The best skillet to pan-sear steaks is a large, heavy skillet. Heavy skillets generally conduct heat better than lightweight skillets, and having a large one will help make sure there is enough space between each filet. You can use either a nonstick skillet or a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet. The benefit of a cast-iron skillet is that if your steaks are very thick and you need to finish them in the oven, you can put the skillet directly in there.