How to Choose the Right Size Dutch Oven

At Le Creuset, we have so many styles, sizes and colors of Dutch ovens to choose from that it can be a bit overwhelming to figure out which one to buy. We realize that our enameled cast iron Dutch ovens are an investment that will last for generations, so want to be sure you choose the perfect size for your cooking and serving needs. Below are just a few questions to answer to help you find the perfect size Dutch oven (or ovens) for you.

What Size Dutch Oven Should I Buy?

With sizes ranging from our Cast Iron Mini Cocotte that has a capacity of 1/3 quart all the way up to our 15 1/2 quart Oval Dutch Oven, we truly have a size for everyone and every recipe. While all sizes of Dutch ovens have a use, choosing which size you need really comes down to what kinds of things you like to cook and how many people you typically feed.

What kinds of things do you like to cook?

Do you like to make stews and soups, or are you a fan of roasts and braises? This is something to consider because different cooking techniques have different space needs. For stews and soups, you need tall sides but don’t need as much width to the pot.

But when you’re roasting or braising, the pot really needs to be wider because the food needs plenty of space around it in order to brown and caramelize effectively. If you’re in the latter camp, you might prefer something like our Round Wide Dutch Oven since it has a wider base.

How many people do you typically feed?

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. And then with rounding up, the ideal size would be somewhere in the 5-6 quart capacity.

But an important thing to consider is whether you also often cook for extended family or guests. Or do you like to batch cook or meal prep on the weekends, or are you a big fan of leftovers? If yes, then you might want to add a few quarts as well to accommodate those cooking needs.

You might be thinking that you should just go with the biggest size we have to offer the most flexibility in the kitchen. But a word of caution, when looking at anything over 7 quarts in size you will want to be sure that this size of Dutch oven will fit in your oven comfortably, and also that you can lift it when it is filled to the brim.

Best-selling Dutch oven size

Still unsure what size Dutch oven is right for you? Well, it is no secret that our 5 1/2 quart Round Dutch Oven and 6 3/4 quart Oval Dutch Oven are Le Creuset's most popular sizes for a reason. These two sizes offer the most flexibility for most people, with the ability to scale up or down to accommodate whatever you are cooking. They're not too small, not too big, not too heavy and fit in most home ovens. They are truly the “goldilocks” of our Dutch ovens.

What Can I Cook in a Dutch Oven?

As noted, all sizes of Dutch ovens are extremely versatile and can be used for a wide variety of recipes. But to help give you an idea of scale and size, we put together this handy chart to show what kinds of things you can cook in each size category.