10+ Dutch Oven Recipes for Easy and Delicious Home Cooking

A Dutch oven is a heavy pot you can use for many types of cooking. It works well on the stove or in the oven.

Dutch oven recipes let you cook many dishes with one pot. This saves you time and effort in the kitchen.

If you enjoy simple cooking with big flavors, a Dutch oven is a tool you’ll want to use. It helps you make bread, stews, and casseroles for your family or friends.

With just a few ingredients and easy steps, you can make hearty and comforting food at home.

Ingredients section
Cooking Instructions section

1) Classic Beef Stew

Classic beef stew is a simple and filling Dutch oven recipe. Start by seasoning cubes of beef with salt and pepper.

Brown the beef in the Dutch oven over medium-high heat. This locks in flavor.

Add vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and celery. Pour in broth and cook in the oven at 325°F (160°C) for about two hours.

Slow cooking makes the beef tender and brings the flavors together. When it’s done, you’ll have a warm, hearty meal perfect for any day.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into cubes
• Salt and pepper
• 2 tbsp oil
• 4 carrots, sliced
• 3 potatoes, cubed
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 4 cups beef broth

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
2. Season beef with salt and pepper.
3. Heat oil in Dutch oven and brown beef on all sides.
4. Add vegetables and broth.
5. Cover and cook in oven for 2 hours until beef is tender.

2) Braised Chicken Thighs

Braised chicken thighs are a great choice for your Dutch oven. Start by browning the chicken in olive oil for a golden color.

This step locks in flavor and makes the skin crispy. Add vegetables like onions, carrots, and garlic with herbs and white wine or chicken broth.

Slowly cook everything together in the oven at 325°F (163°C) for about 1.5 to 2 hours. The chicken becomes tender and the sauce rich.

You can add extras like tomatoes, olives, or mushrooms to change the flavor. The Dutch oven keeps everything moist and blends the flavors.

Ingredients:

• 6 chicken thighs, skin on
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup white wine or chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C).
2. Heat olive oil in the Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
3. Brown chicken thighs on both sides, about 5-6 minutes each. Remove and set aside.
4. Add onion, carrots, and garlic to the pot; cook until softened.
5. Pour in white wine or broth, and stir in thyme, salt, and pepper.
6. Return chicken to the pot, skin side up.
7. Cover and place in the oven. Cook for 1.5 to 2 hours until tender.
8. Serve warm with sauce and vegetables.

For a detailed guide, check out braised chicken thighs in a Dutch oven recipe.

3) One-Pot Pasta

One-pot pasta is a quick way to make dinner with your Dutch oven. You cook everything together in one pot, saving time and dishes.

Start by sautéing onions and garlic in olive oil. Add your pasta, sauce, and any proteins like sausage or ground beef.

The pasta cooks right in the sauce and soaks up all the flavors. This method works well with tomato-based sauces and Italian sausage.

Using a Dutch oven cooks everything evenly and keeps the pasta from sticking. For more ideas, check this one-pot pasta guide and Dutch oven pasta collection.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 12 ounces pasta
• 2 cups tomato sauce
• 1/2 pound Italian sausage or ground beef
• 3 cups water or broth
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil or parsley (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in your Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
2. Add onion and cook until soft, about 3 minutes.
3. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
4. Add sausage or ground beef and cook until browned.
5. Pour in pasta, tomato sauce, and water or broth. Stir well.
6. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer.
7. Cook uncovered for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.
8. Season with salt, pepper, and fresh herbs before serving.

4) Freshly Baked Bread

Baking bread in a Dutch oven is simple and gives you a crusty, warm loaf. You don’t need to knead the dough much.

Just mix a few ingredients and let the dough rise. The Dutch oven traps steam to create a crispy crust.

This method works well for beginners and takes about 3 hours from start to finish. You will enjoy the smell and taste of homemade bread.

You can make plain white bread or add herbs for extra flavor. Baking in a Dutch oven gives your loaf a nice round shape and a crunchy outside with a soft inside.

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp instant yeast
• 1 1/2 cups warm water

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix flour, salt, and yeast in a bowl.
2. Add water and stir until combined.
3. Cover and let rise for 1-2 hours until doubled.
4. Preheat Dutch oven at 450°F (230°C).
5. Shape dough and place inside hot Dutch oven.
6. Cover and bake for 30 minutes.
7. Remove lid and bake for 10 more minutes.
8. Cool before slicing.

For a detailed guide, check this easy Dutch Oven No Knead Bread recipe.

5) Chicken Jorim (Soy-Braised Chicken)

Chicken Jorim is a tasty Korean dish cooked slowly in a rich soy sauce. Start by sautéing garlic and ginger in a Dutch oven.

This makes a nice base for the flavors. Add chicken pieces, mushrooms, onions, and the soy sauce mixture.

Cover and let it braise gently until the chicken is tender and full of flavor. The slow cooking helps the meat soak up the sauce.

Ingredients

• Chicken pieces (thighs or drumsticks)
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Mushrooms
• Onion
• Soy sauce
• Cooking oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat.
2. Add garlic and ginger, cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Add mushrooms and onion, sauté briefly.
4. Add chicken and soy sauce, stir to coat.
5. Cover and braise on low heat for 1.5 to 2 hours until chicken is tender.

Find the full recipe details at Chicken Jorim (Soy-Braised Chicken) Recipe – NYT Cooking.

6) One-Pot Miso-Turmeric Salmon with Coconut Rice

This recipe is great when you want a tasty, easy meal with little cleanup. You cook everything in one pot, which saves time.

The salmon is flavored with miso and turmeric, giving it a nice savory and slightly earthy taste. The coconut milk in the rice makes the dish creamy and rich.

Cooking the rice and salmon together lets the flavors blend well. You can adjust the spices and vegetables to fit your taste.

This dish works well if you want to meal prep or just have a simple weekday meal.

Ingredients

• 2 cups jasmine rice
• 1 (15-ounce) can full-fat coconut milk
• 1½ pounds skinless salmon fillets, cut into pieces
• 2 teaspoons miso paste
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 4 scallions, sliced

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the jasmine rice until water runs clear.
2. In a Dutch oven, combine rice, coconut milk, 2 cups water, turmeric, and salt. Bring to a boil.
3. Lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Lay salmon pieces on top of the rice. Spread miso paste over salmon gently.
5. Cover and cook on low for 12-15 minutes until salmon is cooked and rice is tender.
6. Sprinkle sliced scallions on top before serving.

7) Braised Pork with Leeks

Braised pork with leeks is a warm and tasty dish you can make easily in your Dutch oven. Start by searing the pork to get a nice brown crust.

Add sliced leeks and mushrooms for a mild, sweet flavor. Cook everything slowly with broth or wine until the pork is tender.

The leeks add softness and a slight onion taste that blends well with the meat. Serve it with mashed potatoes or crusty bread to soak up the sauce.

Ingredients:

• Pork shoulder or pork belly (about 2 pounds)
• 3 large leeks, sliced
• 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
• 2 tablespoons oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup broth or red wine
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Cooking Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
2. Season pork with salt and pepper. Sear in batches until browned, then set aside.
3. Add leeks, mushrooms, and garlic to the pot. Cook until softened.
4. Return pork to the pot and pour in broth or red wine.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and braise for 2-3 hours until meat is tender.
6. Adjust seasoning and serve warm.

For more tips, see this braised pork with leeks recipe.

8) Cola-Braised Beef Short Ribs

You can make tender and flavorful short ribs using a Dutch oven with cola and beef broth. The cola adds a subtle sweetness that balances the rich meat.

Season your short ribs with salt and pepper. Brown them in the Dutch oven over medium-high heat.

Add cola and beef stock. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to low.

Let the ribs simmer gently, covered, for a few hours. The meat will become very tender and fall off the bone.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs beef short ribs
• 2 cans cola
• 2 cups beef broth
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tbsp cooking oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Heat oil in Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
3. Season ribs with salt and pepper; brown on all sides.
4. Add chopped onion and cook until softened.
5. Pour in cola and beef broth; bring to a boil.
6. Nestle ribs back into the liquid.
7. Cover and transfer Dutch oven to oven.
8. Cook for about 2.5 to 3 hours until ribs are tender.

9) Pan-Seared Ribeye Steak

You can make a delicious ribeye steak using your pan and oven. Season the steak with salt.

Heat a cast-iron skillet over high heat with a bit of oil until very hot. Sear the steak on each side for 2-3 minutes until a crust forms.

Move the skillet to a preheated oven at 450°F (232°C). Cook your steak until it reaches your preferred doneness.

For extra flavor, baste the steak with butter, garlic, and rosemary or thyme while it cooks. This adds richness and keeps the meat juicy.

Ingredients

• 2 bone-in ribeye steaks (1 ½ inches thick)
• Kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 cloves garlic
• Fresh rosemary or thyme

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 450°F (232°C).
2. Season steaks with salt.
3. Heat oil in a cast-iron skillet over high heat.
4. Sear steaks 2-3 minutes per side until brown.
5. Add butter, garlic, and herbs.
6. Transfer skillet to oven for 5-7 minutes or until desired doneness.
7. Baste steaks with melted butter while in oven.
8. Rest steak 5 minutes before serving.

10) Hearty Oatmeal

Hearty oatmeal is a great way to start your day with a warm, filling meal. You can cook it in your Dutch oven over a campfire or in your kitchen.

This recipe uses cinnamon and your choice of fruits or nuts for extra flavor. The oats bake into a soft dish that is easy to serve to friends or family.

You can add apples, walnuts, blueberries, or bananas. A touch of maple syrup or brown sugar adds sweetness.

Ingredients

• 2 cups old-fashioned oats
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 cup chopped apples or bananas
• 1/2 cup walnuts or blueberries
• 2 cups milk
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup maple syrup or brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons melted butter

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven or camp Dutch oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Grease your Dutch oven with butter or oil.

3. In a bowl, mix oats, cinnamon, fruit, and nuts.

4. In another bowl, whisk eggs, milk, melted butter, maple syrup, and vanilla.

5. Combine the wet and dry ingredients.

6. Pour the mixture into the Dutch oven.

7. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the top looks golden and set.

8. Let it cool slightly before serving.