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There’s nothing quite like a hearty, smoky meal enjoyed by the fire after a long day outdoors. These campfire sloppy joes are packed with flavor, combining tender beef, sweet peppers, rich tomato, and a touch of spice. Everything comes together in one skillet, making it ideal for campsite cooking. Toasted buns finish things off with a satisfying crunch. It’s a fun, family-friendly meal that’s easy to whip up, even if you’re not a camping pro, and even picky eaters are going to love it.
Campfire sloppy joes are a smoky, one-pan meal made with seasoned beef, bell peppers and onion, all piled high on toasted buns for the perfect outdoor bite.
You might also like these gnocchi foil packets, shrimp scampi, unsloppy joes biscuit pockets, sloppy joe sliders, or some of these sloppy joes recipes.
Why You’ll Love It
Campfire-friendly: No fancy tools or techniques required.
Quick to prepare: Perfect for hungry campers after a long day.
Customizable: Adjust the sweetness or spice level to suit your taste.
Easy cleanup: Everything cooks in one skillet for simple washing up.
Crowd-pleasing: Bold, comforting flavors everyone enjoys.
One Pan Camping Sloppy Joes Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Ground beef: The hearty, savory base of the sloppy joes. I used lean ground beef.
Red bell pepper: Adds natural sweetness and vibrant color.
Yellow onion: Brings savory depth and a hint of sweetness when cooked down.
Garlic: Adds rich, aromatic flavor to the homemade sloppy joes.
Worcestershire sauce: Gives a tangy, umami kick to balance the sweetness.
Ground paprika: Adds warm, earthy spice.
Ketchup: Adds sweetness, acidity and richness.
Buns: Soft, fluffy carriers for all that saucy goodness. Soft hamburger buns or brioche buns work well and toast nicely.
Apple cider vinegar: Optional. Brightens the dish with a touch of acidity.
Granulated sugar: Also optional. Balances tangy or smoky flavors with a bit of sweetness. You could use white or brown sugar.
Chili powder: Adds heat and depth, although you can omit this if you want.
How to Make Cast Iron Sloppy Joes
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Heat the skillet: Use a campfire, propane camp stove or grill to get your cast iron skillet hot.
Brown the beef: Cook until no longer pink, breaking it up as it cooks.
Add veggies and garlic: Stir in chopped onions, red pepper and garlic and cook until the sauce thickens and the vegetables are tender.
Mix in sauces and spices: Add ketchup, Worcestershire, paprika, salt and black pepper, and any extras and continue cooking.
Toast the buns: Lightly char them on the grill or campfire.
Assemble and serve: Spoon the meat mixture onto buns and enjoy hot.
Substitutions and Variations
Use ground turkey: A lighter option that still tastes great. Ground pork would work too.
Make it vegetarian: Swap the beef for lentils or plant-based mince.
Make it spicy: Mix in some spicy yellow mustard or jalapeno slices.
Add cheese: Top with a slice of cheddar or smoked gouda before serving.
Adjust the sweetness: You can include brown or white sugar or even maple syrup for more sweetness, or swap the ketchup for tomato paste and tomato sauce for less.
Gluten free option: Use gluten free buns and check labels on condiments like the Worcestershire sauce.
Add more veggies: Mushrooms, carrots or zucchini can all be cooked down with the meat. Or you can swap the red bell pepper for a yellow or green bell pepper (green peppers are the least sweet).
Serving Suggestions
Side dishes: Enjoy potato chips, smoked potato salad or a loaded chorizo baked potato with your campfire sloppy joes.
Desserts: Serve banana boats, apple crisp, apple pie bread rolls, or a campfire s’mores pizza for dessert.
How to Store
Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. You can also prepare the filling ahead and toast your buns over the campfire and warm the meat mixture back up.
Freeze: You can freeze the sloppy joe mixture (not in the buns) in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Thaw: Defrost it in the refrigerator overnight.
Reheat: You can warm it back up in a pan on the stove, in the microwave or over a campfire.
Top Tips
Toast buns last: They’ll burn quickly, so keep an eye on them.
Use lean ground beef: It keeps the mixture flavorful without getting greasy.
Thicken it up: Keep simmering the mixture until it thickens to your desired consistency.
Taste as you go: Adjust sweetness or spice before serving.
Pre-chop at home: Save time at the campsite by prepping veggies in advance.
Cast Iron Sloppy Joes FAQs
Yes, it works just as well in a regular kitchen skillet or Dutch oven at home if you’re looking for tasty new ideas for a weeknight dinner.
No, the sloppy joe filling is mild, but feel free to add chili powder if you want to make it more spicy.
Old-Fashioned Campfire Sloppy Joes Recipe
Campfire Sloppy Joes
Equipment
- Cast Iron Skillet or Dutch Oven
Ingredients
- 1 Pound ground beef, I used lean ground beef
- 1 red pepper, cut into ¼-inch pieces
- 1 yellow onion, small or medium, chopped
- 2 Cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Teaspoon ground paprika
- ¼ Teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ Cup ketchup
- 4 buns, to serve
Optional Extras
- 1 Splash apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar, white or brown
- ½ Teaspoon chili powder, or to taste
Instructions
- Prepare your campfire or heat a cast iron skillet or Dutch oven over your camp stove.
- When your skillet is hot, add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks.
- Add the onion, bell pepper and garlic and keep cooking for about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Mix in everything else apart from the buns and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Lightly toast the buns on the campfire.
- Serve the sloppy joes on the toasted buns.
Notes
Use lean ground beef: It keeps the mixture flavorful without getting greasy.
Thicken it up: Keep simmering the mixture until it thickens to your desired consistency.
Taste as you go: Adjust sweetness or spice before serving.
Pre-chop at home: Save time at the campsite by prepping veggies in advance.
Nutrition
If you want a hearty and satisfying meal that brings comfort to the campsite, you can’t go wrong with campfire sloppy joes. This one-pan recipe packs in big flavor and is super easy to prepare, making it an ideal option for relaxed evenings around the fire. You can keep this hearty meal classic or add your own twist. Either way, this easy sloppy joes recipe is sure to become a go-to camping food dish for your outdoor adventures. And don’t forget the extra napkins – they can be messy!
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Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
