What to cook in a Dutch oven over a fire?

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.

How do you use a Dutch oven in a fire pit?

With a gloved hand and long tongs, arrange 12-15 hot briquettes on the lid of your filled dutch-oven. Use the tongs to make a circle between your three rocks in the fire pit and then place your dutch-oven with its feet resting on the larger rocks. This method seems to work to heat the dutch oven to about 350 F.

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 to cook in cast iron Dutch oven over campfire?

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.

How many charcoal briquettes to use for a Dutch oven?

Take your oven's diameter in inches and double it. This is the number of high-quality, standard-size charcoal briquettes you will need to heat your oven to 325 degrees every time. For a 10-inch oven, you need 20 briquettes. For a 12-incher, you need 24 briquettes , and so on.

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.

Can I boil water in a Dutch oven?

Simmer, boil, steam: On a basic level, a Dutch oven is just a heavy-duty pot with a lid. So any cooking method that can be performed in a typical pot, can be done in a Dutch oven as well . Think simmering soups, steaming rice, boiling water for pasta, etc.

What are the best camping meals?

Best Camping Dinner Ideas Sausage and Tortellini Soup. ... Dutch Oven Red Beans and Rice. ... Chipotle Grilled Chicken Tacos. ... Chicken Pineapple Kabobs. ... One Pot Chili Mac. ... Cilantro & Lime Grilled Chicken Tacos. ... Tzatziki Chicken Skewers. ... Shrimp Boil Foil Packets. More items... May 28, 2022

What to cook when camping on a fire?

You can cook satisfying stews, belly-warming soups, classic baked beans, boil water for pasta and even bake bread over your campfire with a Dutch oven. Serve your Dutch oven masterpiece with cornbread and everyone will be happy. Skillet: Choose a cast-iron or aluminum skillet to cook up a variety of scrumptious meals.

Can you cook with a 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.

Can you use enameled Dutch oven over fire?

Material and Finish. Home Dutch ovens (such as those made by Staub and Le Creuset) are made of cast iron and sealed in enamel. This enamel, which is beautiful and makes for easier cleaning, can become damaged when exposed to the high direct heat of an open campfire .

20 Dutch Oven Camping Recipes to Make Over the Fire (2024)

Home Camping

ByLisa Kaminski

Taste of Home's Editorial Process

Updated: Jan. 30, 2024

Camping out? Try these easy Dutch oven camping recipes. They're super satisfying and perfect for feeding a hungry crowd.

GMVozd/iStock/Getty Images Plus

Hot dogs, gorp and s’mores are great, but if you’re looking for stuff that’ll stick to your ribs, put these recipes on your camping meal plan and a Dutch oven on your camping checklist.

All you need to make these recipes are some easy-to-tote ingredients and a roaring fire (and your camping Dutch oven, of course). Then get ready for compliments—these soups, stews and one-pot dinners for groups are bound to become everybody’s favorite camping meals. (Be sure to save room for campsite desserts!)

1/22

—

Ham and Lentil Soup

This tasty Dutch oven soup recipe is a combination of two soup recipes I came across and adapted. It will keep your family filled up on a cool night of camping. —Andi Haug, Hendrum, Minnesota

Go to Recipe

2/22

Quicker Chicken and Dumplings

Ready in 30 minutes, this easy chicken and dumplings recipe takes advantage of convenience items and uses time-saving, drop-style dumplings. —Willie DeWaard, Coralville, Iowa

Go to Recipe

Still hungry? Try our favorite quick Dutch oven recipes.

3/22

Taste of Home

Grilled Seasoned Bratwurst

Cook these bratwurst in your Dutch oven first. Then you can quickly brown them on the grill. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Go to Recipe

4/22

One-Pot Spaghetti Dinner

Mamma mia! What’s the secret to this one-pot spaghetti? A homemade jar sauce and a one-pot cooking method makes this an easy camping recipe. —Carol Benzel-Schmidt, Stanwood, Washington

Go to Recipe

5/22

Taste of Home

Beef Noodle Soup

This delicious soup only takes minutes—but tastes as if it simmers all day! —Margery Bryan, Moses Lake, Washington

Go to Recipe

6/22

Homemade Cheesy Potato Soup

It doesn’t take long to put bowls of this comforting cheesy potato soup recipe on the table. Convenience items, such as canned soup and processed cheese, simplify the prep and make it easy to cook at a campsite. —Tammy Condit, League City, Texas

Go to Recipe

7/22

Easy Moroccan Chickpea Stew

Before you leave for your camping trip, prep the veggies and make the spice blend. Then this hearty Moroccan chickpea stew is basically a dump Dutch oven dinner! —Heather Demeritte, Scottsdale, Arizona

Go to Recipe

8/22

Sausage and Kale Soup Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Sausage and Kale Soup

This is my family’s absolute favorite soup, and I can have it on the table in less than 45 minutes. —Dawn Rohn, Riverton, Wyoming

Go to Recipe

9/22

Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili

My whole family enjoys this sweet potato black bean chili, but my daughter especially loves it. I like to make it because it's so easy and very flavorful. —Joy Pendley, Ortonville, Michigan

Go to Recipe

For more meat-free meals, check out these vegetarian Dutch oven recipes.

10/22

Italian Beef and Shells

A veggie and pasta combo makes a hearty entree that comes together easily. Pack a carton of wine, rather than a bottle, to make the ingredients even more camping friendly. —Mike Tchou, Pepper Pike, Ohio

Go to Recipe

11/22

Rustic Italian Tortellini Soup

This is my favorite soup recipe. It's quick to fix on a busy night and full of healthy, tasty ingredients. It originally called for spicy sausage links, but I've found that turkey sausage, or even ground turkey breast, is just as good. —Tracy Fasnacht, Irwin, Pennsylvania

Go to Recipe

12/22

Taste of Home

Italian Sausage and Bean Soup

Made in a Dutch oven, the surprising blend of sausage, beans and coleslaw warms your soul, making this the perfect camping comfort food. —Stacey Bennett, Locust Grove, Virginia

Go to Recipe

13/22

Spiced-Up Healthy Soup

This Dutch oven dinner has been a hit with family and friends. It’s spicy, low-fat and filled with good-for-you ingredients. —Diane Tayman, Dixon, Illinois

Go to Recipe

14/22

Taste of Home

Hearty Penne Beef

This hearty penne beef recipe is comfort food at its finest! The best of everything is found here—it’s tasty, easy and a smart way to sneak in some spinach for extra nutrition. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Go to Recipe

15/22

Italian Chicken Stew

My husband enjoys preparing this satisfying stew because it’s so easy to make. With warm Italian bread, it’s a winner on a cooler day. —Jo Calizzi, Vandergrift, Pennsylvania

Go to Recipe

16/22

Taste of Home

Sloppy Joe Stew

This old-fashioned stew has a slightly sweet taste from the addition of canned corn. Your camping neighbors will smell this simmering and come over to check it out! —Clair Long, Destrehan, Louisiana

Go to Recipe

17/22

Cashew Rice Pilaf

On a camping trip, this hearty Dutch oven dinner will be a nice change of pace from beef jerky and trail mix. —Tina Coburn, Tucson, Arizona

Go to Recipe

18/22

Taste of Home

Spicy Potato Soup

This easy family recipe is a cinch to make at a campground. Feel free to increase the hot pepper sauce or add your favorite herbs if you want more kick. — Audrey Wall, Industry, Pennsylvania

Go to Recipe

19/22

Friendship Soup Mix

Pack a jar of soup fixin’s plus ground beef and a can of tomatoes, and you’ll have an easy and delicious camping dinner ready to go. —Wendy Taylor, Mason City, Iowa

Go to Recipe

20/22

Pumpkin Chili

This uniquely spiced chili is loaded with pantry ingredients, making it a terrific camping recipe. —Betty Butler, Greencastle, Indiana

Go to Recipe

21/22

Green Pepper Casserole

I always prepare this family favorite when peppers and onions are in season.—Ellen Lloyd, Greenfield, Wisconsin

Go to Recipe

22/22

Taste of Home

Venison Stew

I had no choice but to learn to cook many years ago while my wife recuperated from surgery. But I found I really enjoyed trying different recipes and adapting them to my own taste—that's how my now-famous venison stew recipe came to be! —Gene Pitts, Wilsonville, Alabama

Go to Recipe

Originally Published: January 08, 2020

Author

Lisa Kaminski

Lisa is a formerTaste of Home editor and passionate baker. During her tenure, she poured her love of all things sweet (and sometimes savory) into Bakeable, Taste of Home's baking club. Lisa also dedicated her career here to finding and testing the best ingredients, kitchen gear and home products for our Test Kitchen-Preferred program. At home, yo...

20 Dutch Oven Camping Recipes to Make Over the Fire (2024)

Ham and Lentil Soup

Quicker Chicken and Dumplings

Grilled Seasoned Bratwurst

One-Pot Spaghetti Dinner

Beef Noodle Soup

Homemade Cheesy Potato Soup

Easy Moroccan Chickpea Stew

Sausage and Kale Soup

Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili

Italian Beef and Shells

Rustic Italian Tortellini Soup

Italian Sausage and Bean Soup

Spiced-Up Healthy Soup

Hearty Penne Beef

Italian Chicken Stew

Sloppy Joe Stew

Cashew Rice Pilaf

Spicy Potato Soup

Friendship Soup Mix

Pumpkin Chili

Green Pepper Casserole

Venison Stew

FAQs

What to cook in a Dutch oven over a fire? ›

Can you use enameled Dutch oven over fire? ›