Winter is upon us and there’s a chill in the air. For most people, ‘tis the season to stay indoors. You’re not most people, though! You are an outdoorsman and you can’t wait to head to your favorite camping spot and enjoy the great outdoors sleeping under the stars, cozy and warm in your thermal sleeping bag and zipped up snug as a bug in your tent cot.
The best part about winter camping? Warming yourself hands and feet by a blazing campfire and warming your insides with a steaming stew. Here’s one of our favorite stew recipes – it’s hearty and flavorful, and you can prep and cook it in a snap! And, here’s a welcome bonus: with this recipe, there will be no dishes to clean! Below is the basic “base” recipe, but feel free to add additional veggies or seasonings to add your own twist.
Ingredients (Per Person)
- One potato (russet or sweet potato, peeled or unpeeled – your choice!)
- One carrot (peeled or unpeeled)
- One onion
- Approximately four ounces of your favorite protein (chicken, ground beef, sausage, venison, etc.)
- One can cream soup (cream of mushroom, celery, broccoli, chicken, etc.)
- Salt
- Pepper
- Heavy-duty aluminum foil
Prep Your Ingredients
- Wash the potatoes and carrots and peel if desired.
- Slice potatoes and carrots in 1/8-inch-thick rounds.
- Peel and thinly slice the onion.
- If your protein isn’t ground, slice or cube it in bite-sized pieces.
- Place potatoes, carrots, onions and protein in the middle of a large square of foil (approximately the size of a roasting pan.)
- Season mixture with salt and pepper.
- Spoon a generous amount of soup from the can onto the foil mixture, and use your hands to combine the mixture. The soup is the liquid component that forms the stew base, so don’t skimp!
Prep Your Pouch
- Fold your foil to create a sturdy cooking packet, making sure the folds are secure but leaving a bit of air in the middle to aid the cooking process.
- Once you have a secure packet, place it in a second large square of foil, and then repeat the folding process to make certain your stew won’t leak out.
Cook and Enjoy!
Place your foil pouch atop a bed of hot coals and turn it every 10 minutes. Remove from the fire after 30 minutes and check for doneness. (Stew is done when the potatoes and carrots are soft.)
- Actual cooking time varies, but typically your stew will be ready to enjoy in 30 to 45 minutes.
Enjoy! If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, wrap them up in a fresh foil packet, crack an egg on top in the morning, reseal the packet, and steam until the egg has cooked to your liking.