This Pioneer Woman Dutch Oven Is a Fraction of the Price of Le Creuset (And Just as Good)

A Dutch oven is an essential piece of kitchen equipment. Unlike a heavy-duty pan with a lid, Dutch ovens are designed to distribute heat evenly, making them ideal for braising large cuts of meat, baking bread, and simmering stews.

There are many lauded Dutch ovens from reputable brands like Staub, Le Creuset, and Great Jones that are worth the investment. I have a few Dutch ovens of various sizes and manufacturers. I wanted to know if a budget Dutch oven could withstand heavy use as well as the more expensive brands.

When I spotted a pretty Pioneer Woman Five-Quart Dutch Oven at Walmart, it came home with me immediately. Here’s how it has held up after a month of everyday use, and why it is an excellent dupe for more expensive Dutch ovens.

My Honest Review of the Pioneer Woman 5-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven 

While I was first drawn to the variety of colors on display, it was the size and heft of this Pioneer Woman Dutch oven that caught my attention—it comes in creamy white, light blue, and a light green. Made from enameled cast iron with a five-quart capacity, it rivals more expensive brands but costs just $55. It also features a tight-fitting lid, handles on either side of the pot, and an oven-safe knob on the lid for easy removal.

I began testing this Dutch oven with homemade chicken stock and a batch of chicken noodle soup. Both these stovetop recipes helped me test the weight and fit of the lid as well as its capacity. This Dutch oven handled both tasks with ease.

Later, I made a long braised beef pot roast—a recipe baked low and slow in the oven that is notorious for staining the enamel interior of some Dutch ovens. The roast cooked beautifully, and the interior of the pot cleaned up with minimal effort.

The last and final test of this Dutch oven was a loaf of bread. Home bakers often use Dutch ovens to replicate the steam effect of commercial ovens, resulting in loaves with a crisp, crackling crust. However, the high heat required for baking these loaves can discolor lighter enameled cast iron (as is the case with a teal-colored Staub pan I use often). The loaf baked perfectly, and the Dutch oven came out pristine.

My only complaint from this test? The Pioneer Woman’s Dutch oven is slightly taller than my other five-quart Dutch ovens, which made it more challenging to get the unbaked loaf of bread into the preheated pan.

After six weeks of heavy-duty use of the Pioneer Woman five-quart Dutch oven, the pan is in very good shape. I did chip the paint on the lid by accidentally dropping it against another enamel pan, but there are no stains, warping, or discoloration of the interior or exterior enamel.

I’d say it does all the jobs of my more expensive Staub Dutch oven for a sixth of the price! This Dutch oven would be a wonderful holiday or housewarming gift.

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