Cast Iron 101 What Size Dutch Oven Do I Need? By: / April 20, 2021 There are many factors that go into choosing the right dutch oven, so we broke it down for you. Use this guide to determine which size is right for you based on what you like to cook and how many people gather around your table. E-mail this page Share on Facebook Share on Pinterest Share on Twitter Print this page What’s that dutch oven for? The possibilities are endless: use a dutch oven to broil, braise, bake, roast, simmer, sauté, and fry. Dutch ovens are also great for cooking up big meals for families and friends. When you cook for a crowd, plan to allot at least a one quart serving per person. What you’re cooking and the number of people you’re cooking for will inform what size skillet is best for you. Use the slider below to find out the best uses for each size dutch oven. 1 Quart 2 Quart 3 Quart 4.5 Quart 5 Quart 6 Quart 7 Quart 7.5 Quart 9 Quart 1 Quart - Serve sides - Make desserts - Simmer a sauce Shop now 2 Quart - Heat sides - Make desserts - Serve to table Shop now 3 Quart - 1 to 2 person meals - Sizzle a side - Serve to table Shop now 4.5 Quart - 1 to 2 person meals - Sizzle a side - Serve to table Shop now 5 Quart - 4 person meals - Bake bread - Simmer a chili Shop now 6 Quart - 4 person meals - Bake bread - Simmer a soup Shop now 7 Quart - 6 person meals - Simmer a stew - Cook for a crowd Shop now 7.5 Quart - 6 person meals - Simmer a stew - Serve in style Shop now 9 Quart - 8 person meals - Cook a full chicken - Prepare for a potluck Shop now "But, cast iron or enamel?" you ask. Dutch ovens are the ultimate kitchen tool due to their excellent heat retention and cook to serve nature. One of the major differences between cast iron dutch ovens and enameled dutch ovens is aesthetic. Some people prefer the rustic look of seasoned cast iron and others appreciate the variety of colors of our enameled cast iron. Either way, both are great for simmering soups and baking bread. You can use this side-by-side guide to compare other differences. Seasoned Cast Iron Use any utensil—even metal Use in the oven, on the stove, on the grill, or over a campfire Enjoy the naturally seasoned, nonstick surface Shop now Enameled Cast Iron Cook acidic foods like tomato sauce Use on the stove or in the oven Store leftovers in the fridge Marinate food overnight Shop now FAQ Cast iron dutch oven sizing FAQs What size dutch oven is best for a single person? The 1.5 quart dutch oven is perfect for side dishes and desserts, but we recommend a 3 quart or 4.5 quart for people living alone and cooking mostly for themselves. The larger size will fit most recipes for 1-2 people and can better accommodate one-pan meals. What size dutch oven is best for a family of four? We recommend the 6 quart dutch oven for families. The 6 quart dutch oven is our most popular and can fit everything from no-knead bread to your favorite risotto recipe. If you're looking for a piece that will churn out weeknight family meals, but can easily accommodate a couple of extra houseguests, look no further. This dutch oven will maximize your cooktop without crowding your cabinet. What size dutch oven is best for potlucks and get-togethers? Depending on your menu and number of guests, use a dutch oven 7 quarts or larger. These larger sized dutch ovens accommodate larger roasts with room for veggies. If you plan to cook foods like pork loin or beef tenderloin, you might want to consider an oval dutch oven. What size chicken can I fit in my dutch oven? 1 or 2 quart dutch oven: none3 or 4.5 quart dutch oven: a small chicken5 or 6 quart dutch oven: up to a 4 pound chicken7 or 7.5 quart dutch oven: up to a 6 pound chicken9 quart dutch oven: up to a 9 pound chicken What is the average dutch oven size? The most common sizes are between 5 and 6 quarts. You’ll want to consider how you will use the dutch oven. Oval dutch ovens are less efficient on the stovetop, but they are better at accommodating roasts in the oven. Round dutch ovens work best for soups, stews, chicken, and bread, while oval dutch ovens provide some extra room, making them better for roasting and braising. Consider the types of foods you’ll cook most and size accordingly. How to Remove Stains from Enameled Cast Iron No need to fear—we’ve developed a handy guide on removing stains from your enameled cast iron. The Best Cast Iron Dutch Ovens Lodge not only makes the best cast iron dutch ovens, they offer helpful dutch oven cooking tutorials, camp cooking tips, the best cleaning instructions, and delicious recipes. Creamy Shrimp & Corn Pasta This recipe is inspired by our friend Hal Holden-Bache, of Nashville restaurant Lockeland Table. Pableaux's Monday Night Red Beans Red beans and rice is a Monday night tradition in New Orleans, and it's hard to think of a dish that's more satisfying. Get $10 off any $50+ order!* While you're shopping, become a Pan Fan today and sign up for our newsletter! *Coupon code will be sent to your email after you sign up for our newsletter! New sign ups only. Sign Up By submitting your information, you are agreeing to Lodge Cast Iron’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Please try again.
Cast Iron 101 What Size Dutch Oven Do I Need? By: / April 20, 2021 There are many factors that go into choosing the right dutch oven, so we broke it down for you. Use this guide to determine which size is right for you based on what you like to cook and how many people gather around your table. E-mail this page Share on Facebook Share on Pinterest Share on Twitter Print this page What’s that dutch oven for? The possibilities are endless: use a dutch oven to broil, braise, bake, roast, simmer, sauté, and fry. Dutch ovens are also great for cooking up big meals for families and friends. When you cook for a crowd, plan to allot at least a one quart serving per person. What you’re cooking and the number of people you’re cooking for will inform what size skillet is best for you. Use the slider below to find out the best uses for each size dutch oven. 1 Quart 2 Quart 3 Quart 4.5 Quart 5 Quart 6 Quart 7 Quart 7.5 Quart 9 Quart 1 Quart - Serve sides - Make desserts - Simmer a sauce Shop now 2 Quart - Heat sides - Make desserts - Serve to table Shop now 3 Quart - 1 to 2 person meals - Sizzle a side - Serve to table Shop now 4.5 Quart - 1 to 2 person meals - Sizzle a side - Serve to table Shop now 5 Quart - 4 person meals - Bake bread - Simmer a chili Shop now 6 Quart - 4 person meals - Bake bread - Simmer a soup Shop now 7 Quart - 6 person meals - Simmer a stew - Cook for a crowd Shop now 7.5 Quart - 6 person meals - Simmer a stew - Serve in style Shop now 9 Quart - 8 person meals - Cook a full chicken - Prepare for a potluck Shop now "But, cast iron or enamel?" you ask. Dutch ovens are the ultimate kitchen tool due to their excellent heat retention and cook to serve nature. One of the major differences between cast iron dutch ovens and enameled dutch ovens is aesthetic. Some people prefer the rustic look of seasoned cast iron and others appreciate the variety of colors of our enameled cast iron. Either way, both are great for simmering soups and baking bread. You can use this side-by-side guide to compare other differences. Seasoned Cast Iron Use any utensil—even metal Use in the oven, on the stove, on the grill, or over a campfire Enjoy the naturally seasoned, nonstick surface Shop now Enameled Cast Iron Cook acidic foods like tomato sauce Use on the stove or in the oven Store leftovers in the fridge Marinate food overnight Shop now FAQ Cast iron dutch oven sizing FAQs What size dutch oven is best for a single person? The 1.5 quart dutch oven is perfect for side dishes and desserts, but we recommend a 3 quart or 4.5 quart for people living alone and cooking mostly for themselves. The larger size will fit most recipes for 1-2 people and can better accommodate one-pan meals. What size dutch oven is best for a family of four? We recommend the 6 quart dutch oven for families. The 6 quart dutch oven is our most popular and can fit everything from no-knead bread to your favorite risotto recipe. If you're looking for a piece that will churn out weeknight family meals, but can easily accommodate a couple of extra houseguests, look no further. This dutch oven will maximize your cooktop without crowding your cabinet. What size dutch oven is best for potlucks and get-togethers? Depending on your menu and number of guests, use a dutch oven 7 quarts or larger. These larger sized dutch ovens accommodate larger roasts with room for veggies. If you plan to cook foods like pork loin or beef tenderloin, you might want to consider an oval dutch oven. What size chicken can I fit in my dutch oven? 1 or 2 quart dutch oven: none3 or 4.5 quart dutch oven: a small chicken5 or 6 quart dutch oven: up to a 4 pound chicken7 or 7.5 quart dutch oven: up to a 6 pound chicken9 quart dutch oven: up to a 9 pound chicken What is the average dutch oven size? The most common sizes are between 5 and 6 quarts. You’ll want to consider how you will use the dutch oven. Oval dutch ovens are less efficient on the stovetop, but they are better at accommodating roasts in the oven. Round dutch ovens work best for soups, stews, chicken, and bread, while oval dutch ovens provide some extra room, making them better for roasting and braising. Consider the types of foods you’ll cook most and size accordingly. How to Remove Stains from Enameled Cast Iron No need to fear—we’ve developed a handy guide on removing stains from your enameled cast iron. The Best Cast Iron Dutch Ovens Lodge not only makes the best cast iron dutch ovens, they offer helpful dutch oven cooking tutorials, camp cooking tips, the best cleaning instructions, and delicious recipes. Creamy Shrimp & Corn Pasta This recipe is inspired by our friend Hal Holden-Bache, of Nashville restaurant Lockeland Table. Pableaux's Monday Night Red Beans Red beans and rice is a Monday night tradition in New Orleans, and it's hard to think of a dish that's more satisfying.
