When it comes to aspirational cookware brands, nothing beats Le Creuset! Thanks to their distinctive design and rainbow of finishes (check out their Azure range!) Le Creuset items are instantly recognisable on kitchen shelves or countertops (or Instagram feeds). And while the French manufacturer's output includes everything from saucepans to mugs and utensils, Le Creuset's most-coveted range is without doubt its iconic cast iron casserole dishes.
Le Creuset pans are renowned not only for being aesthetically pleasing but also high quality - many of their signature designs come with a lifetime guarantee - but that also means they're not cheap!
Even the smallest of their cast iron casseroles will set you back more than £150, which just isn't in everyone's budget. But the good news is that you can find high street dupes that offer a similar look and feel for a fraction of the price. Just read on to find out where to buy affordable alternatives to Le Creuset! And don't miss our guide to the newest Le Creuset colour, beautiful blue Azure!
Best Le Creuset casserole dish dupes
Amazon Basics
Amazon's Basics range is a treasure trove for ultra-affordable homeware, and they even sell these oven-to-table cast iron casserole dishes, suitable for all kinds of home cooking. A 4l capacity Dutch oven, as pictured above, will set you back around £45 - a fraction of the £285 you'd be looking at for the closest Le Creuset equivalent, and they're also available in 3.1l, 5.6l and 7l designs.
Currently available in white (shown above) or ombré blue, red and green, the Amazon Basics cast iron casserole is oven safe up to 204C and compatible with all types of hob, although take care not to drag the dish across glass or ceramic hobs to avoid scratching.
Dunelm
- £42
We've previously raved about Dunelm's budget-friendly Anthropologie lookalike mirrors, and they've scored another win with their cast iron casserole dishes.
Available in several colours and sizes, we love this cast iron casserole dish. It can hold up to 5.2 litres - enough to whip up a one-pot family dinner with plenty to spare - and the glossy orange enamelled finish adds a welcome luxe touch.
Habitat
Habitat is one of our favourite destinations for affordable homeware than looks far more glamorous that the price tag would suggest. Their cast iron cookware, available through Sainsbury's, is the perfect example - also available in grey and cream, we simply can't resist the sunny ochre yellow, as shown in the casserole dish above. Boasting a generous 5.3l capacity, it's oven-safe up to 260C. Why not pair with the matching griddle?
Buy now from Habitat at Sainsbury's
Tefal
While Tefal do sell Le Creuset-esque cast iron casserole dishes, there's one particularly product we wanted to highlight: the Tefal Air, the brand's aluminium alternative to cast iron.
Weighing in at just under 2kg - compared to cast iron cocottes, which can easily run to 5kg or more - the Tefal Air is a particularly convenient design for elderly cooks or those with health conditions affecting arm strength, while still offering all the versatility of a classic cast iron casserole. Oven-safe and suitable for use with all hobs.
ProCook
- £79
ProCook has long been a respected name for all kinds of kitchen equipment, and while it may not be as cheap as some high street homeware brands, its cookware offers reliable quality at significantly more affordable price than the likes of Le Creuset and Staub.
Take their 4.7 litre cast iron casserole, shown above in delectable graduated bottle green. As well as everything you'd expect from a cast iron pan - it's hob and oven safe up to 260C - it also boasts a number of welcome extra touches, such as both inner and outer enamel coating and self-basting dots inside the lid, as well as a 25 year guarantee.
Argos Home
- £35
Argos stocks a range of cast iron cookware that makes for a budget-friendly alternative to Le Creuset, but our favourite has to be their orange casserole dish - the shade is a dead ringer for Le Creuset's classic volcanic orange. Also available in classic cream and fiery red! Shown in the 3.3l model above, the pots are also available in a larger 5.3l size.
