Campfire Chili Recipe

Recipe by: Sue Halpern in Camp Cooking, Lunch & Dinner

Written by Cheryl Carnright

When you're sitting by the campfire during a crisp, cool night, nothing smells and tastes better than a pot of campfire chili. This no-fail hearty chili recipe will warm your whole body.

Plan ahead by cutting up onions, red peppers and a jalapeno. Cook up the ground beef and have it in your cooler ready to add to the pot.

Leftovers are a breeze as this chili recipe freezes so you can make it well in advance and place it frozen in the cooler so it's ready to than and to heat using your camp stove, tripod or a grate over a campfire. Serve some crusty bread, your favorite warm beverage and you have a hearty, comfort supper.

CAMPFIRE CHILI RECIPE INGREDIENTS

2 lbs lean ground beef 1/8 cup of cooking oil or shortening to cover bottom of cooking pot 1 onion diced 1 red pepper diced 1 large jalapeno pepper diced [handle carefully—I use a baggie over my hand when dicing] 1/2 a bulb of garlic gloves minced [Vampire proof recipe—we love garlic]

1 can diced tomatoes 1 15 oz. can tomato sauce 1 can black beans, drained, and rinse if you like 1 beef bouillon cube [I use Knorr] 1 cup water 1 package “Chili Seasoning” 1/8 cup of chives 1 tsp salt or to taste 1/2 tsp ground pepper

DIRECTIONS

Place beef bouillon cube in 1 cup of water to dissolve and set aside. Sauté diced onion, red pepper and jalapeno pepper in pot over campfire until onions are tender. Add the minced garlic just before adding the hamburger to the pot. Stir and brown the hamburger. Add salt and pepper to the ground beef. Add the can of diced tomatoes, can of tomato sauce, and can of black beans. Add chili seasoning packet, chives, and the 1 cup of beef broth stirring contents thoroughly. Stir and bring to a boil. Move to cooler area of grate to reduce heat, simmer until peppers are tender about 20 to 30 minutes.

You can add additional beans such as red, chili or kidney beans. I’ve added celery to the sauté, and poured in salsa or added a small can of corn. You can make your own chili seasoning using chili powder and cumin to taste. If too thick add a splash of beer.

Ladle into bowls and serve with cornbread, crusty bread or crackers. Dress up with sour cream, shredded cheese or diced raw onions. This chili can be served over cooked spaghetti noodles if bulking up on carbs.