Name: Campfire Gammon Stew Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 3 h 20 min
Total time: 3 h 35 min
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 600g gammon; 2 onions, roughly chopped; 2 carrots, chopped; 1 celery stick, chopped; 2 peppers, deseeded and chopped; 3 garlic cloves, crushed; 1 tbsp vegetable oil; 1 tbsp tomato purée; 2 tsp smoked paprika; ½ tsp chilli powder (optional); 2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes; 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce; 1 tbsp sugar; 2 bay leaves; 2 x 400g cans haricot beans, drained and rinsed

Introduction

Campfire stew is a hearty and comforting dish packed with tender gammon, smoky spices, and a medley of vegetables. Perfect for chilly evenings, it simmers slowly to develop rich, deep flavors that bring warmth to your table.

Campfire Gammon Stew Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

600g gammon
1 tbsp vegetable oil
2 onions, roughly chopped
2 carrots, chopped
1 celery stick, chopped
2 peppers, deseeded and chopped
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tbsp tomato purée
2 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp chilli powder (optional)
2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 bay leaves
2 x 400g cans haricot beans, drained and rinsed
1 tbsp sugar
Water (for soaking and cooking)

Instructions

Step 1: Remove the rind and fat from the gammon, then soak it in a pan of water in the fridge overnight to remove some of the salt.
Step 2: Heat the vegetable oil in a large flameproof casserole or ovenproof pan over medium-high heat. Add the onions, carrots, and celery. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring regularly until the vegetables start to soften.
Step 3: Stir in the chopped peppers, crushed garlic, tomato purée, smoked paprika, and chilli powder if using. Cook for a further 2 minutes.
Step 4: Add the chopped tomatoes and stir well. Swill out the tomato cans with a little water and pour this into the casserole. Season with salt and pepper, then stir in the Worcestershire sauce, sugar, and bay leaves.
Step 5: Preheat the oven to 170°C (150°C fan) or gas mark 3. Place the gammon into the casserole, cover, and bring to a simmer on the hob.
Step 6: Transfer the covered casserole to the oven and cook for 3 hours until the gammon is tender.
Step 7: Carefully remove the casserole from the oven and return it to medium heat on the hob. Add the drained haricot beans and simmer for 10 minutes until heated through.
Step 8: Shred the gammon using two forks and stir it into the stew. Serve straight away.

Tips & Variations

Soaking the gammon overnight helps reduce excess salt, giving a balanced flavor to the stew.
For extra heat, increase the chilli powder or add a chopped fresh chilli with the garlic.
Try swapping haricot beans for cannellini or butter beans for a different texture.
This stew can also be made on the stovetop by simmering gently for 3 hours instead of using the oven.

Storage

Allow the stew to cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to three days or freeze for up to two months. To reheat, defrost overnight in the fridge if frozen, then warm thoroughly on the hob until piping hot before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of meat instead of gammon?

Yes, beef or pork shoulder can be substituted, but cooking times may vary. Adjust until the meat is tender.

Is it necessary to soak the gammon overnight?

Soaking helps to remove excess salt and results in a milder stew, but if short on time, rinsing the gammon well can suffice.

Campfire Gammon Stew Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 57 reviews

A hearty and flavorful campfire stew featuring tender gammon, a medley of vegetables, smoky paprika, and warming spices, slow-cooked to perfection for a comforting meal ideal for cozy evenings.

Author: Zane
Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus overnight soaking)
Cook Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours 35 minutes (excluding soaking time)
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: British

Ingredients

Scale

Meat

600g gammon

Vegetables

2 onions, roughly chopped
2 carrots, chopped
1 celery stick, chopped
2 peppers, deseeded and chopped
3 garlic cloves, crushed

Pantry Items

1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tbsp tomato purée
2 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp chilli powder (optional)
2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp sugar
2 bay leaves
2 x 400g cans haricot beans, drained and rinsed

Instructions

Prepare gammon: Remove the rind and fat from the gammon and soak it in a pan of water in the fridge overnight to reduce excess salt.
Sauté vegetables: Heat the vegetable oil in a large flameproof or ovenproof casserole over medium-high heat. Add onions, carrots, and celery, cooking for 10 minutes while stirring regularly until the vegetables soften.
Add remaining vegetables and spices: Stir in peppers, crushed garlic, tomato purée, smoked paprika, and optional chilli powder. Cook for another 2 minutes to develop the flavors.
Add liquids and seasoning: Pour in chopped tomatoes along with water used to rinse cans. Season the mixture well and stir in Worcestershire sauce, sugar, and bay leaves.
Simmer and bake: Place the gammon into the casserole, cover, and bring the stew to a simmer on the stovetop. Then transfer the covered casserole to a preheated oven at 170°C (150°C fan/gas mark 3) and cook for 3 hours until the meat is tender.
Finish stew: Carefully remove the casserole from the oven and return it to medium heat on the stovetop. Add the drained haricot beans and simmer for 10 minutes until beans are heated through.
Shred gammon and serve: Use two forks to shred the gammon in the stew. Serve the hearty stew immediately for best flavor and warmth.
Storage instructions: Allow leftover stew to cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months. Defrost frozen stew overnight in the fridge prior to reheating until piping hot.