The “Shockingly Good” $80 Dutch Oven I Love Just as Much as My Le Creuset
A Dutch oven is a fall cooking staple. They are perfect for whipping up everything from soups and casseroles to pot roasts, baked pastas, and breads, and are totally necessary if you love cooking comforting classics in the colder months. Le Creuset is, of course, the gold standard for Dutch ovens; the brand is known for its durability and gorgeous color selection. But it’s no secret that the price is not exactly affordable. So, for those who aren’t looking to part with hundreds of dollars to indulge in stick-to-your-ribs cooking, I have found another, much more affordable option.
At the end of August, GreenPan launched a collab with Food Network chef Bobby Flay that brought us lots of cookware — including an enameled cast iron Dutch oven. I’ve been testing this Dutch oven for a couple of weeks now, and I’m actually surprised at how much I love using it. And at just $80 on Amazon, this Dutch oven is a fabulous option if you’re not trying to spend over $100.
What Is the GreenPan x Bobby Flay Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven?
As I mentioned, this new Dutch oven is part of a collaboration between GreenPan and Bobby Flay. It’s offered in two classic colors — Ivory and Cobalt — and is available in a 5.5-quart size. I usually cook for just two people, but I’ve found the size to be great for meal prepping. I made a pumpkin mac and cheese in it a few days ago that produced at least eight servings (I’m still eating my way through it), so this would also be amazing for big family meals and/or prepping dishes for parties (hello, Thanksgiving!).
This Dutch oven utilizes enameled cast iron, which I have found makes cleaning pretty easy. And this one actually takes ways less effort to scrub down at the end of the meal than other enameled cast iron pots I’ve used (more on that later). Plus, this Dutch oven comes with a lid and handles (both get hot, so don’t grab them with your bare hands when cooking!) and can go between your oven (just keep it under 500°F) and stovetop — whatever kind you might have.
Why I Love the GreenPan x Bobby Flay Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
One of the first things that stood out to me about this Dutch oven is how classic it looks. I got mine in Ivory, and it looks so chic and timeless sitting on my stovetop (surrounded by my Spice-colored Our Place pots and pans). It’s actually taken up permanent residence on my stove since I got it, and I don’t anticipate moving it anytime soon. In fact, I moved a different enameled cast iron pot that I’ve had for about a year-and-a-half to my storage rack to make room for it. Frankly, I’ve loved using this Dutch oven so much that I now have no plans to go back to my previous one anytime soon.
One of the reasons for that is because the GreenPan x Bobby Flay Dutch oven cleans so effortlessly. Back to that pumpkin mac and cheese I was telling you about: I ended up not stirring it as frequently as I should have and low-key burnt the bottom portion of pasta. I was concerned I wouldn’t be able to get the burnt sauce off the pot. But after soaking it overnight, it scrubbed off so easily — I was shocked! There wasn’t a stain left behind. This was also true when I made a turmeric-based soup in it. I’ve really put my Dutch oven through the wringer with meals that could easily stain a light-colored piece of cookware. So, if you’re worried about the white exterior and/or cream interior staining, I can tell you it hasn’t been a problem so far.
I also love that this Dutch oven, beyond how well it both cooks and cleans, has an approachable price point. Personally I wouldn’t be quick to drop over $200 on a Dutch oven (no shade at Le Creuset — it’s just not within my budget!). But $80? That’s a price point I can work with for myself and/or as a gift for one of my family members.
Buy: GreenPan x Bobby Flay Enameled Cast-Iron Dutch Oven, $79.99
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