Dutch Oven Camping Recipes (2023)

FAQs

Dutch Oven Camping Recipes? ›

So any cooking method that can be performed in a typical pot, can be done in a Dutch oven as well. 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.

So any cooking method that can be performed in a typical pot, can be done in a Dutch oven as well. 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.

“The Camp Dutch Oven Cookbook: Easy 5-Ingredient Recipes to Eat Well in the Great Outdoors” by Robin Donovan Description: For campers who enjoy the versatility of Dutch oven cooking, “The Camp Dutch Oven Cookbook” is a must-have.

All other methods require a singular heat source from below. You can place your Dutch oven directly over hot coals or wood embers in your campfire set your Dutch oven on a campfire cooking grate (found on some campfire rings) or opt to hang your Dutch oven from a campfire tripod.

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.

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.

Don't cook acidic foods

If your Dutch oven is enamel coated, then you can easily use it to cook homemade tomato sauce or any other acidic foods. However, it's not a good idea to simmer these types of foods when you're using any type of kitchen kit made from cast iron.

The Dutch oven—or as I like to call it, the analog crock pot—is a favorite among those who love cooking. The hype around Dutch ovens exists for good reason: They are highly effective, beautiful, dynamic, and durable pieces of cookware.

No matter the style, any Dutch oven will open up endless recipe opportunities. Create beautifully braised meat, pot roasts, hearty beef stew, healing chicken soup, or the creamiest mac and cheese. Use it like a slow cooker, a bread cloche, or a pot for frying perfectly crispy doughnuts.

Its heat-resistant body allows the Dutch oven to sit directly on the fire, hot coals, camping stove, as well as kitchen stovetop or induction. Being a heavy-duty deep pot can prepare soups, stews, or slow cook meat.

Can I leave food out in Dutch oven overnight? ›

Plus, because your Dutch oven can be covered, it's ideal for storing food overnight. Food 52 adds that in some cases, like in stews, flavors even get better the longer they sit in your Dutch oven. One caveat, however: Do not take it directly from the stove or oven to the fridge.

Avoid Cooking Acidic Foods in Cast-Iron Pans

You should avoid cooking acidic sauces in cast-iron pans for two reasons: first, the acid loosens trace amounts of molecules from the metal that can then leach into your foods, imparting a metallic flavor.

When you're cooking with a camp dutch oven, charcoal placement is critical. For baking we recommend a 3:1 ratio of coals on the top and bottom of your cookware. You're punching your baked goods with heat from the top, while ensuring evenness underneath.

Dutch ovens are great for stews, sauces, soups, braises or any other moist-heat cooking method. This pot can cook a casserole or a whole chicken. You can brown meat and vegetables on the stove and let them simmer away or transfer your pot to the oven to finish cooking there.

The main item you'll need is a camping stove. There are two main types of camping stoves: two-burner propane stoves and canister backpacking stoves. When car camping, I prefer the classic two-burner stoves. Two burners give me more room to cook and the larger surface area is better for bigger pots and fry pans.

Can You Use a Dutch Oven on the Stovetop? You can use a dutch oven on the stove to simmer, sear or braise recipes, whether you have a gas or electric stovetop.

What Is a Dutch Oven? Essentially a Dutch oven is a heavy-duty cooking pot with a lid. You can use a Dutch oven to cook delicious meals in a wide variety of cooking methods: Dutch ovens can sauté, simmer, braise, sear, fry, and even bake food. Not only are Dutch ovens heavy-duty; they are virtually all-purpose.