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Campfire Chili

Campfire chili with a Dutch oven method for a thick, bubbling pot that simmers until the flavors meld. Ground beef, beans, and tomatoes cook down into a hearty comfort-food bowl perfect for camping dinners.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 8 servings
Cuisine: American
Calories: 540
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Beef and vegetables
  • 2 lb ground beef
  • 1 onion
  • 1 bell pepper
Beans and tomatoes
  • 2 can (15 oz) kidney beans
  • 2 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
Spices and seasoning
  • 3 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 0.5 salt and pepper to taste
For serving
  • 1 shredded cheese
  • 1 sour cream
  • 1 crackers

Equipment

  • 1 Dutch oven

Method
 

Brown the beef and vegetables
  1. Brown the ground beef in a Dutch oven over campfire heat until no longer pink, then add the diced onion and diced bell pepper and stir. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften and the beef is well browned (visual cue: beef browns and onion turns translucent).
  2. Add the kidney beans, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper to the Dutch oven. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a steady simmer over the campfire (visual cue: bubbles break the surface across the pot).
Simmer until thick
  1. Cover the Dutch oven and cook for 35-40 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Keep it at a gentle simmer throughout (visual cue: chili is bubbling under the lid and thickens slightly by the final minutes).
Serve
  1. Ladle the chili into bowls and serve hot. Top each portion with shredded cheese, sour cream, and crackers (visual cue: cheese melts slightly on top and toppings sit in distinct layers).

Notes

Pro tip: If your campfire heat runs hot, reduce it to a gentle simmer so the beans don’t break down too much—then stir more often for even thickening. Refrigerate leftovers in a sealed container for up to 4 days; freeze for up to 3 months. For a lighter swap, use lean ground beef or swap in ground turkey for a similar texture and cook time.