Ask any professional chef, and they’ll tell you that a large saute pan is an indispensable piece of kitchen kit. But what’s the difference between a saute pan and a frying pan, and how can it help your cooking at home?
Both pans have wide, flat bottoms to cook on, but the main difference between a saute pan and a standard frying pan are the sides.
A saute pan has steep sides to keep the food in, giving the food more room to move in the pan (and decreasing the possibility of it flying out), as well as a lid.
The sides and lid make it easier, safer and cleaner to cook any dish involving braising or shallow frying, but it can still sear food as effectively as a frying pan can. In essence, a saute pan with a lid is a great all-rounder, and one which will make any cook’s life slightly easier, but which should you choose?
Not all saute pans are the same, and a poor quality pan can seriously hamper your efforts to create the perfect dish. You don’t have to be a chef to pick the best cooking equipment. Here are our top 10 best saute pans with lids.
Our 10 Best Saute Pans With Lids
10. Le Creuset 3-Ply Stainless Steel Saute Pan | SSC510024
OUR RATING 
Buy the Le Creuset 3-Ply Stainless Steel - £169.00
Le Creuset is a byword for quality in the kitchen, and their 3-Ply Stainless Steel Saute Pan is no exception. Made of 3-ply stainless steel for exceptional heat distribution, it’s oven safe to 220C, making it ideal for small braises or casseroles. Simply start the dish off on the hob and finish it in the oven.
Dishwasher safe and with a lifetime guarantee, and although a tad bit expensive, this saute pan would be an invaluable kitchen aid.
9. Tefal Meteor Saute Pan | C6833222
OUR RATING 
Buy the Tefal Meteor Saute Pan - Price not available
The Meteor Saute Pan has Tefal’s signature stone effect finish, making it an attractive piece of kitchenware as well as a good pan. Made of aluminium, it distributes heat well and crucially has an easy to clean, non-stick coating on both the interior and exterior of the pan, and the non-stick is tough enough to allow you to use metal utensils. Tefal’s renowned Thermospot technology makes it easy to see when the pan’s hot enough to cook with.
8. Tefal Hard Anodized Aluminium Saute Pan | C0378264
OUR RATING 
Buy the Tefal Hard Anodized Aluminium - £43.09
A deep saute pan which is can hold 5Qt, this saute pan from Tefal integrates their iconic Thermospot technology, and is made of hard anodized aluminium, a highly durable material which will result in a long-lasting pan.
Its scratch-resistant non-stick coating and dishwasher safe construction make this pan a tough and reliable option, and its depth makes it a great option for dishes which take a lot of liquid; like a chilli or a curry.
7. Tefal Jamie Oliver Stainless Steel Saute Pan | E79071
OUR RATING
Buy the Tefal Jamie Oliver Stainless Steel
A high-spec yet great value saute pan from Tefal which is endorsed by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver. This stainless steel saute pan has two round handles for stability, it is oven safe up to 210°C for up to one hour. Its strong, high impact bonded base can cope with extreme heat on the stove-top, including induction heaters.
6. Tefal Jamie Oliver Hard Enamel Saute Pan | E6040702
OUR RATING 
Buy the Tefal Jamie Oliver Hard Enamel - Price not available
Another Jamie Oliver endorsed pan, this hard enamel saute pan by Tefal is a strong performer with a variety of handy features. Its handle has a silicone insert for improved grip and comfort, and a flared lip allows easy pouring from the pan.
And as with many other Tefal pans, it has the hotspot technology and a scratch-resistant non-stick coating. All in all an excellent pan which is convenient and easy to use.
5. ProCook Professional Anodised Saute Pan
OUR RATING
Buy the ProCook Pro Anodised Saute Pan - Price not available
The ProCook Professional Anodised Saute Pan is made of anodised alumimium, which combines excellent heat distribution with good durability. Suitable for all hobs bar induction, it is also oven safe up to 260°C, ideal for quick roasting and casseroling.
Suitable for all hobs exept induction this is a lighter pan than its steel counterpart, but still a serious player, well able to handle tough cooking assignments. The tempered glass lid is self-basting, and helps the pan keep flavour and juice locked into the dish.
4. ProCook Professional Steel Saute Pan
OUR RATING 
Buy the ProCook Pro Steel Saute Pan - Price not available
The ProCook Professional Steel Saute Pan is a durable and long lasting piece of kitchen hardware, backed by the brand’s 25 year warranty. Suitable on all types of hob, it is oven safe up to a searing 260°C, so in terms of dealing with temperature, it’s the best saute pan with a lid in our list.
Made of heavy-duty commercial grade 18/10 stainless steel and weighing in at a hefty 3kg, it’s tough enough to withstand any cooking jobs, and a triple layer of non stick coating allows for almost fat-free cooking. The lid is tempered glass and will seal in heat, and it boasts both straight and round handles for stable handling.
3. Circulon Infinite Hard Anodised Saute Pan | 80673
OUR RATING 
Buy the Circulon Infinite Hard Anodised - Price not available
The Infinite Hard Anodised Saute Pan from Circulon comes with a lifetime guarantee, a big boast for a non-stick pan. It guarantees to outlast all other non-stick cookware due to its patented Hi-Low Food Release System; and is suitable for all types of hob, even induction, as its fully encapsulated steel and aluminium base offers the perfect mix of strength and heat distribution. This pan is also dishwasher safe, so convenient to clean.
2. Le Creuset Toughened Saute Pan
OUR RATING 
Buy the Le Creuset Toughened Saute Pan - Price not available
Another pan from the French purveyors of high quality cookware, this Toughened Saute Pan from Le Creuset would grace any kitchen. Tough enough to withstand any sort of hob, it comes with a reinforced non-stick coating and a lifetime guarantee.
1. Tefal Comfort Max Stainless Steel Saute Pan | C9773314
OUR RATING 
Buy the Tefal Comfort Max Stainless Steel - £39.99
A deep and capacious saute pan from Tefal, their Comfort Max Stainless Steel Saute Pan has their patented Thermospot technology and a durable non-stick coating.
Induction compatible and dishwasher safe, it’s a reliable all-rounder which is notable for the comfortable coating of its handles, making it an easy pan to use safely and comfortably around the kitchen.
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