If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

The Most Criminally Underrated Le Creuset Items, According to Our Opinionated Staff

After a decade, the espresso mugs still look brand-new.

By
Rochelle Bilow
A smiling woman in front of a pink and yellow background
Rochelle Bilow
Editor
Rochelle Bilow is an editor at Serious Eats. She's tested thousands of cooking tools and kitchen appliances, and has been writing about food professionally for over a decade.
Learn about Serious Eats' Editorial Process
Published December 31, 2025 03:00AM EST
pouring espresso into Le Creuset Espresso Mugs

Serious Eats

Our whole team loves Le Creuset gear. And trust me, it’s not just because it’s popular. We’ve tested many of Le Creuset’s items, including its iconic Dutch oven, and the results are clear: This brand makes seriously durable, well-crafted stuff. But you don’t need me to tell you that the Le Creuset Dutch oven is good. (Or do you?) After hearing about my colleague Riddley’s love of the colorful espresso mugs — more on that below — I polled our staff about what other underrated Le Creuset items I’ve been missing out on. Turns out, I’ve got a lot of shopping to do! And some of this gear is on sale right now.

The Most Underrated Le Creuset Items, at a Glance

  • London Espresso Mugs

    Le Creuset London Espresso Mugs

    Le Creuset

    “I gave these Le Creuset espresso cups to my parents over a decade ago, and they're still going strong. They're the perfect size for single and double shots and have small, looped handles that you can easily thread one finger through.” — Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm, associate editorial director

    Six Le Creuset espresso cups in different colors on a marble countertop.

    Serious Eats

  • Set of 6 Pinch Bowls

    Le Creuset Pinch Bowls

    Le Creuset

    “I've written about how these Le Creuset pinch bowls nearly started a fight at my Christmas Yankee Swap, but let me reiterate: They're covetable! I use them to keep my mise en place neat, specifically to hold spices, sauces, and minced garlic.” — Grace Kelly, senior editor

    An assortment of small colorful bowls containing spices next to kitchen tools wooden board and a lemon half

  • Mini Round Cocottes

    Mini Round Cocotte

    Le Creuset


    “I love these little sweeties for baking up single brownies and broiling Parm on portions of baked pasta, but I also have a friend who uses hers as a chic salt cellar. If I had my druthers, I'd get one in every color. (26 mini cocottes? Yes please!)” — Ashlee Redger, writer

  • Pie Bird

    Le Creuset stoneware pie bird utensil

    Amazon

    “I...am so sorry, I don't actually own this. But I desperately want it. This pie bird helps vent steam and prevents your pastry from becoming soggy. It's adorable, and I promise if Santa gets me one, I will use it every time I make a pie that needs venting.” — Genevieve Yam, senior editor

  • 10-Quart Stockpot

    Stockpot

    Le Creuset

    “Every stockpot in the world (except this one) is so BORING. I love how Le Creuset took a typically utilitarian pot and made it beautiful. It has a 10-quart capacity, which is plenty big for soup, stock, and boiling lobsters and pasta.” — Rochelle Bilow, editor

  • Stoneware Butter Crock

    Le Creuset Stoneware Butter Crock

    Amazon

    “Butter crocks are underrated—they keep butter soft and spreadable without spoiling. With a sturdy stoneware design, great temperature control, and an impressive color lineup, Le Creuset’s version is especially good.” — Leah Colins, senior culinary editor

  • 12-Inch Large Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Fry Pan

    Le Creuset 12 Inch Large Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Fry Pan

    Amazon

    “I really like Le Creuset’s stainless steel cookware, like its sauté pans. It's pricey, so I'm not saying it's the best value, but the build quality is very good.” — Daniel Gritzer, editorial director 

    A person makes a crepe in the Le Creuset 12 Inch Large Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Fry Pan

    Serious Eats

  • Classic Oval Baking Dishes

    Classic 3 Piece Oval Baking Dish Set

    Le Creuset


    “These are my go-to dishes for baking casseroles and crumbles. The small and medium dishes (which can hold about one quart and two quarts, respectively) get the most action day-to-day in my 2-person household, but the large dish (just a little bigger than a standard 9x13 pan) makes potluck desserts and sides feel special.” — Ashlee

  • Round Ramekins

    Le Creuset Stoneware Round Ramekin Straight Wall Set Of 2 7Oz Each Marseille

    Amazon

    “I use these ramekins for everything: mise-ing larger amounts of ingredients, holding snacks, eating ice cream...they're endlessly versatile. And yes, they're great for cooking soufflé and single-serving lava cakes. Plus, they stack neatly, so I can cram a whole lotta them into my cupboards without much struggle.” — Grace

  • Heritage Rectangular Dish

    Heritage Rectangular Dish

    Le Creuset

    “I have this dish in the prettiest purple color, and it's a lovely oven-to-table bakeware for casseroles, gratins, and desserts like crumbles and crisps.” — Megan Steintrager, associate editorial director

  • Heritage Mugs

    Heritage Mugs Set Of 4

    Le Creuset

    “Clearly I have a thing for Le Creuset's drinkware, but it really is great and I can attest to its durability. I cannot count the amount of times these mugs have gone through the dishwasher, how many cups of coffee I've sipped from them, or how many times I've accidentally dropped one in the sink and it's emerged unscathed.” — Riddley

  • Wooden Scraping Spoon

    Le Creuset Revolution Scraping Spoon 125 X 25 Wood

    Amazon

    “Nothing fancy, it's a wood spoon, but it's hefty without being clunky, and the flat edge is very good for scraping the bottom of pots and preventing scorching.” — Daniel

  • Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron Cookware Set

    Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron Cookware Set

    Le Creuset

    “This set earned a winner’s medal in our non-toxic cookware review thanks to its excellent heat retention and smooth, nonstick surface. It comes with a big skillet, a Dutch oven, and a saucepan, and it’s available in tons of colors. I wish more people considered Le Creuset for their cookware sets; the brand does so much more than just big pots!” — Rochelle

    Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron Cookware Set on a white surface

    Serious Eats

Other Le Creuset Items We Love

A kettle emitting steam while on a gas stove

Serious Eats

FAQs

Why is Le Creuset expensive?

You’re paying for a lifetime warranty when you buy Le Creuset. As we’ve written about here, Le Creuset’s onsite factory contributes to higher costs—but better production oversight. These pots, pans, and cooking utensils have won many of our reviews, and our editors think they are worth it.

What are the best Le Creuset colors?

Glad you asked! Here’s our hot take. Did your favorite color make our list?

Why We’re the Experts

  • Rochelle Bilow is an editor at Serious Eats. She’s been testing kitchen tools for SE since 2022 and reviewing gear since 2020. 
  • Previously, Rochelle worked as an editor at Bon Appétit, a baker, and a line cook. Her first cookbook will be published in 2026.
Explore more:

More Serious Eats Recipes