Easy One-Pot Campfire Chili Recipe

When you’re camping in cold weather, simple meals are the best meals.

After a long day outside, you want something warm, filling, and easy to make without a lot of prep.

That’s why this one-pot campfire chili recipe is so perfect!

It uses just a handful of ingredients and cooks right over the fire, making it perfect for chilly nights at camp.

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Why Chili is Great for Camping

Chili is the perfect cold weather camping meal because it’s filling, keeps you warm, and doesn’t require any fancy cooking or prep-work.

It’s also usually cheap to make.

The heat from the chili will help to warm you up from the inside out—keeping you feeling comfortable—and fewer ingredients means less chopping and less waste for you to pack out with you.

This recipe is quick and easy, so you can spend less time cooking and more time relaxing!

Simple One-Pot Campfire Chili Recipe

Serves: 2-3 People

Cook Time: 30 Minutes

Ingredients

1 lb of ground beef (or turkey)
1 can of your desired chili beans
1 can of diced tomatoes
1-2 tablespoons of chili powder
Salt/pepper for taste
1 bag of shredded cheese (to sprinkle over the top)

That’s it! Just six simple ingredients!

How to Cook Your Chili Over the Fire

Make sure you have a nice hot base going in your fire before you start cooking your chili. When your fire starts to produce a nice steady flow of heat, place your camping pot on the fire grate or position it on a couple of fresh, sturdy logs.

Start by cooking your meat first. Add it to the pot and cook it until it is browned, breaking it up as you go.

Once your meat is cooked and no longer pink, add in everything else. Pour in your chili beans, your diced tomatoes, and season with your salt, pepper, and chili powder.

Mix thoroughly.

Let your chili simmer for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, then serve it with a healthy sprinkle of shredded cheese on top.

Now you’re all done! The only thing left to do is eat your delicious, body-warming chili and enjoy some quiet vibes around the campfire (preferably in a cool national park somewhere.)

Additional Tips

-Make sure to adjust the pot’s position on the fire if it starts to get too hot. You don’t want to burn the chili. You can also move your coals and wood around to even disperse any unwanted extra heat.

-Try prepping your ingredients and seasonings at home so you don’t have to worry about it at the campsite. It’s much easier to prep at home than it is in the woods.

-If you have a lid for your camp pot, use it to help trap the heat while your chili simmers. This will help it cook more evenly. (If you don’t have a lid that’s okay too, your chili will still turn out fine.)

-Tweak this recipe however you see fit. You can add in whatever other ingredients you desire—crackers, bread, peppers, noodles, etc. It’s your chili, make it how you want to. This recipe is a perfect base, and can be easily customized to fit dietary or taste preferences.

Final Thoughts

This one-pot campfire chili recipe proves that you don’t need elaborate recipes to stay warm in the cold weather.

It’s easy, relatively quick, and will leave you feeling full and happy.

I highly recommend giving it a try the next time you break out your tent.

You won’t regret it!

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Thanks again, and until next time, happy camping!