Perfect for camping, this Dutch Oven Frito Pie takes a homemade chili – made in the Dutch oven – that is served over Fritos with cheese and onions.
One of my favorite parts of camping is the food. I have a few favorites, but Frito Pie will always be a favorite camping food for me.
Normally, this isa super easy camping meal, made with canned chili. But I love to take it up a notch and make my chili from scratch. And really – it wasn’t that much more difficult. Every time I make this, every last bite gets eaten. I’d say that qualifies this as a winner!
I like to keep things simple when it comes to Frito Pie and top them simply with cheese and onions. And that – to me – is perfect camping food!
What is Frito Pie?
So I grew up eating Frito Pie – both camping and at home. My mom would often lean on it as a super easy weeknight dinner, especially when you use canned chili. As an adult, I’ve seen it made as a casserole (maybe I need to try that out!) but here is how we always ate it.
What is the best Dutch oven for camping?
I haven’t tested them all, but I’ve had a Lodge Dutch Oven for years and years and it has treated me well. I actually think any heavy duty Dutch oven (except you don’t want to use an enameled Dutch Oven for camping) will work well as long as you take care of it. This includes making sure to clean and dry it completely after using it and keeping it oiled.
More Recipes to Make While Camping
Campfire Cinnamon Blueberry Bread Recipe
Pound Cake and Berry Campfire Skillet Dessert
Hot Ham and Cheese Campfire Sandwiches
Breakfast Burritos Campfire Style
Dutch Oven Chicken Stew
Dutch Oven Frito Pie
Ingredients
- 3 cubes beef bullion
- 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 2 large onions diced
- 2 green bell peppers diced
- 3 lbs ground beef
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1/2 tablespoon oregano
- 1/2 tablespoon cumin
- 1/2 tablespoon paprika
- 2-3 dry bay leaves
- 3 cups tomato sauce
- 2 cans 4 oz each diced green chiles
- 1 large can 29 oz pinto beans
- 1 tablespoon Tabasco or other hot sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- For serving - Fritos shredded cheddar cheese, diced onions
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together the bullion and vinegar and set aside to let the bullion dissolve.
- Heat a Dutch oven over 12-15 coals. In the Dutch oven, melt the butter. Add the onions and bell peppers and cook until they are starting to soften.
- Add the ground beef and cook until browned and cooked through.
- Stir in the chili powder, oregano, cumin, paprika and bay leaves; cook for a minute or two.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, green chiles, and pinto beans. Then stir in the reserved vinegar mixture. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Place the lid on the Dutch oven and place 6-8 coals on top. Simmer for 2-3 hours.
- When ready to serve, place Fritos in a bowl and top with the chili, shredded cheddar cheese and diced onions.
Nutmeg Nanny says
Mouth watering! This recipe is incredible, I love it so much 🙂
Melanie @ Just Some Salt and Pepper says
Kudos to you for camping with two little ones! This looks delicious. I’ve never had a “real” Frito pie, but I have sprinkled Fritos on top of chili before. Yummy!
leslie says
2 hours of sleep?? I wouldn’t be a happy camper either! Love the Frito Pie…it’s the perfect camping food!
Tracey says
Camping always sounds so fun in theory, but I’m definitely with Easton – I’d rather be at home in my own bed 🙂 That said, if I had to sleep out to enjoy some of this frito pie I definitely would! Yum!
Joanne says
Kids are just so unpredictable in terms of stuff like that…and at least you got a fun day out of it and a great meal!
Karly says
Aw! Sorry you’re camping trip was cut short. I’m with Easton. Put me in a bed and leave me alone. Haha! 😉
This Frito Pie sounds amazing!
Chels R. says
That looks great! I was thinking about you last weekend wondering how the camping was going. If one of my girls was having trouble sleeping, I would of done the same thing too! But for us, I think Christian would of been the problem, lol!
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says
Look at this luscious comfort food! Being an honorary Texan and all, I’ve heard of this but have never tried it. Time for that to change! My friends would be so proud…
Abbe@This is How I Cook says
I remember those days and truthfully, I would happily repeat them! Great chili!
cassie says
This is beyond brilliant, Deborah! I love it. We have a camping trip planned in a couple weeks and I am trying to keep the planning simple, it can quickly get out of hand!
steph@stephsbitebybite says
GAWD I haven’t had frito pie in forever!! I am DROOLING over this!
Tieghan says
Wow, that is a camping adventure for sure. I am sorry it did not go so well, but glad you had at least one fun day and then just packed it all in before you lost anymore sleep! Plus, at least you had this fritto pie!! I mean whoa! What a genius move to make this and then take camping!! It looks delicious!
Colleen @ What's Baking in the Barbershop?! says
Thanks for sharing a bit about your camping adventure! Seems like you still had fun and like you said, you have a sense of humor about everything now. You have to, to stay sane, right?! 🙂
And I am super impressed with this chili you made while camping. Looks awesome! Now I really want to go camping soon!