Dutch oven cooking over an open fire is the ultimate camping experience. It combines the satisfaction of preparing a meal out in the wild with the actual scrumptious food when you're dirty and happily tired—and truly, there's nothing better.
It might require a bit more effort, but cooking over the fire with cast iron reaps many rewards, plus it's so versatile. There are recipes for every meal. Camping breakfast? Try Dutch oven cinnamon rolls, French toast, or hash browns. Lunch? Try a jambalaya or Dutch oven chili. Dinner recipes? Got that covered, too.
To simplify things for you, we've compiled 10 of the best Dutch oven camping recipes, all of which serve up a hearty meal. So bust out that campfire Dutch oven, pick from one of our easy recipes, then sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
1. Campfire Pasta Marinara
Most people don't immediately equate Italian with Dutch oven recipes, but Campfire Pasta Marinara is exactly what you'll want after a long day of adventuring. This hearty, warm meal is perfect for a cool night around a campfire. This Campfire Pasta Marinara serves up a dish of pasta, veggies, sauce, and broth that's sure to warm campers from the inside out. Pro tip: Add some Italian seasonings to really kick it up a notch.
2. Campfire Stew
Campfire Stew is one of those dishes that can be customized toward the individual camper's liking. Vegetarian? Try this delicious recipe for Campfire Red Lentil Stew. A meat lover? Try out a Dutch oven beef stew instead. There are so many directions to take this one.
3. Dutch Oven Cowboy Casserole
@timfarmerscountrykitchen Cowboy Casserole Recipe #meat #recipe #cooking #cowboy #casserole #southerncooking #cornbread #yum #recipesoftiktok #recipes #food #dinner #campfirecooking #dutchoven
For the heartiest appetites, Dutch oven Cowboy Casserole is an easy-peasy home run. Customize it however you want. Love bell peppers? Toss a few of those in. Camp cooking is all about getting creative.
4. Campfire Braised Chicken
This Campfire Braised Chicken is sure to be a treat for taste buds. Perfectly seasoned and served over a pumpkin seed salsa, this dish would be ideal for late-summer or early-autumn camping trips.
5. Guinness Corned Beef Brisket
Guinness Corned Beef Brisket will quickly become a Dutch oven tradition! This mouthwatering, meaty dish combines the flavors of Guinness beer, brown sugar, onions, garlic, and spices. It's slow-cooked and produces a deep, rich, fork-tender meat with a hint of sweetness. Pair with cornbread for a complete-and delicious-meal.
6. Dutch Oven Pizza
@getroastin Dutch Oven Pizzas! A great meal to impress your friends if you have some extra time to cook dinner. Full recipe at the link in my bio. Filmed within Secwépemc?ulucw, traditional and unceded territory of the Secwépemc. #pizza #campfire #dutchoven #vegan #vegetarian
Dutch Oven Pizza is a campfire cooking crowd pleaser. Cheesy, yummy, and warm, this campfire recipe has it all.
7. Dutch Oven Nachos
Goodness gracious, does it get any better than campfire nachos? This delicious Dutch oven recipe starts with a crunchy tortilla chip base and is topped with gooey cheese, tomatoes, avocado, sour cream, and more.
8. Dutch Oven Lasagna
Lasagna in the wilderness? Sign us up! This spinach campfire lasagna recipe is hard to beat, but die-hard meat lovers can opt for a hearty wild game lasagna, too.
9. Dutch Oven Biscuits and Gravy
@seandrew8 Buscuits and gravy in the dutch oven. Best I've ever had! #buscuitsandgravy #campingfood #dutchoven #fyp
TikToker @seandrew8 is known for offering up simple-to-follow camping hacks, and he keeps it coming in this one-pot recipe. Made with canned biscuits, sausage, gravy mix, butter, and seasonings, this recipe is simple to follow and even easier to gobble up.
10. Campfire Enchiladas
Classic enchiladas cooked in a cast iron Dutch oven and smothered in creamy cheese is where it's at. So, bust out your favorite Dutch oven and try some of these new recipes on your next camping trip.
Bonus: Dutch Oven Recipes for Dessert
Getty Images, rudisill
Try out some of these Dutch oven desserts to top of those delicious camping food meals. Dutch Oven Brownies pack a big chocolatey punch, Dutch oven Peach Cobbler or Berry Cobbler delivers some sweet and buttery goodness, and Dutch oven Lava Cake brings exquisite indulgence to the great outdoors. Get creative with camping desserts. Try an upside down cake, dutch oven s'mores, or invent a new and delicious recipe that just might become a family favorite.
