Dutch Oven Cooking Tips for Beginners

A Dutch oven is a kitchen essential that simply makes a home cook’s life easier. Whether you're slow-cooking, roasting, baking, or even frying, it does all the hard work for you (well, almost all – it sadly can’t chop the veggies for you!) But if you're new to using one, there are a few things to know to get the best results (and avoid rookie mistakes). Here’s how to get started.

Once you bring a Dutch oven into your life, you’ll wonder how you ever cooked without one. 

Choose the Right Size from the Start

If you’re just getting into Dutch oven cooking, picking the right size is key. Too big, and it’s heavy and awkward for everyday use. Too small, and you’ll struggle to fit all your ingredients.

• A Baby Dutch Oven is great for one or two people, perfect for soups, pasta, and side dishes. 
• If you’re feeding a family or like to cook in batches, a Classic Round Dutch Oven is the most versatile size – big enough for slow-cooked meals without being too bulky. 
• For large roasts, whole chickens, or big-batch cooking, go for an Oval Dutch Oven. The extra length gives you more room to brown meats properly and cook larger cuts evenly.
• If you love making risottos, creamy pastas, or dishes with rich sauces, the Shallow Casserole Dutch Oven is the way to go. Its wider base allows for even heat distribution, making it perfect for reducing sauces, frying, or dishes that need a little more surface area to cook evenly.

Starting with the right size makes using your Dutch oven so much easier (and means you’ll actually reach for it all the time). 

If you’re an entertainer, you can’t go wrong with a 6.2L oval Dutch oven.

Get the Heat Right

Dutch ovens hold onto heat really well, so you don’t need to crank the stove up high like you would with a stainless steel pan. Medium to low heat is usually enough to get the job done, whether you’re simmering a soup or searing meat.

That said, size plays a role too. A Baby Dutch Oven heats up faster because it’s smaller, making it great for quick meals. A Classic Round Dutch Oven distributes heat evenly, which is why it’s perfect for slow-cooked stews or braises. And if you’ve got a big oval Dutch oven, give it a bit of time to warm up properly before you start cooking – it needs a little longer to reach its full potential.

A Little Oil Goes a Long Way

One of the best things about cast iron Dutch ovens is that they naturally develop non-stick properties over time. The more you cook with it, the better it gets. But even with a well-used Dutch oven, it’s always a good idea to add a bit of butter or oil before cooking. This helps food release more easily, enhances the non-stick surface, and makes cleaning up super simple. 

This is especially important when searing meat or cooking at higher temperatures, as cast iron holds heat really well. For everyday cooking, just a light coating of oil will do the trick.

Go Low and Slow

If you’re used to cooking everything quickly, here’s where you’ll need to rethink your approach. Dutch ovens shine when you let them do their thing slowly. That means lower heat, longer cook times, and patience. Stews, curries, slow-braised meats – they all turn out richer and more flavourful when given time to simmer gently.

A Classic Round Dutch Oven is the best for slow-cooked meals because it distributes heat evenly, while an Oval Dutch Oven gives you more room for bigger cuts of meat that need a long, slow cook.

Layer Ingredients the Right Way

Think about how long different ingredients take to cook. Meat and tougher veggies (like carrots and potatoes) should go in first, closer to the heat, so they break down properly. Anything delicate – like fresh herbs, greens, or seafood – should be added towards the end to avoid overcooking.

Layering is key when you’re cooking with a Dutch oven! 

Lid On or Off? (Yes, it Matters)

One of the best things about a Dutch oven is how well it locks in moisture, which keeps food tender and juicy. If you're cooking something saucy, like a stew or braise, keeping the lid on will help it stay rich and full of flavour.

But if you need to thicken a sauce, taking the lid off for the last 20–30 minutes of cooking lets some of the moisture evaporate, leaving you with a thicker, more concentrated flavour. This works especially well for slow-cooked ragus, curries, and soups.

Dutch Ovens Aren’t Just for Stews

A Dutch oven can do way more than just slow cooking. If you’ve never baked bread in one, you’re missing out – it traps steam inside, giving you that perfect golden crust. A Classic Round Dutch Oven is best for sourdough, while an Oval Dutch Oven works well for bigger loaves.

A classic round Dutch oven is great for sourdough! 

You can also use them for roasting a whole chicken, deep-frying crispy chips, making pasta bakes, or even whipping up a gooey chocolate lava cake. If you’ve got a Baby Dutch Oven, it’s great for personal portions of mac and cheese or smaller bakes when you don’t want to use a full-sized oven.

No Sudden Temperature Changes

A hot Dutch oven + cold water = bad news. Going from high heat straight into cold water can cause thermal shock, which can crack the enamel. If you’ve just finished cooking, let your Dutch oven cool slightly before washing it. Warm, soapy water is all you need (no harsh scrubbing required).

Cleaning It Properly

Speaking of cleaning … taking care of your Dutch oven helps it last a lifetime. For enameled Dutch ovens, avoid metal utensils that can scratch the surface and stick to warm, soapy water for cleaning. If food is really stuck, fill the pot with warm water and let it sit before scrubbing gently. 

You should also dry it completely after washing to prevent water stains and any rust forming on exposed cast-iron areas (like the rim of the Dutch oven). You can also pop it in the dishwasher (but we recommend putting it on the top shelf for longevity). 

Ready to Get Cooking?

A Dutch oven is one of the best investments you can make in your kitchen – it’s versatile, durable, and honestly just makes cooking easier (and more fun!). Once you get the hang of it, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without one.

Looking for a high-quality Dutch oven that’ll last for decades? Check out Crumble’s Dutch Oven range