When it comes to homemade soup, the possibilities are ENDLESS. Cozy soups like my Potato Soup and White Bean Soup are great for chilly days and nights.
If you’ve got a bunch of veggies on hand, Homemade Vegetable Soup, Ribollita, or Lentil Soup will make good use of all that extra produce — and everyone in your family is guaranteed to get their daily dose of fruit and veg. To do so, I like to use one of the best stock pots!
But no matter which soup, stew, or chili you choose to make, you’ll need to make sure you have the right tool for the job: a stock pot. I’ve cooked a LOT of soup (that’s why I have so many soup recipes!), so I’ve used my fair share of stock pots.
If you want to level up your soup game, you’ve come to the right place! I’ve picked out my favorite stock pots (plus a few Dutch ovens) that will help you make the best soup EVER. Here are my top picks for the best stock pots.
My Top Picks
- What’s in My Kitchen: Le Creuset 8-Qt. Enameled Stockpot – $114.95 at Amazon
- Best Splurge: All-Clad D3 Stainless Steel 12-Quart Covered Stock Pot – $379.95 at Amazon
- Budget Pick: T-Fal Nonstick 12-Quart Stockpot – $40 at Amazon
- Also Great: Cuisinart MultiClad Pro Triple Ply Stockpot with Cover – $96.99 at Amazon
- Most Colorful: Caraway Dutch Oven – $135 at Amazon
Reviews of The Best Stock Pots
1. My Favorite: Le Creuset 8-Qt. Enameled Stockpot
I LOVE a pop of color, especially in my kitchen, which is why this stock pot is my go-to cooking vessel for soup. There are 9 different colors to pick from! It’s made from carbon steel that’s finished with an enamel coating, making this pot and the lid it comes with lightweight and super easy to clean. This pot’s carbon steel is one of my favorite materials for cookware because it distributes heat quickly and evenly, which is exactly what you want for making a hearty soup.
The Specs:
- Material: Carbon steel, enamel
- Capacity: 8 quarts
- Weight: 6.5 pounds
- Colors: Artichaut, Caribbean, Cerise, Deep Teal, Flame, Marseille, Meringue, Oyster, Sea Salt, White
The Pros:
- Heats evenly
- Easy to clean
- Lightweight
- Stain resistant
The Cons:
- Enamel may chip after extended use
What Others are Saying:
This stock pot has a 4.6-star rating on Amazon out of more than 1,300 reviews. The Le Creuset Enameled Stockpot was named one of the best stock pots by Epicurious.
Buy the Le Creuset 8-Qt. Enameled Stockpot:
2. Best Splurge: All-Clad D3 Stainless Steel 12-Quart Covered Stock Pot
If you like to fill your kitchen with stainless steel cookware and appliances, then this stock pot could be right for you. I LOVE All-Clad cookware, and I like that this pot has a wide base, which is perfect for getting a good sear on veggies, meat, or seafood that you’re using in your soup or stew. It’s made from stainless steel and is compatible with all cooktops, including induction! Stainless steel is also super durable, which means this splurge item will last you a loooong time.
The Specs:
- Material: Stainless steel
- Capacity: 12 quarts
- Weight: 7 pounds
The Pros:
- Sturdy
- Lightweight
- Durable
- Oven- and dishwasher-safe
The Cons:
- Expensive
What Others are Saying:
This stock pot was named the best splurge by Food & Wine and best overall by Good Housekeeping.
Buy the All-Clad D3 Stainless Steel 12-Quart Covered Stock Pot:
3. Budget Pick: T-Fal Nonstick 12-Quart Stockpot
This affordable stock pot is great if you’re outfitting your first kitchen entirely from scratch or if you’re on a budget. It comes with a lid, is dishwasher-safe, and has a non-stick coating. Plus, it’s the most lightweight option out of all my favorites. It should be good for most large-batch cooking, but it could discolor easily and isn’t as pretty as some of the other options.
The Specs:
- Material: Aluminum
- Capacity: 12 quarts
- Weight: 4.6 pounds
The Pros:
- Affordable
- Non-stick
- Easy to clean
- Lightweight
The Cons:
- May discolor easily
- Material is relatively unsturdy
What Others are Saying:
This stock pot has a 4.7-star rating on Amazon out of more than 9,500 reviews. The T-Fal Nonstick 12-Quart Stockpot was named one of the best stock pots by Serious Eats and Food & Wine.
Buy the T-Fal Nonstick 12-Quart Stockpot:
4. Also Great: Cuisinart MultiClad Pro Triple Ply Stockpot with Cover
This is another great stock pot from a trusted cookware brand. I like it because its wide bottom and relatively short sides make it extra easy to stir what’s inside, like a loaded Potato Soup. Like some of my other faves, it’s lightweight and comfy to handle during cooking and while cleaning up after the fact. If your go-to color for kitchen decor is silver, this pot is a relatively affordable alternative to some of the other more expensive stainless steel options.
The Specs:
- Material: Steel
- Capacity: 8 quarts
- Weight: 6.5 pounds
The Pros:
- Comfortable to hold
- Quick heating
- Durable
The Cons:
- May stain or show spots after use
What Others are Saying:
It was named best overall by Serious Eats, best value by Good Housekeeping, and best budget by Epicurious.
Buy the Cuisinart MultiClad Pro Triple Ply Stockpot with Cover:
5. Most Colorful: Caraway Dutch Oven
I love how pretty all of Caraway’s cookware is! This Dutch oven comes in 8 vibrant colors, from classic black and white to golden Marigold and a rusty shade called Perracotta. It’s made using aluminum that’s coated with non-stick material, which means it’s super lightweight and easy to clean after cooking. This beautiful piece of cookware is technically a Dutch oven but is still perfect for making soups and stews. Plus, I love the way it looks sitting on my stovetop.
The Specs:
- Material: Aluminum core with ceramic non-stick coating
- Capacity: 6.5 quarts
- Weight: 4 pounds
- Colors: Black, White, Cream, Navy, Gray, Sage, Perracotta, Marigold
The Pros:
- Lightweight
- Non-stick
- Easy to clean
- Stain resistant
The Cons:
- Non-stick coating may chip
- Not compatible with induction cooktops
What Others are Saying:
This stock pot has a 4.7-star rating on Amazon out of more than 400 reviews. It was also named one of the best Dutch ovens by Food & Wine and Bon Appétit.
Buy the Caraway Dutch Oven:
Other Stock Pots to Consider
Staub Cast Iron 7-Quart Round Cocotte
Staub is another cookware brand I LOVE, I use mine all of the time. This Dutch oven is a good stand-in for one of my favorite stock pots in a pinch. It’s durable and will last for years of cooking. However, it’s made of cast iron and weighs 16.72 pounds, which is pretty heavy to pull out to make soup. The Staub Cast Iron 7-Quart Round Cocotte is available at Amazon for $292.59.
Our Place Perfect Pot
I love all of the colorful options that are available for the Perfect Pot! It’s a 5.5-quart stock pot that’s great when you’re cooking for yourself or one to two other people. Its ceramic non-stick coating is great while it lasts, but the non-stick coating on Our Place pans can wear off quickly, so this pot may not last very long. The Our Place Perfect Pot is available at Amazon for $165.
KitchenAid Stainless Steel Stockpot with Lid, 8-Quart
This stock pot made its way onto a few best stock pot lists because it’s inexpensive and made by a trusted kitchen brand. It weighs just over 6 pounds, which means it’s as lightweight as some of my favorite options without any non-stick coating or other bells and whistles. This stockpot has a stainless steel base, so it’s compatible with all cooktops (including induction), but you may run into food sticking to the bottom. The KitchenAid Stainless Steel Stockpot with Lid, 8-Quart is available at Amazon for $59.99.
Tramontina 8-Quart Gourmet Stainless Steel Covered Stock Pot
This stock pot appeared on the best stock pot lists for Wirecutter, Serious Eats, and Food & Wine, so it’s not a bad option, just not my favorite. I like that this pot is lightweight and it distributes heat evenly when cooking, but as a result the lid and handles also get really hot to the touch as you cook. The Tramontina 8-Quart Gourmet Stainless Steel Covered Stock Pot is available at Amazon for $60.95.
Why You Can Trust Me
Hi! I’m Maria, the founder of Two Peas and Their Pod, and I love making cozy soups throughout the winter and even when it’s warm out. You can trust me when it comes to picking the perfect stock pot because, well, I love to cook! I’ve used countless stock pots, Dutch ovens, and other stovetop cookware to develop all of my tasty recipes, so I can personally speak to the experience of using popular brands like Cuisinart, AllClad, Our Place, Caraway, KitchenAid, and more.
I’ve personally used most of the products in this list. For the stock pots I’m not as familiar with, I looked at the reviews and read through top food publications to get a better sense of how they would perform and how long they would last.
Everything to Know Before Buying a Stock Pot
What to Consider Before Buying a Stock Pot
The two most important things to consider are how many people you’ll be cooking for when using your stock pot and what kind of material you need your stock pot to be.
Size: If you’re using anything less than 8 quarts, that’s best for cooking small portions of soups and stews or for small kitchens. I recommend using something that is 8 quarts and can fit 8 to 12 servings. They’re also perfect for boiling two boxes of pasta, making stock, and more common cooking tasks. But you might need something larger if you’re serving large families or holidays when you’ll need to feed a crowd.
Material: Next, consider the material your stock pot is made from and what kind of cooktop you’re using. Stainless steel, carbon steel, and cast iron will work on gas, electric, and induction, while aluminum pots will only work on gas and electric stove.
What is a Stock Pot Used For?
Stock pots can be used for all sorts of things, from making enough mashed potatoes to feed your extended family at Thanksgiving or slow-cooking chili for a weeknight dinner. I use my stock pots mainly for making soups and stews because of their large capacity. The wide bases are ideal for cooking ingredients evenly and are enough to feed my whole family in one batch.
What Size Stock Pot Do I Need?
The most common size is 8 quarts! But you can always get a larger one if you’re making a LOT of food!
What’s the Difference Between a Dutch Oven and a Stock Pot?
There are a few differences between stock pots and Dutch ovens. Dutch ovens tend to be short and squat, while many stock pots are relatively narrow and tall. Dutch ovens have thicker walls and are often made of cast iron or cast iron-coated enamel, making them heavier than stock pots, which are usually made of some type of steel or aluminum.
Can I Use a Stock Pot for Canning?
Yes! Stock pots are great for canning because they’re tall enough to fully submerge the jars in the water bath to ensure a proper seal. That said, you won’t be able to can a lot of jars at once as most stock pots are about half the size of canning pots, but if you’re just canning for yourself and your family, then a standard stock pot should be enough.
The Best Soup Recipes
Ready to put that new stock pot to good use? Try one of my favorite easy weeknight soup recipes to whip up dinner for the whole family in no time:
- Classic Chicken Noodle Soup
- Easy Butternut Squash Soup
- Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Taco Soup
- Stuffed Pepper Soup
- Chickpea Soup
- Easy Black Bean Soup
- Split Pea Soup
- Ham and Bean Soup
Find more SOUP RECIPES HERE!
Prices were accurate at time of publication.
Love Your reviews, Maria!
What is the soup recipe for the photo above that appears to have tomato and fresh basil on top?
What would you recommend for non toxic soup pots? I’ve been reading a lot about that lately and have come across conflicting information. Ceramic coating, enamel coating, all so confusing….thanks for your help!
Caraway or Green Pan!