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03 Nov
How to Afford Le Creuset Cookware on a Budget: Bargain Shopping at its Finest
Posted as Kitchen Products
There seems to be a never-ending debate raging over whether Le Creuset cookware is worth its hefty price tag. In most food circles you will find that the answer is an unequivocal “Yes!” but given the current economic state, the high price certainly can’t be ignored when you are talking about hundreds of dollars for ONE pot or pan. The first piece of Le Creuset cookware that I owned – my 7.25-quart Dutch oven (above) – was purchased at Williams Sonoma with gift money. The price? Around $275. Absurd, you say? Probably. It’s the last piece I bought at full price and hopefully the last.
Do you see the pieces in the picture above? There are two individual ramekins, two 7-inch individual rectangular baking dishes and a butter dish. They were purchased for $28, TOTAL. How, you ask? Shopping the kitchen section of Marshall’s and TJMaxx (I am told that Tuesday Morning also sometimes has Le Creuset in stock). When I first saw Le Creuset pieces in these stores, my heart skipped a beat. Could it be? I immediately checked the bottom of the pieces to ensure they were authentic (they were) and then went over them with a fine tooth comb to see what might be wrong with them. The only thing I have found is a slight bubble in the paint on the butter dish, and we’re talking about the size of a pin head. Essentially, there is absolutely nothing wrong with them and I continue to add to my Le Creuset collection without breaking the bank.
I have seen Dutch ovens at these stores, as well as oval gratins, larger bakers and many of the same pieces shown above. It goes without saying that finding them can be hit or miss depending on what any individual store has in stock, but it is certainly worth the look if you have any of these stores near you. I was amazed at the difference between these prices and even the outlet stores, not to mention what the full price is. For example, let’s talk about the butter dish. I purchased it at Marshall’s for $7. A couple of weeks later I saw it (same color) at a Le Creuset outlet store priced at $23. How crazy is that?!
If you love Le Creuset but don’t love the price, I encourage you to check out some of these discount stores and see what you can find!
Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with Le Creuset, Marshall’s or TJMaxx. This post was written based on my own personal shopping experiences.
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You can also find them at Home Goods (this store is also owned by the TJ Maxx/Marshall’s group, which if a reader has heard of Home Goods, probably already knows…). They’re in more limited areas, but the one in Dallas seems to have an even wider selection than TJ Maxx or Marshall’s.
Michelle – are you kidding me? I had NO idea we could find this stuff elsewhere. Hubby and I were at Sur La Table on Friday and I pointed to a dutch oven I wanted, and he giggled when he saw the price. I am so excited about this! Thank you so, so much for sharing.
Hi Molly – Thanks for the tip on Home Goods!
Jessica – You are welcome, I hope you’re able to snag some pieces!
Good snag of Le Creuset. I’ve outfitted my entire kitchen from Marhshall’s and TJMaxx! So many great deals there.
Do they ever carry the cast-iron enameled pieces, or just the stoneware?
I too have gotten quite a few pieces from TJ Maxx, love it when I find some!
Hi Sarah – yes, I have seen enameled cast iron Dutch ovens in those stores as well.
Great finds! I found a 3 qt LC casserole (sans lid) for $16 at Bed Bath and Beyond this week, too. Woohoo!
My god, this is a great idea! I will definitely check the section the next time I shop. Thank you!
Great tip!!! I too looked at the Le Creuset outlet thinking I would finally be able to buy my coveted Dutch oven – the price was still ridiculous! Maybe I will have luck at Marshall’s and treat myself to an early Christmas gift
Will this cookware work on an induction cooktop?
Or…you could win some from Pioneer Woman’s give-aways. *grins*
*wanders off to hunt down HomeGoods, Marshalls, and TJ Maxx*
I too love Le Creuset! My mother unearthed her old Le Creuset circa 1970 for me a couple of years ago…nothing compares! To further my collection I have also bought at Homegoods/Marshalls/TJ Maxx. The bakeware is the best and wipes clean without any hassle:)
Thank you for the tip!!!! I’ve always wanted some Le Creuset items in my kitchen, and now I know how
YAY!! thanks for the tip.. Love Le Creuset, even just for the vibrant colors!!
There’s a Le Creuset outlet in my neighbourhood… you can imagine I can’t go there too often… I’d buy the whole inventory!
Agreed — I’ve found great bargains at stores like these. It requires a bit of hunting and of course the luxury of time, but it’s so worth it when you find a normally expensive piece of cookware.
That is fantastic! We have an outlet out here in L.A. too – but your find is the best!
I was just at Marshall’s (In Irvine, CA) today and saw 2 dutch ovens, 1 oval baker, and 1 small rectangle baker. The oval baker was only $15. And the dutch oven was $129. Bargains!!!! Too bad the line was stretched almost out the door and I had to head back to work…
High five, sister. I do the same thing! My Le Creuset Dutch oven and grill pan came from TJ Maxx. I paid less than $50 for BOTH!
I also love to check out their gourmet food section. Sometimes you can find Sarabeth preserves for $4 instead of $12.
Wow! I’ve never thought to check for things like this at those stores. I have, however, bought Le Creuset on ebay for rather good prices. Thanks, though, for the tip. I’ll be sure to check out my local Marshall’s for some good deals.
Fabulous tip! I used to do the same thing with Coach bags at those stores ages ago when Coach bags occasionally showed up there… I totally stalked them there. I’m a little on the fence about Le Creuset (I have the 5-ish quart Dutch oven and don’t use it too often), but this is a great opportunity to try out another shape/size without committing to a big cost. I’m lucky enough to have a HomeGoods in my town, will swing by there tomorrow. Thanks!
Wow, good idea! I’ve often seen other name brand, high-end cookware at these stores, so why not Le Creuset? Now, NO ONE else go to these stores in my area before I get a chance to!
Hi Debbie – Yes, from what I have read Le Creuset can be used on induction cooktops, but if you have any concerns you should call the manufacturer (Le Creuset) to double check.
Lucky duck! I think I’m headed there tomorrow!
Oh what a find you found! I need to get my (brown) eyes to open up wider to see to like yours
I used to work at that big chain organic grocery store where they sell Le Creuset; I’d walk by it everyday and just stare. So tempting! But so expensive.
My mom and I saw that Tuesday Morning here in Northern California had Le Creuset advertised in a mailer we got from them. I called to ask what their store hours were for the next morning and the woman explained they have particular sale days where they open at 8am and I told her what I was looking for. In the end I wasn’t able to make it in the AM for store opening but was SO happy to find Cobalt blue sitting pretty in orange boxes on a shelf. Several smaller oval dutch.. up to 5 quarts and I snagged a 7 1/4 with no defects for $160. I also grabbed a kiwi 10″ pie plate for $20 and a set of mixing bowls in Cobalt for $60. My only other pieces are a frying pan in the blue and some small Dijon bakeware. I got home and we realized that there was another Tuesday Morning location 30 minutes in the other direction. So after dinner I dropped by and saw many of the same pieces on a display shelf… then I went to the kitchen aisle and got down on my knees and rummaged around on a bottle shelf. I found an espresso/chestnut brown deep baker with lid for $44. I also found a trivet in the matching brown for $20. I also took with me a large 11 quart red roast dish. I went crazy today but have never seen so many wonderful perfect condition items for so little. I’m SO excited to now have a collection! I could have never afforded to pay full price for a set. Do some work and be persistant, I knew I was waiting for something. So glad I did!
Thanks for the great tips!!! I’ll be sure to begin checking our local Marshall’s to see if I can snag one at much cheaper price!! My husband has just looked at me with that “are you kidding me?” expression when I’ve expressed a desire to own pieces of Le Creuset. With this economy and raising four kids, finding pieces at a bargain store will be my only option. Wish me luck!!
I’ve also found some Le Creuset deals at TJMaxx. It’s excellent! I also lucked out (with the help of coupons) by finding a 5.5 qt. dutch at the Le Creuset outlet for $114. Not a flaw to it!
Thanks for the tip. My mother-in-law bought me a Martha Stewart le creuset look-alike cast iron dutch oven a few years ago and while it’s pretty, it as chipped in several places and I’m certain it does not cook like true le creuset.
I have purchased a few red Le Creuset items from TJ Maxx – butter dish, salt and pepper shakers, a pitcher, and a tiny rectangular baking dish. You’re right, there is nothing really wrong with them, at least from my standards, and they are gorgeous and authentic LC. I have also seen large stockpots. In my shopping adventures I have yet to find cast iron fry pans or anything like that, but I feel that it’s only a matter of time..
What a great tip! This summer I snagged an older dutch oven (no lid) in gorgeous turquoise for 50 cents at a rummage sale! A little overnight in a bag with some ammonia and it’s good as new!
Le Creuset outlets are now 40% off until November 24th? and they ship, sometimes for free, plus since we don’t have a outlet in our state I didn’t have to pay taxes. I have bought several things in the last month and they couldn’t have been nicer, they also took their time to look for a perfect unblemished one and I can’t see why it is a second.
Sign me obsessed with Le Creuset, Heidi
I made a mistake, I did have to pay taxes but not shipping. I purchased from the outlet in Vacaville, CA.
Now I’m going to have to plan a shopping day…thanks for the tip!
This is the best piece of advice I have received all week! I am in such desperate need of a Dutch Oven and will be keeping my eyes peeled. Thanks!
Wow – great advice! I will have to stop in at those stores next time and look for some Le Creuset!
Thanks for the great tip! Though I live in Canada so we don’t have those stores but I will check them out if I come across them in the States.
Wow great tip! I wish there were stores closer, that’s what you get for living with the cows LOL next time I make a trip down near the mall I’ll check out marshalls
You are right about the price of Le Crusset. I was in an outlet store for restaurants, and I gagged at the 345$ cost for a crusset tagine.
I wonder though, is thickness an issue here? The name may be the same, but it strikes me that perhaps something might be different about it? Worth investigating…
Oh oh oh! This is exciting news! I just started working at a store which is basically like my town’s version of Sur La Table. There is all this fabulous Le Creuset everywhere in all these pretty colors and now I WANT one! But even with the 30% employee discount I get, full price is a lot of money. I will definitely have to go bargain shopping!
Hi Jason – Nothing is different about the material in the products that I am comparing. The stoneware is traditionally less expensive than the enameled cast iron, but the butter dish and bakers found in Marshall’s are exactly the same as the ones found in the outlet store or in other retail outlets.
Lodge makes AWESOME cast iron enamel dutch oven for a fraction of the cost, just an FYI!
I just bought a Le Creuset 7.25 qt french/dutch oven today from Tuesday Morning for $179.
Hi, i love le creuset and i bought my first one from a garage sale. Was great $10.