33 Recipes That'll Make You Love Your Dutch Oven (2024)

FAQs

Is there anything you shouldn't cook in a Dutch oven? ›

In an enamel-coated Dutch oven, prolonged cooking with acidic ingredients may discolor the interior coating but doesn't erode it. The bottom line is, if using a seasoned cast iron Dutch oven with highly acidic foods, ensure the pot is well seasoned and limit cooking to short periods.

Dutch oven (practical joke), flatulating on someone and pulling a blanket or cover over their head, based on a slang phrase describing the mechanics of the cooking pot of the same name.

No matter the style or size, any Dutch oven will open up endless recipe opportunities. Create beautifully braised meat, pot roasts, hearty beef stew, healing chicken soup, or the creamiest mac and cheese. Use it like a slow cooker, a bread cloche, or a pot for frying.

Searing, Simmering, and Braising

The Dutch oven is the master of the stovetop. Since it's basically a wider, heavier version of a stockpot, it's a good pick to simmer broth or cook up big batches of beans. The cast iron core can get hot enough to quickly sear chunks of meat and brown veggies.

Never cook acidic foods in a cast iron skillet.

Acidic ingredients like tomatoes, lemons, and wine can be cooked in a well-seasoned cast iron pan for short amounts of time. You can sauté cherry tomatoes in cast iron, but don't try making a long-simmering tomato sauce.

If you cook frequently and for large groups of people, then Casserole pot will be more convenient and versatile for you. It can handle large quantities of food and different cooking methods. If you cook occasionally and you don't care about the weight, you can go with the Dutch oven.

Enameled cast–iron has a smooth, non-porous surface and can go from the stovetop, to the oven straight to the table. They should not be subjected to extremely high temperatures, so avoid using your enameled cast-iron dutch oven on a grill or in a campfire.

For the uninitiated, a Dutch oven involves farting in bed, then quickly pulling up the sheets to trap your significant other with the smell. It's a decades-old trick that has surely ruined countless relationships, yet many dudes still dare to try it.

What is so special about a Le Creuset Dutch oven? ›

It produces high-quality cast iron pieces, meaning they retain heat well, and they're coated with enamel, which makes cleanup very easy and enhances the variety of rich colors Le Creuset offers.

When time allows, you can reach for the same Dutch oven to turn out perfectly crusty bread or tender braised meat. A Dutch oven is one of the most reliable pieces of cookware in your kitchen, and when properly cared for, it should also last a lifetime.

But the Dutch oven is an uber-versatile workhorse that can handle just about any recipe or task in the kitchen. With its durable cast iron construction and vibrant colorful enamel, it just might be the most versatile pot for every day cooking.

Enameled Dutch ovens are another fantastic option for non-toxic cookware, especially when it comes to stews, braises, chilis, and ragùs. They are usually made with steel or cast iron and coated with enamel, which protects the cast iron from rusting and makes the cooking surface somewhat nonstick.

Browning is typically used to inject flavour into meats, but can also be done on vegetables and desserts. The Dutch Oven can easily be used to brown food thanks to its large surface and material, consistently exposing ingredients to heat.