From Smithey to Lodge, some of the best cookware is made in the USA. Here's everything you need to know about our favorite editor-tested brands.
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Heirloom kitchenware doesn’t depend on fads or flash-in-the-pan gimmicks to show that it lasts a lifetime. One of the hallmarks of well-constructed cookware is a history of high-quality materials—especially if you can trace the assembly and manufacturing back to the same country. This is especially true for brands like French-made Le Creuset or Italian-based Hestan cookware who are synonymous with their country of origin.
That said, the U.S. also hosts a number of its own quality brands that Taste of Home editors adore. In fact, some of our favorite cookware brands are made right here in America. We consulted with several brands and inquired about the materials, manufacturing and overall assembly process. Here’s what we learned.
From bakeware (hello, Bundt pans!) to skillets, Nordic Ware is American-made in the truest sense of the term.
Nordic Ware makes some of the best bakeware we’ve tried, from seasonally shaped bread bakers to pretty swirled Bundt pans. But here’s something that might surprise you: everything—from their bakeware to their stovetop skillets—is made right here in the U.S.
The fabrication process takes place in their Minneapolis factory. This includes forming, stamping and spinning metal into the shape of the pan. It also covers other processes, such as preparing surfaces, applying PFAS-free ceramic nonstick coating and curing the coating onto the pans. Even their aluminum coils come from the U.S.
While the majority of their cookware components hail from the U.S., Jennifer notes that their cast stainless handles, while engineered by the U.S. product design team, are made overseas. This is largely due to the lack of U.S.-based handle makers. That said, they only rely on certain partners they’ve worked with for years to source these pieces.
As mentioned above, Nordic Ware’s bakeware is some of the best we’ve tested. Shopping editor Emily Way especially loves the brand’s Bundt Pan Keeper Set. “In terms of looks alone, I give the set a 10/10,” she writes in her Nordic Ware bundt pan review. But its pretty aesthetics are just the beginning. Emily describes it as sturdy, secure and easy to store.
During testing, Emily was excited by how easily her husband’s birthday cake slid right out of the nonstick pan. “My expectation was a mess of partially-stuck pieces and a pile of crumbs,” Emily writes. “However, its clean release left me pleasantly surprised! While a few sprinkles stuck to the pan, the cake itself came out nearly perfect with zero assistance.”
And if you think you don’t have enough room in your kitchen for another pan, think again. This bundt pan is easy to store. “Because the pan nestles right inside the keeper, it takes up less room in my cupboard than a separate set,” Emily explains.
Another favorite from Nordic Ware is the Brownie Buddy. “Whether you have a bake sale coming up or just like to serve perfectly cut bars, the Nordic Ware Brownie Buddy is any home baker’s BFF,” raves deputy shopping editor Katie Bandurski in her full Brownie Buddy review. “It’s simple to use, made with quality materials and works as advertised. I was initially skeptical that the cutter would slice through gooey brownies, but it did—and with ease. I plan on ordering a few to give as housewarming gifts or to send to friends in need of a sweet pick-me-up.”
Made in foundries in the Midwest and assembled in Charleston, South Carolina, Smithey cast-iron cookware is truly an all-American product.
Known for its luxury cast-iron skillets, Smithey oversees every part of their cookware manufacturing process right here in the U.S. This includes the editor-loved #12 skillet, which former Editor Daria Smith notes her father has used for nearly a decade.
Smithey’s foundry partners in the Midwest pour the cast-iron cookware. Once completed, they ship to Smithey’s headquarters in Charleston, South Carolina. There, they polish, season and package every item so it’s ready for store shelves.
Even the brand’s carbon steel cookware is made from start to finish in Charleston, where it handles everything from shaping to seasoning. The only components externally sourced are their accessories and glass lids.
In her full Smithey review, our tester, Daria Smith, describes the No. 12 skillet as a workhorse that doubles as a family heirloom. She praises its superb heat retention and distribution as well as its longevity. “I’ve been using my Smithey cast-iron skillet for four years now, and I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon,” writes Daria. “Smithey cast iron heats quickly, stays hot and transfers heat successfully to food. There’s no kitchen tool I love more than a cast-iron skillet, and this one is no exception… it’s sure to be a part of family traditions for years to come.”
All-Clad's heirloom quality cookware comes with a lifetime guarantee and a stellar reputation.
When it comes to cookware made in the USA, All-Clad is one of the most well-reputed brands. They make our editor’s favorite stainless steel cookware, so performance is top-notch, too.
While All-Clad does use some imported materials, they bond, draft and assemble the products in the U.S. Between their quality materials and expertly crafted designs, All-Clad can get pretty pricey. We recommend checking our their Factory Seconds sale, which takes place monthly.
While All-Clad’s bonded cookware is American-made, it’s worth noting that this isn’t the case for the entire product line. All-Clad also offers professional kitchen tools, electrics, accessories, impact-bonded, hard-anodized nonstick cookware and nonstick bakeware sourced from global factories.
Taste of Home culinary assistant Mark Neufang tested 10 five-ply fry pans in an effort to find the best stainless steel cookware for your kitchen. All-Clad won by a landslide thanks to its standout performance. “This skillet really earns top marks all around. True, it’s on the expensive side at $200, but if you are looking for a stainless steel skillet that does it all and efficiently, this is splurge-worthy. It does everything expertly and retains a nice, even heat,” says Mark.
He notes that chicken thighs crisped up beautifully while veggies like squash and zucchini developed delicious caramelized edges. Better still, the pan’s lightweight construction and ergonomic handle give the pan a chef-quality feel that will be appreciated by cooking enthusiasts and professional chefs alike.
Famous for its cast-iron cookware, Lodge conducts every step of the manufacturing process right here in the U.S.
Since 1896, Lodge Cast Iron has operated out of South Pittsburg, Tennessee—also known as cast iron’s hometown—to produce high-quality, American-made products. This makes Lodge Cast Iron one of the oldest and longest-running cast-iron cookware manufacturers in the U.S. Our editors are smitten with Lodge, using an assortment of cast-iron skillets in their homes and the Taste of Home Test Kitchen.
In fact, our Executive Culinary Director, Sarah Farmer, has dubbed Lodge as a tried and true leader in the industry. And rest assured that while Lodge cast iron cookware is the most affordable brand on our list, it performs like a pro. It provides excellent heat distribution and retention for consistent, even cooking. And we especially love its versatility. Your Lodge can use it to sear, sauté, bake, broil, braise, fry or grill.
Lodge manufactures a majority of its cookware within its two foundries, the oldest of which has been in operation since 1910. Lodge makes a wide assortment of products, including classic seasoned cast-iron skillets, pans, bakeware and grilling gear. All Lodge seasoned cast iron is made on-site, where it is poured, cleaned, seasoned and packaged for distribution.
While most of its cast-iron cookware comes from Tennessee, some collections, like Lodge’s Essential Enamel collection, use imported materials. This also extends to some of their cast-iron accessories.
Heritage Steel cookware works on any stovetop, including induction, and comes with a lifetime guarantee.
If you want high quality cookware while doing your part to shop small, then Heritage Steel cookware is your brand. This family-owned brand has been making stainless steel cookware for over 40 years in Clarksville, Tennessee.
Like other brands on our list, Heritage Steel does their best to source materials from the US. However, they do use some imported specialty materials that aren’t readily available to purchase here in the states. That said, all of their manufacturing is done in the USA. They even have a program called From Our Friends which highlights other people and companies who manufacture quality kitchen products in the United States.
Staff writer Marisa Hillman has been slowly replacing her nonstick cookware with stainless steel. “Heritage Steel cookware doesn’t have chemical coatings or toxins and isn’t as needy as cast iron,” says Marisa. “Since I wasn’t ready to go all in on a full set, I opted for two essential pieces that I knew I’d use almost daily: a 12-inch fry pan and 2-quart saucepan.” She hasn’t been disappointed.
“I knew right away that my Heritage Steel pans were excellent quality,” she raves. “They have a nice weight to them but aren’t too heavy and the ergonomic handles make them comfortable to hold.” Marisa has been using her fry pan for four years now and has made everything from bacon and eggs to curry dishes. It consistently heats and cooks evenly and after four years of frequent use, it still looks good as new. Marisa’s only regret is not purchasing a fry pan with a lid. “I’ve had to improvise with another pot’s lid here and there which isn’t a big deal, but I definitely should have sprung for the lid,” she confesses.
Her 2-quart saucepan, which she uses daily, did come with a lid. “Two of my children love oatmeal for breakfast, so I use this saucepan almost every day,” she says. “I’m always expecting food, especially oatmeal, to stick to the bottom of this pan given that it doesn’t have a nonstick coating. To my pleasant surprise, it never does. It’s so easy to clean!”
According to our research, Cuisinart primarily makes and assembles its cookware overseas. While some collections, including their French Classic collection, come from Europe, most of their cookware is crafted in China.
Our favorite editor-tested cookware brands from the USA include Lodge, Smithey, All-Clad, Nordic Ware and Heritage Steel. Some brands also offer certain pieces made in the U.S., like Made In’s CeramiClad frying pan. Viking also has an American-made professional 5-ply cookware line.
According to Wendy, All-Clad fully bonded cookware is bonded, engineered and assembled in the U.S. The brand’s kitchen tools, electrics, accessories, impact-bonded and hard-anodized nonstick cookware and nonstick bakeware are sourced from its global factories.
For this piece, I heavily researched each brand the Taste of Home team already trusts and that touts itself as cookware made in the USA. To ensure we have the most accurate information, I contacted a spokesperson for each brand to inquire about specifics. This allowed me to distinguish between brands that truly cover every part of the manufacturing process in America vs. those that simply assemble here. I also learned whether all the brand’s cookware is made here or just certain types.
I have been on Taste of Home, Reader’s Digest and Family Handyman‘s shopping team for over two years. My primary focus in these roles has been hands-on testing hundreds of products in the cuisine, lifestyle and DIY categories.
I also spoke to a handful of experts from each brand, including Wendy Dyer, International Product Director at All-Clad, Jennifer Dalquist, EVP of Nordic Ware, Sydney Cooper, Smithey Ironware Company Marketing Manager and Bobby Griggs, VP of Heritage Steel.
