What Is a Dutch Oven? 4 Common Uses for Dutch Ovens

A Dutch oven is a large cooking vessel with a heavy lid. Most are made from seasoned cast iron. Some have a nonstick enamel coating on the inside (although some chefs insist a Dutch oven is an all-cast-iron pot, and those with enamel coatings should be called French ovens). For non-purists who do not require cast-iron cookware, modern Dutch ovens also come in stainless steel and ceramic models.

True to its name, the Dutch oven does have roots in the Netherlands. The name was coined by English visitors to Holland who admired the round cast-iron pots their hosts used for stews.

Chefs use Dutch ovens as cooking pots because they can retain heat for long periods of time. Their heavy lids help them function like makeshift pressure cookers by trapping steam and minimizing evaporation. They can also handle the high heat of broiler ovens. Most Dutch ovens are large and fairly shallow, which makes them a great medium for one-pot cooking, where multiple foods are prepared in the same cooking vessel.

The Dutch oven is a remarkably versatile piece of cookware. Home cooks mostly use enameled cast-iron Dutch ovens on the stovetop. However, they are also oven-safe (much like cast-iron skillets and cast-iron pans). Consider some of the dishes you can make with a Dutch oven.

1. 1. Slow-cooked meat: Dutch ovens retain heat well, so you can use them much like a slow cooker. Try a one-quart Dutch oven for braising meat at a low temperature. Plan for a very long cook time to get tender meat for a brisket dish.
2. 2. Soups: A Dutch oven cooking pot works brilliantly for soups. Select a round Dutch oven for easy stirring. A Dutch oven can also work as a stockpot for when you want to slowly make soup stock at a low temperature.
3. 3. Searing and sautéing: Take the lid off of a Dutch oven to use it much like you would a frying pan.
4. 4. Baking bread: Baking bread in a Dutch oven allows you to steam the bread at the beginning of the bake, getting the best rise and forming a nice crust. Use a Dutch oven to make a perfect loaf of sourdough bread.

Despite their remarkable versatility, Dutch ovens are not for everyone. They are remarkably heavy and can take up valuable space in your kitchen. A high-quality enameled cast-iron Dutch oven can also be expensive. If a Dutch oven does not make sense for your kitchen or your budget, use a combination of tools you may already have.

1. 1. Stainless steel pot: Use a stainless steel pot instead of a Dutch oven to make soups, stews, and sauces.
2. 2. Nonstick frying pan: In lieu of a Dutch oven, use a nonstick frying pan to sear meats and sautée vegetables.
3. 3. Slow cooker: Use a slow cooker to make stews, mashed potatoes, and even fresh bread.

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