The 8 Best Dutch Ovens We Tested for Braising, Roasting, Stewing, and More
With top picks for every budget
With top picks for every budget People / Will Dickey:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Testing-Beautiful6QuartEnamelDutchOvenByDrewBarrymore-23-WillDickey-1024-65-1-913529bd1d4446618839883aed20a9be.jpeg "Hands moving the Beautiful by Drew Barrymore 6 QT Dutch Oven out of an oven")
You don’t have to be a pro or even an experienced home cook to appreciate the versatility of a great Dutch oven.
This pot will become your go-to for simmering soups and stews, braising meat, and even testing your sourdough skills. Dutch ovens can be used on the stovetop and in the oven, plus many are beautiful enough to double as serving vessels, and the best ones are made from highly durable materials that will last for generations.
We tested 24 highly rated Dutch ovens by searing chicken thighs and cooking rice for a hearty jambalaya. We tested durability by giving them a solid beating with a metal spoon — and yes, unfortunately, some ovens were harmed in the process. But the best ones stayed looking like new, and we can confidently recommend these eight ovens for cooks of any level.
Best Overall: Cuisinart Chef's Classic Enameled Cast Iron 5-Quart Round Covered Casserole
Amazon
Star Qualities
Sturdy with heavy-duty design
Cooks evenly with no hot spots
Secure grip handles for easy transport
Red Flags
Lid developed a small chip during durability test
This Cuisinart Classic Dutch Oven passed all our tests with flying colors. Our chicken thighs developed beautiful browning, and nothing stuck to the pot. We also prepared perfectly cooked, fluffy rice with no burning.
Oven mitts fit comfortably and securely under the handles of this Dutch oven, which also performed well in our durability test. After hitting it 25 times with a metal spoon, there was only a very slight chip on the lid coating. Another plus? This beautiful, sturdy product is also dishwasher-safe.
Dimensions: 11.6 x 11.6 x 6.2 inches | Weight: 8 pounds | Materials: Cast iron with porcelain enameled interior, exterior, lid, and handles | Capacity: 5 quarts
The More You Know
These heat-tolerant pots are safe to use on the stovetop and in a hot oven, which makes them great for braises. You can sear your meat on the stovetop, then add the aromatics and liquid, and pop it into the oven to finish — no need to dirty another dish.
Best Budget: Beautiful by Drew Barrymore 6 QT Enamel Dutch Oven
Walmart
Star Qualities
Wide, thick handles
Large oval shape for entertaining
Easy to clean and dishwasher-safe
Red Flags
Less durable than others we tested
This enamel Dutch oven from Drew Barrymore's cookware line was a high performer. The open oval handles make it easy to move the pot to and from the oven, even with oven mitts. It showed even heat distribution and our chicken browned nicely. Though this is a nonstick Dutch oven, we did get some stuck-on bits of food on the bottom of the pot during cooking. To avoid this, we recommend using more oil. Our rice cooked evenly, if slightly overdone.
The only real downside is this pot’s durability. The exterior enamel held up well, but we noticed spots of discoloration after cooking, particularly on the handles where oil splattered. It’s dishwasher-safe, but the discoloration did not improve after washing. The enamel interior also sustained some damage when hit with a metal spoon, so we’d recommend using wooden utensils.
Dimensions: 12 x 8 inches | Weight: 12 pounds | Materials: Cast iron with enameled interior, exterior, lid, and handles; stainless steel knob | Capacity: 6 quarts
Related: The 6 Best Meat Thermometers We Tested for Grilling, Roasting, and Stovetop Cooking
Best Cast Iron: Lodge 5-Quart Cast Iron Double Dutch Oven
Amazon
Star Qualities
Easy to clean with water and mild soap
Lid doubles as a skillet
Extremely durable
Red Flags
Narrow handles are a bit difficult to grab
The Lodge Dutch oven produced beautifully browned chicken thighs with crispy skin. Nothing stuck, and we had plenty of space for even cooking. The rice was perfectly cooked as well, with no sticking or burning, and the pot essentially looked clean after use. It's easy to use and clean, so there’s no learning curve if you’re new to Dutch oven cooking.
It’s also extremely durable — it didn’t scratch or dent in our durability tests. As a bonus, the lid doubles as a cast iron skillet, so you get two for the price of one. The one drawback we noted is the size of the handles: they're narrow and can be difficult to grab with thick oven mitts.
Experts Say
Cast iron cookware like grill pans and Dutch ovens don't need to be expensive to perform well. “The one I personally use is the Lodge Dutch oven,” says Matt Abdoo, chef of Pig Beach BBQ. “It has all the features you need for a very good value.”
Dimensions: 12.56 x 4.5 inches | Weight: 14 pounds | Materials: Pre-seasoned cast iron interior and exterior; cast iron lid | Capacity: 5 quarts
Best for Entertaining: Cuisinart Chef's Classic Enameled Cast Iron 7-Quart Round Covered Casserole
Amazon
Star Qualities
Comparable to higher-priced models
Finish doesn’t transfer flavors to foods
Dishwasher-safe
Red Flags
Handles are small for large, heavy oven
Cuisinart Chef's 7-quart Dutch oven is a big, beautiful addition to your dining table. It has a porcelain-enamel finish that comes in several colors. With ample space for up to four sizable chicken thighs, this pot browned meat well, and the thighs released easily in our testing, though one got a bit stuck toward the center of the pot. The rice cooked well, but the grains around the edges browned slightly.
The handles on this pot are rather small and hard to grip with oven mitts. That said, it performed nearly as well as much costlier, higher-end models — plus, it's dishwasher-safe.
Dimensions: 12.99 x 12.99 x 6.22 inches | Weight: 17.8 pounds | Materials: Cast iron with porcelain enameled interior, exterior, lid, and handles | Capacity: 7 quarts
Pro Tip!
Check with each brand and model, but in many cases, manufacturers will say that while a product is dishwasher-safe, hand-washing is still recommended. That is often because using the dishwasher may cause the enamel finish to lose its luster.
Best Nonstick: Calphalon Premier Hard-Anodized Nonstick 8.5-Quart Dutch Oven
Amazon
Star Qualities
Lightweight and easy to transfer
Durable nonstick surface
Large capacity
Red Flags
Coating may wear off over time
If you like a bird's-eye view of your dinner, the Caphalon Dutch oven with a glass lid is a great choice. Rice came out perfectly cooked, though our chicken thighs only took on a light sear, not the golden-brown caramelization we were after. This Dutch oven has large, easy-to-grip handles and is lightweight, so it’s maneuverable with oven mitts.
You could easily brown an entire roast in this Dutch oven with room to spare for vegetables. The nonstick coating made this dishwasher-safe piece a breeze to clean, though we’d note that nonstick may not be as durable as cast-iron.
Dimensions: 17.52 x 15.94 x 12.6 inches | Weight: 5.5 pounds | Materials: Anodized aluminum with nonstick interior coating; tempered glass lid | Capacity: 8.5 quarts
Best Lightweight: Caraway Dutch Oven
Amazon
Star Qualities
Nonstick ceramic coating
Excellent heat distribution and retention
Lightweight and easy to carry
Red Flags
Slick ceramic interior prevented crispy chicken skin
This adorable Caraway Dutch oven is spacious, lightweight, and has large handles, so it's easy to pick up with oven mitts. Browning in this Dutch oven was very easy. The chicken thighs took on an even brown color, but the slipperiness of the nonstick enamel meant they didn't get crispy. Though food didn’t stick to the slick surface, making clean-up easier. Most of our rice was overcooked, perhaps because the pot retains more moisture than others. Everything was evenly cooked, though, a sign that this pot has uniform heat distribution.
This Dutch oven is large, versatile, and highly durable, especially for the price. With a modern look and an extremely user-friendly ceramic coating, cooks of all levels will enjoy using this Dutch oven. However, if you’re looking to develop a flavorful base for stews and soups using fatty meats, you may prefer an oven without a nonstick coating.
Dimensions: 15.47 x 12.68 x 6.14 inches | Weight: 6.2 lbs. | Materials: Cast iron covered in glossy enamel; stainless steel handles | Capacity: 6.5 quarts
Related: The 4 Best Roasting Pans We Tested for Turkey, Chicken, and More — Starting at $30
Most Versatile: KitchenAid Seasoned 6-Quart Cast Iron Dutch Oven
Amazon
Star Qualities
Self-basting lid
Heats evenly for a consistent cook
Oven-safe up to 500°F
Red Flags
Flat, solid handles make it tricky to lift and hold
This model is attractive enough to display on the stovetop at all times. Plus, it impressed us in testing. Our chicken browned beautifully and didn’t stick, and the pot is spacious enough to comfortably accommodate four large thighs. It also nailed rice, likely thanks to the self-basting lid, which kept the grains moist but not gummy, and nothing stuck to the pot or burned.
We love the modern design of this Dutch oven. The flat, solid handles make lifting and holding the pot trickier than others, but the price makes it a great value.
Dimensions: 15.9 x 14.2 x 9.9 inches | Weight: 18.3 pounds | Materials: Cast iron interior and exterior; cast iron lid with stainless steel knob | Capacity: 6 quarts
Best Investment: Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Round Dutch Oven, 7.25 qt.
Amazon
Star Qualities
Excellent heat distribution and retention
Tight-fitting lid retains moisture
Ergonomically designed handles are comfortable to hold
Red Flags
Mild damage caused by spoon impact
If you’re paying hundreds of dollars for a Dutch oven, you should have high expectations. Fortunately, the Le Creuset met our expectations and more. Our chicken browned and cooked perfectly for jambalaya, and the meat released easily without leaving a mess behind. The lid is tight-fitting to retain moisture, and the ergonomically designed handles and knob make it easy to lift. The rice cooked evenly, though it was slightly overcooked.
The oven's thick enameled cast iron base takes longer to heat than others, but it retains heat well. The center gets hotter than the edges, and our chicken closest to the middle browned better. And the Dutch oven's smooth surface is nonstick and easy to keep clean, though this is not dishwasher-safe.
Dimensions: 14.75 x 11.25 x 7.75 inches | Weight: 15.2 pounds | Materials: Cast iron with enameled cast iron lid; light interior coating; stainless steel lid knob | Capacity: 7.25 quarts
Other Dutch Ovens We Tried
- Great Jones The Dutchess: This is a great choice if you’re cooking for a crowd. It browned, crisped, and cooked chicken and rice perfectly with no sticking, and it had plenty of space. Because of its large size, we had to increase the heat to ensure even browning. It didn’t make the final cut because of its shape. An oval Dutch oven is great for large batches in the oven, but the shape doesn’t lend itself to even heating on the stove.
- Made In Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven: We had great success browning one side of our chicken to a nice crispy sear, but the other side was a bit spotty. Nothing stuck in this Dutch oven, including the rice. Some of the rice was undercooked, however, which we believe may be due to the beveled bottom of this pot. The biggest drawback to this Dutch oven is the price. It’s more expensive than other options that performed better in our tests.
- Crock-Pot Artisan 5-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven: This contender provided consistent and even browning with a nice crisp on all the chicken. It also did a great job with the rice. While it might not be large enough for cooking big batches, this cast iron Dutch oven is a solid choice, especially for beginners. However, the lid and enamel interior sustained chips and scratches during our durability tests.
People / Will Dickey
What to Know About Dutch Ovens
Benefits
A Dutch oven is a highly versatile kitchen workhorse to add to your cookware lineup. These heavy-duty pots are large and thick-bottomed, which makes them great for searing meat and vegetables. The high sides prevent splatters, and you can fill the pots with liquid for braises. They’re oven-safe, so you can cook things like stews, sauces, and roasts low and slow, or sear meats and brown casseroles with high heat. A Dutch oven is also a smart choice for cooking grains, sauces, and even bread.
Materials
Abdoo recommends a cast iron Dutch oven with an enamel-coated interior and porcelain exterior. “The enamel makes it easier to clean, and the porcelain prevents it from rusting,” he says. Top Chef star Justin Sutherland tells PEOPLE that cast iron is a must “because it retains heat and releases heat evenly into food." He adds that you should make sure the cast iron is thick and even throughout the oven.
Sutherland says to consider the lid material and design as much as the oven itself. In addition to ensuring the lid is tight-fitting, he says, “Make sure the inside of the lid has round dimples or spikes; these help the condensation fall back onto the food evenly.”
Capacity
“I suggest purchasing at least a five-quart Dutch oven so you can cook small and large items,” says Abdoo. Note that an extra-large Dutch oven can make it harder to whip up smaller batches. Before you purchase that beautiful 7.5-quart Dutch oven, consider how often you'll be cooking large batches of stew versus everyday meals for two or four. Of course, if you regularly cook for a crowd or are looking for something to meal prep in, a 7.5-quart or large oven is a good choice.
Weight
Unlike, say, nonstick cookware, cast iron can be heavy — and that’s before you add ingredients. If you’re concerned about being able to lift or maneuver your pot in the kitchen, opt for a lighter product, such as the Caraway Dutch oven or Calphalon Dutch oven. It’s also important to have large handles for better maneuverability. We like the protruding handles on the Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven.
Shape
Dutch ovens come in two shapes: round and oval. The round shape is more versatile, as it will work equally well on the stovetop and in the oven, while an oval shape doesn’t sit fully over a stove burner, so the heat may not be as evenly distributed. If you frequently entertain or like to roast large quantities of beef, pork, or chicken, an oval Dutch oven like the Beautiful by Drew Barrymore model might be a good fit. If you’re mostly going to cook sauces, soups, and stews, a round option like the Cuisinart Covered Casserole Dish is a better choice.
Price Range
A quality name-brand Dutch oven can cost several hundred dollars, but if you're a serious cook looking to invest in a quality product, the high price might be worth it. “One thing to keep in mind as you set your budget is that cast iron lasts a really long time — I still use my grandmother’s cast iron pans,” Abdoo says. “However, you don't have to spend a fortune to get a good quality Dutch oven.” In fact, our top pick, the Cuisinart Classic 5-Quart Dutch Oven, is around $100, and another favorite, the Lodge Cast Iron Dutch Oven, costs just $49. People / Will Dickey
Behind the Scenes
Our experienced kitchen testers cooked with 24 of the top-selling Dutch ovens from a variety of brands and price points in a real kitchen.
- Design: We started by assessing each piece for its design, including materials, weight, capacity, and how easy it was to lift with pot holders.
- Performance: Next, we got to cooking. Using each product, we prepared a half recipe of Creole-style jambalaya with chicken and sausage. As we cooked, we took note of how well and evenly the chicken browned, whether food stuck to the bottom of the pot, how much space we had, and whether the rice cooked evenly and well.
- Ease of Cleaning: When the dish was done, we noted how easily food released from the pot and how hard it was to clean.
- Durability: We had a bit of fun hitting the lid and the interior of each Dutch oven 25 times with a metal spoon. We took stock of any damage or chipping to asses how well these pots would hold up to regular use.
Based on the results of each test, we scored each Dutch oven using a standardized scale for ease of use and durability. Finally, we rated each product’s value based on its price. People / Will Dickey
Why Trust PEOPLE?
Lizzy Briskin is a trained chef, freelance recipe developer, and food and travel writer. She’s a former food editor at Real Simple and Food Network Magazines and contributes to The Kitchn, Bon Appetit, Delish, and other outlets. For PEOPLE, she has covered everything from meat thermometers to roasting pans to portable blenders. To compile this guide on Dutch ovens, she consulted data from the PEOPLE Tested lab to determine the very best products based on extensive testing (cooking!).
Our Expert Panel
- Matt Abdoo is a celebrity chef, founder of Pig Beach BBQ, and co-author of Pig Beach BBQ Cookbook.
- Justin Sutherland is a Top Chef star, restaurateur, and author of Northern Soul.
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