This stew started on cold nights when we didn’t want takeout but needed something warm fast. My dad would toss whatever meat and veg we had into a pot, and we’d sit around the stove while it bubbled, like our own indoor campfire. Warm Up with Hearty Campfire Stew.
Now I make it with purpose ground beef, smoky paprika, and fresh veggies. It’s hearty, rich, and feeds everyone without fuss. Sometimes we pair it with simple cheesy garlic chicken wraps or comforting bacon onion tomato pie when we’re craving extra warmth.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Warm Up with Hearty Campfire Stew Guide
Ingredients Warm Up with Hearty Campfire Stew
1 lb ground beef
1 tbsp olive oil
½ cup onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 small golden potatoes, halved
2 medium carrots, sliced
½ cup green peas
½ cup green beans, chopped
2 cobs corn, cut into chunks
1½ cups beef broth
1 cup tomato sauce
1 tsp smoked paprika
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
Step 1: Start with the aromatics
Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 2–3 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant—about 30 seconds.
Step 2: Brown the beef
Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Let it brown fully, then season with salt and pepper. This is your flavor foundation, so don’t rush it.
Step 3: Load in the vegetables
Toss in potatoes, carrots, peas, green beans, and corn. Give everything a good stir so the veggies get coated with the beefy flavor and oil.
Step 4: Add the broth and sauce
Sprinkle smoked paprika over the mix, then pour in the beef broth and tomato sauce. Stir until everything is just covered by the liquid.
Step 5: Simmer and serve
Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat, cover, and let it simmer for 25–30 minutes. The stew is done when the potatoes and carrots are fork-tender. Season to taste and serve hot.
We love this alongside easy pancake sausage breakfast bake when we’re feeding a crowd, or a cozy bowl of oatmeal on snow days.
What Makes This Campfire Stew So Satisfying
Smoky, chunky, and deeply comforting
Warm Up with Hearty Campfire Stew:
– The smoked paprika blends with the tomato sauce for a rich, earthy base.
– Chunks of potato and sweet corn add heartiness without heaviness.
– It simmers low and slow, soaking in every layer of flavor.
One pot, full of camp-style flavor
Warm Up with Hearty Campfire Stew:
– Everything cooks in one pot meat, veggies, broth, and sauce.
– You get tender bites of beef, soft carrots, and buttery beans in every scoop.
– It’s rustic, simple, and filling without needing a campfire at all.
This stew feels right next to caramelized bacon and brown sugar chicken tenders or a side of simple apple pie biscuits when we’re all in for cozy.
Warm Up with Hearty Campfire Stew Variations
Quick Ingredient Swaps
Warm Up with Hearty Campfire Stew:
– No ground beef? Use sausage, shredded chicken, or lentils for a plant-based option.
– No tomato sauce? Crushed tomatoes or tomato paste thinned with water work too.
– No beef broth? Swap in vegetable or chicken broth without losing flavor.
Simple Add-Ons
Warm Up with Hearty Campfire Stew:
– Toss in kidney beans or chickpeas for extra bulk.
– Add a dash of hot sauce or red pepper flakes for spice.
– Top with shredded cheddar or fresh parsley right before serving.
– Simmer with a bay leaf or rosemary sprig for more depth.
This stew is built to flex with your pantry, just like our easy bacon butter chicken skillet or creamy chicken noodle casserole.
Serving and Storing Warm Up with Hearty Campfire Stew
How to Serve It
Warm Up with Hearty Campfire Stew:
– Serve hot with a crusty slice of garlic bread or a handful of shredded cheese on top.
– Pair with a fresh green salad or buttery cornbread for a full dinner.
– Ladle it over rice or mashed potatoes when you want extra comfort.
– It’s also perfect next to cheesy garlic chicken wraps or comforting bacon onion tomato pie when feeding a crowd.
How to Store It
Warm Up with Hearty Campfire Stew:
– Let it cool completely before sealing in an airtight container.
– Store in the fridge for up to 4 days—flavors deepen as it sits.
– It freezes well for up to 2 months in freezer-safe containers.
– Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of broth if it thickens too much.
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FAQs About Warm Up with Hearty Campfire Stew
What do you put in campfire stew?
Campfire stew is flexible, but it usually includes meat (like ground beef or sausage), root vegetables (such as potatoes and carrots), and a flavorful broth or tomato base. This version also adds corn, green beans, peas, and smoky paprika for bold, rustic flavor.
What is the best food to cook over a campfire?
Stews like this are perfect because they simmer slowly and soak up flavor without needing constant attention. Other good campfire picks are foil-wrapped potatoes, grilled skewers, and hearty one-pot pastas.
Why is it called campfire stew?
It’s named for its origins cooked slowly over an open flame with minimal fuss. Today, we recreate that warmth and simplicity right on the stovetop or in a Dutch oven.
Is campfire stew healthy?
Yes. It’s packed with vegetables, lean protein, and simmered in broth, not cream. You can also lighten it up with turkey or veggie broth, or skip the meat for a plant-based version.
Conclusion
This Warm Up with Hearty Campfire Stew has everything I want in a fall or winter dinner: rich flavor, soft veggies, and enough warmth to reach your toes. It’s easy, flexible, and just nostalgic enough to make you feel like you’re sitting beside a fire even if you’re in a tiny kitchen with a busy weeknight.
Some nights I serve it with nothing but a spoon and some silence. Other nights, it’s the centerpiece of something bigger. Either way, Warm Up with Hearty Campfire Stew always feels like a win.
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Warm Up with Hearty Campfire Stew – Easy One-Pot Comfort Food
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: One-Pot
- Cuisine: American
Description
A rich, smoky, one-pot campfire stew made with ground beef, hearty vegetables, and a tomato-beef broth. Perfect for cozy dinners or prepping ahead for the week.
Ingredients
1 lb Ground Beef
1 tbsp Olive Oil
1/2 cup Onion, diced
2 cloves Garlic, minced
4 small Golden Potatoes, halved
2 medium Carrots, sliced
1/2 cup Green Peas
1/2 cup Green Beans, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 cobs Corn, cut into chunks
1.5 cups Beef Broth
1 cup Tomato Sauce
1 tsp Smoked Paprika
Salt and Pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 2–3 minutes, until it turns translucent.
2. Stir in the minced garlic, cooking until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
3. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned on all sides and no pink remains. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
4. Toss in the potatoes, carrots, green peas, green beans, and corn. Stir well to combine.
5. Sprinkle smoked paprika over the mixture and pour in the beef broth and tomato sauce. Mix everything together, ensuring the vegetables are mostly submerged in the liquid.
6. Bring the stew to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let it simmer for 25–30 minutes, or until the potatoes and carrots are fork-tender.
7. Taste and adjust seasonings with additional salt and pepper, if needed.
8. Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs or a sprinkle of shredded cheese if you like.
Notes
You can swap ground beef for sausage or shredded chicken.
Freeze leftovers in airtight containers for up to 2 months.
Reheat gently with a splash of broth if it thickens too much.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 19g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: campfire stew, hearty stew, one pot meal, Warm Up with Hearty Campfire Stew
