It is always a good thing to simplify your meals when you are out camping. This Dutch Oven Chili and Cornbread is a really simple way to feed your crew a hearty meal while you are out enjoying nature!
Do you know what would go really well with this? Dutch oven desserts are so good when you are out camping, especially this Dutch oven brookie!
What Makes This Recipe So Good For Camping
I love this recipe when my family is camping because it is such a hearty meal! The chili is so filling, which makes this a perfect fuel for hiking, exploring, and whatever else you have planned for your camping trip.
If it's a cold day, there's nothing better than some hot chili.
Another thing that you'll love about this recipe is how it simplifies cooking on your trip. The chili and cornbread are both made in the same pot, so there isn't unnecessary clean-up afterward.
My chili is also made ahead of time, before the trip. Then it is chilled and stored in the cooler, ready to go when I am!
This meal is a great recipe for beginners. It is very simple to put together and with these simple instructions, you will have success right away.
Notes For Cooking In Dutch Oven
One of the most important things about cooking with a Dutch oven is to make sure you have the right kind of pan. There are two kinds of cast-iron pans, bare and enameled. Be sure your pan is not enameled, they cannot stand high temperatures and aren't made for campfire cooking.
Be careful when working with the coals. You might think the fire is the only part that's hot, but watch out for the coals as well! Use heat-proof gloves and a lid lifter.
One thing to check before you start cooking is that your wood or charcoal is plenty hot. You want to give it enough time to get started and burn it down so that it is hot enough to cook with.
This recipe is best served if you have the chili ahead of time. You can either make it at home or buy it, and then all you have to do is dump it in the Dutch oven and add in the cornbread.
Ingredients
- 6-10 cups of chili- I will include my favorite recipe below. If you like a spicier chili, we also love this Texas Red Chili.
- Cornbread- My favorite recipe is for this Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread, but just know you can also buy a mix. If you don't like jalapenos, you can always omit them from my recipe below.
- Grated Cheddar Cheese- optional, but really good.
Tools
- 10-14 quart Dutch Oven- The size of the Dutch oven will depend on the amount of people you are feeding.
- Lid Lifter- Not necessary, but makes things so much easier.
- Heat Proof Gloves- Again, not necessary, but really nice to have.
- Shovel or tongs for moving coals onto the dutch oven.
How To Make The Dutch Oven Chili And Cornbread
- Start your wood or charcoal. I will explain the pros and cons of each below. This takes a while to heat up, so start it early.
- Add your chili to the Dutch oven.
- Place the chili over hot coals to heat the chili. You will need pretty hot coals to do this, so make sure and start quite a few.
- Mix your cornbread mix as directed. If you are feeding a crowd you can use 2 bags.
- Pour the cornbread mix on top of the chili. Spread over the top. Sprinkle with cheese if you are using it. Cover with the lid.
- Return the pot to the fire, using about 15 hot briquets or the equivalent of coals on the bottom.
- Set the Dutch oven on top of the hot coals.
- Place another 20 coals on top of the Dutch oven. Spread across the top for even cooking.
- Bake for about 20-30 minutes. You will need to carefully lift the lid to check for doneness on the cornbread.
- That it is! Now, sit back and enjoy.
Dutch Oven Recommendations
The 2 brands I use more than any other are Lodge Cast Iron and Camp Chef. They are brands I have used many times, I trust them, and they come at a decent price. Both these brands are also easy to find at most major stores and of course sporting goods stores.
The size of the Dutch oven depends on how many people you are feeding. I only have 2 children, my hubby, and I. But...I have 2 teenage boys, so I generally plan pretty big meals. The 12-14-inch Dutch oven works well.
- Here are some Lodge Dutch Ovens, I have the 10 and 12 quart. These are nice with the feet on them and the flat top. They are perfect for stacking if you are cooking multiple things at one time.
- I also use skillets for sauteeing over the open fire as well.
- If you are looking for a less expensive option, Camp Chef also makes a great Dutch Oven. I use the 12-inch classic in Camp Chef.
How Do You Clean A Dutch Oven?
Keeping your Dutch ovens in good condition is very important. This isn't hard, but you do need to clean them right away.
One important thing to stay away from when taking care of your Dutch oven pans is to not let them soak in water. When washing it, rinse it with warm water and then scrape off any dirt or food with a plastic scraper.
After this, let it dry completely with paper towels or cloth towels. When it is totally dry put a little bit of grapeseed oil in it and wipe the whole interior of the pan with that.
Be careful when you are cleaning not to take off the seasoning. Stay away from metal scrapers that will take too many layers off your pan, I use a plastic spatula.
How Do You Start Charcoal In A Chimney?
Charcoal is the perfect way to cook dutch oven meals, but for a first-timer, it might seem a little daunting to get the perfect coals for cooking. A chimney is a great way to do this, and easy to use.
To start, fill the top of the chimney with however many briquets you need for the recipe (In this case, 40-50). I used quick-light charcoal for mine, so you just light to it with a lighter. Then let it heat for about 10 minutes and the charcoal will be ready to go.
If you used regular charcoal, the process is a little different. Add paper or something that will light easily into the bottom of the chimney. Add the charcoal on top.
Now, light the chimney from the bottom with your lighter. I have torches I use as it is really quick. Once the paper catches on fire, it will start burning the charcoal on the bottom. From here, the other charcoal will also heat.
It will be ready in about 15 minutes.
Other Dutch Oven Recipes
- Campfire Nachos
- Dutch Oven Hash with ham
- Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread
- Ham and Cheese Pull-Apart Sandwiches
- Dutch Oven Brookies
- Dutch Oven Chili and Cornbread
- Mountain Man Breakfast Dutch Oven
Simple Chili and Cornbread Dutch Oven Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef- I used 85/15
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 tablespoons cumin
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper use less if you aren't into spice.
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons salt you may need more
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 15-ounce cans black beans or other beans of choice
- 3 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 15-ounce can crushed tomatoes
Cornbread and Toppings
- recipe Cornbread you can use packaged mixes, or the one I linked in this post. Make sure you have the eggs, oil, and milk the packaged ones take.
- 1-2 cups grated cheedar cheese
Instructions
- Add beef and seasonings to your pan. Cook over medium heat until no pink remains.
- Add in your black beans, tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, and beef broth.
- Continue to cook on medium heat at least another 30 minutes until it has reduced and thickened slightly.
Making the dutch oven chili and cornbread
- Make sure your coals are hot before you start putting this together.
- If you are out camping, you can either make the chili at the campsite, or make it ahead of time as I like to do.
- Add it to the bottom of your dutch oven. Then mix your cornbread and pour it over the top. Last, sprinkle the cornbread with your cheese.
- Place the lid on your dutch oven. Add 20 coals in a circle the size of your dutch oven in the firepit. Move the dutch oven and gently set it right on top of the coals.
- Next, top with another 20 coals. Spread these out so they will bake evenly. Check in about 30 minutes. The heat of your coals will determine for quickly this will cook. It can take up to an hour. If the cornbread still isn't cooked, return the lid and add more coal as needed.
- Once the cornbread is cooked, the dish is ready to go!!
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!