The recipe includes Weight Watchers points at end of post as well as a video within the post .

Campfire Stew is a hearty, flavourful and meaty stew that can be easily made on a campfire or in an Instant Pot, slow cooker, or oven. Learn how to make Campfire Stew 4 ways in this post.

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So, if you knew me in ‘real life’ (by that I mean that weird world beyond the gorgeous food blogs of the Internet), you would probably be laughing your head off at the idea of me posting anything with the word ‘camp’ in it.

I tend to convince Freddy to camp in the garden or nearby with the kiddoes and I run out and join them for supper. And then I go home and come back for breakfast and fun camping things (like making Campfire Stew) that do not require actual camping.

Yeap, I like my creature comforts. I did camp recently (sooo proud of myself) but Freddy had to make it very, very comfy. And we camped next to a friend’s house so I could go and use the toilet as needed.

So I may not be the world’s most enthusiastic camper, but I can definitely make Campfire Stew.

And I can adapt the recipe to an Instant Pot, slow cooker, oven and campfire making it very easy to make no matter your style. Campfire Stew skills are more important than camping skills, right?

What is Campfire Stew?

Campfire Stew (also called ‘Camp Stew’) doesn’t have a universal recipe, although every recipe includes meat (typically gammon, pork or beef) and veggies (including and especially tomatoes).

Potatoes are a popular addition too (but I chose to replace them with beans in my version). It’s easily adaptable so if you are missing a veggie, replace it with something comparable and it will still taste good.

It’s a meaty, flavourful and hearty stew that tastes wonderful roasted over an open campfire but it can be made in an Instant Pot, slow cooker or oven too without sacrificing flavour.

Campfire Stew Tools List

How to Make This Stew – 4 Ways

I’ve divided this post into the 4 versions: Instant Pot, Slow Cooker / Crock Pot, Oven and Campfire. The recipe card also gives you each version.

Note the optional steps. If you have time and can do the optional steps, I recommend them because the result will be a more flavourful stew.

How to Make Instant Pot Campfire Stew – My Favourite Method

This is my favourite way to make this stew. I can do it inside with all my creature comforts but still enjoy the delicious flavours. It’s also the fastest version – it’s ready in just about 1 hr.

Optional step: Press ‘Sauté’ on the Instant Pot. Add oil and when hot, fry the onions for 5 mins. Then add in the boneless pork shoulder and brown on all sides.

Step 1. Place (the rest of – if you did the optional steps) the ingredients into the Instant Pot, mix well and cover.

Step 2. Turn the vent to ‘Sealing,’ then set the pressure cooker to ‘Manual’ for 50 mins. When done, do a Natural Pressure Release.

Turn the vent to ‘Sealing,’ then set the pressure cooker to ‘Manual’ for 50 mins. When done, do a Natural Pressure Release. Step 3. Transfer the pork to a plate and shred. (If the pork does not shred easily, add the joint back into the Instant Pot and cook for an additional 10 mins on high pressure.)

Optional step: Press the ‘Sauté’ button again and let the sauce simmer for 10-15 mins or until it has thickened and reduced by more than half.

Step 4. Return the shredded pork to the Instant Pot, stir and serve.

How to Make Slow Cooker / Crock Pot Campfire Stew

In contrast to the quick Instant Pot method, this version will take between 6 and 10 hrs depending on if you use low or high heat. Bonus: it will make your home smell lovely.

Optional step: Heat oil in an oven ready casserole dish on the cooker, and sauté the onions for 5 mins till soft. Then add the boneless pork shoulder and brown all over.

Step 1. Place (the rest of – if you did the optional steps) the ingredients into the slow cooker, mix well and cover.

Step 2. Set the slow cooker to high and cook for 6-8 hours or 8-10 hrs on low. Check every 30 mins after 6 hrs.

Step 3. Transfer the pork to a plate and shred.

Optional step: When you remove the pork, cook the liquid on the cooker to reduce it down till thick.

Step 4. Return the shredded pork to the casserole, stir and serve.

How to Make Oven Campfire Stew

No Instant Pot or slow cooker? Try the oven method, which takes about 3 hrs.

Step 1. Preheat oven to fan assisted 160C / 180C/ 350F / gas 4.

Optional step: Heat oil in an oven ready casserole dish on the cooker, and sauté the onions for 5 mins till soft. Then add the boneless pork shoulder and brown all over.

Step 2. Place (the rest of – if you did the optional steps) the ingredients into the casserole pot, mix well and bring to a boil and then cover.

Step 3. Then place the pot in the preheated oven and cook for 3 hrs.

Step 4. Transfer the pork to a plate and shred.

Optional step: When you remove the pork, cook the liquid on the cooker to reduce it down till thick.

Step 5. Return the shredded pork to the casserole, stir and serve.

How to Make Campfire Stew on the Campfire

Erm the fact that this version is last probably says something about me and my love (or lack thereof) of camping… but folks, this stew really does taste AMAZING when done on a campfire. I highly recommend doing it this way at least once. (And if you love camping you will probably do it this way every time.)

Step 1. Increase amount of water or stock to 1 liter and dice meat into bite-sized pieces.

Optional step: Heat oil in a large pot and sauté the onions for 5 mins till soft then add the meat and brown for 5 mins.

Step 2. Stir in the garlic for 1 min until fragrant and then stir in (the rest of – if you did the optional steps) the ingredients.

Step 3. Bring to the boil, reduce to a simmer, cover the pot and cook for 1-5-2hrs until the meat is tender. Keep eye on water as you might need to add a little more.

Optional step: If there is extra liquid at end of cooking that you don’t want then simmer the stew uncovered for 10-15 mins to thicken it.

Step 4. Adjust seasoning and serve.

More Stew Recipes

Ready for more stew recipes after making camp stew? Try The Easiest Instant Pot Beef Stew {Gluten-free}, 7 Ingredient Slow Cooker Venison Stew and The 10 Best Campfire Recipes.

Tips for Making Camp Stew – All Versions

Brown the beef first and fry the onions for more flavour. I have made this step optional as I want this recipe to be super easy – but if you have time and can, then do this.

I have made this step optional as I want this recipe to be super easy – but if you have time and can, then do this. There are many optional extras and substitutions for this recipe. Use 100ml beer instead of water Add different spices and seasonings: chilli sauce, paprika etc. Substitute one of the beans with a tin of baked beans. Use gammon instead of boneless pork shoulder.



And even more tips..

If your pork comes with a rind , you can add this to the stew and remove it before shredding.

, you can add this to the stew and remove it before shredding. This is a good make-ahead recipe and crowd feeder. Just double the recipe.

Weight Watchers Points in Campfire Stew

If you replace the 1 tbsp olive oil used for frying with a calorie-controlled cooking spray, there are:

5 Freestyle points per serving

per serving 9 PointsPlus points per serving

Thank you for reading my Camp Stew recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue dreaming up recipes, traditional African recipes, African fusion recipes, Sierra Leone recipes, travel plans and much more for you. Thanks for visiting Recipes from a Pantry, UK food blog.

Watch The Instant Pot Campfire Stew Video

Get the Campfire Stew Recipe:

Don't forget to tag #recipesfromapantry on Instagram or Twitter if you try Campfire Stew - 4 Ways! It is really, really awesome for me when you make one of my recipes and I'd love to see it. You can also share it on my Facebook page. Please pin this recipe to Pinterest too! Thank you for reading Recipes from a Pantry. Print Recipe 5 from 16 votes Campfire Stew - 4 Ways Make hearty and filling Campfire Stew in the Instant Pot, slow cooker, oven or on the campfire. Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 50 mins Total Time 1 hr Servings: 6 Calories: 358 kcal Author: Bintu Hardy | Recipes From A Pantry Ingredients 1 tbsp olive oil

1.4 kg pork shoulder no bone all visible fat removed

1 onion chopped finely

2 peppers bell deseeded and finely chopped

2 garlic cloves minced

2 tin black-eyed beans drained (or any beans you prefer)

1 tin chopped tomatoes

2 tbsp tomato puree

2 tsp smoked paprika

2 tsp caraway seeds

2 tsp dried mixed herbs (Herbes de Provence)

100 ml water or stock

Salt

Black pepper Instructions Instant Pot (Optional step) Press ‘Sauté’ on the Instant Pot. Add oil and when hot, fry the onions for 5 mins.

(Optional step) Then add in the boneless pork shoulder and brown on all sides.

Place (the rest of – if you did the optional steps) the ingredients into the Instant Pot bowl, mix well and cover.

Turn the vent to ‘Sealing,’ then set the pressure cooker to ‘Manual’ for 50 mins.

When done let the vent naturally release.

Transfer the pork to a plate and shred. (If the pork does not shred easily, add the joint back into the Instant Pot and cook for an additional 10 mins on high pressure.)

(Optional step) Press the ‘Sauté’ button once more, and let the sauce simmer for 10-15 mins or until it has thickened and reduced by more than half.

Return the shredded pork to the Instant Pot, stir and serve. Slow Cooker / Crock Pot (Optional step) Heat oil in an oven ready casserole dish on the cooker, and sauté the onions for 5 mins till soft.

(Optional step) Then add the boneless pork shoulder and brown all over.

Place (the rest of – if you did the optional steps) ingredients into the slow cooker, mix well and cover.

Set the slow cooker to high and cook for 6-8 hours or 8-10 hrs on low. Check every 30 mins after 6 hrs

Transfer the pork to a plate and shred.

(Optional step) When you remove the pork, cook the liquid on the cooker to reduce it down till thick.

Return the shredded pork to the casserole, stir and serve. Oven Preheat oven to fan assisted 160C / 180C/ 350F / gas 4.

(Optional step) Heat oil in an oven ready casserole dish on the cooker and sauté the onions for 5 mins till soft.

(Optional step) Then add the boneless pork shoulder and brown all over.

Place (the rest of – if you did the optional steps) the ingredients into the casserole pot, mix well and bring to a boil and then cover.

Then place the pot in the preheated oven and cook for 3 hrs.

Transfer the pork to a plate and shred.

(Optional step) When you remove the pork, cook the liquid on the cooker to reduce it down till thick.

Return the shredded pork to the casserole, stir and serve. Campfire Increase amount of water or stock to 1 liter and dice meat into bite-sized pieces.

(Optional step) Heat oil in a large pot and sauté the onions for 5 mins till soft.

(Optional step) Then add the meat and brown for 5 mins.

Stir in the garlic for 1 min until fragrant and then stir in (the rest of – if you did the optional steps) the ingredients.

Bring to the boil, reduce to a simmer, cover the pot and cook for 1-5-2hrs until the meat is tender. Keep eye on water as you might need to add a little more.

Adjust seasoning and serve.

(Optional step) If there is extra liquid at end of cooking that you don't want then simmer the stew uncovered for 10-15 mins to thicken it. **INSTANT POT RECIPE BINDER** Get your Instant Pot Recipe Binder to keep all your recipes and tips organized in one place. Video Notes Provided cook times are for the Instant Pot version. Weight Watchers Points in Campfire Stew If you replace the 1 tbsp olive oil used for frying with a calorie-controlled cooking spray , there are: 5 Freestyle points per serving

per serving 9 PointsPlus points per serving Nutrition Calories: 358 kcal | Carbohydrates: 6 g | Protein: 53 g | Fat: 12 g | Saturated Fat: 3 g | Cholesterol: 147 mg | Sodium: 122 mg | Potassium: 1053 mg | Fiber: 2 g | Sugar: 2 g | Vitamin A: 590 IU | Vitamin C: 35.6 mg | Calcium: 58 mg | Iron: 3.9 mg