chili cheese dogs

Campfire Chili Cheese Dogs with Homemade Chili

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Campfire Chili Cheese Dogs with Homemade Chili

There’s just something about making a hot mess of a meal while camping that makes it taste ten times better. These campfire chili cheese dogs were everything I wanted after a long day of driving. I’m honestly impressed that I managed to whip up from scratch chili in the freakin’ bush. I really wanted to use a can.

Whether you’re camping in the wild or just craving something comforting at home, this chili cheese dog recipe is one you’ll come back to again and again.

Why You’ll Love These Chili Cheese Dogs While Camping

When you’re camping, every meal feels like an event. I made this recipe while staying in a motorhome, and let me tell you it hit every craving. It starts with a rich, chunky chili made from lean ground beef, canned tomatoes, chili beans, mushrooms, and a generous heap of chili powder (probably way too much, honestly. I didn’t have measuring spoons.) We let it bubble away on the camp stove until it thickened into perfection.

Meanwhile, the hot dogs hit the grill, and we totally incinerated the first round of buns. Almost started a forest fire FOR SURE… but once we nailed the second round, we had golden, grilled buns topped with smoky wieners, hot chili, creamy queso cheese, and sliced jalapeños. A total fork-optional kind of dinner.

Campfire Chili Cheese Dogs with Homemade Chili
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Campfire Chili Cheese Dogs with Homemade Chili

Recipe by itskristinskitchenCourse: Uncategorized
Servings

6

servings
Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking time

1

hour 
Calories

650

kcal

Ingredients

  • For the Campfire Chili:

  • 1 tbsp butter

  • 1 yellow onion, chopped

  • 1 lb lean ground beef

  • 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes

  • 1 can chili beans (with liquid)

  • 1 can sliced mushrooms, drained

  • A generous amount of chili powder (start with 2 tbsp and taste as you go)

  • Salt & pepper to taste

  • For the Chili Cheese Dogs:

  • 6 hot dogs (we used all-beef)

  • 6 hot dog buns (plus a couple extra in case you burn one!)

  • 1 cup prepared queso cheese (melted or from a jar)

  • Fresh jalapeño slices

Directions

  • Start the Chili: In a saucepan on your camp stove, melt the butter and sauté the chopped onion until soft. Add in the ground beef and cook until browned. Drain any excess grease if needed.
  • Simmer the Good Stuff: Stir in the canned tomatoes, chili beans, mushrooms, and chili powder. Let the mixture simmer uncovered for at least 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens up and the flavors come together. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Grill the Dogs and Buns: Over your portable BBQ, grill the hot dogs until charred and cooked through. Grill the buns carefully or you might end up like us and lose a batch to the fire!
  • Assemble the Dogs: Place a grilled hot dog into a bun, spoon over a generous amount of chili, drizzle with queso, and top with jalapeños. Grab some napkins – they’re messy but so worth it.

Notes

  • Camping Tip: Make the Chili Ahead
    If you want to save time, you can absolutely make the chili at home and reheat it at camp. It actually gets better the next day! Just store it in a tightly sealed container in your cooler and warm it up on the camp stove when you’re ready.

Let’s Be Friends!

If you loved this recipe, make sure to follow me on Instagram and TikTok where I share more easy camping meals, grilling tips, and messy-but-delicious comfort food. You can also check out my last post: Roasted Red Pepper Pasta with Whipped Cream Cheese.

Amazon find: This is the camp stove we use and love—compact, reliable, and perfect for meals like this!