Camping is one of the best parts of summer, but what about when you’re stuck cooking over a campfire? If you’re looking for some great meals to cook, look no further. We’ve got a list of some easy, delicious recipes that are perfect for your next camping trip.
Campfire Cooking Essentials
These are the things you’ll want to make sure you always have when you go out camping.
Outside Grill – The outside grill is the best thing ever! You can cook everything on this. It’s large and lets you cook as much food as possible, making it a good choice if you have a big family or are just cooking for a lot of people. Here are my favorite outdoor grills.
Campfire Grill – The campfire grill is the most common type of grill used for camping, especially if you’re just out to have a quick meal. It’s compact and cooks food faster than an outside grill would. Here are my favorite campfire grills.
Knife – A good knife is essential to making food and will also come in handy for many other purposes too, such as opening cans or cutting branches. Here are some of my favorite knives for camping.
Dutch Oven – A Dutch oven is great if you’re going to be doing a lot of cooking over the fire, or if you plan on making soups or stews. It’s also better than a campfire grill because it’s not as hard to clean. Here are the top Dutch ovens for camping.
Campfire seasonings – Seasoning your food with a little bit of salt and some other spices is an easy way to make it great. Here are the top seasonings for camping.
Spatula – A spatula is handy if you’re cooking on a grill and want to flip something over or turn it around. Here are my favorite spatulas for cooking.
Plate – Use a plate instead of a fork or spoon when you’re eating if you’re trying to be fancy, but otherwise I don’t think it matters much what you use as long as it’s not burnt/scorched. Here are some pretty plates for camping.
The 10 Best Meals to Cook Over a Campfire
#1: Homemade Fruit Kabobs
This recipe is as easy as can be and tastes amazing with fresh fruit like strawberries and raspberries. All you’ll need are skewers and just about any kind of fruit you can get your hands on!
Ingredients:
- 2 pears, peeled and cored
- 2 whole strawberries, quartered (frozen berries work well for this)
- 4-5 raspberries or blueberries
Instructions: Start by cutting the sticks for the meat of your kabobs (if you don’t have a meat skewer,. cut pieces of chicken, steak and steak tips). Next set up your kabobs by placing your first fruit on the skewer. Then, add a second fruit. If you want more color, use the same fruit (or something else) on each side. Do this until all of your fruit has been used up. Serve and enjoy!
#2: Corn on the Cob with BBQ Sauce
I love corn on the cob and this recipe makes that into an amazing meal. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients:
- 1 ear corn (or 2 small ears, if that’s what you have)
- 2 Tbsp. butter (plus a little more to brush on the corn)
Instructions: Place your corn on a cookie sheet and place it in the 250°F oven for 15 minutes. Brush with 1 Tbsp of butter and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until it’s tender. Serve with BBQ sauce and enjoy.
#3: Easy Campfire Cake
I love camping, and cakes are one of my favorite things to make. It’s so easy to make this yummy recipe that even a beginner can get it done. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients:
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 2 eggs
Instructions: Mix up the cake like it says on the package and pour it into a foil pan. Bake for 15 minutes at 350°F until set (the toothpick should come out clean). Cool completely, then frost with your favorite icing.
#4: Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
This is one of my favorites because bacon always makes everything better. It’s a great camping recipe because it’s so easy and you can use up a lot of your leftovers (like grilled chicken, steak and vegetables). Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. shrimp, cleaned & deveined (thawed, if frozen)
- 1/2 lb. bacon
Instructions: Wrap each shrimp with a piece of bacon, securing the bacon with toothpicks if necessary. Grill for approximately 15 minutes over medium-high heat. Serve and enjoy!
#5: S’mores Dip
This was one of my favorite treats to make when I was younger and I still think it’s just as yummy today. It makes a great snack or even a quick dessert. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients:
- 1 pkg. instant vanilla pudding (any flavor will work)
- 1 package (7 oz.) semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions: Mix up the pudding and set aside. Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl using 20 second intervals, stirring well between each 20 second time period. Once melted, add to the pudding mixture and stir until combined well. Dip goody bags into the pudding until completely coated, then place in a pan and put in the fridge for 2-3 hours. Serve with graham crackers or cookies.
#6: Easy Cheese and Tomato Toasts
The best thing about this recipe is that it’s quick, easy and delicious. It will go great with any meal or just on its own! Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients:
- 1 package (8 oz. or cup) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or pepper jack, if desired)
- 6 slices bread
Instructions: Mix up the cream cheese and cheese in a bowl and set aside. Spread the cheese on 1 slice of bread and top with another slice of bread. Toast in the oven until brown, then place dip in a bowl or napkin to serve (you’re going to need extra napkins).
#7: Campfire Chicken
This is an easy recipe that will turn out great every time. It’s very filling and perfect for a main dish or a side. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients:
- 1-1.5 lbs. chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 Tbsp. parmesan cheese
Instructions: Rinse and pat dry your chicken breasts. Place the chicken in a roasting pan and then drizzle with olive oil and then sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Place in a 200°F oven for 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (cover the lid with tin foil to prevent it from browning too much).
#8: Campfire Hot Dogs
This is a simple and delicious hot dog recipe that everyone will love. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients:
- 1 package (1 lb.) hot dogs, cut into 8 pieces each (hot dogs come in many different flavors)
- 1 can (3 oz. size) real bacon bits (not the fake stuff)
- 1 10 oz. jar grape jelly (any flavor)
- 8 hot dog buns
Instructions: Mix up the bacon and jelly in a saucepan. Heat over low until well blended, then spread onto each bun. Put your hot dogs on each bun and wrap in tin foil until warmed through, about 15 minutes. Place the hot dogs on a plate and spoon the sauce over each one. Serve and enjoy!
#9: Campfire Chicken Pot Pie
This is a classic campfire meal that will stand out from the rest. It’s simple to make and is sure to be a hit. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients:
- 1-1.5 lbs. chicken breasts, cut into small pieces (to make “chunks” of chicken)
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 onion, diced (onions can be found at your local grocery store)
- 4-5 potatoes, peeled and cubed (can also be found at your local grocery store)
- 1 jar (10 oz.) grape jelly
Instructions: Place chicken in a roasting pan or a dutch oven. Drizzle in the olive oil, then place onions and potatoes. Pour in the grape jelly and top with a lid to prevent spills. Bake in a 350°F oven for approximately 1 hour, or until chicken is cooked through. You’re going to need extra napkins.
#10: Campfire Pizza
This is one of my favorites because pizza always makes everything better. It’s a great camping recipe because it’s so easy and you can use up leftovers. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients:
- 1 package (8 oz. or cup) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or pepper jack, if desired)
- 1 can (3 oz. size) real bacon bits (not the fake stuff)
Instructions: Mix up the cream cheese and cheese in a bowl and set aside. Mash up your bacon in a separate bowl and mix in your favorite pizza toppings. Spread the bacon mix on 1 slice of bread, then top with another slice of bread. Toast in the oven until brown. Place on a plate and top with extra toppings if desired. DON’T use toothpicks here.
Conclusion
I hope you’ve enjoyed this list of camping recipes, but there are so many more that I could have included. There are dozens of delicious meals you can make with these as your guide. I really hope you try out these recipes, they are delicious and fun to make and will definitely be something you can enjoy over an open fire.