Going Camping? Bring a Campfire Dutch Oven And These Delicious Recipes (2024)

Going Camping? Bring a Campfire Dutch Oven And These Delicious Recipes (1)

There's one tool that we always bring when car camping, RV camping, or glamping — a campfire Dutch oven! (Campfire Dutch ovens are different than the enameled Dutch oven in your kitchen. If you need one, we like Lodge's version.) With the lid on and nestled in coals, a Dutch oven can simmer, stew, and braise! With the lid off, it sears meat and chicken like a cast-iron pan. It's great for soups and stews, and it works with camp stoves and open fires alike. Here are more than two dozen delicious Dutch oven recipes that can easily be made over a campfire.

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1

What Is a Dutch Oven and How Do I Use It?

Going Camping? Bring a Campfire Dutch Oven And These Delicious Recipes (3)

First things first, get the basics on what this versatile piece of cookware is, and learn a little about why it makes such an essential piece of camping equipment!

Keep reading.

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2

Guinness Beef Stew

Going Camping? Bring a Campfire Dutch Oven And These Delicious Recipes (5)

This hearty stew is just the thing to warm you on a cool mountain evening, or replenish your energy after a long day of hiking.

Get the recipe.

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3

Chicken and Potato Chowder

Going Camping? Bring a Campfire Dutch Oven And These Delicious Recipes (7)

Here's a one-pot stew that is packed with flavor. You can grab a rotisserie chicken on the way to the campsite, or just use some precooked chicken breast meat.

Get the recipe.

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4

Seafood and Chorizo Paella with Bell Peppers

Going Camping? Bring a Campfire Dutch Oven And These Delicious Recipes (9)

Warning: The smells wafting from this decadent dish may draw nearby campers to your site. Luckily it makes more than enough to share.

Get the recipe.

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5

Sausage and Cheese Lasagna

Campfire lasagna? It's doable in a Dutch oven! Skip the instructions to broil at the end, however, and simply let the cheese melt while everything finishes cooking.

Get the recipe.

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6

Steak with Creamy Mushrooms and Spinach

Going Camping? Bring a Campfire Dutch Oven And These Delicious Recipes (13)

Steak is an easy and decadent campfire meal. It's made even easier when you can cook the sides right in the same dish!

Get the recipe.

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7

White Wine Coq Au Vin

Going Camping? Bring a Campfire Dutch Oven And These Delicious Recipes (15)

This show-stopping dish is perfect for when you're glamping—or just want to impress the heck out of someone.

Get the recipe.

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8

Beer-Braised Chicken

Going Camping? Bring a Campfire Dutch Oven And These Delicious Recipes (17)

This spicy pulled chicken can be packed into tortillas, piled onto soft buns, or eaten straight on a plate with perhaps a side of grilled corn.

Get the recipe.

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9

Seared Sausage with Cabbage and Pink Lady Apples

Going Camping? Bring a Campfire Dutch Oven And These Delicious Recipes (19)

This is camping food at its finest. It's simple, hearty, and full of flavor.

Get the recipe.

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10

Seafood and Sausage Stew

Going Camping? Bring a Campfire Dutch Oven And These Delicious Recipes (21)

This recipe is especially apt if you're camping near the ocean—and can source fresh seafood.

Get the recipe.

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11

Crispy Chicken Thighs With Garlic and Rosemary

Going Camping? Bring a Campfire Dutch Oven And These Delicious Recipes (23)

Though this can be made in a skillet, it's just as easy to make in a Dutch oven. You can weigh the chicken down with a smaller heavy pot, or a grill press.

Get the recipe.

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12

Ginger Garlic Chicken Ramen

Going Camping? Bring a Campfire Dutch Oven And These Delicious Recipes (25)

Boil up this veggie-packed soup for a hearty, healthy campfire dinner.

Get the recipe.

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13

Chicken Legs with Peas, Artichokes, Mint, and Fingerling Potatoes

Going Camping? Bring a Campfire Dutch Oven And These Delicious Recipes (27)

This hearty dish is full of satisfying flavors. Pre-make the spice mix to make camp-side prep easier.

Get the recipe.

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14

Corn-and-Ham Risotto

Going Camping? Bring a Campfire Dutch Oven And These Delicious Recipes (29)

Risotto has a rep for being tricky, but don't believe it. This low-simmering concoction of corn, ham, herbs, and rice is particularly suited to campfire cooking.

Get the recipe.

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15

Bourbon Chili

Going Camping? Bring a Campfire Dutch Oven And These Delicious Recipes (31)

A classic campfire food if there ever was one, this one-pot chili recipe gets a boost of flavor from orange juice and bourbon.

Get the recipe.

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16

Tater Tot Breakfast Pizza

Going Camping? Bring a Campfire Dutch Oven And These Delicious Recipes (33)

A tater tot crust topped with bacon, eggs, cheese, and sausage will get your family going in the morning.

Get the recipe at The Gunny Sack.

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17

Green Chile Chicken Chilaquiles

Going Camping? Bring a Campfire Dutch Oven And These Delicious Recipes (35)

Customize your chilaquiles with your favorite toppings. This blogger layered on queso fresco, avocado, and sour cream.

Get the recipe at Spoonful of Flavor.

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18

Cheesy Garlic Bites

Going Camping? Bring a Campfire Dutch Oven And These Delicious Recipes (37)

No need to wait for bread to rise with this pull-apart dish. It's easy to make and both kids and adults will love it.

Get the recipe at The Creative Mom.

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19

Campfire Donuts

Going Camping? Bring a Campfire Dutch Oven And These Delicious Recipes (39)

Turn biscuits into delicious mini donuts with a little help from cinnamon sugar and hot oil.

Get the recipe at The Touring Campfire.

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20

Dutch Oven Enchiladas

Going Camping? Bring a Campfire Dutch Oven And These Delicious Recipes (41)

Take enchilada night to the great outdoors with this family-friendly meal.

Get the recipe at Fresh Off The Grid.

RELATED: Easy Campfire Recipes That Are Finger-Licking Good

Going Camping? Bring a Campfire Dutch Oven And These Delicious Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What to cook in a Dutch oven when camping? ›

Think simmering soups, steaming rice, boiling water for pasta, etc. Sear, pan-fry, sautee: A camping Dutch oven is also a great stand-in for a cast-iron skillet. Anything that can be cooked in a cast-iron skillet can be done in a Dutch oven too, like searing steaks, browning chicken thighs, sauteing vegetables, etc.

Is a Dutch oven worth it for camping? ›

Dutch ovens, like the Camp Chef Classic Dutch Oven, have been used for wilderness cooking for ages and are a wonderful way to cook nourishing food in the great outdoors. They retain heat and enhance the transfer of heat through the food.

What is your favorite food to cook while camping? ›

Whether it's barbecue hot dogs, homemade chili, or corn on the cob, this list has all the camping recipes you need. You can cook them on a portable grill or build a fire, but just be sure to pack some make-ahead camping snacks to keep you energized for hiking, fishing, or exploring in nature.

What not to put in Dutch oven? ›

This Dutch oven tip applies more to a seasoned cast iron Dutch oven than one with an enamel coating, but every Dutch oven user should be aware nonetheless: When you cook acidic ingredients—like tomatoes, wine-based sauces, and citrus—for longer than 30 minutes, the protective coating built up on the cast iron starts to ...

Can I use my Dutch oven over a campfire? ›

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.

Why are Dutch ovens so expensive? ›

Why Are Dutch Ovens So Expensive? A cast iron Dutch oven is a hefty piece of equipment, and all that iron comes at a cost: a lot of material goes into constructing this multi-purpose pot.

How do you clean a Dutch oven after camping? ›

Scrape out all of the food and wash your Camp Dutch Oven by hand with hot water. You can use a small amount of mild detergent. Dry your Camp Dutch Oven and lid thoroughly with paper or cloth towels. While the cookware is warm, rub a very light layer of cooking oil or our seasoning spray onto the surface.

What is the best meat to cook in a fire pit? ›

Always excellent over the flame, quality cuts of red meat is a staple for fire pit cooking. Seasoned well, and placed on a scorching hot grill grate, a delicious rump steak or lamb chop will grill up beautifully, creating a wonderful caramelised crust, and intense smokey flavour.

What meat is best for campfire? ›

From prime rib roasts to tri-tip to hamburger patties, or perhaps you prefer a hunk of chuck, a rack of ribs, a mighty tomahawk, or a real thick-cut steak (New York strip, ribeye, or otherwise).

What food to take camping for 3 days? ›

A good assortment of salamis, crackers, cheese, berries, apples, jam/honey, nuts and dried fruit are sure to make everyone happy. Cost Plus World Market is my favorite place for picking up packaged meats and cheeses that don't have to be refrigerated.

What food to bring camping for 2 days? ›

The Weekend Camping Grocery List
  • Fruit, such as apples, bananas, oranges, nectarines, grapes.
  • Vegetables for snacking, such as carrots, cucumbers, peas, celery, bell peppers.
  • Bagged salad mix.
  • Lettuce or spinach.
  • Potatoes.
  • Onions.
  • Corn on the cob or other seasonal vegetables.
Aug 26, 2022

What food to take camping without fridge? ›

Non-Refrigerated Camping Food To Consider
  • Bagels with cream cheese.
  • Cereal with powdered milk.
  • Instant oatmeal.
  • Honey or syrup.
  • Toast with peanut butter.
  • Homemade or store-bought muffins.
  • Tortillas.
  • Breakfast-style potatoes.

What is the best thing to cook in a Dutch oven? ›

No matter the style or size, any Dutch oven will open up endless recipe opportunities. Create beautifully braised meat, pot roasts, hearty beef stew, healing chicken soup, or the creamiest mac and cheese. Use it like a slow cooker, a bread cloche, or a pot for frying.

What are 8 reasons to use a Dutch oven? ›

What Is a Dutch Oven Used For?
  • Bread. One of the easiest (and more surprising) ways to use a Dutch oven is actually for breaking bread. ...
  • Casseroles and Lasagnas. ...
  • Skillet Cookies. ...
  • Chicken Stock. ...
  • Frying. ...
  • Braised Meats. ...
  • Roasting. ...
  • Poaching Chicken.
Oct 27, 2022

What do you need to cook with a Dutch oven? ›

Dutch ovens are great for stews, sauces, soups, braises or any other moist-heat cooking method. This pot can cook a casserole or a whole chicken. You can brown meat and vegetables on the stove and let them simmer away or transfer your pot to the oven to finish cooking there.

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