There is a reason so many experts suggest adding a Dutch Oven to your cookware collection. Not only does it make for a stylish and classy addition to your existing array of cookware, but it is also one of the most efficient and versatile pieces of cookware out there.

Dutch Ovens can be easily used to cook, transport, and store recipes. They make for excellent and exquisite serving dishes that look great on your insta-feed. Dutch Ovens expertly regulate the temperature of their contents and can be used to store both warm and aromatic recipes while cooling delicious desserts. But, aside from all of that, Dutch Ovens are also extremely versatile, accommodating different cooking techniques.

You can use a Dutch Oven for pretty much anything other than high pressure cooking. No matter what your recipe is for brunch, lunch, or dinner, you can probably make it all in a Dutch Oven. You can simmer away your broth, saute tasteful sauces, slowly braise meat for hours, and even use it for your various baking and grilling needs. Recently added a Dutch Oven to your cookware collection and want to know how to tackle various recipes with it?

Here is a list of all the different types of cooking techniques you can use when you have a Dutch Oven:

Slow-cooking

Dutch Ovens were designed for slow patient cooking. Been wanting to make that delectable recipe that takes hours to cook but has the meat falling off of the bones by the end of it? You’re in luck because your Dutch Oven has got your back. Just pop the ingredients into the pot and close the lid before putting it on low to medium-low heat and let the Dutch Oven work its magic on it as you chill on the sofa or take care of other chores. The Oven will maintain the temperature of the ingredients and let the heat slowly work on them till you have a scrumptious meal at the end of the process.

Simmering

Need to make a new batch of chicken or veggie stock but don’t have the time to hover over the stove to maintain the temperature? Your Dutch Oven will do it for you. Just add some water in it, bring to a low simmer before adding all the desired ingredients, and then let the concoction simmer away for hours without you having to worry about it.

Sauteing

Recipe calls for sauteed or confit onions but somehow you always end up with burnt lumps?

Your Dutch Oven will never let that happen. Just warm the pot up a little before adding in a few teaspoons of oil or any other fat into it, let it warm up a tad, and add in the onions, the garlic, or any other ingredients you need to saute. Your Oven will give you perfect batches of fresh confit or sauteed ingredients each time.

Roasting

Family coming over for grandma’s famous pot roast but you’ve got chores to do? Let your Dutch Oven handle it. Prepare the marinade in advance, brush the meat liberally with it, and chuck it into the pot with herbs and veggies before closing the lid and putting it on medium or medium-low heat. You will have a perfect pot of delectable roast ready by the end of each session.

Braising

Making braised meat or veggies? You can do everything from preparing the sauce to the actual braising in the versatile magic pot called the Dutch Oven. Begin by preparing your sauce by sauteing your onions, garlic, and other aromatics, add in a few tomatoes and some condiments, and, once your syrupy sauce is ready, put the meat or veggies in. Make sure that the sauce nicely covers your meat and veggies, put the heat on medium-low, close the lid, and let it all braise away and soak all the delicious sauces in before serving it to your family.

Baking 

Since the Dutch Oven is great at regulating the temperature of its contents, you can even bake bread, pies, brownies, and cakes using this piece of cookware. Baking in a Dutch Oven is pretty easy. For example, to make no-knead bread, you must prep the mix before preheating your Dutch Oven to about 450 degrees. Liberally spray the Oven with cooking spray before putting your dough in. And, at the end of 30-45 minutes, you will have golden brown crusted bread for you and your family to tuck into.

Other than the techniques mentioned above, Dutch ovens come in handy when you are using pretty much any cooking technique, common or otherwise. Often referred to as the miracle pot, you do not really need many fancy equipment in the kitchen as long as you have a Dutch oven.