Cook It in Your Dutch Oven

A Dutch oven is the most versatile pot in your kitchen: a soup pot, a deep fryer, a braiser, a roaster, an enclosed bread oven, and the perfect vessel for one-dish meals. Let America's Test Kitchen help you make the most of yours with an abundance of creative and approachable recipes tailored to these all-in-one pots. Don't relegate your prized pot to the back of the cabinet, or save it only for cold-weather stews. Learn how to put your Dutch oven to work every day in so many different ways. Turn out practical yet fun weeknight meals made entirely in one pot, such as Easy Chicken Tacos; Vegetable Shabu-Shabu with Sesame Sauce; and Lamb Meatballs with Orzo, Tomatoes, and Feta. A Dutch oven is ideal for impressive roasts and braises such as Harissa-Rubbed Turkey Breast with Mashed Sweet Potatoes and Braised Short Ribs with Wild Mushroom Farrotto, since it can go seamlessly from stovetop to the oven and maintains steady heat to ensure food cooks perfectly. The enameled surface makes it easy to create flavorful fond without burning. We'll even walk you through deep frying at home, so you can make perfect Korean Fried Chicken Wings and pub-style Fish and Chips. Plus, a Dutch oven can turn you into an artisanal bread baker overnight (the humid, closed environment produces loaves sporting an airy interior and shatteringly crisp crust). And a range of appealing desserts, from Pear-Ginger Crisp (the pot holds a generous 5 pounds of pears) to Bourbon-Pecan Bread Pudding, benefit from the Dutch oven's high sides and even heating.