Bass Pro Style Campfire Chili with Smoked Sausage

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-16 · Updated 2026-05-16

Robust chili simmered with smoky sausage and beans, a satisfying meal for campfire or backyard gatherings. This American-inspired one-pot recipe, ready in about 55 minutes, pairs smoked sausage links, yellow onion, green bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 370 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb, sliced into 1/2-inch pieces smoked sausage links
• 1 large, diced yellow onion
• 1 medium, diced green bell pepper
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed kidney beans
• 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed black beans
• 1 can (28 oz) canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup water

The Dutch oven we’d braise this in → Best Dutch Ovens for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium heat. Add 1 large diced yellow onion and 1 medium diced green bell pepper; sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
2. Step 2: Add 1 lb sliced smoked sausage and 3 minced garlic cloves; cook for another 5 minutes until sausage begins to brown and garlic is fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp ground cumin, and 1 tsp smoked paprika; toast spices with the sausage mixture for 1 minute.
4. Step 4: Add 1 can (15 oz) drained kidney beans, 1 can (15 oz) drained black beans, 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes, 1 cup water, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix well.
5. Step 5: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chili thickens and flavors meld.