What Is a Dutch Oven Used For?

Dutch ovens—otherwise known as everyone’s favourite pot—have been some of the most essential cookware in kitchens for centuries. 

Dutch oven cooking is equal parts simple and exciting. Professional chefs and home cooks alike use them to slow-cook flavourful soups, stews, sauces, and bread. Don’t worry about not using it enough to justify the purchase—we’re here to convince you otherwise! 

As you learn more about them and their awesome flexibility, you’ll be surprised by how versatile this cookware is. Keep reading to know more!

What Is a Dutch Oven?

Dutch ovens are heavy, shallow pots with handles and tight-fitting lids. 

They can be made of cast iron, enamelled cast iron, or vitreous enamel. The enamel coating allows a Dutch oven to retain heat and keep the food warm, making it great for cooking meat and veggies, slow-cooking soups, boiling pasta, and baking bread. 

Cast-iron Dutch ovens are indestructible. They’re built to last and can withstand just about anything. To extend the life of this versatile pot, all you need to do is clean it with warm water and baking soda, then store it somewhere cool. 

Dutch Ovens vs Stock Pots: Aren’t They the Same?

You might be wondering: isn’t a stock pot basically a Dutch oven?

They look similar, but are actually quite different! Stock pots are made of aluminum or stainless steel, making them lighter and thinner. They also have a lower tolerance for high temperatures due to their metallic composition, limiting their use to cooking broth and stock. 

What to Use a Dutch Oven For?

Thanks to their cast iron surface, Dutch ovens are stovetop and oven-safe. The key is to cook low and slow-to-nail recipes and unleash various flavours into your dishes. 

1. Searing 

Don’t let the walls of a Dutch oven fool you into thinking it’s only for cooking soups—searing is absolutely possible! Believe it or not, but the heated cast iron surface sets the perfect temperature for browning meat and other ingredients. 

2. Baking

Baking bread with a cast iron Dutch oven is easy! Its space is big enough to accommodate your thoroughly mixed dough. To bake bread, just add parchment paper to the pot to prevent sticking, then place it inside an oven. Follow your usual loaf recipe for great results!

3. Soup, Stew and Sauce Making

Soups and sauces are two of the most delicate dishes to cook in the kitchen. They require constant heat, and any changes will upset their consistency. Using a Dutch oven can make this process easier while producing amazing results. 

If you’re using a gas stovetop, we recommend you set it to ‘low’ so your ingredients slowly meld to form a special flavour. When cooking on low heat, you can focus more on the process rather than worrying about it cooking too fast. 

4. Frying

Here’s a pro tip: try deep frying chicken in a Dutch oven. 

Just pour your favourite cooking oil until right before it meets the edge, then let it boil after a few minutes. The Dutch oven’s ability to retain heat will ensure your chicken comes out crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Delicious! 

5. Roasting

A Dutch oven is perfect for roasting because it traps and distributes heat evenly. 

Just remember that when it comes to roasting, it’s always important to ensure your meat is thoroughly cooked. We recommended popping the lip open periodically to check on the done-ness and using a meat thermometer.

The Perks of Having a Dutch Oven

Now that we’ve outlined five different ways you can use a Dutch oven, let’s talk a little more about what makes them so special. 

As you probably gathered, they’re as versatile as it gets. They can be used in basically every way imaginable, giving you near-unlimited cooking options. This is thanks to their elite heat distribution and retention—that’s the beauty of cast-iron cookware. 

Dutch ovens are the masters of convenience. They’re perfect for making one-pot meals and can double as table centrepieces during the holiday season. When you cook with a Dutch oven, you don’t have to choose between flavour and convenience. 

This cooking vessel is the gift that keeps on giving! 

S.T.O.P., Drop, and Get A Dutch Oven!

There you have it: five ways to use a Dutch oven, and a few reasons why they’re so great (as if you weren’t already sold). These cast-iron beasts are some of the most reliable, versatile, and aesthetic cookware around—they’re timeless for a reason! 

The best place to get one is at s.t.o.p. Restaurant Supply, your one-stop shop for all things kitchen-related. Visit our website today and access our entire catalogue for equipment and supplies. You’re sure to find a high-quality Dutch oven and more! 

For any concerns, we’d like to hear from you!