What Size Dutch Oven Do I Need? (2024)

FAQs

What Size Dutch Oven Do I Need? ›

A rule of thumb you might see around is to have as many quarts as you have people to cook for, and then go a little bigger. This means a 5.5 quart Dutch oven should comfortably make enough food for five people, maybe a little more.

The general rule of thumb is to plan for one quart per person, and then round up. One quart roughly translates into a typical serving size for most people. So for a family of four, you would want something that is a minimum of 4 quarts.

What is the best size Dutch oven for bread? I like to use a 4 or 5-quart Dutch oven or a 3.2-quart combo cooker for baking bread. These sizes are large enough to accommodate most bread recipes. If you have a larger Dutch oven, that will work just fine, too.

Cast iron dutch oven sizing FAQs

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.

Anywhere between a 5- to 7-quart Dutch oven is the right all-purpose size for most cooking tasks. It has high walls that prevent spillage and enough surface area to brown meat for a braise, but it's not so big that you need help hauling it in and out of the oven.

Think about how much cooking space you need. Single wall oven capacities usually start at around 2 to 3.5 cubic feet of cooking space for 24-inch-wide models. If you're looking to replace a full-sized kitchen range, opt for 27- or 30-inch wall ovens with 4 to 5 cubic feet of capacity.

While a smaller Dutch oven is great for making day-to-day meals, like pasta or soup, you might find 3.5 quarts isn't quite big enough for when the family comes over or if you want to do some meal prep. If the kids are grown up or you love cooking for your flatmates, a 5.5 quart Dutch oven is the way to go.

We stand by the 6 quart as our most versatile size because it can accommodate almost any recipe. Start here if this is going to be your first or go-to dutch oven! You can always add smaller and larger sizes to your collection.

Small: 1, 2, and 3.5 QT

These smaller sizes are also ideal for cooking 2–4 servings of sauces, grain or vegetable side dishes, or even reheating leftovers.

Using it in the microwave

Most Dutch ovens are made from cast iron coated with enamel. And as with any metal vessel, they shouldn't be used in the microwave.

Do you leave the lid on a Dutch oven in the oven? ›

You may need to take the lid off part way through the cooking process. However, some recipes may call for the lid to be off from the beginning, so consult your recipe. If the lid is not oven-safe, you'll need to leave it off no matter what. Tip: Most Dutch ovens come with oven-safe lids, but not all do.

Prior to its first use, rinse and dry the dutch oven pot and lid thoroughly with hot water to remove any remaining residue from the manufacturing process.

Over 7 Quarts

Don't go larger than a 7-quart oven unless your family has six or more members, or you love to batch cook. If you're in either of those camps, make sure you can lift a full one, and that it fits in your oven comfortably.

We have two favorite Dutch ovens in the test kitchen: the gold standard Le Creuset 7¼-Quart Round French Oven, and the more affordable (but still incredibly reliable) Cuisinart 7 Qt. Round Covered Casserole.

8 Dutch Oven is factory seasoned for a naturally non-stick finish. It holds 4.5 quarts making it the perfect size for everyday baking, braising, and more.