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    Home » Recipes » Campfire Recipes

    Cast Iron Sloppy Joes

    | Yield 4 | May 22, 2021 | Updated: September 9, 2021 by Kita | This post includes affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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    This Cast Iron Sloppy Joe Recipe is easy to make, keto-friendly, and perfect for camping. Just 15 minutes of prep for a thick and hearty meat sauce smothered over fluffy baked potatoes.

    This recipe was originally created for the Idaho Potato Council. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Also, this recipe rocks.

    I bet we all have a memory associated with a can of Manwich and a soft bun. I definitely do, which is exactly what sparked this recipe idea. Someone recently mentioned to me the idea of recreating “cafeteria” favorites. I decided to run with that and make a batch of homemade sloppy joes. But instead of creating a standard stovetop recipe, I decided to make this one a campfire recipe!

    Turns out that “cafeteria food” is still pretty damn good…especially when made from scratch.

    What you need to make this recipe

    This campfire sloppy joe recipe is made up of an easy ingredient list that’s perfect for a camping trip. 

    • Potatoes – make sure to grab four even-sized Idaho potatoes. I prefer russets for baking.
    • Olive Oil
    • Salt
    • Bacon – cut into 1” pieces.
    • Onion
    • Green Pepper and Red Pepper
    • Jalapeño
    • Garlic
    • Cumin
    • Over Easy Spice Blend
    • Ancho Chili Powder
    • Ground Beef
    • Ketchup
    • Mustard
    • Worcestershire Sauce
    • Crispy Onions – for topping, if desired.

    How to make cast iron sloppy joes

    You can prepare the sloppy joe filling at home on the stovetop ahead of time or you can cook it over the campfire or on a propane camp stove. 

    All you need is a cutting board, aluminum foil, and one cast iron skillet from start to finish for this one! 

    Potatoes wrapped in foil right on the coals. A perfect way to ‘bake’ potatoes while camping. Keep an eye on them and rotate the potatoes often to avoid burning any one side.

    Cook the potatoes

    Wash and dry the potatoes, then poke with a fork and wrap each potato separately in foil.

    Place the potatoes over well-maintained embers and cook, rotating every 10-15 minutes.

    After 25 minutes, carefully remove the potatoes from the fire and place them onto a baking tray. 

    Allow them to sit for 5 minutes before carefully peeling back the foil. Brush with oil and season with salt. 

    Wrap the potatoes again and return to the fire to cook for another 25-30 minutes.

    Make the sloppy joes

    Place a large cast-iron skillet over the fire and allow it to preheat.

    Add the bacon and cook, stirring often until crispy.

    Mix in the onions, red peppers, and green peppers. Season with a pinch of salt and sauté until soft. Add in the minced jalapeño and cook for 30 seconds longer.

    Add the spices: cumin, Over Easy, paprika, and Ancho chili powder and stir to coat the onion mixture.

    Mix in the ground beef and cook for 10-15 minutes, until evenly browned.

    Add the ketchup, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce and stir to combine, then allow the mixture to simmer over the fire for 10-15 minutes to thicken.

    This is why I love cast iron. Sloppy Joes, right on the coals to cook. Watch out though, things get hot when cooking on coals really quick. Always have heat resistant gloves near by.

    Assemble

    Carefully open each foil-wrapped potato, then cut a line in ⅔ of the way through the center of the potato.

    Fluff with a fork to break it up, then spoon heaping portions of the sloppy joe mixture and top. Garnish with crispy onions, if desired.

    Tips, tricks, and notes for this recipe:

    • Make the filling ahead of time then reheat it in a cast-iron skillet over indirect heat on a campfire, in a pan on the range over low heat, or in the microwave in short bursts. Filling will last up to 3 days in the fridge.
    • Measure your spices ahead of time and pack the spice blend in pre-mixed baggies or reusable jars. 
    • Prep your veggies and garlic (slice and mince) beforehand and store them in resealable containers.
    • Chop the bacon at home, then pack it up so it’s ready to go. This makes for easier prep and much easier cleanup.
    • Use leftovers over skillet eggs in the morning for breakfast with a side of cast iron chorizo o’brien hash.

    Ok, don’t have a campfire but still want epic sloppy joes? This recipe works at home too right on a regular cooktop or over any grill (It just happens to be fun to cook while camping, but I’m biased).

    How to serve this cast iron sloppy joe

    I love to serve the sloppy joe filling over fluffy baked potatoes and topped with crispy onions!

    If you’re not a fan of baked potatoes, feel free to serve it on a traditional bun with a side of french fries or potato salad, over the top of french fries for a fun twist on chili fries, or even in taco shells with a sprinkle of taco seasoning mixed into the filling.

    How to store

    Leftover sloppy joe filling will last in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. If you have access to a freezer it will freeze for up to 6 months. 

    Want more camp recipe inspiration? Try some of my favorite recipes

    • Sloppy Joes with Fried Onions
    • Baked Sloppy Joe Tacos
    • Cast Iron French Fries with Chili
    • Dutch Oven White Chicken Chili
    • Mac and Cheese Stuffed Peppers | Campfire Recipe
    • Garlic Steak and Potato Foil Packs for Camping

    If you’ve tried this classic campfire sloppy joe recipe or any other recipe on GirlCarnivore.com please don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know where you found it in the comments below. I get inspired by your feedback and comments! You can also FOLLOW ME on Instagram @girlcarnivore as well as on  Twitter and Facebook.

    sloppy joe filling over top baked potato
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    5 from 1 vote

    Cast Iron Sloppy Joe Baked Potatoes

    Nothing beats this childhood classic, the sloppy joe. This filling is made with a hearty beef and bacon mince suated with onions, peppers, and a pinch of spice. It's the perfect messy campfire meal to bring you back to your childhood.
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American, Camping, keto
    Author: Kita Roberts
    Prep Time15 mins
    Cook Time1 hr
    Resting Time10 mins
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 699kcal

    Equipment

    • 10-12″ Cast Iron Skillet or other oven safe skillet
    • Reynolds Wrap® Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil

    Ingredients

    • 4 Idaho® potatoes russets
    • 1 tablespoon Olive oil
    • Salt
    • ¼ lbs Bacon cut ito 1” pieces
    • ½ Onion chopped
    • ½ Green pepper chopped
    • ½ Red pepper chopped
    • 1 jalapeno seeded, stemmed and minced
    • 3 cloves Garlic minced
    • 1 tablespoon Cumin
    • 1 tablespoon Girl Carnivore Over Easy Spice Blend
    • ½ teaspoon paprika
    • ½ teaspoon Ancho chili powder
    • 1 lbs ground beef
    • 1 cup Ketchup
    • 1 tablespoon Mustard
    • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
    • Crispy onions for topping

    Instructions

    Cook the Potatoes

    • Wash and dry the potatoes. Poke with the tines of a fork and wrap each potato in foil.
    • Place the potatoes over well-maintained embers and cook, rotating every 10-15 minutes.
      foil wrapped baked potatoes directly on coals
    • After 25 minutes, carefully remove the potatoes from the fire and place them onto a baking tray.
    • Allow the potatoes to sit for 5 minutes before carefully peeling back the foil.
    • Brush with oil and season with salt.
    • Wrap the potatoes again and return to the fire to cook until tender, about 25-30 more minutes, depending on the heat of your campfire.

    Make the Sloppy Joes

    • Place a large cast-iron skillet over the fire and allow it to preheat.
      Chopped bacon on board
    • Add the bacon and cook, stirring often until crispy.
    • Add the onions and red and green peppers, season with a pinch of salt, and saute until soft, about 5 minutes.
    • Add in the minced jalapeno and cook 3 minutes longer.
    • Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds longer.
    • Add the cumin, Over Easy, paprika, and Ancho chili powder and stir to coat the onion mixture.
      showing spices in skillet with sauteed veggies and bacon for sloppy joes
    • Add the ground beef and cook, 10 to 15 minutes, until evenly browned.
    • Add the ketchup, mustard, and Worcestershire and stir to combine.
    • Allow the mixture to come to a simmer over the fire and cook down for 10 to 15 minutes.
      close up of ground beef simmering for sloppy joes

    Assemble the potatoes

    • Carefully open each foil-wrapped baked potato.
    • Cut a line in ⅔ of the way through the center of the potato and fluff the potato with a fork to break up.
    • Spoon heaping portions of the Sloppy Joe mixture on top and garnish with crispy onions if desired.

    Notes

    You can make the filling ahead up to 3 days. Reheat in a cast-iron skillet over indirect heat on a campfire, in a pan on the range over low, or in a microwave on short bursts. 
    This recipe is Whole30 & Paleo-friendly. To make Keto omit the baked potato.

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Cast Iron Sloppy Joe Baked Potatoes
    Amount Per Serving (1 g)
    Calories 699 Calories from Fat 342
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 38g58%
    Saturated Fat 13g81%
    Trans Fat 1g
    Cholesterol 99mg33%
    Sodium 914mg40%
    Potassium 1620mg46%
    Carbohydrates 59g20%
    Fiber 6g25%
    Sugar 17g19%
    Protein 29g58%
    Vitamin A 1104IU22%
    Vitamin C 82mg99%
    Calcium 89mg9%
    Iron 6mg33%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Nutrition information provided is an estimate. For specific health concerns, please put the recipe into your Dr recommended nutrition calculator.
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    About Kita

    Hey, I'm Kita, the Meat Maven, outdoor junkie, campfire connoisseur, adventure-seeking and world traveled recipe developer and photographer behind GirlCarnivore.com. My mission is to break down savory eats and inspire you to get a little grit under your nails while having fun with your food. READ MORE

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