Every kitchen needs a workhorse, and if you’re tired of being the do-it-all person, we’ve found a replacement for you: a seemingly magical pot that can bake, braise, roast and cook.
The Dutch oven is a deeply underrated kitchen tool, especially in small kitchens. It is a thick-walled metal pot with two handles and a tight-fitting lid that can replace pots and pans as diverse as a fryer, slow cooker, frying pan and roasting pan. It can even double as a bread maker. They usually made durable pans of coated or uncoated cast iron, and you can use the thick lids to keep heat and steam ingredients while helping food cook evenly. You can also cook without a lid for dishes you want to brown or braise.
Best Dutch Ovens
Types of Dutch Oven
The original Dutch oven results from an 18th century pot maker’s adaptation of a Dutch sand casting technique to English iron. But similar sturdy pans exist in many cultures, from the South African potjie to the Russian chugunok. They all work the same way: the thick metal disperses heat throughout the pot and dissipates it slowly, an ideal method for concentrating flavors and turning tough cuts of meat into tender, succulent stews and braises.
The standard shape of a stockpot is deep and round with a flat bottom, which allows the stew meat to be fried and then filled with broth, vegetables and sauce. But there are different shapes and features for specific uses: Shallow models are ideal when the recipe requires less volume, such as braising a roast and casseroles. Large 14-liter behemoths can make enough chili for the whole family. A tapered lid creates convection airflow, which helps concentrate flavors in bone broth and chicken stock. Camping Dutch ovens have legs for stability when heated directly in the fire, and a flat or concave lid to hold coals to heat from the top.
What to consider?
Dutch ovens are very useful for long cooking of dishes such as casseroles, stews and roasts, and especially for braising. Enameled cast iron works on gas, conventional electric and even induction stoves, and many of them go in ovens up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Good pans can be expensive, but consider it an investment. These pans also come in a variety of sizes, suitable for meals for one or two people or enormous feasts, but they all need to be hand washed. Treat one of these Dutch ovens with care, and it will last a lifetime.
Dutch ovens can handle almost any cooking, roasting and baking task. But there are several considerations to keep in mind if you want to find one that will suit you and your family’s needs. The most important points are the shape of the oven, the way it’s built and, of course, its size:
Shape
The standard shape of a Dutch oven is deep and round with a flat bottom, which allows you to fry stew meat and then fill it with broth, vegetables and sauce. But there are different shapes and features for specific uses. Shallow models are ideal when the recipe requires less volume, such as braising a roast and casseroles. The large 14-liter behemoths can make enough chili for the whole family. A tapered lid creates convection airflow, which helps concentrate flavors in bone broth and chicken stock. Camping Dutch ovens have legs for stability when heated directly in the fire, and a flat or concave lid to hold coals to heat from above.
Materials and finishes
The other difference between Dutch ovens is the construction. They made the best Dutch ovens of iron with a porcelain enamel finish. To create this coating, manufacturers apply glass particles to the surface of a new cast iron pan, then bake it at over 1,000 degrees to fuse the glass with the metal surface. The protective coating prevents the pan from absorbing flavors or stains and makes it easier to clean and maintain.
The quality of the enamel allows to distinguish the economic models from the more expensive models. Unglazed aluminum is also sometimes used. This makes for a much lighter pan, but one that doesn’t keep heat and its iron counterparts (Tip: reserve it for camping.) And pay attention to the construction of the lid: While the body of most Dutch ovens can handle the high heat of the oven, not all lids can. Keep this in mind, especially if bread and grilled meat are on the menu.
Size
Some Dutch ovens are perfect for one or two people (the smallest in our selection has an 8-ounce capacity), while others are ideal for large feasts (our largest is 9 quarts). There are also many other options in between, which we’ve outlined in our list.
How we chose
While the general shape of Dutch ovens is largely the same, they create not all equal. To find the best Dutch ovens for different kitchens and cooks, we looked at products from top brands on Amazon, Walmart and Lowe’s. We considered customer ratings and written reviews, product descriptions, and our personal experience using the pans. Customer ratings, written reviews, product descriptions, and personal experience are some things we considered. We have narrowed this list down to include Dutch ovens of different sizes, materials, colors, and prices to ensure there is one for every type of cook.
1. 6L Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
This Lodge model is Amazon’s best seller, and it’s easy to see why. If you’re not sure which Dutch oven to buy, this Lodge is a great versatile and economical option. It offers enough volume to cook six to eight servings of soup or stew, enough surface area to brown a round of chicken breasts, and a tight-fitting lid to suck all the goodness out of the bones.
Rated at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, it can handle most oven temperatures. The handles are easy to grip, which is essential considering its weight of nearly 14 pounds.
Finally, Lodge is known for making a long-lasting enamel, which is essential for longevity, ease of cleaning and low maintenance.
Buy: 6L Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
2. Enameled Cast Iron Square Dutch Oven
This versatile Dutch oven offers a great alternative to the usual round shapes. The square kitchen pan is perfect for braising, cooking and sauteing, and works equally well inside or outside the oven.
The medium 3.8-quart size is perfect for small families, and the secure lid and comfortable handles make handling and working easy.
It’s available in bright red, blue, gray and black, so you can leave it on the stovetop for display if under-counter storage isn’t an option. Reviewers love its shape, especially for sourdough bread, chicken legs and other shallow baking and braising.
Buy: Enameled Cast Iron Square Dutch Oven
3. Round electric Dutch oven
If you’re not sold on the versatility of the Dutch oven, this hybrid from Instant Pot may be ideal. It offers 5-in-1 functionality, with precision cooking settings that let you braise, simmer, sear, sauté, and more.
The matching lid and self-braising rack on the bottom offer even cooking and tender results. A protective silicone pad and silicone handle covers are included, which help protect surfaces and make serving easier. You can also use the Instant Pot app to find recipes and inspiration.
Reviewers love the “large capacity,” “versatility,” and “outstanding” overall quality.
Buy: Round electric Dutch oven
4. 6L Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
Over 85% of reviews on Amazon give this Dutch oven 5 out of 5 stars. The Amazon Basics Dutch Oven is a good deal if you plan to stick to traditional low and slow cooking techniques. At 13 pounds, it’s heavy enough to distribute heat away from the base and avoid burns, but it can only reach 400 degrees Fahrenheit, which isn’t enough for a lot of high-heat oven work.
The enameled cast iron makes it easy to maintain and clean, but its construction isn’t of the highest quality than the other ovens featured here - it will need a little more attention to keep it baking for decades. Reviewers say this oven is “everything I’ve been looking for,” “beautiful” and “just perfect.”
Buy: 6L Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
5. 7.25 Liter Round Dutch Oven
This Dutch oven is as elegant and impressive as it is excellent for cooking, braising and baking. A Dutch oven is one of the most popular wedding gifts because it can last a lifetime - and Le Creuset is one of the best names in the business. Le Creuset is known for the strength and beauty of its pots and pans, which are enamel treated to resist bumping and cracking.
Oven safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, this Dutch oven is ideal for braising meat, crisping twice-baked pasta, and perfect crusty bread. Over 92% of reviews on Amazon give this Dutch oven 5 out of 5 stars, saying it is the “best on the market” and is “expensive but worth it”.
Buy: 7.25 Liter Round Dutch Oven
6. 10" Classic Dutch Oven
Camp Chef’s Classic Dutch Oven was designed for camping. It can be placed or hung directly over an open campfire and is ideal for baking cakes, frying crispy chicken wings, simmering chili, searing quesadillas and more.
The long hanging metal handle, thermometer notch and cast iron legs make it the perfect companion for a motor home or camping trip. The cast iron is pre-seasoned, so you use less oil, and the lid has a low edge around the perimeter that allows you to place coals on top and apply heat from all directions, without fear of embers falling into your meal. Once at home, you can also use this Dutch oven in your home oven.
Over 85% of reviews on Amazon give this Dutch oven 5 out of 5 stars, praising its “versatility” and overall “very good value.”
7. Enameled Cast Iron Round Dutch Oven
This 3-quart Dutch oven is a great all-around pan, especially for smaller households. (It’s also available in 5- and 7-quart sizes, in nine colors.) On the stovetop, this small model doubles as a 10-inch skillet or stockpot. Its steep sides keep vegetables from flying out, even if you’re making a stir-fry. Plus, they’re perfect for safely frying tempura or chicken without causing splatters.
The pan is grill and oven safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, and the bright, colorful porcelain finish acts as a non-stick coating, so you use less oil for sauteing and searing. It’s also easier to clean.
The pot still has enough room for a meaty roast, and with less volume to heat, cooking is even faster. Over 87% of reviews gave this Dutch oven 5 out of 5 stars on Amazon, with users calling it a “keeper” and “fantastic value for the price.”
Buy: Enameled Cast Iron Round Dutch Oven
8. 5.5L Oval Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
All other Dutch ovens are round, which is fine, until you have a chicken or shank that is anything but round. Instead of cutting or cramming meat to fit, this oval Dutch oven creates a spacious area for roasts and oddly shaped grilled meat.
Thick porcelain-enameled iron walls allow for even browning from end to end, even on a medium burner. For finishing in the oven, the stainless steel knob can handle the heat, and the ridges on the lid work like self-passages: collecting condensation and directing vapors and drips onto food for moist, delicious results.
It’s oven safe up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, so it can do almost all your cooking, except for high heat or broiling. Reviewers appreciate the “excellent quality” of this “beautiful” Dutch oven, which they “highly recommend” and “would buy again.”
Buy: 5.5L Oval Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
9. Mini round casserole
It would be hard to find a cuter Dutch oven. This little cocotte (the French term for Dutch oven) from Le Creuset is an adorable dish and the perfect size for serving individual portions. Its timeless design features a glossy cream enamel interior, a round enamel top knob and a tight-fitting lid that traps heat and moisture. This Dutch oven is dishwasher safe and oven safe to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
These pretty dishes make a stunning presentation for a melted chocolate cake, and many customers use them to store butter at room temperature or as a covered salt dish that’s easy to pick at while you cook.
Buy: Mini round casserole
Fry, braise and more with a Dutch oven. Expert chef Elizabeth Briskin explains why it’s an indispensable kitchen tool!
PM: What is a Dutch oven used for?
EB: The top sides and tight-fitting lid of the Dutch oven make it the ideal environment to keep heat and moisture for stews and braises. These dishes require long cooking and benefit from the high heat retention capacity of heavy-duty cast iron. Dutch ovens can also bake crusty bread, as the high heat capacity on all sides allows a loaf to be shaped and the exterior crisp. The top sides also hold a lot of liquid, so you can fry and make soups and sauces in your Dutch oven.
PM: Why is it called a Dutch oven?
EB: The name comes from an Englishman named Abraham Darby, who discovered people in the Netherlands cooking in ovens with lids and top sides. When he introduced this vessel to England, he called it a Dutch oven.
PM: What size Dutch oven should I choose?
EB: The right size for you depends on what you plan to do in your new Dutch oven. Larger vessels are more versatile, as you can fit larger pieces of meat and more volume. However, if you usually cook for one or two people, a smaller 3-quart pot will be sufficient and easier to store.
