Le Creuset makes some of the best Dutch Ovens out there, and today we’re here to review the best of the best. Let’s get to it and look at the top five contenders for the best Le Creuset Dutch Oven that your money can buy.
Best Le Creuset Dutch Ovens: Reviews
Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Round Dutch Oven, 7.25 qt., Indigo
This is by far one of the very best Dutch ovens from this brand name, and it even comes in at a fairly reasonable price.
Review
This particular Dutch oven comes in at 7.25 quarts, which is a pretty decent capacity. However, you can also get it in a 2, 3.5, 4.5, 5.5, 9, and 13.25-quart size. We personally like the 7.25-quart size, as it is large enough to cook for a few people at once, yet still small enough to fit into various kitchen cabinets and cupboards.
Yes, this Dutch oven is quite heavy, as it is made with real cast iron, but this is how you know that it’s also extremely durable and long lasting. The cast iron is also covered in a coating of enamel that is resistant to cracking, shipping, staining, and dulling.
What is of course really cool is that the layer of enamel used here creates a nonstick cooking surface. This allows you to use less oil, and therefore be healthier, and it also allows for a much easier cleanup time.
Complete with your purchase, you also get a very tight-fitting lid that allows steam to circulate and moisture to stay in the food. You also get covered knobs and handles that are easy to lift and comfortable to hold.
Pros
- Superior durability
- Food won’t stick
- Good size for most purposes
- Many colors and sizes to choose from
- Everything is oven safe
Cons
- Paint may chip off with prolonged use
Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Deep Round Oven, 5.25qt., Cerise
If you’re looking for a relatively small and convenient Dutch oven to cook for a couple of people, then this is the perfect model to consider.
Review
What we have here is a cast iron Dutch oven. We always love cast iron because nothing comes close to it in terms of durability. Sure, it’s super heavy, but it is also more durable than virtually any other piece of cookware out there.
The interior and exterior are both coated with a layer of enamel. On the outside, this allows for great durability, plus it has a nice red paint job. On a side note, this unit is available in a variety of colors. The interior also has an enamel coating, which should help prevent food from sticking, thus making both cooking and cleanup much easier.
You also get wide loop handles that are easy to hold, as they provide you with a comfortable grip. The lid has a stainless-steel knob on it. It also has a dome shaped lid that helps to spur on air circulation to help lock in flavor.
Pros
- Good size for a couple of people
- Very durable
- Enamel coating for non-stick durability
- Few colors to choose from
- Oven friendly handle
Cons
- Not big enough to cook for a whole family
Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Round Dutch Oven, 5.5 qt., Indigo
If you’re looking for a good mid-size cast iron Dutch oven to cook a variety of dishes in, this may just be the best one for you on the list today.
Review
This is a great cast iron skillet, with cast iron of course being an excellent material. It’s super durable and long lasting. If you treat it right, it should last for years to come. Sure, cast iron is heavy, but being heavy is a good thing here because it really holds onto heat well and allows for good heat retention and distribution. It’s just the best possible material to use.
The outside and inside are both coated with enamel. On the outside, it allows for fantastic durability, plus it has a nice blue paintjob. On a side note, it is available in many different colors and sizes. Keep in mind that this is the 5.5-quart model, which should be enough to cook for two or three people at once. The interior is enamel coated, which allows for added durability.
It also prevents you from having to season the cast iron, not to mention that it also helps prevent food from sticking. This makes cooking and cleaning easier, plus this surface is also ideal for resisting stains. Another bonus is that the interior surface also helps promote caramelization.
Pros
- Very durable
- Makes cooking and cleaning easy
- Oven safe lid
- Comfortable handles
- Nice finish
Cons
- Pricey
Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Oval Dutch Oven with Lid, 8 Quart, Flame
If you’re looking for a big Dutch oven to cook some huge meals in, then here we have the perfect option from Le Creuset.
Review
Yes, this is a massive 8-quart Dutch oven, which should be more than large enough to cook some really big meals for the whole family at once. You could probably fit a whole chicken in it. On that note, you can get ones as small as 2.75 quarts for small meals, or as large as 15.5 quarts to feed half an army.
This unit comes in flame red, although it does also come in several other colors. Just like the others we have looked at so far, this is also made of high-quality cast iron, so you know that it’s durable and will last for years to come.
The interior features a nice enamel coating. This serves many purposes. First, it helps to promote caramelization, so your food cooks better. It also helps prevent food from sticking, so you need less oil and have to clean less too. It also allows for added durability and better heat distribution.
Let’s not forget that you also get a tight-fitting lid that keeps moisture and heat in, as well as dual handles that are rounded and comfortable to hold. The lid has a stainless-steel knob that is oven safe.
Pros
- High capacity
- Many colors and sizes
- Comfortable handles
- Oven safe lid
- Easy to clean
- High performance
Cons
- Takes up lots of space
- Big price tag
Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron 5.25 quart Deep Round Dutch Oven, Cerise
Rounding off the list, we have a small 5.25-quart cast iron Dutch oven that is rather perfect for small meals.
Review
Here we have a high-walled 5.25-quart cast iron Dutch oven that is ideal for soups, stews, small roasts, and so much more. It’s not very large, so it’s ideal for smaller meals, which is nice because it also easily fits into small spaces.
Moreover, it comes complete with an enamel coating for added durability. This also helps with heat distribution, plus it reduces the amount of oil needed for cooking. It stops food from sticking, it prevents stains, and it makes cleanup time easier.
Pros
- Good for small meals
- Non-stick
- Easy to maintain
- Durable
- Superior quality
Cons
- Not ideal for larger meals
Conclusion
If you are looking for the best Le Creuset Dutch Oven, it has to be the Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Round Dutch Oven, 7.25 qt., Indigo that takes the number one spot. That said, everything we looked at here is quite similar. It really comes down to size and color preferences.
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