Provided is a method for recovering a valuable element, by which method metal with a high proportion of a valuable element can be obtained. The method includes adding a reductant to an oxide containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of nickel and cobalt, followed by heating, to thereby reduce the oxide, the reductant contains at least one selected from the group consisting of metallic iron and an iron oxide, and an addition amount of the reductant is 1.3 equivalent or less.