Using a dutch oven while camping is a game-changer, allowing you to make hearty, fresh-out-of-the-oven meals around the campfire. We’ve gathered the best dutch oven camping recipes for you to test out on your next outdoor adventure.
It’s no secret that one of the best things about camping is the food, and these Dutch oven camping recipes will keep your bellies full around the campfire.
If you tend to stick to old-school classics like hamburgers and hot dogs, we’d encourage you to broaden your camping meal choices. The traditional cooking method takes a few tries to perfect, but is inherently simple.
With Dutch oven camping recipes, you don’t have to sacrifice flavor, quality, or convenience with your meals. In fact, many of the best recipes involve literally dumping ingredients in the pot and letting them cook for you!
Save this list for your next camping trip, and never look at camp food the same way again.
Article Contents
Jump to the following sections (or just keep scrolling to see it all!).
- Dutch oven camping recipes for dinner
- Dutch oven camping recipes for breakfast
- Vegetarian dutch oven camping recipes
- Dutch oven camping recipes for dessert
For more tips and advice on preparing these dutch oven camping recipes, just to the following sections.
- How to cook in a dutch oven
- Best dutch ovens for camping
- Dutch oven camping accessories
- Dutch oven camping recipes round up
Dutch oven camping recipes for dinner
These recipes make for hearty dinners around the campfire.
1. Chicken pot pie
Just a handful of pantry staples simplify this cozy, hearty dish for cooking right over campfire coals. For an even easier, more flavorful hack, use shredded store-bought rotisserie chicken in place of the cubed chicken breasts.
You can also add diced potatoes or fresh herbs to give it a more rustic, homemade taste.
2. Campfire enchiladas
You may not picture cheesy enchiladas when you think of Dutch oven camping recipes, but they’re actually very well suited for cooking over a campfire.
This recipe fills the enchiladas with crab meat, but there are several other options. Try shredded chicken (heck, buy a rotisserie chicken and use it for enchiladas and a pot pie!), ground beef, or omitting meat for a vegetarian version.
3. Dutch oven pot roast
Inherently simple, the humble pot roast was born for outdoor cooking. This variation is very traditional, and like many other Dutch oven camping recipes, you can further customize it with different veggies or seasonings.
As a bonus, this recipe includes a handy guide on how to use coals to achieve specific temperatures, like you would in an oven.
4. Jambalaya
Some sources say the word jambalaya means “eat up.” Others define it as a mixup, or “mish-mash.” Either way, it’s delicious Creole-Cajun food that you can’t really mess up!
Jambalaya always has sausage, but otherwise, no two versions are alike. Many people add chicken and shrimp or crawfish, but you’ll find just as many who add one or the other, and others who use pork instead of chicken.
5. Chili with cornbread
Some of the best Dutch oven camping recipes are the ones where you can quite literally dump everything into the pot. In this case, that even includes the cornbread.
This camping meal is already super easy, but to make it even simpler, measure out your spice mix at home, then add it to the chili all at once.
6. Tater tot casserole
This simple but flavorful Dutch oven meal is comfort food at its finest, sure to be a hit with everyone (especially kiddos!).
If you’re concerned about keeping the frozen potatoes cool, you can cook them at home and just reheat. Shredded hashbrowns also work in this recipe.
7. Taco soup
Taco soup is a universal crowd pleaser, but this specific recipe adds an unexpected secret ingredient: ranch dressing seasoning.
The result? A subtle flavor that’s tangy and smooth, one that will put this squarely in your top Dutch oven camping recipes.
Store-bought ranch packets are a great addition to your camping food list, but you can also easily make your own.
8. Shepherd’s pie
Another crowd-pleasing, stick-to-your-ribs comfort meal, Shepherd’s Pie is surprisingly easy to make.
This is one of those meals that tastes even better the second day after the flavors meld, so consider making the meat and veggie mix ahead of time. You can do the same with the potatoes, or use a pouch of instant mashed potatoes at camp.
9. Cowboy stew
Looking for something you can throw together without going to the store? Cowboy stew works great with any type of beans and tomatoes you have on hand.
It’s an especially great Dutch oven camping meal, because fire adds caramelization and smokiness that makes it even better.
To feed a larger group, add in another can of beans or tomatoes (or both!), or serve over rice.
10. Dutch oven pizza
Pizza while camping is a complete game-changer, particularly when you make it in a Dutch oven. The crust caramelizes perfectly and comes out tasting like a rustic artisan wood-fired pizza.
You can get as fancy as you want with homemade crust and sauce, but you can also buy them from the store. Either way, make sure you pack LOTS of toppings!
11. Loaded nachos
We promise, if you make these nachos as one of your Dutch oven camping recipes, you will quickly be voted permanent camp chef. They’re great as-is, but you can really take them to the next level by piling toppings on. That’s exactly why they’re perfect in a deep Dutch oven!
12. “Lazy Lasagna” (aka lasagna soup)
Here’s another very non-traditional, yet surprisingly easy to prepare, camping meal.
Making lasagna from scratch is complex and time-consuming, but this deconstructed version is ideal for camping. It comes together quickly, but you can also make it at home ahead of time and reheat over the fire to get that coveted second-day lasagna flavor.
13. Red beans and rice
Admittedly, this version of red beans and rice is far from traditional. However, if you love flavorful, easy, and a bit of spiciness, add this to your repertoire of Dutch oven camping recipes.
The one authentic red beans and rice staple? Andouille sausage. Unless you’re omitting it completely to make a vegetarian dish, it’s non-negotiable.
14. Sprite chicken
As its name implies, this chicken stew uses Sprite as its cooking liquid. Other variations use apple juice, but either way, this meal yields an oh-so-tender, savory dish that has a very subtle sweetness.
Combined with the bacon and cooked over a fire, the flavor is surprisingly complex!
15. BBQ baked beans
Dutch oven camping recipes don’t get much easier than these baked beans. The recipe calls only for a handful of pantry staples you likely already have, but you can also add in more meat to bulk it up and make this a main meal. We’d do sausage or ham, but even hot dogs work!
16. Pull-apart cheesy garlic bread
This gooey, buttery cheesy garlic bread is delicious on its own, but also works beautifully as a simple way to stretch out your other camp dinners.
It’s so impressive that no one will believe you just dressed up a store-bought loaf of bread!
While this dish is very, very simple, it’s worth the extra few minutes to roast the garlic and buy fresh herbs.
Dutch oven camping recipes for breakfast
Who says you can’t have freshly baked breakfasts while camping in the woods!?
17. Mountain Man breakfast casserole
Think of this hearty casserole like the classic chili of breakfast meals. You can toss in just about anything, everyone loves it, and it feeds a small army. In fact, we recommend cutting the recipe in half unless you have a big group or an easy way to store leftovers overnight.
18. French toast bites
French toast is common among Dutch oven camping recipes, but this twist is genius. Instead of having to flip individual pieces of bread and everyone eating in batches, this creative dish cooks bites of French toast, casserole-style.
Two secrets will prevent you from getting a mushy pile of sweet bread. First, use good quality, thick-cut bread like brioche or Texas toast. Also, cut it into squares before your trip, so it dries out and hardens a bit.
19. Spiced corned beef hash
A bit of a retro camping meal, corned beef hash is ideal for cooking at camp. None of the ingredients need to be refrigerated before cooking, you can find pre-packaged versions of most to make things even easier, and it comes together in just a few steps.
Even better, you can eat corned beef hash for any meal! Feel free to adjust the spice level, and consider adding a fried or sunny-side egg on top.
20. Biscuits and gravy
Biscuits and gravy doesn’t need an introduction; it’s one of the most classic, beloved camping meals of all time. And it works especially well in a Dutch oven, baking the biscuits to a perfect golden brown.
The only caveat here is that cooking everything in one pot unfortunately results in soggy biscuits. You can either use a second pot for the gravy, or make it ahead of time, then reheat at camp and serve alongside the biscuits.
21. Breakfast frittata
Although frittatas seem fancy, making one really isn’t complicated. Actually, you could argue that it’s even easier, because you simply let the eggs set up, rather than constantly mixing them.
This savory egg dish is perfect for the outdoors, nutrient-rich and packed with protein. It’s especially satisfying for lunch after a long hike.
22. Dutch baby
In case you’re not familiar, a Dutch baby is a giant, super fluffy pancake that puffs up like a popover, then falls once it comes off the heat. The result is a custard-like center, similar to Yorkshire pudding. Amazingly, it comes together in mere minutes.
As its name suggests, a Dutch baby makes one of the best Dutch oven camping recipes. Bring a variety of toppings, like syrup, fresh berries, whipped cream, and Nutella.
23. Cinnamon rolls
Is there anything better than a warm, ooey, gooey cinnamon roll alongside your morning coffee at camp?
You can use refrigerated cinnamon rolls for the easiest camping breakfast ever, but this recipe features a very simple homemade version. Instead of traditional swirled cinnamon rolls, you’ll use frozen dinner rolls and make the topping and icing from scratch.
Psst! You know what goes best with camp breakfast… a steaming cup of joe! Find out which is the best method and how to brew the best camping coffee for your next outdoor adventure.
Vegetarian Dutch oven camping recipes
You don’t have to be a carnivore to enjoy hearty meals while camping.
24. Vegetarian campfire lasagna
Because Dutch ovens replicate how ovens cook, you can enjoy meals like traditional lasagna at camp. This recipe layers right into the pot and, of course, you can add meat if you prefer.
To make this dish even more campsite-friendly, use “no-boil” lasagna noodles. If you can’t find them locally, you can also par-boil your noodles ahead of time.
25. Vegetable stew
This hearty stew is chock full of colorful veggies and aromatic spices. Combined with red wine, soy sauce or liquid aminos, and tomato paste, it’s also rich and satisfying.
Like most stews and soups, you can easily adapt this one to what you have, adding or omitting ingredients.
26. Vegan chili mac
Developed as a quick dinner for busy weeknights at home, chili mac translates perfectly to cooking over a campfire. It’s packed with colorful veggies and uses crumbled tempeh for a protein punch that mimics the texture of ground meat.
This particular chili is MUCH better after sitting for awhile, so consider making it early in the day.
Psst! Check out these other ideas for vegan camping food!
27. Ratatouille
For anyone who’s never eaten it, ratatouille is a traditional French Provencal vegetable stew. It seems complicated at first, but aside from slicing all the veggies, it’s really quite simple.
Ratatouille typically uses summer produce, so this is one of the best Dutch oven camping recipes specifically for late in the season.
28. Moroccan lentil stew
Anything involving lentils is great for the outdoors, because they’re filling without being heavy and they store easily. This stew adds the punch of fiber- and protein-laden chickpeas, along with a variety of fragrant spices.
29. Butternut squash campfire curry (vegan)
If you have any dietary restrictions, this curry may quickly become one of your go-to Dutch oven camping recipes. It’s vegan, dairy-free, grain-free, and low carb! Don’t dismiss it as boring, though—it’s loaded with aromatic flavors!
To bulk up the curry, serve it over rice or with pita or naan bread.
Psst! Looking for more veg-heavy options? We’ve got you covered with these vegetarian camping meals that are both healthy & delicious!
Dutch oven camping recipes for dessert
Don’t skimp on dessert, you’ll want to treat yourself after a day of hiking and exploring the outdoors.
30. 10-minute dutch oven s’mores cake
Is it even camping if you don’t make s’mores? This clever twist combines those classic flavors with a store-bought cake, resulting in an ooey-gooey concoction that’s just as fun to eat as traditional s’mores.
31. Chocolate chip skillet cookie
Everyone loves a pizookie, and it’s even better when it’s warm and fresh off the fire. This version gives a fantastic made-from-scratch recipe, but you can also use refrigerated, ready-to-eat cookie dough.
Consider adding broken up Oreos, and bring some whipped cream!
32. Dutch oven cobbler
There are a TON of cobbler Dutch oven camping recipes out there, but this is one of the most unique. Instead of biscuit dough, it uses boxed cake mix and soda. This gives the “crust” part a deep golden caramelization.
One of the best things about this recipe is that you can make literally hundreds of flavor combos. Blueberry filling with lemon cake, chocolate cake with cherry filling, or classic peach with white cake.
33. Pineapple upside-down cake
This is an old-school favorite, but not typically something you see as a Dutch oven camping recipe. However, a simple but genius little hack makes this perfect for campfire cooking.
Using paper towels on the bottom, your cake will come out perfect and you won’t have a mess to clean!
34. Strawberry dump cake
A good ol’ fashioned strawberry shortcake is always a crowd pleaser, but this dump cake combines those same flavors into an even easier dessert. To really hit a homerun, don’t forget the whipped cream!
35. Monkey bread
Similar to cinnamon rolls, monkey bread is one of those treats you can eat any time of day. The pull-apart method also makes it fun to eat, so this recipe is a consistent favorite.
You can use canned biscuits to save time, but we recommend making the glaze ahead of time, at home. Not only will it minimize what you have to bring, but using kitchen tools like a mixer takes the glaze over the top.
Psst! Looking for more ideas?? After dinner, you’ll want to try some of these delicious and easy campfire desserts!
How to cook in a dutch oven while camping
Dutch oven camp cooking is very easy but there is a bit of a learning curve.
Light your fire and/or preheat your charcoal briquettes, depending on the recipe you’re making. While that heats up, prep your ingredients.
When the coals become white around the edges, you’re ready to cook. Place the Dutch oven directly onto the coals or use a grate or tripod to suspend it over the fire, again depending on the recipe.
For even heating, and to replicate the way an oven cooks, place coals on top of the lid, too.
To control the temperature, add or remove coals, or move your Dutch oven closer to or away from the fire. Rotate the pot every so often and start checking your dish about two-thirds of the way through the recommended cooking time.
Best dutch ovens for camping
If you are looking to buy a dutch oven for camping, below are a few good options we’d recommend.
- Lodge Cast Iron Dutch Oven, 5 quart: The Dutch oven that set the bar for all others, it’s hard to top a classic Lodge.
- Overmont Camp Dutch Oven, 6 quart: Affectionately called the “Lifetime Pot,” this 2-in-1 has a lid with cleverly integrated legs that allow it to be used as a standalone skillet.
- Caraway Camping Dutch Oven, 9 quart: The largest Dutch oven on our list, this one combines features of the traditional Lodge, like the flat bottom, with some from the Overmont, like the lid that can be used on its own.
Dutch oven camping accessories
There are a few tools available to make cooking with a dutch oven over a campfire a lot easier.
- Lodge 4-in-1 camp dutch oven tool: This genius multi-purpose tool comes in handy for all Dutch oven camping recipes. Use it as a lid lifter, legs for flat-bottom pots and pans, and more.
- Camp Chef dutch oven tripod: A tripod lets you cook directly over open flames (instead of on coals), and works especially well when you need to cook something low and slow, like a soup.
- Lodge dutch oven lid lifter: A simple but wildly effective and practical tool, this bar lets you lift and move your Dutch oven’s lid without burning your hands.
Round up of dutch oven camping recipes
Here’s a recap of all the best dutch oven camping recipes so you can see everything in one place.
- Chicken pot pie
- Campfire enchiladas
- Dutch oven pot roast
- Jambalaya
- Chili with cornbread
- Tater tot casserole
- Taco soup
- Shepherd’s pie
- Cowboy stew
- Dutch oven pizza
- Loaded nachos
- Lazy lasagna
- Red beans and rice
- Sprite chicken
- BBQ baked beans
- Pull-apart cheesy garlic bread
- Mountain Man breakfast casserole
- French toast bites
- Corned beef hash
- Biscuits and gravy
- Breakfast fritata
- Dutch baby
- Cinnamon rolls
- Vegetarian campfire lasagna
- Vegetable stew
- Vegan chili mac
- Ratatoullie
- Moroccan lentil stew
- Vegan campfire curry
- 10-minute s’mores cake
- Chocolate chip skillet cookie
- Cobbler
- Pineapple upside-down cake
- Strawberry shortcake dumpcake
- Monkey bread
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We want to hear from you!
Which of these dutch oven camping recipes are you most excited to try? Do you have any dutch oven staples you think we left off the list? Comment below and let us know!