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Cozy Dutch Oven Campfire Chili

Dutch oven campfire chili - featured image
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A hearty, smoky chili recipe perfect for outdoor campfire cooking using a Dutch oven. This easy and flexible recipe delivers rich flavors and comforting warmth for any camping trip.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup beef broth, low sodium preferred
  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp dried chipotle powder (optional)
  • 1 tsp salt, or to taste
  • ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ cup dark beer or water (beer optional but recommended)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

  1. Prepare your campfire and let it burn down to hot coals (about 30-40 minutes).
  2. Place Dutch oven over coals or on a grill grate and add 1 tbsp olive oil; warm for about 3 minutes.
  3. Add diced onion and red bell pepper; sauté until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
  4. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more, careful not to burn.
  5. Add ground beef and break it up; cook until fully browned, about 8-10 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed, leaving some for flavor.
  6. Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, chipotle powder, salt, and pepper over the meat; stir well to coat evenly.
  7. Stir in tomato paste, canned diced tomatoes with juices, beef broth, and beer (if using); mix until combined.
  8. Reduce heat by moving Dutch oven to cooler coals or lifting it slightly; cover and simmer gently for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  9. Stir in drained kidney beans and cook uncovered for another 10 minutes to thicken.
  10. Taste and adjust salt or spice levels as needed; add more broth or water if too thick.
  11. Serve warm with your favorite toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, or chopped green onions.

Notes

Use hot coals instead of open flames for consistent heat. Stir gently to keep beans intact. Adjust spice level by varying chipotle powder or adding jalapeños. Prep veggies ahead to save time. For vegetarian version, substitute beef with plant-based crumble and use vegetable broth. Leftovers freeze well up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: campfire chili, Dutch oven chili, outdoor meals, camping recipe, hearty chili, smoky chili, easy chili recipe

Find it online: https://bitematrix.com/cozy-dutch-oven-campfire-chili-recipe-easy-hearty-outdoor-meals/