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Easy Camping Recipes: Two-Can Camp Chili

Short on effort and big on flavor, this easy camping dinner is the perfect finish to any busy day outdoors.

2 Min. Watch | Camping

Welcome to Tastes Great Outdoors – our cooking series where we share the best camping recipes, featuring delicious gourmet flavors with simple, accessible ingredients and easy cleanup. Inspired by the go-to recipes of Seth R., an experienced guide and trip leader with L.L.Bean Outdoor Discovery Programs, these are the dishes he loves to whip up when he’s responsible for keeping people fed and happy out in the wilderness.

TWO-CAN CAMP CHILI

Cook Time Approx. 25 Min | Serves 4

There’s nothing better than a little comfort food around the campfire. Seth’s simple chili recipe is a one-pot wonder that warms you from the inside out – a hearty, filling camping dinner classic that requires you to operate a can opener and not much else. Served piping hot with a big hunk of pre-made cornbread on the side, it’s the perfect camping dinner for winding down after a long day spent playing outside.

Ingredients

1 lb. ground beef or meatless substitute

1 bell pepper, diced

1 onion, diced

Lots of chopped garlic

12 oz. can black or kidney beans, drained

12 oz. can diced tomatoes

1 Tbsp. chili powder

1 Tbsp. ground cumin

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. In a skillet, add olive oil over medium heat.

2. Once the oil is shimmering, brown ground beef or your favorite meatless substitute.

3. Add meat, bell pepper, onion, and garlic to a large pot. Stir everything together.

4. Add one can beans, drained, and one can of diced tomatoes with all their juices.

5. Add chili powder and ground cumin. Salt and pepper to taste.

6. Cover and cook until chili thickens, about 20 minutes.

7. Serve immediately, with a dollop of sour cream, and premade cornbread on the side.

TIPS & TRICKS from our camp cooking expert

Not everything has to be homemade

While your main dish should be fresh off the fire, don’t be afraid to use premade or store-bought sides like a cornbread or boil-in-a-bag rice.

Create a pocket-sized spice rack

Instead of wasting valuable packing space with individual jars of spices, separate them out into the compartments of a pill organizer instead.

Make use of those leftovers

Substitution is key when it comes to camp cooking. Have leftover veggies or other ingredients from another meal? Clean out your cooler and use them in the next recipe.

Hungry for more? Before you head out, visit Explore L.L.Bean to fill your plate with tons of expert camping hacks, tips, and inspiration.

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