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Campfire Chili by CampingForFoodies features a bowl of chili topped with cheddar cheese, sour cream, diced onions and jalapeno peppers with a spoon and slice of crusty bread ready to be served at the campsite.

Campfire Dutch Oven Chili Recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Author: Kim Hanna
Camping For Foodies Soups, Stews & Chili Recipes: This Campfire Dutch Oven Chili Recipe is a warm and hearty meal.
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Ingredients

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 pound hot Italian ground bulk pork sausage (if you want to tone-down the spice, use mild or plain sausage)
  • 1 (46 fluid oz) can V8 vegetable juice
  • 1 (29 oz) can tomato sauce
  • 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 (15 oz) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 large onion, chopped (about 1.5 cups)
  • 2 cloves garlic finely minced
  • 1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
  • 1 jalapeno pepper finely chopped

Spices That Can Be Measured & Mixed At Home (see Note 1)

  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon white sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 cup chili powder

Optional Toppings

  • Sour cream
  • Chopped onion
  • Shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • Finely chopped jalapenos
  • Loaf crusty bread
  • Cornbread
  • Tortilla chips

Instructions

  • Start your campfire and set up a 12-inch DEEP cast iron Dutch oven for cooking.
  • Add ground beef and pork sausage. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring and breaking up the meat until evenly brown.
  • Add the onions, garlic, bell pepper and jalapeno pepper to the meat mixture and cook till softened.
  • Now add the V-8, tomato sauce, kidney beans, pinto beans, cayenne pepper, sugar, oregano, ground black pepper, salt, cumin and chili powder.
  • Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer for about 2 hours stirring occasionally until the chili has reached the desired thickness. (see Note 2 & Note 3)
  • Top and serve. Our recommendation of optional toppings: cornbread, sour cream, onion, cheddar cheese, jalapenos and crusty bread. Try our delicious Dutch Oven Jalapeno Cornbread that has a little kick! https://www.campingforfoodies.com/campfire-dutch-oven-jalapeno-cornbread-camping-recipe/

Notes

  1. Ingredients can be measured and mixed at home.
  2. If chili is not thickening enough, remove the lid and continue to simmer to thicken to your likeness.
  3. Adjust the heat by positioning the camp Dutch oven closer to, or further away from the campfire coals to maintain the proper temperature.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1g | Calories: 355kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 814mg | Potassium: 510mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 2294IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 3mg