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 over a campfire? ›

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? ›

The answer is simple – whatever is cooked in it tastes fantastic, and it cooks just about everything. The Dutch oven is also called a camp oven, outdoor oven, kitchen oven, and bean pot.

What is a Dutch oven used for camping? ›

Unlike a home Dutch oven, which has a flat bottom and sealed in enamel, a camping Dutch oven is made entirely from cast iron, has support legs on the bottom, and comes with a flat flanged lid. Coals or embers can be placed underneath and on top of the lid, allowing you to heat from both sides.

What food to bring camping for 2 days? ›

Camping Meal Plan Ideas
  • Tortillas.
  • Pita bread.
  • Nuts.
  • Trail mix.
  • Dried fruit.
  • Summer sausage.
  • Cheese.
  • Hardboiled eggs.

What food to take camping for 3 days? ›

Example 3-day menu plan using these recipes
DayBreakfastDinner
1Peanut butter oatmealHot dogs or veggie dogs
2Breakfast burrito in a bagCampfire nachos
3Homemade granola with oat milkGrain bowl
Sep 16, 2021

What is the easiest camping food? ›

Dinner
  • Chicken and Veggie Shish Kabobs. These shish kabobs are an easy camping meal - just roast them over a fire or a grill and you're ready to go! ...
  • Shrimp and Summer Veggie Foil Packets. ...
  • Crockpot Chicken BBQ Sandwiches. ...
  • S'mores Brownies. ...
  • No-Bake Camping Cookies. ...
  • Dirt Pudding Cups.

How to pack a Dutch oven for camping? ›

Start by wrapping the cookware in old towels or pillowcases. You can also use paper bags to wrap them and use paper towels as padding in between. Get yourself a cast iron pot and pan-carrying bag for ease of movement. You can also pack them in a wooden or plastic box for easy transit.

What can I cook in a Dutch oven? ›

From classic Beef Bourguignon and beef stew to braised short ribs, these are the essential beef recipes to cook in your Dutch oven.
  • 1 / 14. Beef Bourguignon. ...
  • 2 / 14. Guinness Beef Stew. ...
  • 3 / 14. Beef Tips. ...
  • 4 / 14. Beef Barley Soup. ...
  • 5 / 14. Beef Ragù ...
  • 6 / 14. Cabbage Roll Soup. ...
  • 7 / 14. Kentucky Burgoo. ...
  • 8 / 14.
Jan 2, 2024

What is the best budget Dutch oven for camping? ›

Ozark Trail Cast Iron Dutch Oven: Most Affordable Option

The Ozark Trail Cast Iron Dutch Oven is a budget-friendly choice for camping. It offers durability and versatility at an affordable price point.

What foods can you roast over a campfire? ›

Try mushrooms, tomatoes, onions, zucchini, peppers, even mini red potatoes! Meat skewers. Chicken, bacon, pork, steak, shrimp, meatballs- you can roast anything! Just bring along a meat thermometer so you can make sure it's cooked thoroughly!

How do you bake in a Dutch oven over coals? ›

When you're cooking with a camp dutch oven, charcoal placement is critical. For baking we recommend a 3:1 ratio of coals on the top and bottom of your cookware. You're punching your baked goods with heat from the top, while ensuring evenness underneath. When roasting in your CDO, use a ratio of 1:1.

What else can I cook in a Dutch oven? ›

What to Cook in Your Dutch Oven
  • Short Ribs. Sort of the original “set it and forget it,” a Dutch oven is just the thing for a long-simmering braise. ...
  • Macaroni and Cheese. ...
  • Scalloped Potatoes. ...
  • Coq au Vin. ...
  • Dorie Greenspan's Roast Chicken. ...
  • Seafood Stew. ...
  • Bread. ...
  • Carnitas.
Jan 16, 2024

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