Dutch Oven Frito Pie (2024)

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Posted: 06/12/2019

Total Time: 3 hours hours 40 minutes minutes

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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.

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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.

You’d take a handful of Fritos and place them at the bottom of your bowl. You could technically use a different chip, but it would not be the same.

Next comes your chili. Whether homemade or from a can, we always had chili with beans. And obviously, homemade chili is so much better.

Top the chili with some shredded cheddar cheese while it’s still piping hot so that the cheese gets nice and melty.

Top it all off with some diced white or yellow onion. As a kid, I’d skip the onions, but as an adult, I can’t get enough of them.

Serve it hot and eat it with a fork. Some of the chips might start to soften some, but you want to eat it before the chips get too soft. It’s all about the texture!

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

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Author: Deborah Harroun

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 3 hours hours 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 3 hours hours 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 16 servings

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: American

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.

Recipe Notes:

This can also be made on the stove over medium heat.

To make things easier for camping, dice the onions and peppers beforehand and store in a large ziplock bag.

Nutrition information provided as an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts. Any nutritional information should only be used as a general guideline.

Nutrition information is for chili only - it does not include the Fritos or toppings.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 265kcal (13%), Carbohydrates: 17g (6%), Protein: 22g (44%), Fat: 13g (20%), Saturated Fat: 5g (31%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 61mg (20%), Sodium: 724mg (31%), Fiber: 5g (21%), Sugar: 4g (4%)

Keywords: Dutch Oven Frito Pie

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Meet Deborah

Welcome to Taste and Tell. Here you will find easy, fast and family friendly recipes. I am a believer that anyone can cook and that dinner doesn’t have to be complicated. Come join me in my kitchen! Read More

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