Dutch Oven Chili Recipe

Dutch Oven Chili

This recipe for chili is deliciously made in a dutch oven. But that can mean a couple of different things to different people.

1. It can mean a great stovetop dinner for some.
2. It can mean a comforting campfire meal for others.

What Is A Dutch Oven?

Dutch ovens are pots that are either made of cast iron or are covered in enamel. They have a well-fitting lid made of the same material (which can also be used as a separate cooking pan in many cases.

They are great at either braising meats on high heat or cooking food at low temperatures over long periods of time. They have thick walls that distribute heat very evenly, which means the cooking process can be a bit more “intense”.

If you aren’t used to cooking in one, you’ll want to keep an eye on things the first few times you use one. Food like chili tends to cook a bit faster in a good dutch oven.

They are great for making dishes like whole roasted chicken or dutch oven bread. You could even use one to make a dutch baby for breakfast!

You can purchase dutch ovens that have handles specifically made for campfire cooking (or just for easy handling), or you can buy one without. Either way, they cook well on a campfire or a stovetop. All types do fabulously in an oven as well.

Types Of Dutch Ovens

• Cast Iron Dutch Oven – This is the type I have. Anything cast iron will require seasoning, even if it comes pre-seasoned. But I love cast iron, so I stick with it.
• Enamel Coated Dutch Oven – These tend to be a bit pricier, but do not require seasoning.

What’s The Best Size Dutch Oven For Chili?

This recipe needs a minimum of a 5-quart Dutch oven. If you are cooking for a few people, it’s best to opt for a 5 or 6-quart Dutch oven.

What Is Dutch Oven Chili?

Simply put, it’s chili cooked in a dutch oven. I feel like a dutch oven really helps flavors to meld and develop. I have no scientific proof of this, but there really is something special and different about cooking in a dutch oven.

How To Save A Pot Of Chili You Don’t Like

I’m no fool, I know everyone has their own idea of the perfect bowl of chili. Most chili lovers have very specific flavors they want to have in their chili.

I love this chili recipe. But I also understand that nobody wants to make chili and find out they don’t like it (or any other recipe, for that matter). So, where possible, I like to give suggestions for altering my recipes just in case you make it and it’s not your “cup of tea”.

In my experience, there are three things that can always save a pot of chili that is “less than” for your own personal tastes. What are they?

• Salsa – It might sound odd, but salsa can really save a pot of chili you don’t like. Add a little at a time
• Sweetener – The best type of sweetener for chili will always be a darker, more molasses-y type of sweetener. In this case, the healthiest choices are Sucanat, coconut sugar, or monk fruit. Sucanat is my favorite.
• Spices – This may sound like common sense, but switching up the spices (or the amount of spices used) can really change the flavor of any pot of chili. See the list of best options below

Topping Ideas For Chili

About The Ingredients

(Print the recipe from the recipe card below)

Oil – This can be any oil you usually use. My favorites are grapeseed oil, coconut oil, and avocado oil.

Red onion – You’ll want to chop this pretty fine unless you prefer the bigger chunks of onion. (Nothing wrong with that!)

Red bell pepper – You’ll want to chop this small. Feel free to choose a different color pepper to suit your preferences.

Green bell pepper – If you don’t like the “tang” or bitterness of green bell peppers, feel free to try yellow or orange peppers, or simply use an extra red pepper.

Jalapeño pepper – mince this as fine as you can get it to evenly distribute the heat in your chili better. This is totally optional. So, if you prefer your chili not to be spicy, simply leave it out.

Fire-roasted tomatoes – I used two 28 oz. cans. You can also use regular, canned, diced tomatoes or crushed tomatoes. The fire-roasted simply gives the flavor a bit more depth.

Chili powder – This amount will give you a “middle of the road” flavoring in the chili powder department. You can add more or use less depending on your tastes, or substitute it entirely with paprika. Smoked paprika would be good as well.

Ground cumin – Again, you can take it or leave it or adjust the amount to taste. I like the flavor of cumin, so I always use it in my chili.

Garlic powder – Feel free to substitute with fresh garlic if you like. If that is your preference, I recommend mincing an entire head of garlic. It’s delicious. If using fresh garlic, add it to the vegetables at the beginning of the recipe in the last minute or so of sautéing.

Onion powder – You can take this or leave it. I enjoy the flavor a lot, but some folks could find the combination of onions AND onion powder to be a bit much. You can always stir it in after cooking if you want to try it without first.

Tomato paste – This is optional. Add it if you want to thicken your chili a bit. It’s great for a smooth, chili texture. But again, it’s optional. You can stir it in at the end after cooking if you want to try it without first.

Ground turkey  – Use whatever meat you prefer here. You can even use a combination of meats as long as it equals the 2 pounds. You can also use all ground beef if you prefer that.

Beans – Use the type you prefer, or mix and match as I did. I used pinto beans, black beans, and kidney beans. I used three, 15-ounce cans.

Chicken broth – This gives your chili a bit more “sauce”. This is another one of those ingredients you can stir in after cooking if you want to try it without first. I find that this recipe is pretty thick without it. So if you like that, give it a shot. You can always add the broth later if you want to. And if you are using ground beef, your best option here is to use beef broth instead of chicken broth.

Garnishes – Including salt and black pepper.

How To Make Chili In A Dutch Oven

The process is pretty simple. It’s just a matter of adding the ingredients in order so that everything cooks properly.

Chop all your veggies and garlic and sauté them in oil.

Add the meat and stir until it’s browned.

Stir in the canned tomatoes.

Add the beans.

Then add the spices.

Lastly, add the optional broth and/or tomato paste to achieve the texture you prefer from your finished chili.

Making This Chili In A Slow Cooker

If you want to make this in a slow cooker, sauté the veggies as instructed, brown the meat, and then transfer everything to a slow cooker. Make sure to add both the tomato paste and the broth. Stir everything together and cook on low for 3-4 hours or until the chili reaches at least 165 F.

Making This Chili In An Instant Pot

Sauté the veggies in the Instant Pot on the Sauté setting. Add the meat and brown it. Add all other ingredients, including the tomato paste and broth. Adjust the manual setting to 12 minutes and cook at 400 F. on high pressure.

Campfire Dutch Oven Chili

You’ll have to prepare your coals first. Either make sure you have a safe way to handle them once hot or set them up in a circular form that is flat enough to hold the Dutch oven evenly.

Get them good and hot in your fire pit. Once they have heated and turned gray from the heat, you can set your Dutch oven directly on the hot coals. Then sauté the veggies, brown the meat, and add everything else to the pot, cooking until done.

How To Store Leftover Dutch Oven Chili

Pack this in an airtight container. Store it in the fridge for up to three days.

How To Freeze Chili

Here again, you’ll want to make sure this is in an air-tight container. You can use a plastic, food-safe, zipper-top bag. Press out as much of the air as you can as you close it up. But if you use a plastic bag, it’s best to lay it flat on a cookie sheet and freeze it that way so it will fit into the freezer on its own, easier than a clump of frozen chili.

Freezing this in individual portion sizes is a good idea unless you are feeding many people.

How To Use Up Leftover Dutch Oven Chili

If you have leftovers, here are some fun ways to make new dishes to use it up.

• Chili dogs
• Chili nachos
• Empanadas
• Chili mac – Stir together with pasta and some parmesan cheese.
• Shepherd’s pie – Use this in place of the ground meat you usually use. Top with veggies and mashed potatoes.
• Burritos – Use in place of refried beans.
• Chili dip – mix with cream cheese and a little milk for consistency and serve with corn chips.
• Chili queso – add the chili to your favorite queso dip.

More Chili Recipes

• Beef Chili
• Quinoa Chili
• Cincinnati Chili
• Mexican Black Bean Chili
• Pumpkin Turkey Chili
• Curried Turkey Chili
• White Chicken Chili
• 4 Bean Chili

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Dutch Oven Chili Recipe Card + Video

Recipe from the Gracious Pantry archives, originally posted 1/10/21.