25 Easy Vegan Dutch Oven Recipes

These Vegan Dutch Oven Recipes will show you how versatile and easy to use a cast-iron Dutch oven can be! From dairy-free potato leek soups, vegetarian kimchi jjigae, garam masala curry, and even bread baking, you can make delicious one-pot meals for the whole family.

Vegan pasta Pomodoro topped with fresh basil leaves in a white Dutch Oven.

What is the best kitchen tool you can have in your kitchen? Some would say that it's an Instant Pot, but I would argue that it's a Dutch oven. Why? Because you can use it for literally anything.

It can replace several kitchen tools including your slow cooker, pasta pot, deep fryer, stockpot, and even your bread maker.

A Dutch oven is a great gift you can buy someone when the holidays are approaching. Thankfully, these vegan Dutch oven recipes are easy to make and perfect for people who are beginners at using Dutch ovens.

And if you're looking to buy one but don't know where to start, check out the end of the post where I've summed up my favorite brands.

Jump to:

What is a Dutch Oven?
Tips for Using a Dutch Oven
FAQ
Basic Dutch Oven Recipes
Soup Recipes
Curries, Stews, and Chilis
Best Dutch Oven Brands

What is a Dutch Oven?

"A Dutch oven is a thick-walled cooking pot with a tight-fitting lid. Dutch ovens are usually made of seasoned cast iron. However, some Dutch ovens are instead made of cast aluminum or ceramic. Some metal varieties are enameled rather than seasoned, and these are sometimes called French ovens." (source)

Tips for Using a Dutch Oven

Handle carefully while cooking! Both the handles and the lid can get really hot, so make sure to use heat-proof pot holders.
Let the pot cool before washing. Pouring cold water over a hot Dutch oven can cause it to crack in half. Always cool your pot before washing!
Use enough oil. A Dutch oven doesn't have a non-stick coating, so make sure to use enough oil (1-2 tablespoons at least).
If you burn food on the bottom, use this trick. To the pot, add water, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, and stir. Heat over medium heat for 5 minutes, or until the burned food starts to peel off.
Try cooking outside. The Dutch oven is great to pack with you on a camping trip because you can cook on an open fire by placing it directly on hot coals. Check out this article on how to cook with a Dutch oven over a campfire.

FAQ

What is the best thing to make in a Dutch oven?

The Dutch oven is my number one kitchen tool because you can make almost anything in it. Things like braised meats, stews, soups, curries, bread, and even desserts like cake, cobbler, and cinnamon rolls.

Why does food stick to my dutch oven?

Dutch ovens are excellent at retaining heat and moisture. That's why using medium-high or high heat is actually too hot and can make your food stick and burn. Try using lower heat than what you're used to when cooking with stainless-steel pots.

Can you put it in the oven?

Yes! Dutch ovens are oven-safe which makes them ideal for baking bread or braising meat or vegetables.

Is a Dutch oven useful for vegetarians?

Yes, and even more so than regular pots and pans. I've found that cooking vegetable stews and soups in a Dutch oven gives them the best texture and flavor.

Do I need to season a Dutch oven?

It depends. If you're using a Dutch oven with enamel coating, you don't need to season it. But if your Dutch oven is made from cast iron, you'll need to season it to make the most out of it. See this article on how to season cast-iron cookware.

Vegan Korean kimchi stew in a white Dutch oven.

Basic Dutch Oven Recipes

If you don't know where to start, I recommend trying one of these basic vegan Dutch oven recipes first. They're all great staples that you can make time and time again, and use in other dishes as well.

Dutch Oven Sourdough Bread

Love sourdough bread? This beginner-friendly, no-knead Dutch oven sourdough bread is an artisan-style loaf. Stretch and fold the dough, proof overnight, and bake it the next morning!

Rosemary garlic sourdough bread on a tile countertop with a blue kitchen towel.

Dutch Oven Bread Recipe (No Knead)

This No Knead Bread is soft and fluffy on the inside, and crunchy on the outside! It's the perfect beginner-friendly recipe if you're looking to start making your own bread at home!

A loaf of bread in a white Dutch oven layered with a pieces of parchment paper.

Black Beans From Scratch

Cooking beans from scratch is easy and affordable! Learn how to make the best black beans with just a few simple steps! Perfect to use in tacos, enchiladas, and beyond!

Cooke black beans in a blue pot with a silver spoon in it.

Fluffy Coconut Basmati Rice

This coconut basmati rice recipe is a simple, yet revolutionary way to prepare rice. This recipe requires 1 pot, 20 minutes, and less than 10 ingredients. It is the perfect side to soups, stews, curries, and beyond!

The Best Vegan Mashed Potatoes

Creamy and rich yet fluffy and light vegan mashed potatoes are possible! It’s the two types of potatoes you use and the addition of miso butter that make them just as good as the classic version loaded with dairy.

bowl of vegan mashed potatoes and chives with spoon, on wooden table.

Soup Recipes

On a cold night, whip up one of these vegan soups for the ultimate cozy vibes! They're easy to make, use simple ingredients, and are packed with vegetables.

Dairy-free Potato Leek Soup Recipe

Let me show you how to make the BEST dairy-free potato leek soup! This delicious soup turns out super creamy and silky smooth, yet it's healthy and easy to make!

Potato leek soup served in a white bowl and topped with fresh thyme.

Broccoli Pea Soup Recipe

This Broccoli Pea Soup is a healthy and nourishing recipe that comes together in 20 minutes! It's a delicious way to eat more greens and is made with 8 ingredients only!

Broccoli pea soup served in a blue bowl, topped with peas, coconut milk and fresh basil leaves.

Sweet Potato Soup Recipe

This Sweet Potato Soup recipe is loaded with warming spices like cinnamon, ginger and cumin. It's thick and creamy from the coconut milk, which makes it the ultimate fall food! Just 1 pot needed!

Sweet potato soup served in a blue bowl, placed on a round wooden chopping board.

Vegan Wild Rice Mushroom Soup Recipe

Hearty, cozy, and easy to make, this Wild Rice Mushroom comes together in just 1 hour! This recipe is packed with flavor yet it's healthier than traditional wild rice soup. It's completely vegan and dairy-free!

Dipping a piece of bread in a bowl of mushroom wild rice soup.

Vegan Lasagna Soup

A one-pot meal for the whole family. Packed with Italian flavors, this vegan lasagna soup can be made in less than 30 minutes.

Creamy White Bean Soup with Kale

Creamy White Bean Soup with Kale is no ordinary soup! It has a super creamy texture without any dairy or nuts and features wholesome and comforting yet gourmet flavor boosters. A weeknight dinner or meal prep must (16 fiber + 19g protein!).

White bean soup with kale and gremolata in dutch oven.

Creamy Cauliflower Potato Leek Soup Recipe

This Cauliflower Potato Leek Soup is rich, creamy, and packs layers of deep flavor! It's comforting, and filling, and is naturally vegan and gluten-free!

A blue bowl filled with garlic cauliflower soup and topped with roasted cauliflower florets and parsley leaves.

Vegan Zuppa Toscana (Tuscan Kale Soup)

This vegan Zuppa Toscana is great for a weeknight dinner or a make ahead lunch. Warming vegetable soup with kale, white beans, potatoes, and Tuscan herbs is so good for chilly weather.

Vegan kale soup in a pot with a ladle and bread on the side.

Curries, Stews, and Chilis

This section has one of the best vegan dutch oven recipes. My personal favorites are the kimchi jjigae and the garam masala curry.

Dutch Oven Chili

This Dutch Oven Chili is easy to make and comes together in just 1 pot! It's hearty, filling, and packed with vegetables such as red bell peppers, corn, and onion. Perfect to serve at a family dinner, alongside some fresh cornbread or pita chips.

Vegetarian Kimchi Jjigae

This Vegetarian Kimchi Jigae a.k.a. Korean Tofu Stew is sweet, spicy, tangy, and full of flavor! Enjoy this vegan stew with rice on the side for a complete meal. Ready in 30 minutes!

Garam Masala Curry Recipe

You'll love this Garam Masala Curry Recipe because it's rich, saucy, and packed with fragrant Indian spices. It features chickpeas, tomato paste, coconut milk, and potatoes. It's a healthy 1-pot dinner that is easy to make and great for meal prep.

Spicy Roasted Tomato White Bean Stew

This Roasted Tomato White Bean Stew is spicy, hearty, and comforting! It's made with healthy pantry ingredients and is great for meal prep and freezing! You can serve it either as a main dish, or a side.

Spicy white bean stew served in a white bowl with sliced bread on the side.

Eggplant Lentil Curry Recipe

This eggplant lentil curry comes together in around 30 minutes and it will be your new favorite weeknight dinner! It's hearty, comforting and packed with flavor and plant-based protein.

A white bowl filled with eggplant lentil curry and white rice.

Hearty Vegetable Stew with Green Beans

This recipe features peas, carrots, green beans, potatoes, celery, and cabbage simmered in savory gravy. It's best served piping hot alongside crusty bread or rice.

A white bowl filled with vegetable stew topped with chopped parsley. The bowl is placed on a wooden cutting board.

Pasta and Risotto

These pasta recipes are great for a busy night when you need to put something on the table fast. They're versatile and customizable and you can use your favorite type of pasta including whole wheat pasta or gluten-free pasta.

Ravioli Pomodoro Recipe

This Ravioli Pomodoro Recipe is a one-pot pasta recipe that is creamy, rich, and infused with garlic and fresh basil! It uses 6 ingredients only and is ready in 25 minutes!

Saucy Kimchi Pasta

This Creamy Kimchi Alfredo Pasta is easy to make and will be your new favorite way to eat kimchi! Ready in less than 30 minutes! Gluten-free option included.

A close-up shot of vegan alfredo fettuccine pasta in a bowl. Topped with green onion.

BEST Gochujang Pasta

This Gochujang Pasta is creamy, spicy, and SO saucy! It's made with 8 ingredients and is ready in 20 minutes! Perfect for a weeknight dinner!

Creamy gochujang pasta served on a white plate, topped with grated parmesan cheese and chopped parsley. A silver fork placed in the right side of the plate.

Baked Vegan Mac and Cheese

Making Mac and Cheese in your Dutch oven is one of the best ways you can prepare this beloved pasta dish! The noodles are cooked until al dente, then coated in a cheesy vegan sauce, and topped with breadcrumbs. Then everything is baked into golden perfection.

Vegan baked mac and cheese in a white Dutch oven with a wooden spoon in it.

Creamy Vegan Mushroom Risotto

This Vegan Mushroom Risotto is creamy, rich, and packed with flavor from the truffle oil. The rice is sauteed in vegan butter, then cooked in vegetable broth, and white wine until it's al dente. Everything is topped with crispy fried mushrooms and fresh thyme.

A bows of vegan mushroom risotto with a wooden spoon in it.

Best Dutch Oven Brands

Okay, you've picked which recipes you want to try, but which Dutch Oven is best to buy?

Here are some of my favorites that I've tried over the years, and some which were recommended by friends.

Staub - This is one of the best brands for purchasing cast-iron pots and pans. I have several products from them and they're all super durable, aesthetic, and last a lifetime. The only thing you should keep in mind is the price. They're definitely on the pricier side, but I've found it to be so worth it.
Le Creuset - Similar to Staub, Le Creuset pots are an investment, but they will stand the test of time. Since they’re enamel-coated, you can clean them up easily with just soap and water. The only downside here is that you can’t use metal utensils, as they will scratch the enamel coating.
Lodge - If you're looking for a budget-friendly option, this is definitely the way to go. This pot is sturdy and will last you for a long time. The only downside is that since it's not enamel-coated it will require seasoning and proper care, but after some time you get used to it, so it's definitely worth it. I haven't personally tried their Dutch ovens, but I have a cast-iron skillet that I absolutely love and use every day.
Amazon Basics - This is the first Dutch Oven that I ever bought and it was pretty good quality, considering the price. It doesn't require seasoning and it comes in a beautiful white/creme color. However, I did chip over time so keep that in mind.