Hairy Bikers Slow Cooker Campfire Stew

This hearty smoky Hairy Bikers Slow Cooker Campfire Stew Recipe is made with lean gammon, mixed beans, and ready in 8 hours. The magic happens when the tender meat falls apart effortlessly into the rich tomato sauce. I love how simple it is to prepare before letting the slow cooker do the heavy lifting.

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Why This Classic Works

I used to find gammon quite tough when baked, but slow cooking completely transforms the texture. Letting it simmer low and slow with smoked paprika and beans breaks down the meat perfectly.

The surprise for me was using standard baked beans alongside kidney beans. It adds a subtle sweetness that balances the rich, smoky tomatoes beautifully.

Hairy Bikers Slow Cooker Campfire Stew Recipe Ingredients

• 750g lean gammon joint
• 1 large onion, diced
• 2 bell peppers, chopped
• 2 celery sticks, sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 400g tin chopped tomatoes
• 400g tin baked beans
• 400g tin kidney beans, drained
• 1 tbsp tomato puree
• 1 beef stock cube

How To Make Hairy Bikers Slow Cooker Campfire Stew Recipe

1. Prepare the vegetables: Dice the onion, peppers, and celery, then finely chop the garlic cloves.
2. Load the slow cooker: Place the whole gammon joint at the bottom of the slow cooker pot.
3. Add the flavour: Pour in the chopped tomatoes, baked beans, drained kidney beans, paprika, cumin, and tomato puree.
4. Include the vegetables: Add the diced vegetables and crumble the beef stock cube over the top.
5. Cook the stew: Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours until the gammon is completely tender.
6. Shred the meat: Remove the gammon, shred it using two forks, then stir it back into the rich stew before serving.

Recipe Tips

• Choose lean meat: Trim any excess fat from the gammon joint before cooking to prevent a greasy stew.
• Rinse the kidney beans: Always rinse tinned kidney beans to remove the starchy liquid.
• Adjust the heat: Add a pinch of chilli flakes if you prefer a spicier campfire kick.

What To Serve With Campfire Stew

Campfire Stew pairs brilliantly with a thick slice of crusty bread or a warm jacket potato to soak up the smoky sauce. A simple green salad on the side cuts through the richness nicely.

How To Store

Keep leftover stew in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. It freezes beautifully for up to 3 months, making it brilliant for batch cooking. Reheat thoroughly on the hob until piping hot.

FAQs

Can I cook this on high?
Yes, you can cook it on high for 4 to 5 hours, though low and slow gives the best texture.

Do I need to add water?
No, the moisture from the gammon and tinned tomatoes creates plenty of sauce as it cooks.

Can I use a different cut of pork?
Pork shoulder works well if you cannot find gammon, but you will need to add salt to taste.

Do I need to brown the meat first?
There is no need to brown the gammon before slow cooking, which saves valuable prep time.

Nutrition

• Calories: 345 kcal
• Total Fat: 6g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Cholesterol: 55mg
• Sodium: 950mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 35g
• Protein: 38g

Try More Recipes:

• Hairy Bikers Moussaka Recipe
• Hairy Bikers Slow Cooker Liver and Onions Recipe
• Hairy Bikers Slow Cooker Goulash Recipe