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Hearty Dutch Oven Campfire Chili Recipe Easy Homemade from Scratch

Dutch oven campfire chili - featured image
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A hearty, warming chili cooked from scratch in a Dutch oven over a campfire, perfect for camping or backyard fire pits. This recipe uses simple ingredients and slow simmering to develop bold, smoky flavors.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (fire-roasted optional)
  • 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tbsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dark cocoa powder (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Optional toppings: shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeños

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients: dice onion, bell pepper, mince garlic, drain and rinse kidney beans, measure spices (15 minutes).
  2. Heat Dutch oven over medium coals or gentle fire; add olive oil. When shimmering, sauté onions and bell peppers for about 5 minutes until softened and starting to caramelize.
  3. Add minced garlic and cook 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Add ground beef, crumble and cook 8-10 minutes until no pink remains, breaking up lumps. Drain excess fat if needed.
  5. Stir in tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, and cocoa powder (if using). Cook 2 minutes to toast spices.
  6. Add diced tomatoes with juice, kidney beans, and beef broth. Stir well, scraping browned bits from bottom.
  7. Cover with lid and simmer for 30-40 minutes over coals, stirring every 10 minutes to prevent sticking. Add more broth or water if too dry.
  8. Season to taste with salt and pepper; adjust chili powder or add a dash of sugar if desired.
  9. Serve warm with optional toppings like shredded cheddar, sour cream, green onions, cilantro, or jalapeños.

Notes

Use hot coals instead of direct flames to control heat and prevent burning. Stir every 10 minutes during simmering. For leaner chili, substitute ground turkey or chicken. Beans can be swapped with black or pinto beans. Slow simmering melds flavors best. Optional cocoa powder adds depth without sweetness.

Nutrition

Keywords: campfire chili, Dutch oven chili, homemade chili, campfire recipe, easy chili, hearty chili, camping meal, scratch chili

Find it online: https://flurpchef.com/hearty-dutch-oven-campfire-chili-recipe-easy-homemade-from-scratch/