Loved for their heat conductivity, heat retention, and versatility, Dutch ovens are indispensable in any kitchen. Many come in beautiful color options and are great for stews, large quantities of soup, roasting, baking bread, frying, braising, and even for cooking casseroles. Winter or summer, they’re a versatile tool for any home cook. Another plus? They can go from stovetop and oven to table top because they’re so attractive.
Some cookware contains Teflon and other non-stick coatings, chemicals which you may wish to avoid. If you’re looking for safer alternatives, a Dutch oven made from cast iron and enamel is an excellent choice. If you purchase a non-enameled Dutch oven made from cast iron, you might have to season it, but the extra effort is worth it for flavorful dishes and a pot that will last a lifetime.
Here are our picks for the best eco-friendly Dutch ovens:
The 6 quart capacity with this Dutch oven allows you to cook enough for a crowd. This Dutch oven performs comparably to its pricier competitors but comes at a great price point. You can roast, braise, broil, or bake with it in the oven up to 500 degrees and also use it on the stovetop.
Best Overall
Lodge 6-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
The large loop handles offer sturdy control, and the smooth, glassy surface doesn’t react with ingredients. It has good heat retention for even cooking.
The company’s environmental efforts include a comprehensive recycling program that’s saved tons of cardboard, motor oil, plastic bottles, and metals. For more than 10 years, Lodge has used paper instead of foam packing inserts and brown paper and corrugated packing material instead of bubble wrap and Styrofoam peanuts in its packaging. Lodge also has a zero-hazardous waste foundry and takes measures to reuse its foundry sand in sustainable ways.
Price at time of publish: $80
Although the Le Creuset has a higher price tag than many Dutch ovens, Treehugger staffers say it’s worth the investment, if you can invest the extra money. Crafted in France, these pots can used for decades and then passed down as an heirlooms.
Best Luxury
Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron 5.5-Quart Round Dutch Oven
Le Creuset is known for producing one of the top Dutch ovens on the market, with impeccable heat distribution and retention. The large handles make it easy to grip, even with oven mitts on or using potholders. Feel safe using the Dutch oven in the oven or stovetop up to 500 degrees, with metal utensils, and cleaning it in the dishwasher. This is the lightest weight cast iron by quart on the market, and the tough exterior enamel resists chipping, scratching, dulling, and cracking. Choose from multiple gorgeous color options, too, from pure white to cobalt blue and everything in between.
Price at time of publish: $400
The price point on Tramontina’s Dutch oven makes it a winner, especially for its 6.5 quart size. The self-basting condensation ridges on the lid allow collecting steam to gently roll back down into the pot, which creates flavorful, moist meats and stews. It’s oven safe up to 450 degrees, scratch resistant, and compatible with electric, gas, and induction cooktops.
Best Budget
Tramontina Enameled Cast Iron 6.5-Quart Round Dutch Oven
Tramontina’s Dutch oven is also PFOA and PTFE free and available in beautiful colors.
Price at time of publish: $100
Cook your favorite stews, soups, pasta, and other campfire favorites with Lodge’s Camp Dutch Oven, which has a heavy wire handle that makes it easy to rotate the Dutch oven over coals. The flanged lid holds hot coals well and even inverts, so you can multi-task and use it as a griddle.
Best for Camping
Lodge 6-Quart Cast Iron Camp Dutch Oven
The oven’s legs keep it at a perfect distance from hot coals, and the Dutch oven itself is pre-seasoned with natural vegetable oil. Smaller and larger sizes are available. Best of all, this is a budget investment, made in the USA, that will last a lifetime. Cast iron can be re-seasoned indefinitely for decades of dependable use.
Price at time of publish: $82
Great for potlucks or large families, the 13.25 round Dutch oven by Le Creuset is one of the largest on the market. It’s made in France and comes ready to use and requires no seasoning. It’s easy to clean and dishwasher safe, though handwashing is recommended.
Best Large
Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron 13.25-Quart Round Dutch Oven
The tight-fitting lid circulates steam and returns moisture back to food in a self-basting design, and large handles and the stainless steel knob help with easy lifting. Use it on the stovetop, or throw it in the oven up to 500 degrees. The light-colored interior allows you to monitor the cooking process as well.
Price at time of publish: $625
Want to make rice or chili for one? This is the Dutch oven for you. The petite 1.5-quart Dutch oven from Staub is perfect for individual portions, too. The lid pattern features a raised, textured surface that returns moisture back to food, and the oven doesn’t require seasoning.
Best Compact
Staub Cast Iron Petite French Oven
Suitable for all heat sources, the oven is made in France and is dishwasher safe with excellent heat distribution and retention. Take your dish directly from the oven or stovetop to the table for easy, one-pot wonders.
Price at time of publish: $210
Relatively new to the cookware world, Caraway’s stylish Dutch oven is lauded for its superior nonstick abilities. Free of PFAs, this Dutch oven is made with a nonstick, mineral-based coating and is free of cadmium, lead, and other toxic materials as well.
Best Nonstick
Caraway Dutch Oven
The ceramic-coated interior makes cleaning a breeze, and the Dutch oven is oven safe up to 550 degrees. You can choose from six lovely colors including sage and marigold. Caraway products release up to 60 percent less carbon dioxide when produced compared to traditional nonstick coatings.
Price at time of publish: $135
What to Avoid When Shopping for a Dutch Oven
PFCS: Some cookware has non-stick coatings that contain perfluorocarbons (PFCs), which have been linked to liver damage, cancer, and developmental problems. If heated at high temperatures, cookware containing PFCs can release fumes that have been known to kill pet birds and cause people to develop flu-like symptoms. Furthermore, the manufacturing of PFCs and the products made from them poses risks to nature and wildlife.
Our top Dutch oven pick is the Lodge 6-Quart Enameled Cast Iron. However, if you’re interested in making an investment in an heirloom-quality item, consider Le Creuset’s Enameled Cast Iron Round Dutch Oven.
PFAS: Nonstick cookware can also contain chemicals called perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which have been linked to high cholesterol, weight gain, hormone disruption, effects on the immune system, and even cancer.
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Amanda Ogle has written for National Geographic, Travel + Leisure, Virtuoso Traveler, Texas Highways, OZY, Women’s Health, Greatist, and other publications. She loves writing about sustainability and believes it is important that we all strive to be as environmentally friendly as we can. Before going freelance, Amanda was an editor at American Way magazine and has been tackling the freelance world since 2016.
Arricca SanSone updated this article, researching reader reviews, company sustainability practices, and durability. Her Le Creuset Dutch ovens are her all-time favorite pots, unmatched for their beauty and versatility for cooking everything from cornbread to cassoulets to perfection.
