Expand your camp cooking repertoire with these delicious Dutch oven recipes! A Dutch oven is one of the most versatile pieces of camp cooking equipment you can own. Sauté, steam, simmer, fry, and bake – if you can imagine it, you can make it in a Dutch oven.
When we first got our Dutch oven a few years back, it opened up a new world of camp cooking to us. Recipes that would have been impossible to make on a camp stove, all of a sudden became entirely do-able.
While it takes a little practice to get good at cooking in a Dutch oven over live coals or embers, the entire process is a lot of fun. There is a bit of experimentation when it comes to different heat levels, coal ratios, etc. But once you get the hang of it, you’re in for a treat.
If you’re new to Dutch oven cooking, we’ve got a short primer to get you started below. If you’re a well-seasoned pro looking for some new recipes to try out, you can skip to the recipes.
Best Dutch ovens for camping
Certain Dutch ovens are made specifically for camping.
Unlike a home Dutch oven, which has a flat bottom and is sealed in enamel, a camping Dutch oven is made entirely from cast iron, has support legs on the bottom, and has a flat flanged lid. Coals or embers can be placed underneath and on top of the lid, allowing you to heat from both sides.
Camping Dutch ovens also come in two different depths. Shallow Dutch ovens are the most versatile option and are best for baking, while deep Dutch ovens are best for making large amounts of soups, stews, or anything else with a lot of liquid.
↠ Lodge 10” 4 qt: This Dutch oven is the same size and dimensions as the one that we own. It’s relatively inexpensive, comes pre-seasoned, and is great for somebody just getting into Dutch oven cooking. It’s ideal for 2-4 people.
↠ Lodge 12” 6 qt (shallow): A slightly wider version, this Dutch oven is ideal for 4-6 people.
↠ Lodge 12” 8 qt (deep): This is a deeper and wider Dutch oven that is great for making larger quantities of soups and stews. Ideal for 6-8 people.
How to cook in a Dutch oven
There are lots of different ways to cook with a Dutch oven, but here are the most common.
For baking, you want to create an even ambient temperature inside the Dutch oven. (This is similar to setting the temperature on your home oven.) This is achieved by placing hot coals or embers underneath the Dutch oven and on top of the lid. Cast iron does a great job of radiating heat, so by heating from the top and the bottom, you evenly distribute the heat through the inside.
Due to the ground’s insulating properties, you will find you need proportionally much more heat coming from the top than from the bottom. So, you will want to have more coals on top of the lid than underneath your Dutch oven.
You can also use a Dutch oven as a heavy-duty, fire-resistant pot and place it over a campfire. Since it’s made entirely from cast iron, there’s nothing that can melt or warp. You can even use it on a camp stove like a regular pot, provided that legs fit through the grate.
Like we said above, it’s super versatile! You can learn all about Dutch oven cooking in this primer.
Dutch oven accessories
↠ Chimney Starter: Ditch the lighter fluid! A charcoal chimney is a quick, natural way to get your coal lit. This collapsible version is great for camping because it lays flat and comes in a carrying case.
↠ Lid Lifter: A lid lifter can be really handy. We own this 4-in-1 lid lifter from Lodge, which functions as a lid-lifter, bail hook, pot stand, and lid stand. It folds up and fits inside our 10” Dutch oven.
↠ Long Metal Tongs: If you’re using charcoal briquettes, a pair of long metal tongs will allow you to move and reposition them with ease.
↠ Heat Resistant Gloves: We’ve tried a lot of different welding mitts, and these heat-resistant grill gloves are far superior.
↠ Tripod: If you frequently camp in areas that don’t provide grates over the campfire, you may want to pick up a tripod to hang your Dutch oven over the fire. This will allow you to adjust the height dial in the heat for a perfect low simmer.
↠ Liners or Parchment Paper: One secret to easier Dutch oven baking is to use liners where possible. Thesepre-cut circles of parchment paperare super convenient!
The best Dutch oven recipes for camping
Chili mac
Blending the best of both worlds, chili mac combines the smoky and spicy flavor of chili with the rich and creamy texture of mac & cheese. It’s a camping classic that kids and adults will love.
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Dutch baby
A Dutch baby is a light and airy pancake that lies somewhere between a crepe and a pastry. We love it topped with fresh berries and drizzled with maple syrup.
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Dutch oven chili + cornbread
Dinner and a side, all in one pot. Make a quick bean chili, top with an easy cornbread batter, and stick your Dutch oven over the coals. Put your feet up and dinner is ready in just over half an hour.
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Banana bread
Making baked goods at your campsite is half the fun of owning a Dutch oven. This Banana Bread is a fun breakfast treat that’s perfect with a cup of camp coffee.
Mac and cheese
All you need is 15 minutes to make this super simple Dutch oven mac & cheese. We love to finish it off with crumbled chips for a crunchy topping.
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Dutch oven enchiladas
These enchiladas are pretty fool-proof and a great beginner recipe when you’re learning to use a Dutch oven. Veggies and beans rolled in tortillas, slathered in enchilada sauce and cheese… there’s really no way to go wrong with this meal!
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French toast bake
This Dutch Oven French Toast Bake is a great breakfast idea when feeding a crowd! Toasty edges and tender on the inside, it’s everything you love about French toast – just a lot more of it!
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Dutch oven pizza
Pizza is another classic camping Dutch oven recipe. We’ll show you the technique and offer a variety of delicious topping combinations in this recipe.
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Dutch oven peach cobbler
Make the most out of summer’s best produce: peaches! This easy Peach Cobbler is a wonderful Dutch oven dessert that is perfect for cooking over the campfire.
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Pull-apart garlic bread
If you’re looking for a great appetizer or side dish, this pull-apart cheesy garlic bread is super easy to make and is good for sharing with a group. All you need is a round loaf of bread, shredded cheese, olive oil or butter, and garlic (lots of garlic!).
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Campfire Nachos
Some would call nachos an appetizer, we often call it dinner! Tortilla chips loaded with beans, avocado, onions, salsa, and melty cheese, this happy hour classic is a snap to make at the campsite.
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Chicken Marbella
A gourmet meal with easy camp-friendly preparation, this take on the hit 1980’s dinner party favorite is full of great flavor thanks to a punchy marinade that can be made ahead.
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Dutch oven apple cobbler
If you’re not up to making a homemade pie on a camping trip, this apple cobbler is the next best thing. Juicy apples, under a buttery, biscuit topping spiked with cinnamon and sugar, this is the perfect end to any camping meal.
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Dutch oven lasagna
This lasagna is a great family-style meal. This easy vegetarian preparation is pretty low fuss and could be easily customized with different fillings. It’s a great recipe that takes advantage of the Dutch oven’s baking capabilities.
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Sweet potato peanut stew
his West African-inspired Sweet Potato Peanut Stew is one of the most popular Dutch oven recipes on our blog, for good reason! It’s super satisfying and full of flavor. While it happens to be vegan, this is definitely a stick-to-your-ribs meal that is perfect for cooler nights.
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5 can chili
This easy chili is as simple as opening five cans (black and kidney beans, tomatoes, chipotles, and beer) and chopping up an onion. It’s spicy, flavorful, and you don’t have to spend the whole evening cooking.
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Dutch oven cinnamon rolls
These cinnamon rolls can be prepared at home before your trip and then baked in the Dutch oven in the morning for a truly gourmet camp breakfast!
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Dutch oven vegetable stew
Loaded with mushrooms, potatoes, carrots, and onions, this Dutch oven vegetable stew is a hearty vegan-friendly take on stew. It’s a great one-pot camping meal to keep you warm all night long!
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Red beans and rice
Smoky, spicy, and deeply satisfying, this hearty one-pot meal is a camp-friendly adaptation of red beans and rice.
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Steamed clams
If you’re looking to class up your camp menu, try these campfire steamed clams. We love to make this when we’re camping near the coast. The garlic and white wine sauce is perfect for dunking grilled bread in, too.
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Dutch Oven Blueberry Cobbler
Delicious blueberry filling, a fluffy biscuit topping, topped off with dollop of whipped cream, this Blueberry Cobbler is a perfect summer time camping dessert.
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Dutch oven biscuits
Bake these biscuits from Sunset to serve as a side with chili or stew. You can make them at home ahead of time and store them in your cooler until you’re ready to cook them.
Dutch oven chicken cacciatore
This Chicken Cacciatore from Family Spice is a camp-friendly take on a traditional Italian “hunter’s stew” using chicken thighs. It’s packed with mushrooms, olives, and basil, simmered in a tomato-wine sauce.
BBQ chicken and potatoes
Chicken and potatoes are cooked together in BBQ sauce in this Dutch oven meal from Clarks Condensed. Serve with a side of vegetables and dinner is done!
Dutch oven jambalaya
This jambalaya combines shrimp, sausage, chicken, and rice in a flavorful one-pot meal that is packed with flavor.
Stuffed pork chops
Pork chops stuffed with breadcrumbs and apples, then glazed with a spiced orange sauce, this recipe from Lodge is a next-level Dutch oven meal.
Campfire chile verde
Pork simmered in tomatillos and green chiles, this Chili Verde recipe from Lodge is a super flavorful meal.
Mountain man breakfast
This “Mountain Man” breakfast is a classic casserole combining hash browns, sausage, eggs, and cheddar cheese. This recipe from Lodge is a great base to which you can add all sorts of extras (think, bacon, onions, chiles, mushrooms… go wild!).
Sopa de Lima
This zippy chicken soup from Barebones is flavored with fresh lime juice, jalapenos, and tomatoes. Topped with avocado, tortilla strips, and cilantro it’s a fresh and warming meal for cooler nights.
HUNGRY FOR MORE?
Whether you’re in search of camping breakfasts, camping dinner ideas, easy camping meals, or campfire desserts, we have you covered! See our full recipe index here.
