Looking to make delicious meals for your next camping trip? Use these failsafe recipes to upgrade your average camping experience to the next level. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, a seasoned camper, or just someone looking to elevate their culinary skills in the great outdoors, this comprehensive article is your passport to mastering the art of cooking over an open flame. So, gather around the fire, sharpen your cooking skills, and get ready to discover the secrets of creating delicious, fireside feasts that will leave your taste buds craving for more.
- Shish Kebabs
Shish Kebabs are easy and require minimal cooking equipment. Moreover, the skewering and grilling process imparts a smoky char and caramelization that enhances the overall flavor profile. This cooking method seals in the juices, resulting in juicy, succulent meat and perfectly grilled vegetables. Shish kebabs also offer endless versatility; you can customize them to suit your taste, whether you prefer beef, chicken, lamb, seafood, or a vegetarian option.
What you’ll need:
- Flat skewers (Metal or bamboo)
- Metal tongs
- Campfire grate
- Cubed meat (such as beef, chicken, lamb, or shrimp)
- Assorted vegetables (bell peppers, onions, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, mushrooms, etc.
- Olive oil for brushing
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Ziploc bag of marinade of your choice (you can use a store-bought marinade or make your own)
- Optional: herbs, spices, and seasonings for extra flavor
Instructions:
First, prepare your vegetables and meat by cutting them into bite-sized chunks or slices. You can marinade the meat for 30 minutes in a plastic ziploc bag with a marinade of your choice. After the meat has marinated, thread the meat and prepared vegetables onto the skewers in an alternating pattern. Leave some space between each ingredient for even cooking. Season the assembled kebabs with salt and pepper, and brush them with a little olive oil to prevent sticking on the grill.
Get your fire roarin’, clean your grate over the fire by good ol’ scraping if it’s dirty. Place the kebabs on the grill and cook for about 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure even cooking. Cooking times may vary depending on the size of your meat and vegetables, so use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
Recipes to try:
2. Tin Foil Dinners
What you’ll need:
Tin foil dinners are an easy way to make dinners with no heavy cooking equipment or pots and pans, and minimal cleanup! The customization of tin foil dinners ensures that you can tailor your meal to your personal taste preferences, making it both delicious and satisfying.
- Heavy duty aluminum foil
- Oil or butter
- Variety of your favorite vegetables
- Fish or meat
- Salt and pepper
- Your favorite seasonings
Instructions: Once you have a roaring fire, move the bigger pieces of wood with flames to the side so you have a nice pile of hot coals to set your tin foil packets on. Use two sheets of 16″x12″ foil, and add a slab of butter or drizzle of oil to the middle. Place a piece of fish or meat to it, and your favorite vegetables around it. Sprinkle your favorite seasonings, and seal! To seal the packets, tightly crimp the seams to keep liquids from leaking out.
Recipes to try:
3. Dutch Oven One-Pot meals
Dutch oven camp dinners are a cherished tradition for outdoor enthusiasts, and their popularity is well-deserved. The heavy lid and thick walls of a Dutch oven promote even heat distribution, allowing for slow, steady cooking that tenderizes tough cuts of meat and intensifies the flavors of your ingredients. This makes Dutch oven camp dinners perfect for stews, roasts, and baked dishes that are comforting and hearty. Moreover, their durability and versatility mean you can cook virtually anything over a campfire or with charcoal, making them a reliable and multifunctional campfire cooking tool.
What you’ll need:
- Dutch Oven
- Lid lifter or heat resistant gloves
You can choose to cook on a campfire grate or tripod over a fire or hot coals, or place the dutch oven directly onto the coals for faster cooking!
Recipes to try:
- Campfire Desserts
Finish your fantastic campfire meal with an easy campfire dessert recipe! The anticipation of a sweet and gooey indulgence, makes campfire desserts a cherished and irresistible camping tradition for many. There are so many options out there: you can try a variation of the classic s’mores recipe, or even make your favorite fruit cobbler or pastry dessert using the fire.
Recipes to try:
Come try all of your favorite recipes at Wander Camp!
Written by: Meg T