Cooking over an open fire sounds like an adventure - and that's exactly what it is! The Dutch Oven is the must-have for outdoor cooking: robust, versatile and ideal for anyone who likes to prepare hearty dishes outdoors. To help you get started in the world of cast-iron cooking, we have put together 5 simple Dutch oven recipes for beginners. They will show you just how versatile your Dutch oven is - from hearty stews to sweet cakes.
Tip: Are you brand new? Then read our guide on how to burn in and care for your Dutch Oven properly.
Table of contents
Chili con carne in a Dutch Oven
Colorful Dutch Oven fire pot
Folded bread with herbs
Apple pie in a Dutch Oven
Pineapple curry chicken in a Dutch Oven
Buying the right Dutch Oven: What you should look out for
Why Petromax Dutch Ovens are so special
Conclusion
Chili con carne in the Dutch Oven
Preparation time: 45 min · Cooking time: 120 min · Servings: 4-6
Fiery, hearty and unmistakable: this chili is a classic for your first Dutch Oven use. Dark chocolate gives it a slightly tangy note that goes perfectly with the strong spices.
Ingredients:
Beef, minced pork, chorizo, onions, garlic, chili, tomato paste, cumin, tarragon, oregano, chili powder, beer, malt beer, red beans and dark chocolate.
Preparation:
Chop the onions, garlic and chili, dice the meat. Sear the beef in a hot fire pot and set aside. Brown the mince with the onions and garlic, add all the other ingredients (except the parsley), stir and put the lid on.
Simmer the chilli for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Finally, sprinkle over the parsley.
🔥 Tip: 15 briquettes (6 at the bottom / 9 at the top) are enough for the perfect temperature.
Colorful fire pot from the Dutch oven
Preparation time: 5 min · Cooking time: 15 min · Servings: 4
A simple, colorful dish for outdoors - ideal if you want quick results. With spicy country hunters, zucchinis, carrots and peppers, this stew is not only filling but also healthy.
Ingredients:
Onions, zucchinis, carrots, peppers, tomatoes, Landjäger, olive oil, salt, pepper.
Preparation:
Fry the onions and Landjäger in a hot Dutch oven with olive oil. Add the zucchinis and carrots, cook briefly, then add the peppers and tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper and pour in a little water.
Cook with the lid closed until the vegetables are soft.
🔥 Tip: 10-12 briquettes under the pan ensure even heat.
Folded bread with herbs
Preparation time: 90 min · Baking time: 50-60 min · Servings: 6
Fragrant, golden-brown crumpled bread - perfect as a side dish to chili or hotpot. The highlight: the yeast dough is spread with herb butter and folded like an accordion.
Ingredients:
Flour, water, yeast, sugar, salt, herb butter.
Preparation:
Dissolve the yeast in lukewarm water, knead into a smooth dough with the flour and salt. Leave to rise for 1 hour.
Roll out the dough, spread with herb butter, cut into strips, fold and place in a greased tin. Leave to rise for a further 30 minutes.
Bake at 180 °C indirect heat (e.g. in a K4 Dutch Oven) for 50-60 minutes until golden brown.
🔥 Tip: If you like, refine the butter with fresh herbs or garlic.
Apple pie in the Dutch oven
Preparation time: 10 min · Baking time: 45 min · Servings: 6
A classic that never disappoints - and shows that the Dutch oven also works well as an oven.
Ingredients:
Yoghurt, oil, eggs, sugar, vanilla pudding powder, spelt flour, baking powder, baking soda, apples, cinnamon, optional raisins.
Preparation:
Mix all the ingredients (except the apple slices) into a smooth batter. Dice two apples and fold in, slice two more and place on top.
Close the lid and bake with 15 briquettes (5 at the bottom / 10 at the top) for about 45 minutes until the cake is golden brown.
🔥 Tip: The aroma of apple and cinnamon is guaranteed to draw everyone to the fire!
Pineapple curry chicken in a Dutch oven
Preparation time: 50 min · Cooking time: 90 min · Servings: 6
Fruity, creamy and spicy at the same time - this pineapple curry chicken is a beginner's hit with guaranteed success.
Ingredients:
Chicken breast fillets, sour cream, cream, mushrooms, cheese, onions, pineapple, curry spice mix, salt, pepper, clarified butter.
Preparation:
Cut mushrooms, onions and pineapple, mix sour cream and cream with curry.
Fry chicken in clarified butter, remove, then sauté vegetables. Return the meat to the pan, pour over the sauce and cook for 60 minutes.
Finally, sprinkle the cheese over the top and bake for a further 30 minutes until golden brown.
🔥 Tip: 20 briquettes (7 at the bottom / 7 at the top, then all at the top for gratinating).
Buying the right Dutch oven: What you should look out for
Not every Dutch oven is the same. Before you start your first adventure by the fire, it's worth taking a look at a few details:
1. material quality
A good Dutch Oven is made of solid, high-quality cast iron. This ensures even heat distribution and long-lasting warmth - crucial if you want your chili to simmer for two hours or your cake to be golden brown.
2. size and capacity
The Petromax ft4.5 or ft6 models are ideal for beginners. They hold 4-6 portions and are versatile enough for almost any recipe - from stews to bread.
3. feet and lid function
A real Dutch Oven has stable feet for fireplaces and a lid with a rim on which you can place briquettes. With Petromax, you can even use the lid as a pan or serving plate - perfect for crispy fried potatoes or pancakes.
4. already burnt in or raw?
Petromax Dutch Ovens are burnt in at the factory. So you can get started immediately, without prior treatment with oil and heat.
5. care and longevity
With the right care - for example with the Petromax Care Paste for Cast Iron - your Dutch Oven will last a lifetime and get better with every use.
👉 Tip: In our store you will find all Petromax Dutch Ovens in different sizes - from the small ft1 for desserts to the large ft12 for the whole fire crew.
Why Petromax Dutch Ovens are so special
A Dutch Oven is only as good as its cast iron - and here Petromax is in a league of its own. The Petromax Dutch Oven is the heart of every fire kitchen: robust, versatile and built for every adventure. Whether over an open fire, on the grill or even in the oven - this classic masters everything: roasting, braising, cooking and baking.
Quality you can see and feel
Each Dutch oven is made of high-quality cast iron with a fine-pored structure. This ensures even heat distribution and a natural non-stick surface on which nothing burns - without any coating or chemicals.
Thanks to the even wall thicknesses and carefully finished edges, the heat remains constant - your chili simmers evenly, your bread gets a perfect crust.
Ready to use immediately - no baking necessary
All Petromax Dutch Ovens are baked in ex works and therefore ready for immediate use. No preparation, no effort - just unpack, set up and start cooking.
The surface improves with every use - so your very own personal patina is created little by little.
Clever down to the last detail
The lid of the Dutch oven is more than just a cover: it can be used as a pan or serving dish and has a raised edge to keep embers or briquettes safely in place. Sturdy handles and a snug-fitting lid ensure easy handling - even over an open fire.
Unlimited application possibilities
Whether camping, on the barbecue, in the oven or in the Petromax Atago: The Dutch Oven is at home everywhere. From hearty stews to sweet pastries to bread - you can prepare everything directly over the embers and experience that unmistakable fire taste every time, which no kitchen in the world can offer.
Conclusion: adventurous cooking made easy
These five recipes show how versatile and uncomplicated cooking with the Dutch oven is - from savory to sweet, from bread to roasts.
Anyone who has ever experienced the aroma of freshly baked apple pie or spicy chili over an open fire will understand why fire cooking is so special.
👉 Discover the matching Petromax Dutch Oven practical cast iron care products and other accessories for your next outdoor adventure.
