Posted in One-Pot Meals

Dutch Oven Beef & Vegetable Stew

Nothing says campground comfort quite like a hearty pot of Dutch Oven Beef & Vegetable Stew simmering over the fire. Tender chunks of beef, colorful vegetables, and a rich, savory broth come together in one pot for a meal that’s both satisfying and surprisingly simple.

Sized for four servings, it’s perfect for solo campers who enjoy leftovers or couples looking for an easy dinner with lunch ready for the next day.

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Dutch Oven Beef & Vegetable Stew

Nothing beats a Dutch oven simmering over the campfire!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 430

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound beef stew meat cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 carrots sliced
  • 2 celery stalks sliced
  • 2 medium Yukon Gold potatoes cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 cup green beans trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 3 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons cold water
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Method
 

  1. Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
  2. Brown the beef in batches for 4–5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
  3. Add the onion and celery and cook for about 4 minutes until softened.
  4. Stir in the garlic and tomato paste. Cook for 1 minute.
  5. Return the beef to the pot.
  6. Add the broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, parsley, smoked paprika, and bay leaf.
  7. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for 40 minutes.
  8. Add the carrots and potatoes. Simmer for another 20 minutes.
  9. Stir in the green beans and cook for 10 more minutes.
  10. Mix the cornstarch and cold water until smooth. Stir into the stew and simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
  11. Remove the bay leaf, season to taste, and serve hot.

Notes

Easy Substitutions
  • Beef: Chuck roast cut into cubes works beautifully if stew meat isn’t available.
  • Potatoes: Red potatoes or baby potatoes hold their shape well.
  • Green Beans: Frozen green beans can be added during the last 10 minutes.
  • Vegetables: Add peas, mushrooms, corn, or parsnips depending on what you have on hand.
  • Broth: Beef stock creates a richer flavor than broth if available.
Camp Cook’s Tips
  • Browning the beef first adds tremendous flavor to the finished stew.
  • Keep the Dutch oven covered to retain moisture while simmering.
  • If cooking over a campfire, maintain a bed of hot coals instead of high flames for even cooking.
  • Taste before adding extra salt since the broth and Worcestershire already contribute seasoning.
Serving Suggestions
  • Crusty French bread
  • Buttermilk biscuits
  • Cornbread
  • Side salad
  • Fresh fruit for dessert
Storage
Cool leftovers before refrigerating in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Reheat gently over medium-low heat, adding a splash of broth if needed.
🥪 Leftover Lunch Idea
Warm a bowl for lunch, or spoon the leftover stew over a baked potato or cooked egg noodles for a completely different meal.

#GoodFoodGoodMeat, #SimplePracticalMeals, #RealFoodRealLife,
#SummerCampgroundMeals, #CookingForOneOrTwo,

#DutchOvenCooking, #BeefStew, #CampgroundCooking, #CampfireMeals, #OnePotDinner, #RVRecipes, #OutdoorCooking, #ComfortFood, #EasyCampingMeals, #DutchOvenRecipes, #BeefRecipes, #CampingLife,

Posted in Recipe Roundup

6 Easy Campground Dinners for a Stress-Free Week Outdoors

Whether you’re camping in a tent, relaxing in a pop-up camper, or enjoying the comforts of an RV, having a week’s worth of easy meal ideas makes campground life even more enjoyable. This week’s menu featured hearty comfort food, simple skillet meals, foil packet favorites, and even a campground pizza night that the whole family can enjoy.

Many of these recipes can be adapted for campfires, electric skillets, air fryers, or RV kitchens, making them perfect for campers of all styles. From cozy Dutch oven cooking to quick flatbread pizzas and flavorful shrimp boil packets, these meals prove that great campground food doesn’t have to be complicated.

If you missed any of this week’s recipes, here’s a look back at all six delicious campground dinners.

This Week’s Campground Menu

Sunday

Dutch Oven Chicken Pot Pie Casserole

A campground comfort food classic featuring tender chicken, mixed vegetables, creamy sauce, and golden biscuits baked in a Dutch oven.

Monday

Loaded Italian Sausage & Peppers Hoagies

Juicy Italian sausage piled high with sautéed peppers and onions on toasted hoagie rolls for an easy and satisfying campsite dinner.

Tuesday

Campfire Chicken Bacon Ranch Foil Packets

Chicken, potatoes, bacon, ranch seasoning, and melted cheddar cheese come together in a convenient foil packet meal with almost no cleanup.

Wednesday

Cheesy Beef & Rice Skillet

A hearty one-pan meal loaded with seasoned ground beef, tender rice, tomatoes, and plenty of melted cheese. Perfect for camp stoves and electric skillets alike.

Thursday

BBQ Pulled Pork Flatbread Pizzas

A fun twist on pizza night featuring smoky pulled pork, barbecue sauce, melted cheese, and crisp flatbread crust.

Friday

Campground Shrimp Boil Foil Packets

Shrimp, smoked sausage, potatoes, and corn seasoned with Old Bay and cooked together in individual foil packets for an easy campground seafood feast.


Final Thoughts

One of the best parts of campground cooking is finding meals that fit your camping style. Whether you’re cooking over a campfire, using an electric skillet during a rainy afternoon, or making dinner in an RV air fryer, these recipes offer flexibility without sacrificing flavor.

As camping continues to evolve, so do the ways we prepare meals outdoors. From traditional tent campers to pop-up campers, travel trailers, and motorhomes, there are more ways than ever to enjoy great food at the campground.

Which meal would you try first? Let us know in the comments and be sure to check back next week for another lineup of easy campground dinners and outdoor cooking inspiration.

Dutch Oven BBQ Chicken & Potato Bake
This Dutch Oven BBQ Chicken & Potato Bake is the kind of campground dinner that feels hearty and satisfying without requiring a lot of fuss.
Check out this recipe
Loaded Italian Sausage & Peppers Hoagies
When it comes to easy campground meals, it's hard to beat a hearty sausage sandwich loaded with savory peppers and onions.
Check out this recipe
Campfire Chicken Bacon Ranch Foil Packets
Foil packet meals are a campground favorite for good reason—they're easy to prepare, packed with flavor, and require almost no cleanup.
Check out this recipe
Cheesy Beef & Rice Skillet
After a busy day of campground adventures, sometimes the best meals are the simplest ones.
Check out this recipe
BBQ Pulled Pork Flatbread Pizzas
Pizza night at the campground just got a delicious barbecue twist!
Check out this recipe
Campground Shrimp Boil Foil Packets
Enjoy all the flavors of a classic seafood boil with these Campground Shrimp Boil Foil Packets!
Check out this recipe