This Campfire Stew recipe is a really easy way to cook gammon in the slow cooker. Packed with veggies and beans, it’s makes a tasty meal.
Slow Cooker recipes that can just be popped in in the morning without too much thought are 100% my happy place right now.
Who’s with me?!
I’ve been making this Campfire Stew for years as a way to slow cook gammon as a whole meal and I’ve just come back to it recently as it’s such brilliant comfort food.
I love it served with crunchy potato wedges and a sprinkle of grated cheese. Enjoy!
You’ll love this Campfire Stew because:
✅ It’s packed with vegetables and a tasty sauce.✅ Hardly any preparation, throw it all in.✅ Delicious leftovers, cook once and eat twice 🙌🏻
FAQs on the Campfire Stew recipe
Can I cook this in the oven if I don’t have a slow cooker?
Sure. Cook at 160C for about 2 hours or until the meat is soft and tender.
Should I use smoked or unsmoked gammon?
Like with any bacon, it’s personal taste. Either is fine, just decide if you want that smokey flavour or not.
Do I need to soak the gammon joint?
If you’re in the UK, most gammon joints, even smoked ones are now quite mild. I never soak mine.
However, if you’re concerned about food being too salty, or if that’s not to your taste, you can soak it in fresh cold water for a couple of hours before adding to the slow cooker.
If you’re in the USA, uncooked ham joints tend to be much stronger in flavour so follow the instructions on that joint about whether you should soak it first.
I’m in the USA and can’t find Baked Beans?
No problems, just substitute 2 cans of any other cooked bean and add 4 tbsp of extra tomato paste.
Notes on the Campfire Stew Recipe
- I don’t add the green peppers until towards the end of the cooking time. (There’s notes at the bottom of the recipe on this.) Just because I’m not keen on them when they are overcooked. You can add them at the start if you like though.
- Leftovers of this are SO good. I think it maybe gets even more tasty?
- This recipe was originally inspired by a Slimming World recipe many moons ago.
What to serve with the Campfire Stew
- Baked potatoes
- Rice
- Potato Wedges
- Cous cous
- Cauliflower Rice
- In Enchiladas/Wraps
- On toast
- With a fried egg
- Add sliced chillis or chilli sauce
- With mashed potatoes
Fancy some other easy Slow Cooker recipes ?
- Super Simple Slow Cooker Chicken Curry – This is one of the most loved recipes on this site, over 175 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ reviews!
- Slow Cooker ‘Roast’ Gammon Ham – Such an easy and yummy Sunday roast joint.
- Slow Cooker ‘Roast’ Beef Joint – Another super simple and delicious roast joint, complete with gravy.
Hope you enjoy this recipe. I’d love to know how you got on and what you thought of it if you make this recipe. Please rate the recipe using the ⭐️ below!
Also, if you fancy showing me a photo by tagging me on Instagram (@tamingtwins) I LOVE to see your creations and try and share as many of them as I can.

Easy Campfire Stew
Ingredients
- 1 Large Onion See Note 1.
- 3 Cloves Garlic See Note 1.
- 400 g Tinned chopped tomatoes
- 2 Tins Baked beans (2 x 415g tins)
- 2 tbsp Tomato puree
- 2 tsp Cumin
- 4 tsp Sweet Smoked Paprika See Note 2.
- 1/2 tsp Mild chilli powder
- 3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 600 g Gammon joint Fat layer cut off. See Note 3.
- 2 Green peppers See Note 4.
Instructions
- Put all of the ingredients (apart from the peppers SEE NOTE 4 below) into the slow cooker.
- Cook on HIGH for 6 hours or LOW for 8 hours.
- When the stew is cooked, microwave the chopped green peppers for about 3 - 4 minutes until just softened.
- When the meat joint is cooked and tender, shred the meat with a knife or two forks and add in the green peppers.
- Stir everything well and serve.
Notes
- Add them with all of the other ingredients before cooking, if you don't mind them very soft, no probs!
- Add them to the slow cooker about an hour before the stew is due to be cooked, they will be just nicely soft - BUT this isn't always possible if you're not at home right?
- Here's what I do: When the stew is ready, I pop the chopped peppers into a covered bowl and microwave them for 4 minutes before adding to the stew before serving (you could also quickly fry them if you don't have a microwave).
Siobhan says
Absolutely loved this! Super easy to prep and delicious. My fussy eaters gave it 9/10!
Sandra Robinson says
My 16 year twins loved this as did I! We had it with potato wedges this evening. There’s enough for tomorrow so we’re thinking of replacing potatoes with pitta bread and corn. Very tasty and easy recipe.
Gem says
Love this recipe.
Really easy, left my husband with the link to this page an he managed it while I was at work 🙂
Nic | Nic's Adventures & Bakes says
Thanks for Sharing, this looks a yummy stew 🙂
Sarah says
Ooohhh my this is delicious, so tasty another one I highly recommend
Marlene Liddell says
Tried this today I’d never heard of Campfire stew before.
Absolutely delicious 😋
Bev says
One of my favourite slow cookers meals! Freezes well.
Sarah Barnes says
So pleased you like it Bev!
LS says
This is sooooo tasty!!! Everyone loved it and super easy. More slow cooker recipes pls!!!
Karen says
Absolutely delicious!!!! Also works really well with two pork tenderloins. Teens love both options.
Katie says
Made this twice now, so quick and an easy to make and so tasty! Family favourite!
Bex says
I tried this in the oven but it burnt and dried up after an hour. Not quite sure what happened!!
Sarah Barnes says
Hi Bex, what temperature did you use?
Esther Howley says
An absolute winner with the whole family including my fussy son! Really easy to make and keeps really well to enjoy a few days later! Just about to make it to take away on holiday!
Bekah says
My 8 year old son made happy, yummy noises after every mouthful. Thanks for such a delicious recipe
Katy says
Loved it. Will definitely be making again!
Joze says
Fab recipe. We had it with cous cous. Will def make again.