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Easy Hearty Campfire Chili Recipe Perfect for Cast Iron Cooking Outdoors

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A simple, robust chili recipe designed for cast iron cooking over campfires, delivering smoky, spicy, and savory flavors perfect for outdoor meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20) or substitute with ground turkey or plant-based meat
  • 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed (black beans can be used as substitute)
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (fire-roasted recommended)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tbsp cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • Salt to taste (preferably kosher salt)
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 cup beef broth or water
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Optional toppings: shredded cheddar cheese, chopped green onions, sour cream, jalapeños

Instructions

  1. Prepare your campfire and let it burn down to glowing coals (about 30-40 minutes).
  2. Place cast iron pot on tripod or grill grate over the fire. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil and heat for 2-3 minutes until shimmering.
  3. Add diced onion and green bell pepper to the pot. Stir occasionally for 5-7 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  4. Add minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
  5. Add ground beef, crumble and cook until no pink remains (8-10 minutes), controlling flare-ups.
  6. Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper over the meat mixture. Stir well.
  7. Add drained kidney beans and canned diced tomatoes with juice. Stir gently to combine.
  8. Pour in 1 cup beef broth or water and stir.
  9. Reduce heat by moving pot to cooler spot or adjusting coals. Cover with lid and simmer for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  10. Remove lid, stir, taste, and adjust seasoning if needed. Add more broth if chili is too thick.
  11. Serve hot with optional toppings like shredded cheese or sour cream.

Notes

Use hot coals instead of open flames to prevent burning. Stir frequently and adjust pot position to control heat. Brown meat thoroughly to lock in flavor. If chili sticks, add extra broth and stir more often. Avoid soap when cleaning cast iron; scrub with coarse salt and water instead. For vegetarian version, replace beef with mushrooms and extra beans, and use vegetable broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: campfire chili, cast iron chili, outdoor cooking, hearty chili, easy chili recipe, camping food, smoky chili

Find it online: https://coracooks.com/easy-hearty-campfire-chili-recipe-perfect-for-cast-iron-cooking-outdoors/