Karen’s Campfire Potatoes are like the Dutch oven potatoes you eat when camping but they are made in a fraction of the time. Plus you don’t have to set up camp and start a fire! You’re going to love these red potatoes with onions, bacon and the perfect amount of seasoning.

Karen’s Campfire Potatoes (Instant Pot)
When I was young, I remember eating Dutch oven potatoes made with onions and bacon when camping and they were so good! I wanted to recreate the taste of those potatoes without all the work. My version uses red potatoes that are slightly pressure cooked. Then they are tossed with a bit of bacon fat, sauteed onions, salt, chili powder and paprika. The bacon fat is the key ingredient because it really gives that camping flavor. I think you’ll love these potatoes! I know I did!
Ingredients/Substitution Ideas
- Red potatoes–I keep the peels on and slice into wedges. I haven’t tried this particular recipe with a different type of potato but I think they would work fine.
- Uncooked bacon–the key to this recipe is sautéing the onion in the bacon fat. It adds so much flavor!
- Onion–I diced mine but you can also just slice them if you want them to be more prominent
- Kosher salt
- Chili powder
- Smoked paprika–gives a little tiny bit of heat and lots of flavor!
Steps
- Prepare potatoes: Wash the potatoes and slice each potato into wedges (I did 8 wedges per potato). Place the potatoes into a steamer basket.
- Prepare Instant Pot: Pour 1 ½ cups of water into bottom of Instant Pot. Lower the steamer basket into bottom of Instant Pot. I like using this silicone steamer basket*.
- Pressure cook: Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 2 minutes. When time is up move valve to venting and release the pressure.
- Move basket: Carefully remove the steamer basket and set it aside. Discard the water and dry out the inner liner and place it back inside the Instant Pot.
- Cook bacon: Turn Instant Pot to sauté setting. When display says HOT add in the bacon pieces and cook until crispy. Use a slotted spoon to move the bacon pieces out of the pot and onto a paper towel lined plate. Set aside.
- Sauté onions: Add the onions into the pot with the bacon grease. Sauté until translucent.
- Season: Add in the potatoes, salt, chili powder and paprika. Toss well. Turn off Instant Pot. Toss in the cooked bacon.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes/Tips
- Serve with any dinner you like. Great with steak, pork chops, barbecue chicken, etc. Tastes great with a side of green beans or asparagus.
- I used my 6 quart Instant Pot*. You can also make this in a 3 or 8 quart pot.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container* in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Other recipes you can make with

6 More Instant Pot Potato Recipes You’ll Love…
Instant Pot Cheesy Bacon Breakfast Potatoes
Tender cubed potatoes tossed in seasonings with bacon, green pepper, onions and cheese. Perfect for breakfast (or dinner)!
Instant Pot Parmesan Ranch Potatoes
Tender cubes of red potatoes covered in a flavorful cheesy sauce. With only a 2 minute pressure cook time this recipe comes together so quickly.
Instant Pot Man Lovin Potatoes
Cheesy red potatoes with bacon, sour cream, onions and seasonings. Everyone (including the men in your life) will love these potatoes…they are like a party in your mouth!
Instant Pot Disney Potatoes
Instant Pot Disney Potatoes–cubed potatoes enveloped in a cheesy sauce with bacon. A magical potato experience that takes only minutes to make in your pressure cooker!
Parmesan Fingerling Potatoes
Air fried or oven-roasted fingerling potatoes with a crispy rosemary parmesan crust and a smooth buttery center. They are super fast and easy and may become your new favorite food!
Did you know you can filter the recipes on my website to search by meat type, IP or Crockpot, low carb, gluten free, etc.? Use the filter to find exactly what you are looking for.



Karen’s Campfire Potatoes (Instant Pot)
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
Description
Karen’s Campfire Potatoes are like the Dutch oven potatoes you eat when camping but they are made in a fraction of the time. Plus you don’t have to set up camp and start a fire! You’re going to love these red potatoes with onions, bacon and the perfect amount of seasoning.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds red potatoes
- 4–6 slices of uncooked bacon, cut into half inch pieces
- 1 cup diced onion
- 3/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
Instructions
- Wash the potatoes and slice each potato into wedges (I did 8 wedges per potato). Place the potatoes into a steamer basket.
- Pour 1 ½ cups of water into bottom of Instant Pot. Lower the steamer basket into bottom of Instant Pot.
- Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 2 minutes. When time is up move valve to venting and release the pressure.
- Carefully remove the steamer basket and set it aside. Discard the water and dry out the inner liner and place it back inside the Instant Pot.
- Turn Instant Pot to sauté setting. When display says HOT add in the bacon pieces and cook until crispy. Use a slotted spoon to move the bacon pieces out of the pot and onto a paper towel lined plate. Set aside.
- Add the onions into the pot with the bacon grease. Saute until translucent.
- Add in the potatoes, salt, chili powder and paprika. Toss well. Turn off Instant Pot. Toss in the cooked bacon.
- Serve and enjoy!
- Category: Side
- Method: Instant Pot

*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
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