I’ve rounded up the best sauteuse pans on the market. My pick? Le Creuset’s Signature Enameled Cast Iron Sauteuse Pan.
The sauteuse is one of the most underrated pieces of cookware, in my opinion. When the Dutch oven is too large or heavy, the sauteuse is just right. When the skillet won’t work for baking, the sauteuse will. Its versatile shape and shallow sides make it great for a variety of foods.
But picking the right one can be a challenge. That’s why I spent hours researching the best products, studying owner reviews, and understanding the features–for you. I like the Le Creuset Sauteuse because it offers good performance, high-quality craftsmanship, and long-lasting durability.
But you might want something else, especially as Le Creuset is not very affordable! There are several good alternatives if you prefer stainless steel or non-stick. You might want to cook with something lighter weight. It depends on your preference.
Which sauteuse pan is the right one for your kitchen? Keep reading to find out.
Contents
What is a Sauteuse Pan?
Sauteuse is the French word for frying pan. The sauteuse is also known as an everyday pan, and it’s a versatile cooking tool for any kitchen. A sauteuse has a flat bottom and sloping sides. It is deeper than a skillet or a sauté but shallower than a Dutch oven.
A sauteuse has two looped handles on the sides for easy lifting and draining. A sauteuse pan is ideal for braising, searing, simmering, and one-dish meals. The sauteuse is popular in professional kitchens and home kitchens alike.
Product Reviews: Best Sauteuse Pan
Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron Sauteuse Pan: Best Overall
Le Creuset has been crafting top-of-the-line enameled cast iron cookware since 1925. For this sauteuse pan, Le Creuset used their Signature enameled cast iron. As always, this piece is available in a wide range of beautiful colors.
The Le Creuset sauteuse pan has a capacity of 3.5 quarts (3.31 liters), which means it can make enough food for 2-4 people. It’s also compatible with all cooktops, including induction.
Do you like preparing stovetop-to-oven recipes? No worries. The Le Creuset cast iron sauteuse is safe for oven use up to 500°F (260°C).
Although the manufacturer claims this piece is dishwasher-safe, they recommend hand washing. Even with an enamel coating, I would be cautious about putting cast iron in the dishwasher.
The same goes for metal utensils. Le Creuset says this cast iron sauteuse is safe for them, but I would play it safe and use silicone or wooden cooking tools.
Customers loved how easy this pan is to clean. The enamel coating helps lift food and resist sticking. But some users had issues with the sand-colored interior staining after a while. That won’t affect the cooking performance, but it can be an eyesore.
In my experience, any stains on Le Creuset interiors can be cleaned away with repeated applications of hot water and dish soap then hot water and baking soda. Le Creuset also sell a cleaner specifically for their pans.
Another feature users loved is the even heat distribution and superb heat retention. The cast iron construction means this pan will hold heat for a long time, making it perfect for simmering sauces.
What if you need something lightweight? You’ll be out of luck. This pan is hefty.
This Le Creuset enameled cast iron sauteuse pan is made to last, but the price reflects that. Expect to make an investment in this cookware.
Pros
- Wide range of attractive colors
- Oven safe up to 500°F (260°C)
- Suitable for induction
- Even heat distribution
- Made to last
Cons
- Heavy to lift
- Reports of staining
- More expensive model
Heritage Steel Sauteuse with Lid: Best Stainless Steel Sauteuse
If you want a product made in the U.S. with high-quality stainless steel, look no further. Heritage Steel is based out of Tennessee and has been manufacturing cookware for over 40 years. Move over, All-clad.
This sauteuse is on the smaller side, with a capacity of only 2.5 quarts (2.37 liters). That’s only enough to feed two to three people, at most. But Heritage offers other sizes, holding 4 quarts (3.79 liters) and 5 quarts (4.73 liters).
Heritage uses 5-ply construction in their sauteuse, with three layers of aluminum and two outer layers of stainless steel. This means the pot will heat quickly and distribute heat evenly.
Heritage uses titanium-reinforced stainless steel on the cooking surface, which they claim has 20 times the resistance to corrosion.
This piece is safe for all cooktops, including induction. And you certainly don’t have to worry about high heat. This stainless steel pan can handle temps up to 800°F (427°C).
But be prepared. As always, stainless steel will not have the non-stick quality of a ceramic or Teflon pan. You have to preheat stainless steel, add oil after preheating, and avoid super-hot cooking temps.
Heritage Steel does offer a lifetime warranty on their products. They even offer to replace damaged pieces from misuse at half price, a rare promise. Most companies don’t cover misuse at all and make you pay full price to replace “misused” cookware.
But that warranty, and the high-quality, will cost you. This Heritage sauteuse is on the expensive side. However, the price is reasonable when you compare it to other brands of similar quality like All-Clad.
Pros
- Can handle high heat, up to 800°F (427°C)
- 5-ply construction heats quickly and evenly
- Safe for all cooktops
- Made in America
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Pricier model
- Smaller capacity
- More difficult to clean
Calphalon Signature Hard-Anodized Non-stick Sauteuse Pan: Best Non-stick option
Calphalon led the way with hard-anodized non-stick cookware in the 1960s, and they’ve been producing incredibly durable cookware ever since.
This non-stick sauteuse pan has a capacity of 5 quarts (4.73 liters), which means it can feed a family of 4-5.
The hard-anodized heavy-gauge aluminum construction has a triple layer non-stick coating on the interior. Customers had success with all types of food, from searing steak and lamb chops to eggs and risotto.
As far as cleaning? Users loved how easy this sauteuse pan is to clean. Calphalon claims this piece is safe for the dishwasher. Several owners have confirmed this claim from experience.
Calphalon also claims this sauteuse is safe for metal utensils, another claim several customers endorsed. I would be wary of using metal tools, however. Why risk damaging the non-stick finish?
And since this sauteuse pan is safe for oven use up to 500°F (260°C), it can go from stovetop to oven to table without worry. The tempered glass lid is also oven safe up to 450°F (232°C).
But be sure to use oven mitts. Several complained of how hot the handles get while cooking.
Also, you can’t use this sauteuse pan if you have an induction cooktop. These pans are only compatible with gas, electric, and halogen cooktops.
Pros
- Dishwasher safe
- Oven-safe up to 500°F (260°C)
- Hard-anodized aluminum is durable
- Non-stick
Cons
- Complaints of hot handles
- Not suitable for induction
Greenpan Chatham Ceramic Non-stick Everyday Pan: Best Budget Non-stick
Greenpan revolutionized the non-stick world by introducing Thermolon, a PTFE-free, sand-based, non-stick coating. This sauteuse pan features Greenpan’s proprietary Thermolon coating and a hard-anodized aluminum body.
Greenpan measures their everyday pan by diameter, as opposed to volume. This sauteuse has a diameter of 11 inches (27.94 cm), making it ideal for cooking entrées and one-pan meals for 3-4 people.
This sauteuse pan can handle high heat. It’s oven-safe and broiler-safe for temperatures up to 600°F (316° C). The durable glass lid is safe for temperatures up to 425°F (218°C).
Ironically, most users recommended using this pan on medium heat. Cranking up the heat could cause food to stick.
Beware: you can’t cook with this pan on an induction stovetop.
Another suggestion: Don’t cook with a lot of oil or butter. If food sticks to the pan during the cooking process, add a little liquid to help loosen it.
While Greenpan claims this lidded pan is safe for metal cooking tools, I would stick to wooden or silicone utensils. This piece is also dishwasher-safe, making cleanup a snap.
Users had success with searing and browning meats and also for stir-frying. They raved about how nothing sticks to this pan. There were some reports of food sticking after a few months’ use, though.
One of the major complaints? The handles get hot, so make sure to use oven mitts when handling.
Overall, this pan is a solid option at an affordable price.
Pros
- Oven and broiler safe up to 600°F (316° C)
- Thermolon non-stick coating
- Dishwasher-safe
- Affordable
Cons
- Not for induction cooktops
- Handles get hot
T-Fal Specialty Everyday Pan: Best Budget Option
When I think of affordable non-stick cookware, I think of T-fal. This everyday pan has a diameter of 12 inches (30.48 cm) and a volume of 5 quarts (4.73 liters). This sauteuse would be best for four to six people.
One unique feature of T-fal is their Thermo-Spot heat indicator. This indicator is in the center of the pan’s interior. It turns red when the pan is sufficiently heated, letting you know you’re ready to cook.
While T-fal cookware typically has a Teflon non-stick coating, this particular sauteuse pan has a gray ceramic coating on the cooking surface. The aluminum core means this pan will heat quickly and have even heat distribution.
This T-fal model is dishwasher-safe and easy to clean–as confirmed by several customers. It’s also lightweight, making it easy to carry.
Customers were able to pan-fry chicken, cook stews and sauces, even goulash. They especially liked the tight-fitting lid and preferred two handles over a single, long handle.
One issue some people had was the cooking surface. There were reports of a hump in the middle, causing the oil or butter to accumulate at the edges. This made it difficult to pan fry, braise, or cook evenly.
Another problem? Cabinet space. A 12-inch diameter pan is a challenge to store. It’s also not suitable for an induction stove.
And if you were planning to transfer this pan from stove to oven then to table? You might be disappointed. This cookware can only handle oven temperatures up to 350°F (177°C), making it unsuitable for baking at high temperatures.
The good news? This pan is extremely affordable. If you’re new to cooking with a sauteuse and want to try it out on a pan that won’t break the bank, then this is a good option. Just know there is a difference in quality between this option and the high-end options.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Thermo-Spot heat indicator
- Lightweight
- Tight-fitting vented glass lid
Cons
- Not for baking above 350°F (177°C)
- Not compatible with induction stove top
- Some reports of uneven cooking surface
- Not as durable
Sauteuse Pan Buying Guide
Is a sauteuse the same as a braiser?
The short answer? No.
A braiser is shallower than the sauteuse and has a higher-domed lid. Both have looped handles on the side, and you can use both for braising or roasting meats.
A sauteuse can be made from different materials, while a braiser is typically enameled cast iron. The braiser’s thick walls retain heat, and the high domed lid helps circulate moisture. These features are specifically designed for meat.
While a sauteuse can be used to braise, it can also simmer, sauté, boil, pan-sear, deep-fry, and more. A braiser doesn’t have the versatility of a sauteuse.
What’s the difference between a sauté and a sauteuse?
Many people confuse sauté pans and sauteuse pans, and understandably so. A sauté pan and sauteuse have similar uses, and even their names are similar. But there are some important distinctions.
Firstly is their design. The sauté pan has short, straight sides and a wide cooking surface. This design helps keep food inside the pan and distributes heat evenly. A sauté has a long straight handle and a short helper handle for easy lifting and flipping.
The sauteuse, on the other hand, has slightly higher sides. While it also has a large cooking surface, the bottom is more rounded. The sauteuse trades in the long handle for two loop handles for easy pouring.
Both the sauté and the sauteuse are great for simmering, sautéing, pan-searing, browning, and one-pot meals. But the sauté is better for foods that require flipping. The sauteuse is preferable for braising and for draining liquid from dishes.
Lastly are the materials. A sauté is almost exclusively non-stick aluminum or stainless steel, sometimes with an aluminum core. A sauteuse, however, can also be cast iron.
What can I make in a sauteuse pan?
You can make a wide variety of dishes in a sauteuse pan. Casseroles, soups, and stews all work well in a sauteuse due to its soup bowl shape. Pasta is easy to drain with the looped handles on each side. Also? The lid makes the sauteuse ideal for slow roasting and braising.
Even desserts like puddings and cobblers are well-suited for a sauteuse pan. That makes my sweet tooth happy.
A sauteuse is not the best for flipping dishes, however. Pancakes, omelets, and crepes are better left to the frying pan. The long handle and straight sides are better for those types of foods.
What are the advantages of a sauteuse?
I view the sauteuse as a mixture of the best features of different cookware.
It has the stove to oven to table versatility of a Dutch oven. It has the sloping sides of a wok. It has the wide cooking surface of a frying pan and the tight-fitting lids of a casserole.
The double handles are great for draining liquid or carrying food to the table. Just be sure to get stay-cool handles or use potholders.
What features should I look for in a sauteuse?
First, a sauteuse must have a tight-fitting lid. The seal that forms can make all the difference between perfectly braised beef and inedible, dried-out meat.
A sauteuse pan can come in a variety of materials. Enameled cast-iron models can go seamlessly from stovetop to oven to table. They also retain heat well, making them ideal for slow cooking. They are heavier, however.
Stainless steel is also versatile, as well as being able to withstand high temperatures. It also holds in the heat. But stainless steel is more prone to sticking and requires a little more work to keep clean.
Aluminum pans with ceramic or Teflon non-stick coatings will heat quickly. They’re also lightweight and easy to clean. The downside? They don’t have the durability of stainless steel or cast iron, and they typically can’t be used with induction cooktops.
The Final Verdict: What’s the Best Sauteuse Pan?
Do you want the best sauteuse pan? I would go with the Le Creuset sauteuse. Le Creuset’s quality and craftsmanship mean you can enjoy your pan for years to come.
