It can’t be overstated how useful a Dutch oven is. You can find a way to cook just about anything in one. The Dutch Oven has established itself as a staple in kitchens across the world. Durable and stylish, Le Creuset’s enamelled cast iron Dutch Ovens offer home cooks and professional chefs the flexibility they need in the kitchen.
While many already recognize the Dutch Oven as a quintessential slow-cooker, its versatility extends far beyond, encompassing a myriad of surprising recipes waiting to be explored.
But what exactly can be cooked in this iconic piece of cookware?
From decadent desserts to artisanal breads and slow-cooked stews, Le Creuset’s Dutch Oven distinguishes themselves as a culinary powerhouse, redefining the boundaries of what can be achieved in the kitchen.
What is a Dutch Oven?
The cast iron Dutch Oven has been around since the 18th century. These are multi-purpose pots with a tight-fitting lid, typically made from enamelled cast iron. The Dutch Ovens are incredibly versatile pots that are suitable for both beginner and seasoned cooks. The thickness of Le Creuset’s Dutch Ovens make them ideal for slow cooking, braising, roasting, and even baking. Our enamelled cast iron Dutch Ovens are built to withstand everyday use while being easy to clean and maintain without needing to be seasoned.
Buy nowEasy Dutch Oven recipes
As you start to use your enamelled cast iron Dutch Oven, you’ll find that there is very little you can’t cook in it. These kitchen all-stars are known for excellent heat retention and distribution, as well as being oven safe. Whether you’re whipping up a batch of chili or roasting a chicken, your Dutch Oven is more than up to the task. We’ve put together some recipes to give you an idea of the range of your Dutch Oven, including recipes you may not already be familiar with.
Rye and Caraway Bread
Homemade bread has been the darling of cooking blogs for some time now. This Dutch Oven recipe for Rye and Caraway Bread is a good example of how easy and attainable fresh bread is without having to leave your house. This bread is crusty and ideal for deli-style sandwiches, as well as dipping in soups and stews. The caraway seeds give it a nutty flavour, complementing the rye to perfection.
Le Creuset’s Dutch Ovens create the ideal environment for the dough to rise, locking in heat and moisture thanks to its tight-fitting lid and thick, enamelled cast iron walls. If you’re a fan of denser, chewier breads, this Rye and Caraway Bread will no doubt become a staple in your kitchen.
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Honey, Cranberry and Pistachio Brioche
Brioche is known for its soft, pillowy texture that lends well to both sweet and savoury dishes. This Honey, Cranberry and Pistachio Brioche recipe is a creative twist on the traditional Viennese-style bread. The honey and cranberries provide rich, sweet notes that are balanced by the nutty and satisfying crunch of the pistachios.
The Round Dutch Oven is the perfect piece of cookware for this brioche, exposing it to a consistent heat source until your brioche is ready to be served. This Dutch Oven recipe is ideal for sunday brunches, or as a sweet treat to enjoy with your coffee.
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No Knead Dutch Oven Bread
If you’ve never made bread before, or you’re looking for a stress-free recipe to practice your bread-making skills, then No Knead Dutch Oven Bread is for you. Thanks to its tight-fitting lid, Le Creuset’s Dutch Oven creates the ideal environment for the dough to rise. And because it is oven-safe, you won’t need to transfer the dough into a pan for baking.
This iconic piece of cookware locks in heat and moisture to deliver a perfectly browned, crusty exterior and a soft, fluffy interior. Our No Knead Dutch Oven Bread may take time to get the dough just right, but is well worth the wait, accommodating up to eight portions at a time.
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Panettone with Dark Chocolate, Figs and Almonds
You may recognize panettone as the traditional Italian Christmas cake originating from Milan, Italy. This Panettone with Dark Chocolate, Figs, and Almonds recipe is a modern take on the sweet and fluffy bread that you can make at home. As with other Dutch Oven bread recipes, this versatile piece of cookware can be used as a covered space for your dough to rise.
Once your dough is finished rising, the Dutch Oven can go right into the oven to bake your panettone to perfection. Our enamelled cast iron Dutch Oven is best suited for this recipe, locking in heat, moisture, and flavour. The addition of dark chocolate, figs, and almonds, on the other hand, offer some much-needed texture and flavour depth for the ideal Dutch Oven holiday recipe.
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Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Pulled Pork Sandwiches are a mainstay in Southern cooking. Whether you’re serving them as a main course or appetizers, these sandwiches quickly become a family favourite. While they are juicy and flavourful, they’re quite easy to put together.
Le Creuset’s Dutch Oven is the ideal piece of cookware for this recipe as its tight-fitting lid locks in heat and moisture to tenderize the pulled pork to perfection. When cooking pork, low and slow is the rule. The thick, enamelled cast iron walls of the Dutch Oven distribute heat evenly over long periods of time. Additionally, because Le Creuset Dutch Ovens are oven safe, you can sear your meat and roast it in the same pot.
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Fruit and Pistachio Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a breakfast staple because it is both filling and nutritious, while also being infinitely customizable. This Fruit and Pistachio Oatmeal recipe proposes a delicious pistachio topping for extra crunch, as well as some healthy fats and protein, making it a well-rounded one-pot breakfast.
Using your Le Creuset Dutch Oven for this recipe will ensure that your oats cook evenly, while its tall walls prevent any splatter for an easy Dutch Oven breakfast recipe. Ready in under 30 minutes, our Fruit and Pistachio Oatmeal recipe is equally suited for lazy weekends and busy mornings alike.
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Everything Bagels
You might be surprised to learn that you can make bagels with your enamelled cast iron Dutch Oven, but it’s true! With this Everything Bagels Dutch Oven recipe, you can make chewy, flavourful bagels from the comfort of your own kitchen. Combining poppy seeds, sesame seeds, dried onion, rosemary, and garlic, there is a reason this delicious Dutch Oven recipe has been dubbed ‘everything’ bagels.
The Dutch Oven’s tight-fitting lid creates the perfect environment for the dough to rise, providing superior heat retention and even heat distribution. Once complete, you can clean your enamelled cast iron Dutch Oven and use it to prepare your poaching water. Our Everything Bagels are great when hosting Sunday brunches, offering up to 14 portions at a time.
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Bourbon Brined Fried Chicken
Brining your chicken is the secret to taking your fried chicken to the next level. This Dutch Oven recipe adds bourbon to the brine bringing out the cayenne and paprika in the coating, and helps make the coating crispier — as long as you have the patience to wait four or so hours for the chicken to brine. Your patience will ultimately be rewarded as your friends and family hover around the stovetop when ready to be served.
Once the brining is complete, your Round Dutch Oven is the ideal cookware for frying. The tall walls prevent splattering, while its thick, enamelled cast iron construction will heat your fry oil evenly without any hot spots, delivering the perfect batch of Bourbon Brined Fried Chicken.
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Poached Quince Tartine
If you’ve never had it before, quince is a type of fruit that resembles a cross between an apple and a pear that is typically eaten cooked as it is too hard and sour to be eaten raw. When cooked, the fruit lends itself well to both sweet treats and savoury meals. This Poached Quince Tartine layers sweet and spicy aromatics to create a creamy and unctuous treat for any occasion.
Ideal for the Round Dutch Oven, this recipe goes from stovetop to the table in just over three hours. Featuring rosé wine, honey, cardamom pods, cinnamon sticks, and a wide ride of aromatics, this recipe will not be lacking in flavour. A slow-cooking pot by nature, our enamelled cast iron Dutch Ovens will ultimately ensure all the ingredients gradually infuse their rich flavours and textures throughout the dish.
See the recipeWhy You Need a Le Creuset Dutch Oven
The Dutch Oven is a great place to start your Le Creuset collection. Crafted with our legendary enamelled cast iron, this iconic piece of cookware embodies the buy-it-for-life nature of premium cookware. Dubbed the original multi-purpose pot, there are few cooking techniques Le Creuset’s Dutch Ovens can’t be used for.
Whether you are a professional chef or a beginner cook looking to expand your culinary acumen, Le Creuset’s Dutch Ovens are an excellent investment, opening up a world of recipes and cooking techniques. Though they come in many shapes and sizes, our Dutch Ovens feature thick, enamelled cast iron walls and a large surface area, making them ideal for achieving a variety of cooking techniques.
Since they are resistant to chipping, peeling, and staining, this versatile piece of cookware is easy to clean and maintain. If you’re only going to buy one thing for your kitchen this year, make it a Le Creuset’s Dutch oven!
