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If youโre craving a heartwarming meal that brings the taste of the great outdoors into your kitchen, ourย Easy Campfire Stew is just what you need! This meaty one-pot dish combines tender pork loin and beans with an array of vegetables for a wholesome meal thatโs perfect for busy days. With only 1 Weight Watchers point per serving, itโs not only delicious but also guilt-free, making it a fantastic choice for those watching their points. Plus, this versatile stew is a wonderful way to clean out the fridge, allowing you to use up any leftover veggies you have on hand. Embrace the cozy flavors of campfire cooking this fall and winter with a dish thatโs sure to become a family favorite!
Ingredients:
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Bring the campfire flavor home with this easy stew recipe featuring ยฝ lb. (225 g) of pork loin cut into chunks, along with 1 large chopped onion (1 cup / 150 g), 2 medium sliced carrots (1 cup / 120 g), and 2 sliced celery stalks (ยฝ cup / 50 g). Add in 1 diced red bell pepper (1 cup / 150 g), 1 can (15 oz) of drained and rinsed white beans (1 ยฝ cups / 240 g), and 1 can (15 oz) of drained and rinsed kidney beans (1 ยฝ cups / 240 g), followed by 1 can (14 oz) of diced tomatoes with juice (1 ยพ cups / 400 g). Pour in 2 cups of vegetable broth (or dissolve 2 vegetable stock cubes in 2 cups of water / 500 ml) and season with 1 teaspoon of dried oregano (2 g), 2 bay leaves, and 1 teaspoon of salt (to taste). For an extra kick, you can include 1 dried chili pepper, if desired. Heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil (5 ml) in a pot, combine all the ingredients, and let the stew simmer until everything is cooked through and flavors meld beautifully.
Prepare the Veggies and Pork
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Begin by chopping the onion, slicing the carrots and celery, and dicing the red bell pepper. Set these colorful veggies aside as they will form the foundation of your stew. Next, cut the pork loin into bite-sized chunks, trimming off any excess fat to keep the meat lean and flavorful.
Assemble the Stew in the Slow Cooker
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In your slow cooker, add the chopped onions, carrots, celery, and red bell pepper, creating a vibrant mix. Follow this with the drained white beans and kidney beans, which will add protein and creaminess
Season the Stew
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Add the diced tomatoes along with their juice to the slow cooker. Stir gently to incorporate all the ingredients, ensuring even distribution. Next, pour in the vegetable broth or add dissolved stock cubes for depth of flavor. Sprinkle in dried oregano, toss in the bay leaves, and season with salt. If you enjoy a bit of spice, add the optional dried chili pepper at this stage, then give everything a quick stir to combine.
Add the Pork
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Place the prepared pork chunks on top of the colorful mixture of vegetables and beans, allowing the meat to absorb the stew’s flavors as it cooks.
Cook on Low
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Cover your slow cooker with its lid and set it to cook on the low setting for about 6 hours. This slow cooking process will tenderize the pork and meld all the flavors together beautifully.
Check the Pork and Adjust Seasoning
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After 6 hours, carefully check the pork by gently pressing it with a forkโit should be fall-apart tender. Taste the stew and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt if necessary. If you find the stew too thick for your preference, stir in a little extra water or broth to reach your desired consistency.
Serve
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Before serving, remove the bay leaves and the dried chili pepper to ensure a pleasant eating experience. Serve the stew hot in bowls, with each portion approximately 1 ยฝ cups, and savor the warm, comforting flavors of this hearty dish.
Variations and Substitutions for Campfire Stew
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Campfire Stew is highly adaptable, allowing for creative substitutions based on what you can carry. To make it more Weight Watchers-friendly, swap cured gammon for lean pork loin to maintain savory richness while reducing calories and fat. Feel free to add extra vegetables like fresh tomatoes, green beans, corn, or mushrooms, which enhance the stew’s bulk and nutrition without significantly increasing points. Additionally, experiment with various beans; navy beans and pinto beans work well, but black or kidney beans can also add great flavor and texture.
Tips and Tricks for making Campfire Stew
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For a delicious Campfire Stew, prioritize using fresh ingredients whenever possible, as they enhance flavor more than canned options; if you can, make your own broth. Choose lean cuts of pork and slow cook the stew for about six hours to achieve tender meat that melts in your mouth. To add a kick, consider incorporating chili flakes, hot sauce, or diced jalapeรฑos, and be generous with salt, pepper, and herbs like bay leaves or thyme for extra flavor. Finally, serve the stew with crusty bread for a cozy touchโperfect for dunking, though you might want to skip it if youโre watching your points.
