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

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20 Dutch Oven Camping Recipes to Make Over the Fire (1)Lisa KaminskiUpdated: Jan. 30, 2024

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

    20 Dutch Oven Camping Recipes to Make Over the Fire (2)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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    8/22

    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    20/22

    Pumpkin Chili

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

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    21/22

    Green Pepper Casserole

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

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    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

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    Originally Published: January 08, 2020

    20 Dutch Oven Camping Recipes to Make Over the Fire (24)

    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, you'll find her working on embroidery and other crafts.

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

    FAQs

    What to cook in a Dutch oven over 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 many coals do I need for a camp oven? ›

    The math is fairly simple. In order to guesstimate how many charcoal briquettes you'll need, take the size on the lid and multiply it by two. For example, if you have a 12-inch dutch oven-12 x 2 = 24 (charcoal briquettes.)

    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 do you cook in a camp oven? ›

    These simple stews, casseroles, pot roasts and pull-apart breads are perfect if you're new to the world of camping.
    1. 1Garlic and cheese pull-apart bread. ...
    2. 2Slow-cooked chicken and black bean stew. ...
    3. 3Moroccan chicken and rice one-pot. ...
    4. 4French-style pork pot roast. ...
    5. 5Cheesy pumpkin bonfire damper.

    How many charcoal briquettes to use for 350 degrees? ›

    For low heat, around 250°F to 350°F, you'll want a fourth full charcoal chimney or about 25 briquettes. Maximum temperature and length of the cook depends on how you spread out your coals. If you spread lit coals in a thin layer, your temperature will be lower, and the heat will dissipate faster.

    How many charcoal briquettes to use for 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.

    What is the best briquettes for a Dutch oven? ›

    I prefer using charcoal briquettes in many camp cooking settings when I cook in cast iron, simply for ease of use. Charcoal briquettes are excellent for aspiring outdoor chefs and a great option for those “light it and forget it” dutch oven dinners.

    How often do you change coals on a Dutch oven? ›

    Your first batch of coals will probably keep the oven hot for 30 to 45 minutes. That's long enough to cook most things, but you sure don't want to let the oven go out for those 1 hour or longer meals. Just make sure you check your oven every 20 or 30 minutes to see that the coals are ok.

    How many coals for 250 degrees? ›

    Usually around five lit coals will get you up to 225-250°F. Spread unlit coals evenly on one side of the coal grate. Place the lit coals evenly amongst the unlit coals. Place your food above the coals and put on the lid.

    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.

    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 your favorite food to cook while camping? ›

    • 1Hash brown egg cups. ...
    • 2One-pot penne bolognese. ...
    • 3Chargrilled steak with baby broccoli. ...
    • 4Chargrilled laksa chicken with cashew rice. ...
    • 5Swede, potato and beef hash with a fried egg. ...
    • 6Chicken tacos with chargrilled corn. ...
    • 7Chargrilled kipfler potato salad. ...
    • 8Chargrilled eggplant and tomato salad.

    What is the difference between a camp oven and a Dutch oven? ›

    The most prominent difference between the two is the lid. While a dutch oven lid is domed and typically has drippers for self-basting, a camp oven's lid is thick, mostly flat, smooth-bottomed, and has a ridge around the top edge. The massive lid helps maximize heat retention.

    Why use a trivet in a camp oven? ›

    The Campfire Camp Oven Trivet, available in a variety of sizes, is a great accessory for your camp oven. Used to prevent food from burning or sticking to the base of your oven. Other advatages also include allowing fat to drip through for heathier cooking and can also be used as a steamer rack.

    Can I use my Dutch oven over a fire? ›

    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.

    Can you put a Dutch oven on an open fire? ›

    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.

    Can you use enameled Dutch oven over fire? ›

    Enameled cast–iron has a smooth, non-porous surface and can go from the stovetop, to the oven straight to the table. They should not be subjected to extremely high temperatures, so avoid using your enameled cast-iron dutch oven on a grill or in a campfire.

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