Campfire Cooking: Mouthwatering Recipes to Elevate Your Outdoor Adventure

There’s nothing quite like the smell of a campfire and the sizzle of food cooking over open flames. Campfire cooking is an art that combines the joy of the great outdoors with the comfort of a hearty meal, and it doesn’t have to be limited to basic hot dogs and marshmallows. With a little creativity and preparation, you can transform your camping experience into a gourmet adventure, full of delicious flavors and memorable meals. Here are some mouthwatering campfire recipes to try on your next camping trip that will leave everyone asking for seconds.

Classic Campfire Breakfast Skillet

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, especially when you’re camping and need the energy for a full day of activities. This classic campfire breakfast skillet is easy to make and packed with protein to fuel your adventures.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb breakfast sausage or bacon
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 4-5 medium potatoes, diced
• 6 large eggs
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated cheese (optional)

Instructions:

1. Begin by heating a cast-iron skillet over the campfire. Add the sausage or bacon, cooking until browned and crispy. If using bacon, remove it from the skillet once cooked and set it aside.
2. Add the diced potatoes to the skillet, cooking in the bacon grease or sausage drippings until they start to soften and become golden brown. This should take about 10-15 minutes.
3. Add the onions and bell peppers to the skillet, cooking until they are tender.
4. Make small wells in the mixture and crack the eggs into each well. Allow the eggs to cook until the whites are set but the yolks are still runny, or longer if you prefer your eggs fully cooked.
5. Season with salt and pepper, and sprinkle grated cheese on top if desired. Serve hot and enjoy your hearty campfire breakfast.

Campfire Chili in a Dutch Oven

Nothing warms you up on a cool night like a steaming pot of campfire chili. This one-pot wonder is perfect for feeding a crowd and is best cooked in a Dutch oven over a bed of hot coals.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 cups beef or vegetable broth
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat on the campfire. Add the chopped onion and garlic, cooking until they become fragrant and translucent.
2. Add the ground beef or turkey, breaking it apart with a spoon, and cook until browned.
3. Stir in the chopped bell pepper, diced tomatoes, kidney beans, black beans, and broth.
4. Season with chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Stir well and cover the Dutch oven.
5. Move the Dutch oven over a bed of hot coals and let the chili simmer for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once the flavors have melded together, serve the chili hot with your favorite toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, or chopped green onions.

Foil Packet Garlic Butter Shrimp and Veggies

Foil packet meals are a convenient and tasty way to cook over a campfire with minimal cleanup. This garlic butter shrimp and veggie recipe is perfect for a light yet satisfying dinner after a day of hiking or exploring.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 zucchini, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 small red onion, sliced
• 3 tbsp melted butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lemon, sliced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. Prepare four large sheets of aluminum foil. Divide the shrimp, zucchini, bell pepper, and red onion evenly among the foil sheets.
2. In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter and minced garlic. Drizzle the garlic butter mixture over the shrimp and veggies.
3. Place a couple of lemon slices on top of each foil packet and season with salt and pepper.
4. Fold the edges of the foil together to create a sealed packet. Place the packets on the campfire grill grate or over medium-hot coals.
5. Cook for 10-12 minutes, or until the shrimp are pink and cooked through and the veggies are tender.
6. Carefully open the packets (be cautious of the steam) and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Campfire Pizza on a Cast Iron Skillet

Pizza lovers rejoice! You can enjoy a delicious pizza cooked right over the campfire with this easy cast iron skillet method. It’s customizable, making it a hit for both kids and adults.

Ingredients:

• 1 pre-made pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 cup pizza sauce
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• Your favorite pizza toppings (pepperoni, mushrooms, bell peppers, olives, etc.)
• Olive oil for greasing the skillet

Instructions:

1. Begin by stretching the pizza dough to fit the size of your cast iron skillet. Lightly oil the skillet to prevent sticking.
2. Place the skillet over the campfire for a few minutes to preheat. Carefully add the stretched dough to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the bottom begins to brown.
3. Remove the skillet from the heat and flip the dough over. Spread the pizza sauce over the cooked side of the dough, then sprinkle with cheese and add your desired toppings.
4. Return the skillet to the campfire, covering it with a lid or foil to help melt the cheese. Cook for an additional 6-8 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
5. Remove from heat, let it cool slightly, then slice and enjoy your campfire pizza.

S’mores Banana Boats

No campfire experience is complete without a sweet treat, and these s’mores banana boats are a fun twist on the classic campfire dessert. They’re easy to make and perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth after a long day.

Ingredients:

• 4 ripe bananas
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup mini marshmallows
• 1/4 cup crushed graham crackers

Instructions:

1. Keeping the peel on, slice each banana lengthwise down the middle, being careful not to cut all the way through. Gently pull the banana apart to create a pocket.
2. Stuff each banana with chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, and crushed graham crackers.
3. Wrap each banana in aluminum foil, leaving a small opening at the top.
4. Place the foil-wrapped bananas on the campfire grill grate or over medium-hot coals. Cook for about 10 minutes, or until the chocolate and marshmallows are melted.
5. Carefully open the foil packets and enjoy your gooey, delicious s’mores banana boats with a spoon.

Campfire Bread on a Stick

This simple recipe is a favorite for campers of all ages. It’s fun to make and pairs well with savory dishes or as a standalone treat with a bit of butter and honey.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup water
• Butter or honey for serving

Instructions:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add water and mix until a soft dough forms.
2. Divide the dough into small portions and roll each portion into a long, thin rope.
3. Wrap the dough around the end of a clean roasting stick, ensuring it is evenly distributed.
4. Hold the stick over the campfire, rotating slowly to cook the bread evenly. It should take about 10-12 minutes for the bread to turn golden brown and cook through.
5. Slide the bread off the stick and enjoy it warm with a pat of butter or drizzle of honey.

Tips for Successful Campfire Cooking

Campfire cooking can be a bit unpredictable, especially when it comes to temperature control. Here are some tips to help you master the art of cooking over an open flame:

• Use the right equipment: A cast-iron skillet, Dutch oven, and long-handled tongs are invaluable tools for campfire cooking. Cast iron retains heat well and is durable enough to withstand the campfire’s intensity.
• Manage the heat: Campfire cooking is all about controlling the heat. Use a mix of flames and hot coals to achieve different cooking temperatures. Cooking over coals is often more consistent than cooking directly over the flame.
• Prep ingredients in advance: Chop vegetables, marinate meat, and measure out ingredients before leaving home to make the cooking process smoother and more enjoyable at the campsite.
• Be patient: Cooking over a campfire can take longer than on a stove, so be patient and allow your food to cook thoroughly. The results are worth the wait.