Cast Iron Dutch Oven Recipes (2024)

Cast iron Dutch oven recipes, along with a cast iron Dutch oven, are essentials to have on hand should the power go off.

They're also useful if you're moving toward an off-the-grid lifestyle, or if you are simply looking for ways to keep your house cooler in the summer.

These are turbulent days we are living in, and it's wise to be prepared. While we may not be struck by an EMP, the collapse of the dollar very well may happen, and although we should not live in fear, preparing for an emergency can avoid needless suffering and trauma and provide you with peace of mind.

Cast Iron Dutch Oven Recipes (1)

So learning to cook outdoors is not only a great idea, it's essential for self-sufficient living.And there is no group out there who are greater masters of outdoorcooking than the Boy Scouts. Their motto is "Be Prepared", and they arecertainly prepared when it comes to outdoor cooking and cast iron Dutchoven recipes.

Cast Iron Dutch Oven Recipes (2)

Camp Dutch Oven Photo courtesy of Amazon.

Cast Iron Dutch Oven Recipes (3)

Unlike cooking with a solar oven, which takes a lot of time and practice, cooking outdoors with cast iron cookware is much easier and faster. And the food was amazing. I have never made such moist cornbread, and the soup cooked up really quickly.

Cast Iron Dutch Oven Recipes (4)

Good Resource for
Cast Iron Dutch Oven Recipes

My favorite collection of cast iron Dutch oven recipes is The Scout's Outdoor Cookbook by Christine and Tim Conners.

Not only does it have a lot of great recipes, but it also has essentialinformation on how many charcoal briquettes you need to reach a certaincooking temperature as well as ratings on recipes from easy to moderateto more difficult.

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My favorite Dutch Oven cookbook.

What You Need

Obviously cast iron cookware and especially a camp Dutch oven is anexcellent choice for preparing your cast iron Dutch oven recipes. Lodgehas a very good, reasonably priced Dutch oven.

You can also use a cast iron combo cooker such as this one, although you will also need a lid stand (you can see one here) to lift the cookware up so you can set coals underneath. A Dutch oven lid lifter (see one here) is also very handy to have.

Cast Iron Dutch Oven Recipes (6)

Lodge has a very good, reasonably priced Dutch Oven. Find one here.

You will also need charcoal briquettes. While you can use wood coals, briquettes are easier to light and make for more accurate cooking. Plus they're inexpensive especially if you buy them in bulk, so consider adding two or three bags of these to your disaster preparedness list.

Plus, a charcoal briquette starter is essential. (You can see one here). They don't cost much and they are very easy to use and eliminate the need for toxic charcoal fluid lighter. Just pack crumpled paper in the bottom of the starter and place the charcoal briquettes on top. Light the paper, and the briquettes will be going in less than 10 minutes.

Cast Iron Dutch Oven Recipes

Ready to start cooking? This recipe is easy to make and like all the recipes in this book is very, very good.

Scout Camp Carnitas
(from the Scout's Outdoor Cookbook)

Ingredients:

  • 3 pounds boneless shoulder pork
  • 1 cup of flour
  • 1 tablespoon of powdered chili pepper
  • 1 teaspoon of salt
  • 1 teaspoon of ground oregano
  • 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
  • 1/2 cup of lard
  • 24 tortillas
  • Refried beans
  • Salsa
  • Sour Cream

Cut the pork into 1-inch cubes. Then blend the flour, chili pepper, salt, oregano and garlic powder into a large mixing bowl. Add the pork to the flour mix and coat well.

Place 15 briquettes under your Dutch oven and melt the lard. Add the floured meat mixture and fry it, stirring occasionally until the pork is cooked through and tender, about 30-40 minutes depending on how hot your coals are. Don't let a hard crust form over the carnitas. This recipe serves 10-12 people.

Serve with tortillas refried beans, salsa and sour cream.

Want to Make Bread?

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Yes, breads can also be a part of your cast iron Dutch oven recipes. Here's my cornbread recipe.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of flour
  • 3/4 cup of cornmeal

OR...

  • 3/4 cup of whole wheat berries and 1/2 cup of popcorn, ground together in your grain mill

ALONG WITH...

  • 1 tablespoon of baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon of salt
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup of milk
  • 1/3 cup of oil

Grease the bottom and sides of your Dutch oven. Mix together the dry ingredients and then in a large measuring cup, mix together the milk, egg and oil. Add the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients and pour into your greased Dutch oven.

Place the Dutch oven on 17 lit coals and then cover with an additional eight coals. Bake for about 45 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. This recipe serves six to eight people.

Learn More About Frugal Cooking

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Cast Iron Dutch Oven Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What are cast iron Dutch ovens best for? ›

Made from enameled cast iron, this versatile pot is meant for braising, deep-frying, baking, or roasting, and does each task perfectly.

Can you brown meat in a cast iron Dutch oven? ›

But one of the wonderful things about a Dutch oven is that because it's cast iron, you can get it smoking hot on the stovetop and brown your meat directly in it, then add your liquid (after draining off any excess fat) and other ingredients, cover it, lower the heat and continue braising at a low temperature.

What are 8 reasons to use a Dutch oven? ›

What Is a Dutch Oven Used For?
  • Bread. One of the easiest (and more surprising) ways to use a Dutch oven is actually for breaking bread. ...
  • Casseroles and Lasagnas. ...
  • Skillet Cookies. ...
  • Chicken Stock. ...
  • Frying. ...
  • Braised Meats. ...
  • Roasting. ...
  • Poaching Chicken.
Oct 27, 2022

Can you put a cast iron Dutch oven on the stove? ›

You can use a dutch oven on any kind of cooktop, including induction, as long as the dutch oven is cast-iron or another induction-compatible material. When you are using the dutch oven on a direct heat source, just make sure that the temperature does not get too hot and scorch it.

What is the best oil for a Dutch oven? ›

Olive oil is particularly good for Dutch ovens. Usually folks aren't using their ovens as much as skillets and some seasoning can become rancid. Olive oil won't do that because it's like the old timers used to say to me, “Olive oil will keep that cast iron sweet.”

What foods are bad for cast iron? ›

Acidic Foods

If you're making a rich tomato sauce, wine-braised meat, or a lemon-based marinade, you might want to consider using a stainless steel or ceramic pot or pan. Acidic foods will strip away metals in even the most seasoned cast-iron cookware, and those metals will get into whatever you're cooking.

What is a Dutch oven fart? ›

Dutch oven means a very specific kind of farting. You fart, under some blankets, then pull the blankets over someone's head, thereby trapping them and the fart in a contained space for a short time.

Is a cast iron Dutch oven worth it? ›

Conventional kitchen wisdom holds that enameled cast iron Dutch ovens are a pricey but worthwhile investment for most home cooks. As the majority of us at Serious Eats use them regularly at home and in our test kitchen, we think that recommendation stands.

What is the difference between cast iron and Dutch oven? ›

Well-seasoned cast irons are one of the most non-stick cookware when exposed to intense heat. They are great at absorbing heat and can distribute it effectively while locking in flavors and juices. Enameled Dutch ovens are, unfortunately, not non-stick. You will need to use oil or water on the surface when cooking.

Why is meat sticking to Dutch oven? ›

The most common reason food sticks to cast iron is because the pan is simply too hot.

Can you brown hamburger in cast iron? ›

If you have a cast iron skillet, that's an especially good choice as the strong, consistent heat of cast iron will help brown ground beef exceptionally well. 2. Heat the Oil: Heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil or your vegetable oil of choice in the skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.

Can you sear a steak in a Dutch oven? ›

When I make my Ultimate Pot Roast, I sear in my 13.25” Lodge cast-iron skillet, and then transfer the roast to my enameled Dutch oven. While you definitely can sear large cuts of meat in enameled cast iron, it will eventually lead to surface staining, which is difficult to remove.

What shouldn't you cook in cast iron? ›

Originally Answered: Are there any foods you shouldn't cook in a cast iron pan? Highly acidic ingredients like tomato sauce, wine, vinegar, and citrus should be avoided, as they can dissolve the polymerized oil that makes up the seasoning layer on cast iron.

What's the point of a Dutch oven? ›

A Dutch oven is a heavy-duty pot with lid designed for browning meat and veggies and then simmering on the stovetop or braising in the oven. It can also be used for soup and more simple tasks like boiling pasta. It's often used to make bread as well.

Do I really need a cast iron Dutch oven? ›

A cast-iron Dutch oven will give you better results than an Instant Pot any day,” says Lance Nitahara, an assistant professor at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y. In fact, this one pot can replace your slow cooker, stock pot, pasta pot, loaf pan, and deep fryer.

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