13 Best Dutch Oven Camping Recipe Books

Great camping recipe cookbooks can provide not just mouthwatering meals, but also hours of blissful entertainment in the outdoors. And if you’re a fan of Dutch oven cooking, then there’s no looking back. For those of you who aren’t familiar, a Dutch oven is a cast iron pot along with a tight-fitting lid. These incredibly versatile cooking pots can be easily used on open fires without any damage. What’s more, there is a wealth of healthy Dutch oven camping recipes for cooking over the campfire. So, why are they called Dutch ovens? Back in the 17th century, the Dutch did most of their cooking in cast iron, as opposed to clay, loam, and brass that was found in England. When a visiting Englishman discovered this economical cookware, he patented a cast-iron casserole dish. Plus, he respected its origins by calling it a “Dutch oven.” 

However, owning a Dutch oven isn’t enough – you need some amount of help to decide what and how to cook in it. That is why you need a well-curated camping cookbook with expert advice related to what and how to cook in Dutch ovens. The original slow cooker is perfect for making everything from rice, oats, and stews to chillis, casseroles, and soups. Did you say pot roast? You can cook that over a campfire too! To that end, here are the 13 best Dutch oven camping recipe books for healthy and lip-smacking cooking.

125+ Tasty Recipes for Indoor & Outdoor Cooking

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Get some of the best Dutch oven camping recipes from the 125+ Tasty Recipes for Indoor & Outdoor Cooking, which features healthy recipes for every meal including desserts, side dishes, and kinds of bread. It’s the perfect book for people who’re just starting out with Dutch oven cooking. What’s more, it has both indoor and outdoor cooking ideas and options, which means you can easily move the oven from the campfire to the stovetop. You’ll find everything from classic favorites to adventurous and complex recipes, including brownies, berry crumble, fireside sloppy joes, cider beef stew, and more. Finally, you’ll even find a care guide to the seasoning as well as cleaning, drying, and storing your cast iron cookware meals. The best part? The newest edition even includes a packing list for camping.

Ideal for:

Beginners, people looking for variety.

All-in-One Dutch Oven Cookbook for Two

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If it’s just two of you, then campfire Dutch oven cooking can get really boring really fast. It’s for such couples and groups of two that this All-in-One Dutch Oven Cookbook for Two was written. With most Dutch oven cookbooks mentioning meals for serving 4 or 6 people, there are very few that cater to singles or couples. But, this book does, and takes the monotony out of eating leftovers by featuring two meals per recipe, thus reducing waste and leftovers substantially. What’s more, it features more than 90 recipes, with most of them taking just an hour to cook with just 15 minutes of prep time. The best part is that the cookbook even comes with a perfectly portioned sample meal plan from breakfast to dessert, and even comes with a host of vegetarian options.

Ideal for:

Singles and couples.

Modern Dutch Oven Cookbook

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Are you having a hard time looking for vegetarian or vegan Dutch oven camping recipes? Try the Modern Dutch Oven Cookbook, which is perfect for newbie vegetarian and vegan outdoorsmen and has a host of Dutch oven healthy recipes. The cookbook features more than 100 fuss-free and foolproof recipes for all main meals, as well as snacks and desserts. What’s more, it has recipes ranging from under 30-minute ones to vegan, dairy-free, vegetarian, and gluten-free ones too. So, you can easily learn how to combine flavors and make delicious meals in your Dutch oven, no matter where you are. Plus, each recipe even features ways to customize and make the recipe work for you, along with basic cooking tips and substitutions as well as how to maintain a clean Dutch oven.

Ideal for:

Vegans and vegetarians.

The 5-Ingredient Dutch Oven Cookbook: One Pot, 101 Easy Recipes

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Imagine indulging in easy campfire Dutch oven cooking with just five ingredients! That’s what The 5-Ingredient Dutch Oven Cookbook promises. Designed with simplicity in mind, this recipe book has more than 100 recipes for comfort to lavish meals that can be made with just five ingredients each! So, right from French toast casserole to sloppy Joes to even a barbeque beef brisket, introduce variety to your outdoor meals, and that too with ease. Not only are the recipes not overly repetitive, but also there are notes for dietary restrictions, such as nut-free, gluten-free, or vegan. All you need to do is gather the five flavorful and fresh ingredients, and let your wonder pot do the rest of the heavy lifting – all for a price of less than $10!

Ideal for:

Backpackers and survivalists.

The Dutch Oven Cookbook

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If you’re an expert cook who loves trying out all sorts of new ingredients, flavors, and Dutch oven camping recipes, then you need to buy The Dutch Oven Cookbook. The cookbook comes from authors who are experienced chefs and who’ve adapted gourmet recipes for a Dutch oven. So, no matter how long your hiking or camping trip is, you’ll have a new recipe simmering over your campfire every day. Moreover, the book features more than 70 easy-to-prepare Dutch oven healthy recipes for all occasions, along with complete information on how to care for and maintain your Dutch oven. The best part? The new edition features full-color photographs across the entire book!

Ideal for:

Expert cooks.

The Camp Dutch Oven Cookbook

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If you’re new to the world of camping and campfire Dutch oven cooking, then it’s The Camp Dutch Oven Cookbook to the rescue! Featuring more than 85 different dishes, the recipes in this book can be made using five ingredients or less. What’s great about this book is that it includes recipes for breakfast, mains, snacks, and even desserts, which means that even weeks-long trips don’t get boring with food. You’ll also find valuable information on everything from easy cooking techniques to food-packing hacks. If that wasn’t enough, you’ll find detailed and clear instructions for using and maintaining a Dutch oven as well. So, if you want start-to-finish instructions creating a cooking plan for your outdoor trip, then this book is a must-buy.

Ideal for:

Newbies

The Dutch Oven Dessert Cookbook

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Are you looking for Dutch oven camping recipes for desserts? Buy The Dutch Oven Dessert Cookbook, which is the ultimate cookbook when it comes to dessert recipes on the go. This book is chock-full of delectable recipes for all kinds of desserts – think apple pecan cobblers, root beer cakes, pudding cakes, crisps, and even chocolate berry bread pudding! What’s more, all recipes are simple and require equally simple and staple ingredients, and every recipe even mentions the amount of time required for the dish to cook. If that wasn’t enough, the book also features a temperature conversion chart, which makes it easy to make all of the recipes in both a Dutch oven and even a conventional oven. So, if a versatile dessert cookbook is what you’re looking for, then this book is it.

Ideal for:

Dessert aficionados

Dutch Oven Cooking: With International Dutch Oven Society Champion Terry Lewis

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Get the very best information and recipes for campfire Dutch oven cooking with Dutch Oven Cooking, which is among the Best Easy Campfire Recipe books too. Available in paperback, hardcover, and Kindle versions, the book contains innumerable recipes for making just about every dish in a Dutch oven. What’s more, you can cook not just fresh bread, cinnamon rolls, and all kinds of stews, but also entire pies and premium fare such as baby back ribs! Since most of the recipes require time, this is best used when you’re going camping with a large group of friends or family. The cherry on top is that it’s written by Terry Lewis, who’s won the International Dutch Oven Society World Championship Cook-offs twice!

Ideal for:

Beginners and expert cooks

Cook It in Your Dutch Oven

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America’s Test Kitchen never disappoints, and one of its most amazing cookbooks is Cook It In Your Dutch Oven, which features a plethora of Dutch oven camping recipes. More than 60 tasting experts, editors, chefs, and cooks have contributed to creating this amazing cookbook with recipes that any home cook can make. From roasting and frying to one-pot meals, this one contains recipes for all and every kind of mood. Whether you’re craving braised short ribs or looking for Dutch oven healthy recipes for a chicken pot pie with spring vegetables, this cookbook has you covered. What’s more, it even has recipes for desserts and bread as well which you can cook regardless of skill. The best part? Every recipe features a full-color photo for just the right amount of motivation and guidance!

Ideal for:

Variety

50 Dutch Oven Recipes for the Vegetarian

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If you thought that campfire Dutch oven cooking wasn’t for vegetarians, then think again. The 50 Dutch Oven Vegetarian Recipes for the Vegetarian brings to your campsite a throng of delicious and healthy recipes for vegetarians! This book comes up with excellent ideas for mains, desserts, and side dishes that are all one-pot meals, which makes preparation and cleanup very easy and non-messy. This book is also a great starting place if you are or have recently converted to the vegetarian way of life and want more ideas to get started on vegetarian cooking. Choose from more than 25 recipes, which have everything from stews and curries to pancakes, baked risotto, and even chorizo and potatoes.

Ideal for:

New vegetarians

The Complete Book of Dutch Oven Cooking

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How would you like a book on Dutch oven camping recipes by someone who’s won the “Best Outdoor Book Award”? That’s what we thought! Behold The Complete Book of Dutch Oven Cooking by J Wayne Fears, which is an extensive guide that’ll appeal to beginners and seasoned Dutch oven cooks alike. The book brings an ancient yet effective method of cooking into the 21st century, offering delicious recipes for mains, side dishes, and desserts. Are you a fan of apple pies and peach cobbler? Or do you rather fancy a meatloaf and stews or soups? This book covers them all while making cooking fun and a non-tedious activity. So, if you’re looking for a good book of recipes along with a dollop of history to go along with it, get this book.

Ideal for:

Beginners and seasoned cooks

101 Things to Do with a Dutch Oven

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Nothing helps campfire Dutch oven cooking like 101 Things to Do with a Dutch Oven. If you’re someone who likes a simple, quick, and non-fussy approach to Dutch oven cooking, then this book is the one for you. It features 101 easy recipes to choose from, ranging across meals from breakfast to even dessert. So, you’ll find recipes for even rolls and kinds of bread! Furthermore, it even has plenty of information and helpful hints for those just getting started with Dutch oven cooking. Whether you’re craving glazed Cornish hens, Dutch oven pizza, cinnamon rolls, pork roast, or even something called the “Mountain Man Breakfast,” this book has your back. It’s available in spiral-bound, paperback, hardcover, and even Kindle versions.

Ideal for:

Beginners and non-cooks

Glorious One-Pot Meals: A Revolutionary New Quick and Healthy Approach to Dutch-Oven Cooking

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Turn some of the Best Camping Food into scrumptious dishes using Dutch oven camping recipes from Glorious One-Pot Meals, one of the most popular cookbooks ever, and not just on this list. Make nutritious and satisfying meals every night of your hiking or camping week using the infusion-cooking method expounded by this book. Developed by Elizabeth Yarnell, it tells how to use just a single pot for cooking and cleaning. Basically, the aim is to get the meal in your hand within the hour, with prep work being just 20 minutes long. The process involves using basic fresh ingredients (even frozen ones), then layering them and letting them cook without stirring. This is what keeps the ingredients full of flavor and intact without turning the dish to mush.

Ideal for:

Minimalist cooking

How To Choose The Best Dutch Oven Camping Recipe Books?

Camping involves a lot of important food-related accessories and necessities, especially if you’re building a campfire. While some might want to carry along the Best Campfire S’mores Makers, others might find the Best Camping Firestarters more useful. However, if you’re carrying a Dutch oven along, then you need an excellent camping recipe book for the same. Since everyone’s cooking interests and palates are different, how should one go about choosing the right book for a good Dutch oven recipe? Read on.

Number and types of recipes

The kind and number of recipes are perhaps the most important factors when it comes to choosing Dutch oven cookbooks. For the camping cookbook to be actually worth it, look for ones that have a fair number of recipes across a variety of foods. Yet another critical factor is the kind of recipes that are included in the cookbook. For example, what kind of and how many ingredients do recipes need on average how they should be prepared, etc.

Easy-to-understand content

Not everyone is a fan of cooking, whether it’s indoors or outdoors. You need to look for campfire Dutch over cooking books that have recipes that are easy to follow. After all, you don’t want to be fumbling over a book after a long day of hiking and traipsing around in the wild. That’s why it’s important to go for cookbooks that have steps that are easy to follow and ingredients that are easy to work with.

Specific topics

Finally, you need to see whether there are specific Dutch oven camping recipes that you’re looking for. For instance, if you’re vegetarian or vegan, then you need to make sure that there are enough recipes that suit you. If you’re mostly camping near water sources and want nutritious stews and water-based recipes, then your book needs to have those too.

Are you still trying to decide whether or not to buy a Dutch oven? You should know that they’re one of the Best Camping Ovens with Hob!

What’s the difference between a stockpot and a Dutch oven?

Stockpots are more commonly made from stainless steel, while Dutch ovens are always cast-iron. What’s more, stockpots are designed especially for making soup or stock, have a large capacity, and are usually tall. On the other hand, Dutch ovens are quite heavy and designed for braising or slow cooking with even heat. Also, they’re more versatile than stockpots and can be used without any issues over an open fire. That said, both stockpots and Dutch ovens tend to have handles on both sides.

Which is the best Dutch oven cookbook for beginners?

You can choose any book between 25+ Tasty Recipes for Indoor & Outdoor Cooking, Dutch Oven Cooking, and The Complete Book of Dutch Oven Cooking. However, we’d highly recommend 101 Things to Do with a Dutch Oven, which takes a non-fussy and simple approach to Dutch oven cooking. You can choose from 101 easy recipes for breakfasts, mains, side dishes, and even dessert. The best part? There is a lot of information as well as helpful hints for beginners who’re using a Dutch oven for the first time.