Best 15 Instant Pot Dutch Oven Recipes of 2024 (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between a Dutch oven and an Instant Pot? ›

A Dutch oven provides even heat distribution suitable for searing and sautéing, while an Instant Pot uses higher pressure and heat settings for faster cooking.

For the Slow Cook Function, the default temperature and time is 203 degrees F for four hours, but you can also change the timing to a minimum of three hours and a maximum of 12 hours.

Great instant Dutch oven

Five in one braise , sear/sauté and slow cooking. It has a removable heavy duty cast iron cooking pot with lid that has an enamel coating. You can remove the cooking pot from the base so you can use it on the stove top or in the oven.

This Instant® Dutch Oven cooking pot is ideal for braising, searing/sautéing and slow cooking, taking your cooking to the next level. The heavy-duty cooking pot and lid are made from cast-iron, with a durable enamel coating for long life and beauty.

Dutch ovens feature a larger volume than most other cooking pots, other than the largest stock pots. That increased volume allows them to serve various purposes, from cooking large batches of soup or stew to holding entire roasts. A 4-qt Dutch oven is ideal for making dinner for the entire family.

If you are interested primarily in slow cooking, you should buy a dedicated slow cooker. They're more reliable with a range of slow-cooker recipes than an Instant Pot. We found Instant Pot multicookers specifically could not successfully slow-cook dense, high-volume recipes such as beef stew or pot roast.

There are two manual modes. Push or toggle the Manual Mode button to switch between 1 and 2. Manual mode 1 goes up to 203 degrees and can be used for up to 12 hours. Manual mode 2 gets very hot going up to as high as 400 degrees with a max cook time of 3 hours.

Cooking pot • To preserve the enamel coating, we recommend hand washing if possible with mild soap. Dishwasher safe. Wash after each use. If there is tough or burned food residue at the bottom, soak in hot water for a few hours for easy cleaning.

As a rule of thumb: 6–8 hours on “low” in a slow cooker usually takes about 2–3 hours in a Dutch oven at 325°F. For a slow cooker recipe that calls for 3–4 hours on “high,” this translates to about 1–1.5 hours in a Dutch oven at 375°F.

If you're a tech-savvy home chef looking for versatility and convenience, the Instant Pot might be your ideal match. However, if you value time-tested reliability, durability, and a focus on the art of pressure cooking, a classic pressure cooker could be your perfect culinary companion.

Can I use my Dutch oven like a skillet? ›

The dutch oven is also great for deep or shallow frying your crispy, golden favorites or creative new recipes such as Deep Fried Cappuccino Pastry S'mores. For shallow frying, add about an inch of oil and for deep frying fill the dutch oven about halfway with oil.

The Instant Pot Pro's inner pot is compatible with electric, ceramic and induction stovetops, and it's oven-safe up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the brand — this is helpful if you want to start a dish in the Instant Pot but finish cooking it over the stove or in the oven.

No matter the style or size, any Dutch oven will open up endless recipe opportunities. Create beautifully braised meat, pot roasts, hearty beef stew, healing chicken soup, or the creamiest mac and cheese. Use it like a slow cooker, a bread cloche, or a pot for frying.

Bare cast-iron: Dutch ovens have stood the test of time for a reason: The material retains a consistent heat for a long period of time, which makes it perfect for cooking something low and slow.

"I use my 5.5-quart Le Creuset Dutch oven more often than anything else," says Ina.

The Instant Pot's sauté function allows you to brown ingredients (and build flavor) before simmering them. This makes it as functional as a stovetop pressure cooker or a Dutch oven. It's quick. Like the stovetop version, the Instant Pot transforms your best low-and-slow recipes into a meal ready to eat in an hour.

Because enameled Dutch ovens are typically made out of cast iron, they can get scorching hot and retain that heat well, meaning they're great for searing all kinds of foods, including meats and veggies. A Dutch oven can stand in for a deep fryer when you need a large amount of oil.

Unlike a classic slow cooker, a Dutch oven allows you to develop deep flavors in a recipe by combining several cooking techniques, like searing and sautéing, in conjunction with braising. This layering of flavors helps develop a more complex and well-balanced result rich in umami.

Roasting Pan: An Effective Dutch Oven Replacement

A roasting pan serves as an effective alternative to a Dutch oven, offering versatility in cooking various dishes. Its large size and high sides make it suitable for slow roasting, braising, and even baking different types of food.