid. It’s great cookware for braising vegetables, chicken legs, preparing sauces, and even cooking up any type of curry. The possibilities of the best dishes to cook in a sauté pan are endless.
Is buying a sauté pan worth it?
If you like sautéing, poaching, and braising food, a sauté pan is a great option. Plus, they’re much easier to maneuver than frying pans. Any cooking task that involves liquid that’s too much for a frying pan to contain but too little for a Dutch oven is best suited for a sauté pan. So if that’s the kind of convenience you need for cooking, a sauté pan is definitely a worthy investment.
