Dutch Oven Chili Recipe
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This Dutch Oven Chili Recipe is made with tender beef chuck roast, three types of beans, fire-roasted tomatoes, peppers, onions, and smoky chili seasoning. It cooks low and slow until the beef is fall-apart tender and the flavors come together in one hearty pot. Make it in the oven for an easy dinner, or cook it over a campfire!
Recipe at a Glance
- Fork Tender: The chuck roast cooks low and slow until it's tender enough to fall apart with a fork.
- Big Flavor: Fire-roasted tomatoes, smoky spices, peppers, and chipotle add rich flavor without making the chili overly spicy.
- One-Pot Easy: Everything comes together in one Dutch oven, making cleanup easy whether you're cooking at home or over a campfire.
Notes from My Kitchen
The trick to this chili is giving the chuck roast plenty of time to become tender before adding the beans. After about two hours in the oven, the beef is soft enough to break into bite-sized pieces right in the pot.
Adding the beans during the last hour keeps them from getting overly soft while giving the chili time to thicken and develop that slow-cooked flavor.
Key Ingredients
See the printable recipe card for the complete recipe.
Beef chuck roast: Chuck roast has enough marbling and connective tissue to become tender and flavorful during the long cooking time.
Three kinds of beans: Kidney beans, Northern beans, and black beans give the chili a hearty texture and plenty of variety in every bite.
Fire-roasted tomatoes: These add a subtle smoky flavor that works especially well with the beef and chili seasoning.
Chipotle peppers: A small amount adds smoky heat. Leave them out if you prefer mild chili.
Fresh peppers, onions, and cilantro: These add fresh flavor and balance to the rich beef and beans.
How to Make Dutch Oven Chili
This recipe breaks down the connective tissue of the meat by using the low and slow method in your oven. You basically add everything to one pot and let it work its magic!
1 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the chuck roast in a 6-quart Dutch oven and sear it on the stovetop over medium heat with a little olive oil. Browning the beef first adds another layer of flavor to the chili.
2 - Add the chili seasoning, fire-roasted tomatoes, diced peppers, onions, cilantro, garlic, and chipotle peppers if using. Stir in 1 cup of beef stock. Cover the Dutch oven and bake for 2 hours at 350°F. Check the liquid level halfway through cooking to make sure the beef isn't scorching.
3 - After 2 hours, remove the lid and check the roast. It should be tender enough to cut into small pieces with a knife and fork. Break the beef into bite-sized pieces and stir it into the chili.
4 - Stir in the kidney beans, Northern beans, black beans, remaining beef stock, and tomato sauce. Cover the Dutch oven and return it to the oven.
5 - Bake for 1 more hour, or until the beef and beans are tender and the chili has thickened. Give everything a good stir before serving. Ladle into bowls and add your favorite chili toppings.
Variations
- For spicy chili, add your favorite hot sauce, green chilies or red pepper flakes.
- Make your own seasoning by mixing together teaspoons of chili powder, onion powder, cumin, garlic powder and paprika.
- Use green bell pepper or red peppers instead of sweet.
- Substitute lean ground beef or ground turkey for chuck roast. Or use my recipe for Smoked Chuck Roast to add intense smoky flavor!
How to Cook Chili Over a Campfire
- If cooking this chuck roast chili over a campfire, be sure to use an outdoor camp dutch oven made for an open flame. Do not use an enameled pot over a campfire. Purchase a pre-seasoned camp stove. The more you use it, the better it becomes.
- Prepare meat and veggies ahead of time by cutting into cubes. This avoids having to stand over a hot fire and chop it later.
- Get your coals ready by setting them up in a flat circle so your camp oven will fit on them without rocking. Once they are hot enough and have turned gray, set the camp stove on the hot coals.
- Need more info? Visit Fresh off the Grid for expert tips on how to cook with a camp stove.
Recipe FAQS
No, this is a very mild recipe. You can make it even milder by leaving out the chipotle peppers. Or, you can spice it up by adding jalapeños, sriracha sauce or red pepper flakes.
For best results, plan on 1 quart per person whether you're using enameled cast iron or a cast iron pot. So, for a family of 6, you would need a 6 quart vessel. The smaller 3 quart size is great for 1 to 2 people.
To make your own seasoning, mix together 1 teaspoon each of the following ingredients: chili powder, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and cumin. Sprinkle 2 to 3 tablespoons of seasoning on meat as directed in recipe.
What to Serve with Chuck Roast Chili
This chili with chuck roast is just begging for a couple of sides and lots of toppings!
Sides
- corn bread, corn muffins
- tortilla chips, biscuits
- creamy coleslaw, mixed green salad
- tacos, tostadas, or a DIY taco bar with carnitas
Toppings
- cheddar cheese, shredded gouda, pepper jack
- sour cream, cilantro, sweet peppers, lime, Tajin
- jalapeños, salsa verde, guacamole, avocado
- tortilla chips, french fried onions, green onions
Storage Guide
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze leftover chili for up to 3 months in an airtight container. Thaw frozen chili in the refrigerator overnight.
Reheat leftovers on the stove or in the microwave until temperature reaches 165ºF with a digital thermometer.
Leftover idea: This chili is even better the next day and makes a great topping for baked potatoes, nachos, hot dogs, or smoked potatoes.
More One Pot Recipes
If you love this dutch oven chili recipe, try these other one pot dishes...
- Corned Beef and Cabbage - the best corned beef recipe made with Guinness beer!
- Campfire Chili - features smoky flavor with a rich tomato broth
- Irish Beef Stew - the perfect recipe for St. Patrick's Day
- Shepherd's Pie - an authentic Irish recipe
- Irish Soda Bread - make your own bread in minutes!
- Guinness Pot Roast - tender and juicy roast that melts in your mouth!
- Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes recipe - one skillet is all you need for a great sandwich
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Recipe Card
Dutch Oven Chili Recipe
*See notes in blog post for detailed tips, photos and instructions.
Equipment
- dutch oven (4 to 6 quart enameled cast iron)
- camp stove (only use if going camping)
Ingredients
- 2 pound chuck roast
- 1 packet chili seasoning mix (or make your own)
- 1 can fire roasted tomatoes (14.5 oz)
- 4 mini peppers (diced)
- ¼ cup cilantro (chopped)
- 2 small onions (wedged)
- 1 clove garlic (chopped)
- 1 Tablespoon chipotle peppers (optional)
- 1 can kidney beans (15.5 oz)
- 1 can northern beans (15.5 oz)
- 1 can black beans (15.5 oz)
- 1 can tomato sauce (8 oz)
- 2 cups beef stock (divided)
- ¼ teaspoon salt and pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Place chuck roast in dutch oven. On the stove, sear sides over medium heat with a dash of oil. (If cooking over a campfire, cut beef into cubes ahead of time and sear as directed.)
- Add chili seasoning packet, diced tomatoes, peppers, onions, cilantro, garlic and chipotles (optional).
- Stir in one cup of beef stock.
- Close lid and bake in oven for 2 hours at 350 degrees (or cook for 2 hours over hot coals). Check liquid level halfway through to ensure meat isn't scorching.
- Lift dutch oven out of the oven. With a knife and fork, chop roast into small pieces and stir everything together. (Skip this step for campfire cooking.)
- Stir in the beans, the other cup of beef stock, and tomato sauce. Cover dutch oven and place back in oven (or continue to cook over campfire).
- Cook 1 more hour until beef and beans are tender. Stir well and serve piping hot with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- cheddar cheese, shredded gouda, pepper jack
- sour cream, cilantro, sweet peppers, lime, Tajin spice
- jalapeños, salsa verde, guacamole, avocado
- tortilla chips, french fried onions, green onions
- Follow the directions above, but instead of baking the chili in the oven, cook it over medium heat on the stovetop.
- If cooking this recipe over a campfire, be sure to use an outdoor camp dutch oven (ad) made for an open flame. Do not use an enameled pot over a campfire.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is an auto generated estimate.
My family loves this recipe. Such a good chili. We occasionally make it on our grill/BBQ in a specialty Dutch oven and the flavour is amazing.
Thanks so much Porter! That's great to hear!
I have always wanted to learn how to make chili in a dutch oven. I love your tips for cooking over a campfire too. Thanks for a great recipe!