If you are looking to make authentic Moroccan, Middle Eastern or North African cuisine, cooking with a tagine is essential. A tagine is a type of cookware piece that has been used for centuries to make stews and other slow-cooked dishes. Tagines are often both referred as the cookware piece and the types of dishes it makes. Tagine cookware pieces are typically made of clay or ceramic with a conical lid that helps to keep moisture in the pot. In recent years, tagines have increased in popularity in the West to create foods like shakshuka, making their way into mainstream breakfast menus along with couscous and other Middle Eastern recipes.
Cooking with a Tagine
Well suited for long, slow cooking methods such as stewing without the use of a stewpot, Tagines help to bring out the rich flavours of the ingredients. The tagine’s cone-shaped lid traps steam in the pot, allowing vapour to condense quickly and drip back down into the ingredients below, making it a great way to cook tough cuts of meat or vegetables. We have a wide range of tagines for sale, from the best cookware brands.
Selecting the right Tagine material
Traditionally made from clay, tagine cookware can be made from ceramic, stainless, steel, or cast iron to accommodate modern kitchens. When shopping for a tagine online, consider the below materials;
Unglazed Clay Tagines
An unglazed tagine pot has porous surfaces that absorb the flavours and aromas of your dish and in turn impart an added depth to your dishes with regular use. However, these pots are vulnerable to thermal shocks and require seasoning prior to use.
Glazed Clay Tagines
Glazed tagines do not absorb smells or require seasoning, and are suitable for use in the oven, making them a more practical option. While these pots are stronger than unglazed tagines, we recommend keeping your glazed tagines away from thermal shock to ensure the longevity of your cookware.
Ceramic Tagines
Highly durable and thermal shock resistant, ceramic tagines can handle higher-heat cooking than clay tagines. If you are looking for a substitute for traditional clay tagines, this ceramic cookware is a good option. Ceramic tagines can be used in the oven and some models are safe to use in the dishwasher for convenience.
Stainless steel tagines
Easier to use than clay or cast iron tagines, stainless steel tagines are a great option for beginners and are harder-wearing than ceramic while being lighter than cast iron. Some stainless steel tagines feature a ceramic lid to circulate moisture efficiently.
Cast iron tagines
Cast Iron cookware usually comes enamelled, eliminating the need for seasoning and making cleaning easier. Incredibly sturdy, durable, and easy to clean, cast iron tagines are more versatile than other materials - ideal for simmering, searing, broiling, roasting, and more.
Tagine Cooktop Compatibility
Tagines are traditionally used on an open fire, requiring special attention to ensure a consistent, low cooking temperature. Modern clay and ceramic tagines are well suited for use on gas and electric stove tops while stainless steel and cast iron tagines can be used on all stovetops as they are induction compatible. Select the right tagine for your kitchen depending on the stovetop type you have in your kitchen.
Tagine size
Tagines are available in a variety of sizes. Choosing the right tagine size for your household depends on how many people you regularly cook for as well as your cooking style. Small tagines usually measure 20cm or less, are great for serving 1 or 2 persons and can be used to serve side dishes. Measuring between 20cm to 27cm, medium tagines are the most popular size for most families. Large tagines measure larger than 27cm, ideal for dinner parties and bigger households.
Tagine Brands We Trust and Love
- Scanpan modern tagines feature highly durable stainless steel bases and ribbed stoneware lids, perfect for creating delicious tagines, and other dishes effortlessly.
- Emile Henry is renowned for innovative and beautiful flame ceramic tagines that are unparalleled in quality, made in France and offer superior heat retention with even heat distribution for flavourful results every time.
Other Cookware and Utensils to Consider when buying a Tagine
