Dutch Oven Cornbread Chili {with Gluten-Free Option}
Hearty chili and warm, golden cornbread baked together in a dutch oven? Yes, please! It's the perfect one-pot camping meal for cool, fall evenings. This recipe is great for feeding a crowd, or it can easily be halved for a family of four. Gluten-free modifications are included in the recipe.
Prep Time 30 minutes mins
Cook Time 45 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins
10-inch Deep or 12-inch Camp Dutch Oven
Lid Lifter Tool (optional but recommended)
Charcoal, Chimney Starter, and Lighter
Long-handled tongs
Heat-Resistant Gloves
Stirring Spoon and Mixing Bowl
Can opener
Chili:
- 2 lbs Lean ground beef, turkey, or chicken
- 1 TBSP Minced Onion
- 2 16-oz Cans Diced Tomatoes (with juice)
- 1 Can Chili Beans (with juice)
- 1 Can Dark Red Kidney Beans (drained)
- 1 8-oz Can Tomato Sauce
- 1 6-oz Can Tomato Paste
- 2 1-oz Packets Chili Seasoning (check for gluten-free if needed)
Cornbread:
- 1 14-16 oz Box Cornbread Mix (gluten-free, if needed)
- Oil, milk, eggs, or other ingredients needed to prepare the cornbread according to the box directions.
Prepare Cooking Heat Source:
Assemble and Cook:
Combine all of the chili ingredients together in the dutch oven and stir to mix well. Put the lid on the dutch oven.
Using tongs and heat-resistant gloves, place the recommended number of hot charcoal briquettes underneath and on top of the dutch oven and heat the chili for 10-15 minutes, until simmering.
While the chili is heating, prepare the cornbread mix as directed on the box.
Remove the dutch oven lid, stir the chili, then spoon the cornbread mix evenly over the top of the chili.
Replace the dutch oven lid. Bake according to the cornbread mix directions, usually about 25 to 35 minutes. Remember to rotate (but don't lift) the dutch oven lid a half-turn every 10 minutes to help the cornbread cook evenly. Test for doneness with a toothpick.
Carefully remove the dutch oven from the coals and let the chili cool for about 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Keyword camping dinner, charcoal, chili, cornbread, dairy free, dutch oven, gluten free