Forget about CrockPots — the Dutch oven is the OG of slow-cooking kitchen tools, and it’s a lot more versatile than anything you have to plug into the wall. Because of their thick walls and bottoms, these heavy-lidded cast-iron pots conduct heat evenly even at low temperatures, making them ideal for cooking over an open campfire, simmering spicy chili on the stove top, and baking bread in the oven. But what you might not expect is that they’re great at coaxing out deep flavors and meltingly tender textures from vegetarian recipes too. These 21 meatless recipes will convince you to add a Dutch oven to your kitchen cabinet.
What You Need
Dutch ovens are a kitchen essential you'll use again and again. They come in different sizes and can be beautiful enough to leave on your stovetop. This adorable limited edition set from Great Jones x Laura Chautin Dutch Oven is our new favorite! They are heavy too, another reason you might not want to stow away but also why they make your food taste so good. Other brands to try are Le Creuset, Staub, and Caraway.
20 Dutch Oven Recipes To Try
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A few caring instructions before you start cooking! Avoid using harsh abrasives or metal utensils on your naturally non-stick oven. Wash by hand using a soft sponge or brush and mild soap. Dry well and keep lid slightly off when storing to keep your oven from rusting. Occasionally check the seasoning on a bare cast iron Dutch oven and re-season if needed!
Cauliflower Chili
Cauliflower lovers will enjoy the dish with a kick, made with pinto beans, poblano peppers and sweet potato. (via Crowded Kitchen)
Kale Pesto Pasta
Make a homemade pesto sauce in minutes with fresh tomatoes, and delicious feta cheese for a bursting-with-flavor pasta. (via Hello Little Home)
Vegan Potato Jackfruit Stew
This hearty stew is made with meaty jackfruit, carrot, smoky spices and tomatoes. Serve with toasty bread to mop up the delicious plant-based gravy. (via Veggie Society)
Mushroom and Lentil Bourguignon
Build amazing flavor in this classic dish with tomato paste and must-do wine reduction, then serve with mashed gold potatoes, sweet potatoes, or noodles for a divine dinner! (via Chef Bai)
One Pot Brothy Beans
Comfort food in one pot -- make the brothy beans with white beans, herbs, and a few spices that are slow-cooked for 1-2 hours. You'll want to eat up this creamy spiced beans and broth for lunch or dinner! (via Munching With Mariyah)
Ratatouille
Master this French classic in your Dutch oven. The key is cooking each vegetable until it’s so tender, it almost melts in your mouth. (via Cupcakes and Kale Chips)
Italian Orzo Spinach Soup
This light Italian soup is made with whole wheat pasta and plenty of veggies. Serve it with crusty bread, so you can sop up every last bit of the rich broth. (via Gimme Some Oven)
Fresh Corn and Zucchini Chowder
When you get your summer bumper crop of corn and zucchini, reach for a summer chowder full of vegetables. Add diced jalapeños for a kick that keeps the dish from getting too heavy for warmer weather. (via Little Spice Jar)
Campfire Nachos
Cooked over a campfire or on the grill, these nachos are sure to hit the spot after a long day in the sun. The Dutch oven helps all of the cheese melt evenly, while preventing the chips from getting burnt. (via Fresh Off the Grill)
Baked Risotto With Squash, Mushrooms, and Sage
Take the work out of risotto by cooking it in the oven instead of stirring it constantly on the stove. It gets just as creamy as with the traditional method, but you won’t have to be in the kitchen the whole time it cooks. (via Ciao Veggie)
Chickpea and Potato Curry
This dish tastes like a long-simmered stew, but in fact it cooks up in just half an hour. Serve it with some naan from the store for a fast but satisfying meal. (via The Healthy Tart)
One-Pot Veggie Pasta
On nights when you don’t have the bandwidth to cook a complicated meal, you can always count on one-pot pasta. The starch from the pasta thickens the cooking liquid into a silky sauce, and a sprinkle of fontina cheese on top makes the whole dish taste decadent. (via Yin and Yolk)
Italian Rice and Beans Soup
Dried beans get deliciously tender when they’re cooked low and slow in your Dutch oven. Along with Arborio rice, they make each bite of this Italian soup super creamy. (via Philos Kitchen)
Dutch Oven Potato Chilaquiles
Adding potatoes to your chilaquiles makes for a meal hearty enough to move from breakfast to dinner. Top with the usual suspects, and marvel at how well the tender-yet-crisp potatoes go with the rest of your dish. (via Climbing Grier Mountain)
Vegan Pasta e fa*gioli Soup
Navy beans and pasta make up the bulk of this soup. It’s one of those meals that’s made with just a handful of simple ingredients that come together to make something extraordinary. (via The Full Helping)
Tahini and Root Vegetable Stew
Tahini paste is the secret ingredient here, adding an earthy, nutty flavor to each bite. (via Almond to Zest)
Lentil Soup
We grew up on lentil soup from a can, but it’s a million times better, and almost as easy, when you make it from scratch. (via Tasty Seasons)
Oven Baked Whole Roasted Cauliflower
Impress your guests with this eye-catching vegetarian entree. A whole cauliflower is roasted with a fragrant mix of herbs and spices; carve it table-side for an extra fancy presentation. (via The Healthy Foodie)
Lentil Bolognese Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
Robust lentil bolognese makes a flavorful filling for these cabbage rolls that are cooked until spoon-tender in a Dutch oven. (via The Mostly Vegan)
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Hero image: Chef Bai
Justina Huddleston
Justina Huddleston is a food writer living in Los Angeles. When she's not busy writing, she spends her time in the kitchen creating both virtuous and decidedly junky vegan food. Buffalo chickpea pizza, anyone? She's also been known to eat a plain block of tofu or beans straight out of the can for lunch, but somehow those culinary adventures don't make it to her Instagram. You can follow Justina on Twitter or see what's cooking in her kitchen on her blog, A Life of Little Pleasures.
