Dating back centuries, tagine pots are a vessel traditionally used to cook the North African dish of the same name.
Especially popular in Morocco, tagines are traditionally earthenware - although other materials are commonly used - with a flat base and conical lid, which allows steam to circulate during cooking. This ultimately creates condensation, which drips back onto the food, keeping it succulent by continually basting without the need for huge amounts of water. As such, tagines are generally best for slow-cooking tougher cuts of meat, but they’re also well suited to a wide range of ingredients and dishes.
Why buy a tagine?
Outside North Africa, tagines are less ubiquitous nowadays, with Dutch ovens, casseroles, slow cookers and pressure cookers often favoured, with so many replicated tagine recipes now available. The results produced by cooking in an actual tagine are far greater, however. Purists will argue that unglazed clay tagines should always be used, with the clay imbuing plenty of flavour. Like cast iron, the clay becomes more seasoned over time, contributing to the boldness of dishes cooked in the tagine. Regardless of material, however, all tagines work in the same way, with less liquid needed for delicious slow-cooked stews. Moreover, tagines add theatre, ideal for both cooking and serving, retaining heat well. They also look impressive when stored on open kitchen shelves.
Otherwise, tagine pots are ideal for cooking far more than tagines. Grains such as rice and couscous are well-suited to being cooked in the tagine, as are beans, some breads, and anything that requires roasting if used without the lid.
Which features should I look for in tagines?
When buying a tagine pot, a number of criteria should be met. Perhaps most importantly, your tagine should be suitable for cooking. This may sound like a given, but many of the more prettily decorated tagines are intended for serving and will likely crack in the oven or when placed on the hob. Elsewhere, the lid and base should fit together cosily, and some will argue that the top shouldn’t have a ventilation hole, as this goes against the point of using a tagine in the first place.
As for materials, earthenware is the most traditional, but four key styles are readily available, each with its pros and cons. If you’re after something especially traditional, an unglazed earthenware tagine will suit you, but they’re also the trickiest to use and care for. Unglazed tagines require soaking and oiling before use, and can be used over very low heat, but the overall depth of flavour will be far greater. Glazed earthenware tagines are also available, making them more resistant to burning, but the flavours won’t permeate the clay. These are an ideal middle ground for a first-time purchase, nonetheless.
Aluminium tagines are popular for travelling, considering they’re lightweight and portable, but if you favour a metal tagine, cast iron is a better option. Although significantly more expensive, cast iron tagines are durable and suitable for cooking well over high heat - making them more versatile for other dishes too.
Which size tagine should I go for?
It’s worth noting that a large tagine is more likely to crack if underfilled, but you’ll also want to avoid buying anything too small for your needs. A small tagine measuring around 8-10 inches in diameter will be ideal for two people, though opt for something larger (around 12 inches or more in diameter) for serving larger dishes for families or groups.
How we tested the best tagines
All of the featured tagines were tested in a home kitchen, using the same basic tagine recipe. Some were cooked in the oven, while others were started on a gas hob, dependent on the tagine’s material. For the purpose of testing, various criteria were kept in mind. The key focuses were the overall quality of the food produced, quality of the tagine pots, ease of use and cleaning, size and storage, functionality, and value for money.
Shop the best below
Le Creuset Cast Iron Tagine 27cm/2.3L
With an enamelled cast iron base and stoneware lid, Le Creuset’s tagine lives up to the quality expected from the world-leading brand. Perfect for cooking tagines or other slow-cooked dishes, the tight-fitting stoneware lid locks in steam, forming cool water droplets that fall back into the dish, ultimately boosting moisture and enhancing flavour.
The tagine is available in two different sizes (27cm/2.3l or 31cm/3.7l) to suit specific kitchen needs. It’s also dishwasher and freezer-safe. While Le Creuset products are priced at the more expensive end of the scale, the quality is exceptional and there is also a lifetime warranty offered with the tagine.
Buy now £168.75, Amazon
Our Place Tagine
Extend the use of your highly utilitarian and aesthetically pleasing Our Place pan with the help of this beautiful Tagine, which has been handmade by artisans in Morocco from chip-resistant clay for heirloom-style slow-cooking. Custom-designed to fit the Always Pan, the tagine is offered in three glorious marbelised colours.
Buy now £75.00, Our Place
Kamsah Hand Made Tagine Pot Supreme Bohemian Blue, Large
Kamsah’s fair trade, handmade tagines require a fair bit of care and preparation to use, but they’re some of the best traditional tagines currently available.
Suitable for use on gas or electric hobs (using a heat diffuser) and in the oven, the Kamsah Large Supreme tagines have a good size, with high lids and easy-to-lift handles. The wide, shallow base also helps the lid to form a tight seal, allowing steam to rise and condensation to drop back into the food, even though the ventilation hole will upset some purists.
In addition to being well-suited to cooking authentic tagines, the Kamsah range is also ideal for serving hot food, with its gorgeous hand-painted exteriors. Although these Kamsah tagines are more expensive than other options, the quality is superlative and with due care, they’ll last for years.
Buy now £57.06, Etsy
Lakeland Stoneware Tagine 1.2L
A traditional stoneware cooking pot from Lakeland, this terracotta tagine is hand-painted and glazed. Although not suitable for use on hobs, the tagine is oven-safe up to 230oC and is also freezer and dishwasher-safe.
With a 28 centimetre diameter, the tagine holds up to 1.2 litres, which is large enough to feed a couple, or a small family or is ideal for use as an attractive serving vessel. It’s also worth noting that the quality is better than expected given the price. The lid doesn’t have a ventilation hole, which will allow even more steam and moisture to build, ultimately making dishes far more succulent overall. While we suggest taking care to avoid breaking the fragile tagine, Lakeland’s three-year guarantee is also included when purchasing.
Buy now £49.99, Lakeland
STAUB 28cm Tajine
A modern, durable tagine, the cast iron STAUB Tajine is available in either cherry red or cream, cloaked with a black matte enamel interior to protect the base. Ideal for any level of cook, it’s also particularly versatile, suited to all hob types, including induction hobs and even the barbecue where it’s heat resistant up to 240oC.
Elsewhere, the external base is intentionally smooth and designed to suit sensitive hobs, while the internal base has a rough texture to give a ‘micro-grill’ effect to ensure even cooking and caramelisation without food burning or sticking to the pan. It’s also worth noting that the STAUB Tajine is lighter than expected, but the quality seems in no way inferior.
Buy now £199.00, Zwilling
World Menagerie Foxcote Terracotta Round Tagine
Made in Spain using red clay, the Foxcote Terracotta Round Tagine from World Menagerie has an attractive design, is glazed on the outside and is well made. The tagine also boasts good value, produced to a much higher quality than expected from its price point.
Before using the tagine it’s worth following the seasoning advice on both the base and lid, however, to avoid cracks. Once seasoned, it’s then suitable for use on gas hobs, in the oven and over a relatively low heat on the barbecue. With a 1.4 litre capacity, the size is ideal for two people and is easy enough to store.
Buy now £39.99, Wayfair
Sous Chef Handmade Glazed Stoneware Tagine 23cm
Designed to reflect the traditional portable oven nature of tagines, this glazed stoneware tagine is dainty and ideal for small servings, suitable for two people with a one-litre capacity. Touted as an oven-to-table stew pot for both cooking and presenting, the tagine needs to go in the oven, with the stoneware unable to stand direct heat from a hob or grill. In this case, it may be necessary to sear the ingredients in a separate pan before transferring them to the tagine.
The conical walls of the tagine enhance the cooking process, which makes it worth the faff, and there’s also a handy cover for the ventilation hole, which provides a choice over whether it’s used.
Buy now £79.99, Sous Chef
Amazing Cookware SB129 Natural Terracotta 20cm Tagine, Brown
Amazing Cookware’s ceramic tagine is another attractive option that is ideal for small dishes to feed a maximum of two people. Like the other small tagines, it’s also easy to store, but will also look good on display too. While dishwasher proof and can be placed in the freezer, it’s described as being suitable for gas and electric hobs, but not suitable for direct heat.
If seasoned well, our findings show the tagine will be fine on a gas hob, over a very low heat, but avoid high heat or preheating the oven before cooking. Besides the confusion over cooking suitability, it’s a good quality tagine for the price, with glazing on the inside of the lid.
Buy now £34.95, Amazon
Verdict
Although many different styles of tagine are readily available, the cast iron versions are ideal for their versatility, ease of use and durability - even though the clay ones do tend to look better and produce arguably more authentic results. For a classic ceramic option, you can’t go wrong with Kamsah, but the Le Creuset Cast Iron Tagine leads the charge as the best all-round tagine option. Yes, Le Creuset is expensive, but the product quality is absolutely exemplary.
