When it comes to fall cooking, the Dutch oven is the workhorse of the kitchen. What is a Dutch oven? It is any large, heavy pot that is suitable for stovetop or oven use. But most people really mean the extra-heavy cast iron, enameled pots typified by Le Creuset and Staub. These hard-working pots are the perfect tool for slow-simmered soups and braises, as well as a few other favorite fall meals.
Read on for our look at five excellent Dutch ovens, in a variety of price points and sizes, and a roundup of 10 recipes to put your own Dutch oven to work. From chicken braised in milk and garlic, to spiced apple butter, to homemade no-knead bread with a shatteringly crisp crust, each of these shows off what a Dutch oven can do.
5 Great Dutch Ovens
Here's a look at a few different sizes and brands of Dutch ovens. I personally own several of these and use them constantly. What's your favorite size or brand of Dutch oven? Got any tips? Share them below!
• 1. Le Creuset 3.5-Quart Wide Oval French Oven, $130 at Chef's Catalog — Many people buy enormous Dutch ovens, and while the big ones have their place, I love my modestly-sized Le Creuset even more. Its extra-wide base lets me brown meat right in the pot, then add tomatoes or broth to make a normal-sized batch of soup or stew. Read more about why I like this pan here.
• 2. Lodge 6-Quart Lodge Color Enamel Dutch Oven, $50 at Amazon — But if you want a larger pot, Lodge's terrific prices and quality just can't be beat. A 6-quart size is good for soups, stews, braises, breads, and more, and this particular pot is a great deal.
• 3. Paula Deen Signature 5-qt. Covered Oval Casserole, $50 at Target — Here's something a little off the beaten track: A Dutch oven from the queen of the South herself, Paula Deen. I included this one because of its low price and its interesting styling. Let's face it — most Dutch ovens look more or less the same, apart from their color and some minor styling differences. This pot is rather beautiful, and good for the oven-to-table work that most Dutch ovens perform.
• 4. Staub 4 1/4-quart Oval Dutch Ovens, $160 at Cutlery and More — I enjoy my oval Dutch oven quite a lot; I think the shape is a little more elegant, and it also cradles a roast chicken perfectly. I have a Staub Dutch oven, which is by far the most pricey piece of cookware in my cupboard, but honestly it's worth every penny. Cleans up beautifully, works hard, looks good.
• 5. Calphalon Enamel Cast Iron 8 Quart Dutch Oven, $139 at Amazon — If you are in the market for a really, really big Dutch oven, then the price on this 8 quart pot from Calphalon is a fine deal. Calphalon makes affordable Dutch ovens, and their service is supposed to be good too.
Some Dutch oven shopping tips:
• Cast Iron Cookware: Enameled or Bare - A store guide for shopping for cast iron cookware.
• Also remember: Check TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and Ross for good deals on off-brand (and name brand) Dutch ovens. It's a great place to pick up something for less.
• Also check Amazon around the holidays; there are often deep discounts then.
• And finally: Remember that any heavy pot with a lid can act as a Dutch oven. I often make no-knead bread in a stainless steel, oven-safe pot, instead of my cast iron Dutch ovens. Just make sure the pot is oven-safe and as heavy as possible.
Any other tips for buying a high-quality, inexpensive Dutch oven?
10 Recipes to Put a Dutch Oven to Work
Here are 10 favorite recipes for Dutch ovens. Soups, stews, no-knead bread, and more.
TOP ROW
• 1 Baked Mushroom Risotto with Caramelized Onions - Vegan, gluten-free, and totally delicious.
• 2 Rich and Meaty Lamb Ragù - Maybe my favorite use for my Dutch oven.
• 3 How To Cook (and Shred) a Pork Shoulder - Another meaty, slow-cooked way to put a Dutch oven to work.
• 4 Braised French Onion Chicken with Gruyère - Chicken, gooey cheese, French onion soup style.
• 5 Chinese No Clay-Pot Chicken with Soy & Ginger - Rice, chicken, scallions, ginger and more — all in one pot.
BOTTOM ROW
• 6 Tuscan Bread & Tomato Soup (Ribollita) - Vegetarian and hearty. My favorite fall soup (I made a pot last night in fact).
• 7 Chicken in Coconut Milk - Based on Jamie Oliver's ridiculously good chicken with lemon and milk. Best chicken ever.
• 8 One-Pot Pasta e Fagioli - Bean and Pasta Stew - Easily made vegan or vegetarian, and hearty and filling. A great make-ahead meal.
• 9 How to Make Apple Butter - The Dutch oven is the perfect tool for slow-cooked apple butter. It's apple season! (Lots of DIY recipes are best made in the Dutch oven; yogurt works well too.)
• 10 No-Knead Bread in a Hurry - What you've been waiting for — bread made in a Dutch oven. Really amazing loaf of bread, baked by you with virtually no effort. It's a classic for a reason. Also check out these posts: How to Make No-Knead Bread and 20 Tips, Tricks, & Ideas for No-Knead Bread.
What's your favorite thing to cook in a Dutch oven?
(Images: Dutch oven images via: Chef's Catalog, Amazon, Target, Cutlery and More, Amazon. See linked recipes for full recipe image credits.)
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I got mine at Ikea... it was cheap and for someone willing to have a dutch oven and can't spend much money, I'd say it's a pretty nice option! I am really happy with mine!
I use my large, oval Le Creuset dutch oven (9 1/2 qts.) for just about everything. The size works well for us, since there are 6 people in our family. I love making soups, stews, chili, bread, jams, chicken and pulled pork. But perhaps my very favorite recipe is for a delicious pot roast, taken from Better Homes & Gardens magazine: http://www.bhg.com/recipe/beef/scotts-pot-roast/. It's the ultimate comfort food at our house on a chilly evening.
My favorite way to use my Le Creuset enameled dutch oven is for making popcorn!
Beats the pants off microwave popcorn, and is a lot healthier (no PFOA). Here's my recipe, if folks need help getting started.
Cheers,
Derek
I love to make the baked risotto from 101cookbooks in my Le Creuset dutch oven! You saute the onions on the stovetop, add the farro and sauce and put the whole thing in the oven!
I have an 8 qt Le Creuset dutch oven that I absolutely adore. I use it all year long!
I also have to second you on looking at TJ Maxx--they constantly have great deals on pans.
I like some of the recipes but true dutch oven aficionados will avoid imported and often times over priced enameled cookware from France and China when they can own American made cast iron pieces which will last more than a lifetime and won't chip or get discolored. With proper care the surface actually becomes non-stick and has nutritional benefits as well.
That baked risotto looks DIVINE! I love this round up of dutch oven recipes, I'm going to work my down the list as fall progresses!
Great list and comments--now we just need fall around here!
I bought my Dutch Oven at HEB (a Texas chain grocery store). It was inexpensive and looks great. I love it to death and have given them as presents. The only complaint that I have is they only have a 5 qt size. I would like one size smaller and eventually one size larger.
I originally bought a Lodge 6 quart, and I loved it. I used it frequentlyfor about a year until the enamel started scratching and chipping, causing food to stick. I did not use metal utensils on the enamel, and I was very careful with it, so I have no idea why it started to degrade so quickly. It broke my heart. I just bought a Le Creuset replacement and am hoping for better results.
I finally bit the bullet and bought a 6.5qt Staub, and I'm so glad I did. Browns meat evenly with no burn spots. Cleans up incredibly easily. And is gorgeous to look at too. I also love that it's design is distinctive.
I initially bought the Kirkland signature brand, but had to return it when it began chipping within the first 2 weeks.
Has anyone tried Ikea's cast iron pot called Senior? I would love to know how well it works. Their cookware is usually pretty decent for the price.
I just rec'd a Staub dutch oven, and have never used one before, and have one question... Can you use metal utensils in them? Thanks so much!
Hi GretaGrace,
With the nicer brands of enameled cast iron (Staub, Le Creuset) you can use metal utensils carefully. But they can scratch it. Plastic or wood utensils would be better. It sounds like a bunch of folks have had bad luck with cheaper brands that chip.
I have a red Cuisinart 5 qt. oven I bought a few years ago at T.J. Maxx; there were a couple of chips on the edge of the lid, so it was cheap. The chips don't seem to have made a difference in the pot's performance. I like that the lid's knob is also made of enameled metal--safe in high heat. I used the pot recently to make Faith's Baked Mushroom Risotto with Caramelized Onions--delicious!
None of the pots shown above are TRUE Dutch Ovens- the originals have tripod feet approximately 2" high, made for keeping the utensil above the campfire coals to avoid scorching, and they have a flat lid with a lip, made for filling the lid with hot coals to insure even cooking top and bottom. The original Dutch ovens were, and still are, made of cast iron and extremely rugged, for packing on a horse, in a chuckwagon, etc.
I LOVE my Le Creuset pot (cooked The Kitchn's mediterranean chicken stew in it this week, actually!)-- even better is that if you are planning on buying one before the new year, you can shop at Williams-Sonoma and a full 25% (!) of your purchase will support Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry campaign, which works to end childhood hunger in the US! A great pot, a great organization, and a great cause!
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/le-creuset-signature-5-quart-round-dutch-oven-rosemary/?pkey=e|le%2Bcreuset|80|best|0|viewall|24||26&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-NoMerchRules-_-
I love my Le Creuset collection, but my first, and still most often used Dutch oven is theis elegant "L" seried from Lodge. I have it in apple green in both sizes. The elegant handle sets it apart. And Lodge has great service. http://bit.ly/oa8tbR
I purchased my first dutch oven last year. It's a kirkland signature from costco and I purchased it with a gift card from my boss. It runs about 50 bucks and is a wonderful investment. It's the color of Dorothy's ruby red slippers and it resides proudly on my stove at all times. I've made countless meals in it, as well as browning bacon, even frying donuts. It is ideal for stovetop to oven to fridge cooking.
My husband bought me a 6qt cast iron Lodge dutch oven for Christmas 6 years ago... it's older than my daughter! I can say I use that thing more than any other pan in the kitchen. I love it and will cherish it forever. I also have an enamelled version and actually love it less. It stains.....
My Lodge did chip after a couple of years of use, but I contacted the company and they sent out a new one right away at no cost to me. So for those of you with Lodges, be aware that they stand behind their warranty 100%--if you take proper care of the cookware.
I've got 2 vintage Descoware dutch ovens that have helped me make lots of fabulous food. Both were picked at the local thrift store for less than 20$, but check out ebay. Even with shipping charges, they are a steal. http://descoware.com/history
My cast iron lodge (non-enamel) dutch oven has been with me longer than I care to admit. It has been with me through thick and thin, 2 husbands and a million dinners. No fancy-schmancy La Crueset will ever take it's place...even if I DO get one for Christmas (like I hope)
I received a beautiful large blue Le Creuset Dutch oven from my brother and mom for my 40th birthday. I've used it for the family chili recipe to great success. Later that year I was fortunate to receive a small orange Rachel Ray Dutch oven. The smaller size is perfect for a 2-4 person meal.
I can't wait for the weather to cool down to bust them out and try some of the above recipes like the risotto and the lamb ragu. YUM!!!!
Some wonderful stuff here. My black iron dutch oven came from a young lady who saw me admiring it and said "Oh, that was a wedding present but I don't see what you would do with it. Do you want it?" I was out the door with the pot in a New York minute and have been grinning about the catch for years.
Taking care of the black iron is easy and a pot roast done in a pot like this will put your slow cooker to shame.
My favorite is my le creuset 7 1/4 qt round oven. I live about 40 minutes away from the le creuset outlet store. It is a true outlet. Mine is in camarillo, CA. They have first and second quality products in many colors! I no longer use my Pampered Chef cookware or my all clad copper core! The outlet has le creuset seconds for up to 40 percent off! A slight overspray or a dot on the surface. You pick. But the cooking quality is phenomenal! I love Williams Sonoma but you just can't beat the outlet for le creuset.
I own the lodge 6 qt. dutch oven (#2 on the list) and I love it....I use it almost daily!!!
I have had the Lodge 6 quart for over a year. Had an issue with the paint on the lid chipping after trying the no knead bread recipe but Lodge replaced it within a week. Lodge are great quality and one of the few (if not the only) American made dutch oven makers.
After getting the cookbook, Japanese Hot Pots I have been experimenting. The difference lies in the fact that the ingredients are either sliced thin or partially cooked meaning fermented and the cooking time is under 30 minutes. You can use Le Creset on the top of the stove as an alternate donabe.
I got one from Ikea several years ago - enamel on the outside, just cast iron on the inside. I had to season it myself, but it has worked fabulously all this time. The dutch ovens Ikea is selling now seem to be enameled on the inside as well as the outside, so I'm not sure if they will hold up the same. Every now and again I lust after the super-nice Staub and Le Creuset dutch ovens, but I try to remember my cheap Ikea one has never failed me (and cost under $50, so woo-hoo)!
Last year I finally bought myself a LC 6.5q wide round dutch oven and love love love it. I found it useful for most everything but for something it was just too big so when I was at TJ Maxx I saw a 3.5 wide round from Denby for super cheap ($45) and bought and its fantastic.
The Maker Mark one in the Sam's Holiday catalog 2009 ran about 40 dollars and is a 6 quart and everyone who sees it thinks it a Le Creuset. No chipping or enamel loss. I have a smaller Rachel Ray in blue and it shows some wear after 4 years but still no chips or enamel loss. I have 2 cast iron pots I inherited and one small Le Creuset for oatmeal and sauces. All go into heavy rotation during the fall and winter months with soup, stews and big batches of baked beans. When we camp, we used the small Lodge with the feet and spiked lid.
The five Dutch ovens mentioned in this post are all really good products. However, one other leading product was left out - Chasseur. Chasseur is another top notch French product similar to Le Cresuet and produced not to far from their location. Three layer enamel process provides durability with the final coat providing the option of several rich colors. So top French quality but at a lower price point. I suggest you include Chasseur in you next test.
yogiwan
Your Smart Kitchen
I love my Le Creuset, personally. If I were to get another one, I'd give Tramontina a shot. It's America's Test Kitchen's "best buy" recommendation, and it's only $45 for their 6.5 qt size.
I bought my 6qt Dutch oven from World Market for $60. I've used it a million times and it's as gorgeous as ever, not a chip. The meats brown beautifully and always cooks evenly. I do get extra pleasure out of knowing I can make awesome dishes without having spent hundreds of $ on the cookware.
I inherited an iron dutch oven from my grandmother who was born i 1877, so who knows how old it is. It is in perfect condition with its heavy gauge wire handle as well as side tabs, so I'd be silly to replace it. Talk about even heat. I love that thing - and my grandmother. I also love my AllClad cookware. One brand or type does not serve all purposes.
Based on a Kitchn post about a year back I bought the Tramontina 6.5 Q. I've been delighted with it, although because it is so large it doesn't get as much use as I'd like. I got it during the period when Bing was doing cash back and ended up spending about $30 for it. If I can find a Tramontina in a smaller size I wouldn't hesitate to buy it. Frankly, I'm really surprised it wasn't listed among your recommendations here.
I'm also surprised Tramontina isnt mentioned. I bought my 6.5 quart one after reading high praise about it on Cooks Illustrated. I got a smokin' deal on it at Amazon. About 6 months later I decided i wanted to find a 5 quart one. I searched on Amazon and came up with one from obscure company named Range Kleen. It has good reviews, so I took a chance and bought it. I've been very happy with it too. I recommend looking at either of these brands for a budget minded cook.
Happy day when I found 3 le creuset - 2 used dutch ovens and one very used skillet - all of which are still working great and we use them almost daily....$1 each!! Love NYC apartment sales!
Thanks for this post! I just received the Lodge Dutch oven for my birthday last week and am scouring the Internet for the perfect recipe to try first. The Mushroom Risotto with Caramelized Onions is my front runner. Yum.
Hello
I'm from Portugal.
I got a Le Creuset as a wedding Gift 7 years ago and I used it ONCE :(:( Because it is a model that is not quite usual (Doufeu Ovale 32cm 6.90l 6/8pers) I've found recipes to do with it... I've even tried to ask for help at le creuset website,... nothing
Can anyone help me?
Here's the link to my oven's page http://www.lecreuset.fr/Les-Gammes/Fonte/Doufeu/Doufeu-Ovale-32cm--690l--68pers/
I have the 6.5 Tramontina and love it, but it is small for my 6 person family. I need a larger one, however, so I don't feel like I am browning meat in shifts.