Cooking In A Dutch Oven

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30 Dutch Oven Recipes That Work Great for Campfire Cooking

Have oven, will feast.

cooking chili con carne in dutch oven over logfire

GMVozd Getty Images

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

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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Guinness Beef Stew

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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Chicken and Potato Chowder

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.

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Seafood and Chorizo Paella with Bell Peppers

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

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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.

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Steak with Creamy Mushrooms and Spinach

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

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White Wine Coq Au Vin

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

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Beer-Braised Chicken

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.

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Seared Sausage with Cabbage and Pink Lady Apples

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

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Seafood and Sausage Stew

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

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Crispy Chicken Thighs With Garlic and Rosemary

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.

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Ginger Garlic Chicken Ramen

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

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

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

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Corn-and-Ham Risotto

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.

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Bourbon Chili

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

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Tater Tot Breakfast Pizza

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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Green Chile Chicken Chilaquiles

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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Cheesy Garlic Bites

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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Campfire Donuts

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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Old-Fashioned Goulash

Hungry after a long day outside? This recipe, made with ground beef or turkey, minced garlic, diced tomatoes, and elbow noodles is the ultimate fuel.

Get the recipe at My Incredible Recipes.

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Dutch Oven Vegetarian Chili and Cornbread

Yes, you can still have a home-cooked meal (like chili and cornbread!) while you're camping.

Get the recipe at Fresh Off The Grid.

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Dutch Oven Cinnamon Nut Pull Aparts

With only five ingredients, this cinnamon roll recipe is the perfect treat-yourself meal.

Get the recipe at Tried and Tasty.

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Dutch Oven Dutch Baby

Have a slice of dessert for breakfast, thanks to this delicious Dutch baby recipe.

Get the recipe at Self Proclaimed Foodie.

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S'mores Cake

Why make normal s'mores when you could make a s'mores cake right by your campfire in just 10 minutes? This recipe is gooey chocolatey heaven.

Get the recipe at Polka Dot Chair.

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Campfire Nachos

Enjoy everyone's favorite bar food while sitting by the campfire with a cold beer. It's hard to mess up campfire nachos; just alternate layers of chips with cheesy toppings, and you'll have a delicious, crunchy mess to devour.

Get the recipe at Fresh Off The Grid.

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Dutch Oven Beer and Sausage

Cook sausages and baby potatoes with veggies, seasoning, and the dark beer of your choice for a hearty meal that's bursting with flavor.

Get the recipe at What's Cooking America.

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Baked Ziti

Baked ziti is the ultimate comfort dish that everyone in your family will love. Along with baked pasta, Italian sausage, and spaghetti sauce, add veggies of your choice, like mushrooms and green peppers.

Get the recipe at Three Guys Outside.

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Blackberry Campfire Cobbler

Get cozy by the fire with some warm blackberry cobbler, which is easy to make in your dutch oven with just three ingredients! A scoop of ice cream on top makes this dessert even more tasty.

Get the recipe at Just 2 Sisters.

Jenae Sitzes Editorial Assistant Jenae is the editorial assistant for Prevention.com, where she regularly covers nutrition, beauty, celebrity workouts, and health trends.

Jennifer Aldrich Editorial Assistant Jennifer Aldrich was the editorial assistant for CountryLiving.com.

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