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

Home Camping

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.

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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

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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

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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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

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

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

For the most evenly cooked product, top the lid with more hot coals, so that just like an oven, heat is coming from all sides. Carter will sometimes seal the sides of the Dutch oven before placing it on the fire, wrapping foil around the lid and the lip just to be extra sure no ash gets in.

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

The indoor Dutch oven has no legs. You can easily use it on a stove top or in a standard household oven. Now look at the outdoor Dutch oven. It has legs that are designed to keep it just above coals, preventing direct contact with the heat and permitting oxygen to get to the coals.

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Can you put an enameled Dutch oven on a campfire? ›

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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What is a Dutch oven trick? ›

In that case, we recommend the infamous Dutch oven prank. For the uninitiated, a Dutch oven involves farting in bed, then quickly pulling up the sheets to trap your significant other with the smell. It's a decades-old trick that has surely ruined countless relationships, yet many dudes still dare to try it.

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What is the easiest way to cook over a fire? ›

Grill grate: A grill grate is a simple and useful tool for cooking over an open fire. When grilling over a firepit, grill grate creates a safe, stable surface for cooking food directly or placing a pan or Dutch oven on top of it.

Can a dutch oven go on a fire pit? ›

Braise in a bed of coals or wood embers.

Here, you would put the Dutch oven directly in your Kettle or fire pit, as dual-direction heating is required when braising in a Dutch oven. Coals must be put on top and below the pot to ensure juicy, even cooking of braised short ribs, chicken thighs, or pot roast.

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Can you roast cheese on a campfire? ›

Hold skewered cheese over an open fire or very hot coals. Cook for about 2 minutes, turning skewers to soften and brown cheese evenly on all sides. Using a dry cracker, a fork or a knife, scrape cheese onto cracker with spread and basil leaf. Top with second cracker to make a sandwich.

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Can you cook a pizza over a campfire? ›

Yes, you can cook pizza on a campfire.

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What are popcorn old maids? ›

There are a few possible explanations why unpopped popcorn kernels are referred to as “old maids.” It might be because unpopped kernels don't contain enough moisture to create a burst. Also, as the unpopped kernel fails to pop, the parallel is made with an old maid who remains unmarried beyond the usual age.

Can you put cast iron directly on fire? ›

Not only are cast iron pans more durable than modern makes (you can literally put one on a burning coal), they are also great at delivering extra flavorful food without packing your whole spice rack.

How many briquettes to use for a Dutch oven? ›