Cooking while camping doesn't have to be a challenge. With a little preparation and the right equipment, you can enjoy gourmet meals out in the wild. Dutch ovens are probably one of the best pieces of equipment you can use for camp cooking. Not only are they versatile and durable, but they also allow you to prepare large meals with minimal fuss. Here is a guide to help you plan your next camping trip by learning how to cook with dutch ovens:
Choose Your Dutch Oven
Choosing the perfect Dutch oven for your outdoor kitchen is important—it will determine the type of meals you can make and how much heat or coals you'll need for cooking. So take some time researching different sizes and materials so that you can select an oven that works for your camping style and budget. Check out our Hard Anodized, Aluminum, and GuideCast dutch ovens!
Pre-Season Your Dutch Oven
It's recommended that new cast iron Dutch ovens should be pre-seasoned before you start using them. This step helps create a nonstick coating on the inside of the pan and protects it from rusting over time due to humidity or moisture buildup while cooking outdoors.
Determine Charcoal Placement
When you're ready to fire up your Dutch oven for a meal in the great outdoors, it's crucial to determine where to best place charcoal briquettes around the edges of your device so that heat will evenly spread throughout its entire surface area when closed up tight! You'll want about one-third more charcoal on top compared to below; this ensures optimal hotness throughout all layers (bottom & top).
Need inspiration for your first dutch oven meal? Keep reading for our Dutch Oven Pizza recipe!
Dutch Oven Pizza Recipe
That's right: you can enjoy a deliciously baked pizza right at your own campsite. With a little effort and lots of help from our camp Dutch Ovens, you'll be enjoying a slice from the comfort of your camp chair, tailgate, bench, or stump in no time.
STEP 1: Gather the ingredients
Must haves:
- Pre-Made Pizza Dough
- Sauce: Tomato Sauce, Pesto, Bechamel (white sauce), BBQ...
- Cheese: Mozzarella, Ricotta, Pecorino-Romano
- Avocado Oil
- Charcoal
- Dutch Oven(s)
Pick Your Toppings:
- Olives
- Onions
- Artichoke Hearts
- Extra Cheese
- Bacon
- Pepperoni
- Chicken
- Mushrooms
- Sausage
- Pesto
- Tomato
- Arugula
- Pine nuts
- Basil
- Corn
- Pineapple (controversial, we know)
- Whatever else suits your fancy!
Step 2: Assemble the pizzas
Light the charcoal briquettes and let them heat up. Meanwhile, coat the bottom of the dutch oven/s with vegetable oil. Separate pizza dough into sections big enough to completely cover the bottom of each oven and press into the corners. Spread tomato sauce on the dough, leaving room for the crust on the outer edges. Cover with copious amounts of cheese, then get to topping your pizzas! Once your chosen toppings are arranged just right, place the tops on the dutch ovens. Time to bake.
STEP 3: Bake the pizzas
Now that your pizzas are assembled, the coals should be hot and ready (you want coals to be completely white for prime cooking temperature). Place your biggest Dutch Oven on top of an evenly spaced ring of coals (not directly in a campfire) and cover the top of the oven with coals. Stack the remaining ovens on top of the first with their legs or a stand, placing plenty of coals on the tops of each oven. Cook for approximately 25 minutes, until the cheese is melty and the crust is golden brown. Carefully remove the lids with a lifter and set them aside to cool. Use a spatula to remove the pizza and place it on a cutting board to slice. Dig in, dutch oven master!
No matter how many campsite guests or picky eaters you have on your hands, a dutch oven pizza can do the trick. Get as creative as you want with toppings or stick to classic pepperoni - we won't judge. Pizza just tastes better in the great outdoors.
