mitchs beef casserole
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Mitch’s Camp Oven Beef Casserole

Is there anything more enjoyable than cooking over an open fire? The immense satisfaction that accompanies patiently tending to a slow-cooked camp oven beef casserole or roast while gathered around the campfire is unmatched.

Camp oven cooking and camping are inseparable, akin to the perfect pairing of ham and cheese toasties with jaffle irons – it’s a fundamental combination!

Mitches Camp Oven Beef Casserole simmering over the fire on a cooking grill

On countless occasions, we’ve encountered individuals who completely disregard nutrition and flavour when embarking on camping trips. They opt for the convenience of 2-minute noodles, chip sandwiches, and endless servings of BBQ sausages.

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While we do find some of these food choices enjoyable, the nutritional benefits are often derived more from the packaging they come in rather than the food itself…

Our passion lies in campfires, and we thoroughly enjoy cooking over them. Just because we’re away from the confines of a traditional kitchen doesn’t mean we have to compromise on the quality of our meals.

In fact, we believe that cooking over a campfire enhances the overall culinary experience!

mitchs camp oven stew seasoning

Today, we’re featuring a recipe prepared with our beloved spun steel camp oven, and we want to share a few reasons why we adore it:

  1. Nostalgic Roots: The spun steel camp oven is a reminiscent part of our upbringing, evoking memories of cherished moments around the fire.
  2. Featherweight Advantage: Unlike its cast iron or Dutch oven counterparts, our spun steel camp oven is delightfully lightweight, making it easier to transport and handle during our outdoor adventures.
  3. Versatility Unleashed: This incredible piece of cookware is a true multitasker, functioning as a saucepan, oven, and frying pan all rolled into one. It’s a compact powerhouse of culinary possibilities.
  4. Culinary Creativity: With our trusty bedourie, we’ve successfully cooked an array of delectable dishes, ranging from mouthwatering pizzas to freshly baked bread and muffins. Its versatility knows no bounds.
FEATURED
bedourie camp oven

Dr. Livingstone’s
Bedourie Camp Oven

  • This high-quality steel Bedourie is a lighter option compared to a cast iron camp oven, cooks the same, and is just as easy to use. 

Let’s cook the Camp Oven Beef Casserole

So, let’s dive into today’s recipe and showcase the remarkable capabilities of our spun steel camp oven!

Mitch’s Camp Oven Beef Casserole

Recipe by Mitch – Wandering AusCourse: MainDifficulty: Easy
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking time

1

hour 

30

minutes
Calories

300

kcal
Total time

1

hour 

40

minutes

Ingredients

  • 500 grams of diced Beef or Lamb

  • 4 Rashers of Bacon

  • 4 Cloves of Garlic or a good spoonful of crushed garlic

  • 1 Onion diced

  • Rosemary

  • Thyme

  • Salt and Pepper

  • 1 Can Crushed or Diced Tomatoes

  • 2 Tablespoons Tomato Paste

  • 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

  • 1 Stubby of Stout

  • 2 Diced Potatoes

  • 4 Sliced Carrots

  • 2 Teaspoons Beef Stock

  • 2 Teaspoons Gravy Powder

  • 2 Teaspoons Plain Flour

  • 500mls Water

  • 1 Medium Broccoli cut into small bits

  • Oil for Cooking

Directions

  • On a fairly high heat over coals add a good dash of any cooking oil to the camp oven, and wait for the oil to get up to temperature before adding the meat.
  • Add diced meat and brown lightly before adding the bacon, onion and garlic.
  • Once the meat and bacon are lightly browned, add herbs, salt and pepper (a good seasoning!)
  • Add tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, stout (or red wine), potatoes and carrots. Give it a good stir.
  • In the can from the tomatoes mix stock powder, gravy powder and flour into a paste with a little bit of water. Fill the can with water and stir until dissolved. Lower the heat under the camp oven and place the lid on.
  • After about 45 minutes of simmering add broccoli and give a good stir. Check back every 30 minutes or so, making sure the casserole is simmering and NOT boiling.
  • After a couple of hours remove the lid for the last 20 – 30 minutes to let the casserole reduce and thicken. If you’re going down the damper dumplings road, skip this step, add the damper dumplings to the top of the casserole and replace the lid. Add a shovelful of coals to the lid of your camp oven and cook for 20 – 30 minutes or until the damper is no longer doughy.
  • Serve when thick and gravy-like.

Recipe Video

Notes

  • Try cooking our Damper Dumplings recipe on top of the casserole to make a complete meal.

Bedourie FAQ

What is a Bedourie?

A Bedourie is a type of camp oven or cooking pot traditionally used in Australian outback cooking. It is specifically designed for outdoor cooking and is made from spun steel, which makes it lightweight and durable.

The Bedourie camp oven typically has a circular shape with a deep base, high walls, and a tight-fitting lid. It is often used for baking, roasting, frying, and stewing food over open fires or hot coals.

The Bedourie’s construction allows for even heat distribution and retention, making it a versatile and practical cooking utensil for outdoor enthusiasts

Who invented the Bedourie?

The Bedourie camp oven is said to have been invented by Australian explorers or pioneers who required a lightweight and portable cooking vessel during their journeys in the Australian outback.

The exact identity of the individual who first invented the Bedourie is unclear, as it emerged as a practical solution to the needs of those traversing the rugged landscapes of the outback.

What town does the Bedourie come from?

Bedourie Camp Oven small

The Bedourie camp oven is named after the town of Bedourie, which is located in the Channel Country region of western Queensland, Australia.

Bedourie is a small outback town known for its connection to the Bedourie camp oven and is situated approximately 1,600 kilometres (994 miles) west of Brisbane, the capital city of Queensland.

Is a Bedourie a Camp Oven?

The Bedourie oven originated as an Australian variation of the camp oven, also known as the Dutch oven.

Drover workers stationed at Bedourie Station in western Queensland faced a recurring issue with their cast iron camp ovens breaking when accidentally dropped from pack horses.

To address this challenge, the Bedourie oven was specifically crafted. In contrast, to cast iron, the Bedourie oven is constructed from mild steel, making it lighter in weight and less prone to brittleness.

This innovative design ensures that the oven remains intact even if accidentally dropped, providing a durable solution for outback cooking in the rugged Australian terrain.

Where to buy a Bedourie?

bedourie camp oven

Bedourie @ Snowys Snowys Camping Store

This high-quality steel Bedourie is a lighter option compared to a cast iron camp oven cooks the same, and is just as easy to use. 
bedourie tentworld

Bedourie @ Tentworld Tentworld Camping Store

This high-quality steel Bedourie is a lighter option compared to a cast iron camp oven cooks the same, and is just as easy to use. 

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