These Easy Dutch Oven Recipes showcase the endless possibilities of everyone’s favorite cast-iron pot, delivering flavorful, slow-cooked meals with minimal effort. Use yours to make soups, stews, sauces, meats, and so much more!
Why Use a Dutch Oven?
Dutch ovens are the powerhouses of kitchen pots. They are solid and heavy-duty, handling everything from braising, roasting, slow cooking, baking, and frying. They go from stovetop to oven, offering the same hands-off, low-and-slow cooking as the Crockpot but with better browning, flavor, and control. The best part? Dutch ovens can last for generations with the proper care and cleaning.
My journey into Dutch oven cooking started 12 years ago when I ordered an 8-quart Calphalon stainless steel Dutch oven from Amazon (sadly, it’s no longer available). It was around the same time I started blogging, and not to sound dramatic, this one pot changed my life. Not long after, I started collecting cast iron Dutch ovens, both classic cast iron and the oh-so-popular enameled version that comes in a variety of colors (and price ranges). They are, by far, my favorite and most used pieces of cookware.
Table of Contents
Classic Dutch Oven Roasts and Braised Meats
From fall-apart tender pot roasts to savory braised short ribs, these Dutch oven meat recipes are packed with flavor and perfect for a hearty meal. Below, you’ll find classic recipes perfect for Sunday dinners or special occasions.
This delicious Sunday roast is made by slowly braising potatoes, carrots, and beef in a mouthwatering combination of red wine, fresh herbs, beef broth, and fatty beef drippings. It is a true one-pot meal. If you love this traditional dish, try this Picadillo Pot Roast.
This succulent, fall-apart pork roast with tender vegetables and a flavorful garlic and herb sauce is the perfect centerpiece for your next Sunday dinner. Made entirely in one pot, it’s a simple, foolproof dish that starts by searing the pork to create a rich and flavorful caramelized crust.
Made by slowly cooking chuck roast in a savory blend of au jus mix, ranch seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, beef broth, and tangy pepperoncini peppers. The result? Melt-in-your-mouth beef infused with bold, zesty flavors. This effortless dish requires minimal prep yet delivers big, comforting taste, making it perfect for a hearty family dinner. Serve it over creamy mashed potatoes for the ultimate comfort meal!
This flavorful, one-pot dish features a whole chicken smothered with garlic herb butter and roasted among delicious vegetables such as onions, potatoes, carrots, and butternut squash. Perfect for the entire family.
These rich, fall-off-the-bone beef short ribs are slowly braised in a flavorful red wine and beef broth. The best part? They’re so easy to make! Enjoy them with mashed potatoes for the ultimate comforting dinner.
Dutch Oven Soups, Stews, and Chilis
A Dutch oven is perfect for slow-simmered, comforting meals that develop deep, rich flavors with minimal effort. Whether you’re craving a hearty stew, a velvety soup, or a bold, spicy chili, these one-pot Dutch oven recipes are guaranteed winners every time!
The best way to eat your veggies, this is hands-down my favorite soup recipe ever (no heavy cream required!) Top your bowl with a little shredded mozzarella and Tabasco sauce for the perfect finish. You can also try this acorn squash soup or curried butternut squash soup recipe.
Aromatic spices, fresh lemon juice, and slowly-simmered veggies transform simple lentil soup from bland to irresistible. Serve it with soft dinner rolls for the perfect cozy meal.
Potato leek soup, aka potage parmentier, is a classic French recipe that blends leeks, potatoes, broth, and cream. It is beloved for its delicate texture and rich, savory flavor.:
This warm and comforting twist on classic cabbage rolls is made with ground beef, pork, green cabbage, and rice in a flavorful tomato broth. It’s super easy to make in just one pot!
This delicious soup can be made with fresh, frozen, or canned corn. Garnish your bowl with shredded cheese, crispy cooked bacon bits, and chopped green onions to take it over the top.
Wild rice, with its pleasantly chewy texture, takes longer than regular white or brown rice, making it ideal for slow Dutch oven cooking.
A rich and hearty classic, Beef and Barley Soup features tender beef, nutty barley, and a deeply flavorful broth infused with herbs and vegetables. The beef is seared first, then slowly simmered for juicy, melt-in-your-mouth meat every time! Looking for something a little lighter? Try this chicken barley soup.
Rich and creamy (without using any heavy cream), you’re going to love this soup – especially if you love an over-the-top loaded baked potato, twice-baked potato, or potato skins because this soup is all about the toppings!
Made with roasted tomatoes, fresh garlic, lightly caramelized onions, and fresh basil, plan on using an enameled Dutch oven to make this soup.
This cozy classic features tender beef, onions, carrots, and potatoes in a rich and flavorful red wine sauce. Absolutely delicious with buttery bread for dunking.
A fun and delicious twist on classic beef stew, this version features slow-cooked beef with salty bacon, Guinness beer, root vegetables, tomato sauce, and herbs. Serve it with a side of Colcannon for the ultimate Irish meal!
In this version, small game meat is traded for juicy pork shoulder. The result is thick, smoky barbecue-inspired comfort food perfect for all-day cooking. It’s best served with a side of sweet cornbread.
Bacalao Recipe (Norwegian Salt Cod Stew):
Inspired by my travels throughout Norway, this slow-cooked stew features rehydrated cod simmered with tomatoes, pimentos, garlic, shallots, and potatoes. It is a delicious alternative to regular baked or pan-fried fish.
Cuba’s national dish, Ropa Vieja, is a slow-cooked, shredded beef stew braised in a savory tomato sauce with bell peppers, onions, and spices. Perfect with a side of rice and black beans.
Hands down the best chili recipe you will ever make! Enjoy with all of your favorite toppings, like gooey melted cheese, sour cream, and green onions. It’s perfect for game day or a cozy night!
This traditional French-inspired fish stew combines fresh shrimp, scallops, and mussels in a fragrant broth infused with saffron, tomatoes, fennel, and white wine.
This New Mexican-inspired chili combines a tangy green chili broth, spicy pork, and creamy cannellini beans. The bright and vibrant broth, especially when topped with avocado, crumbled cheese, and fresh lime juice, always has me back for seconds.
This rustic French vegetable stew is a slow-cooked medley of eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, and tomatoes infused with olive oil, garlic, and fresh herbs. It’s the perfect use for an overgrown garden.
Dutch Oven Bean Recipes
Beans are a nutritious, hearty, and budget-friendly staple that becomes incredibly rich and flavorful when slow-cooked in a Dutch oven. From Southern-style comfort food to classic French-inspired dishes, these one-pot bean recipes are perfect for meal prep, family dinners, or feeding a crowd.
Life-Changing Pinto Beans with Bacon:
Simmer these beans with some smokey bacon and aromatics for a flavorful, savory dish that’s hearty enough to serve as a main dish yet simple enough to serve as a side.
It’s French and a bit of a process to make, but this hearty, delicious, meaty stew filled with duck, pork, sausage, and beans is SO worth it. Slowly cooked in a rich and flavorful tomato broth, it’s perfect with a loaf of crusty bread.
These sweet and savory baked beans are slow-cooked with molasses, brown sugar, mustard, and salt pork, creating a rich, caramelized flavor perfect for potlucks, picnics, and summer cookouts!
A Louisiana favorite, this dish features red beans cooked with smoky sausage, onions, and Cajun spices, served over fluffy rice for a bold and satisfying meal. A favorite to make with my bold and spicy homemade Cajun seasoning!
Pinto Beans with Poblano Peppers:
These delicious beans come with a surprise ingredient! Any guesses? Tequila! They’re the perfect addition to slow-cooked meats like carne asada and carnitas!
Dutch Oven Rice Recipes
Make delicious, one-pot rice dishes like jambalaya, arroz con pollo, and creamy risotto with the even heat of a Dutch oven—perfect for easy weeknight meals!
This traditional Latin American dish features tender chicken and fragrant rice simmered together in one pot. It takes about an hour to make and pairs nicely with a bit of fresh salsa, pico de gallo, or a dash of hot sauce for a little heat.
This one-pot comfort food from the Carolinas features whole shredded chicken, smoked sausage, and creamy long-grain white rice in a savory broth filled with simple pantry spices. It’s delicious, home-cooked goodness and the ultimate chicken and rice recipe!
Arroz Caldo (Filipino Chicken and Rice Porridge):
This warm and comforting Filipino chicken and rice porridge is slow-cooked in homemade chicken stock until thick and creamy. Infused with garlic, ginger, and savory aromatics, it’s traditionally topped with crispy toasted garlic, hard-boiled eggs, and scallions, making it the ultimate cozy, feel-good meal.
Made with a hearty blend of juicy chicken, spicy andouille sausage, and tender rice, this easy one-pot recipe packs bold, rich, and comforting Cajun flavors into every delicious bite!
Infused with fragrant saffron, garlic, red bell pepper, and onion, this aromatic rice dish is golden, fragrant, flavorful, and ready in under 30 minutes.
Whether you make this bold and flavorful Southern side dish with or without chicken livers is up to you. However, be sure to let the bacon, ground pork, and (chicken livers) cook until they develop a deep, golden-brown crust. A traditional cast iron Dutch oven would work best for this recipe!
Juicy marinated chicken thighs cook together with fluffy long-grain white rice, green and black olives, artichoke hearts, lemon, and fresh herbs. Dinner doesn’t get much better than this!
Dutch Oven Pasta Recipes
These Dutch oven pasta recipes deliver creamy, cheesy, and rich flavors without extra pots and pans. Try baked ziti, mac and cheese, and one-pot spaghetti for the ultimate comfort food!
An American classic, this hearty one-pot ground beef and pasta dish features elbow macaroni in a rich tomato sauce. It’s perfect for busy families or anyone who loves cheesy noodles covered in a rich, meaty tomato sauce.
Creamy, quick, and delicious, this one-pot pasta is similar in taste to classic Italian carbonara – minus the egg.
This quick and easy meatless dinner takes just 30 minutes to make!
One-Pot Cheesy Ground Turkey Pasta:
Cheesy, creamy, and filled with loads of ground turkey, this easy one-pot pasta dinner is a true winner (and readers seem to agree!) The whole family will be begging for seconds!
One-Pot Chicken, Bacon, and Ranch Pasta:
Crispy bacon, juicy chicken, and tender-cooked noodles in the creamiest ranch sauce. It’s a definite keeper.
Which Dutch Oven Should I Get?
There are two main types of Dutch ovens: enameled cast iron and traditional cast iron. Each has its advantages depending on your cooking style.
I like to use an enamel-coated Dutch oven due to its versatility and low-maintenance enamel coating. I can wash it with soap and cook acidic sauces and stews without stressing about affecting the flavoring or ruining the seasoning of my pot.
Still, some dishes like Dutch oven pork roast or Cajun dirty rice do best in a traditional cast-iron pot due to its super-high heat-searing abilities.
So, what are my favorites?
My absolute favorite is the Lodge 7.5 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven with Lid. You’ll see several colors shown in the recipe images above. It’s the perfect size, affordable (Amazon sells several color options for under $100), and durable. Plus, the handles and the knob on top of the lid are comfortable and easy to grab onto (super important when you consider the weight of the pot and contents inside). It also comes in 3-quart, 4.5-quart, and 6-quart capacity options. They also make a 7-quart Oval Dutch oven, but the round shape is much more versatile. If you are going to buy just one Dutch oven, this is the one I’d recommend.
For a Dutch oven that’s both functional and beautiful, I highly recommend Staub. The available colors and design are the best out there, but it comes at a price (plus the knob on the top of the lid isn’t as comfortable to hold). That said, you’ll find their classic round “cocotte” in sizes ranging from 0.5 quarts all the way up to 13.5 quarts. The 7-quart capacity is your best choice for a family of 4-6.
For a Dutch oven that excels in durability, searing, roasting, and outdoor cooking, you’ll want to get a traditional cast iron Dutch oven like this Lodge Pre-Seasoned 7-Quart Dutch Oven (it also comes in various other sizes).
Have any questions? Drop me a message in the comment section below! I’m happy to help. And, if you enjoy this post, please rate it with some STAR LOVIN’ so other readers know to try it too! Tag me at #theforkedspoon. I’ll be sure to share! Thank you!
RECIPE CARD
Dutch Oven Recipes (Mississippi Pot Roast)
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 (3-4 pound) chuck roast - brought to room temperature
- 1 (1-ounce) package packet of au jus mix
- 1 (1-ounce) package packet of dry ranch seasoning mix
- 2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup low-sodium beef broth - see notes
- ½ cup pepperoncini pepper juice
- ½ (16-ounce) jar pepperoncini peppers - drained
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large Dutch oven set over medium heat. Add the chuck roast and sear each side for about 5 minutes or until it has a nice golden color.
- Sprinkle the top of the chuck roast with the au jus mix, ranch seasoning mix, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper, then pour in the beef broth and pepperoncini juice and sprinkle around the pepperoncini peppers.
- Cover and transfer to the oven. Cook for 2 ½ to 3 hours or until the roast reaches an internal temperature of 205 degrees Fahrenheit as measured using a digital meat thermometer and pulls apart easily with a fork.
- Remove it from the oven and shred it using two forks. Serve hot with mashed potatoes and freshly minced parsley for garnish if desired.
Nutritional Information
(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and specific brands of ingredients used.)
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