5 Easy Campfire Recipes

Cooking over an open fire is one of the greatest joys of camping. Whether it’s the crackle of flames, hint of smoke or the essence of being outdoors, a meal cooked over a campfire just seems to taste better. But it can also be frustrating trying to cook without the modern conveniences we are accustomed to at home. When you finally settle into your off-grid destination and kick into relaxation mode, nobody wants to spend countless hours trying to fix a meal.

Here are a few favorites that not only taste better cooked outdoors but use simple ingredients and require very few steps.
 
 

1. MOUNTAIN MAN BREAKFAST

Nothing gets your day in the great outdoors off to a better start than this hearty breakfast slowly cooked in a Dutch oven. Cast-iron is ideal for campfire cooking. The thick metal will stand up to high temps, and once hot, it retains the heat. However, if you are backpacking in to your campsite, you may want to rethink cast-iron and go with something lighter weight.

Filled with protein, carbs and cheesy goodness, this meal means business. Your neighbors will make their way to your campsite with any excuse to chat, just to get a plate. If you are lucky, they will bring you a decent cup of coffee. You can easily prep most of the ingredients at home, before you leave for your camping adventure. Throw it all in the Dutch oven and sip the coffee your neighbor brings over.

Ingredients:
1 lb. mild pork sausage, crumbled
5-6 strips of bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 red bell pepper, chopped
2 lb package frozen hash browns, shredded
12 eggs, beaten
1 package shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:
Cook and stir the sausage, onion, and garlic in a 12-inch cast iron Dutch oven with lid, raised over the coals to medium-high heat, until the sausage is no longer pink, and the onion is tender
Stir in the peppers and hash brown potatoes until evenly mixed. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the hash browns are hot, and the peppers are tender, about 15 minutes.
Pour the beaten eggs evenly over the top of the potatoes, allowing them to sink into the potatoes. Cover the Dutch oven, and place 6 to 9 coals underneath, and 12 to 18 on top.
Allow to bake until the eggs are firm, about 40 minutes. Sprinkle with Cheddar cheese, cover, and continue cooking until the cheese has melted, about 5 minutes.

*Mountain Man cooks best if you use charcoal briquettes to help heat your fire.

2. BEER ME-LIGHTLY FRIED FISH

This meal idea is good for any camping weekend, but it is GREAT if your trip involves fishing! Nothing beats fresh fish fried right next to the water you caught it in. This 5-ingredient recipe is one of the easiest you can find, and involves minimal prep time.

Ingredients:
1 pound fish fillets, ½ pound per person, serves two
1 cup buttermilk pancake mix
1 cup beer
1 cup flour
¼ cup cooking oil

Directions:
Heat up the cooking oil to medium high. Open the beer and take a sip
Dredge the fish fillets in the flour and coat evenly. Take another sip of beer.
Stir the pancake mix and about ¾ cup of beer together. Mix it with a fork until smooth. Drink the rest of the beer.
Take the floured fish fillets and dip them in the batter, coating evenly
Put fish fillets into the oil and cook until the outside is golden brown and delicious. Only cook two at a time, or as long as you are not over-crowding your pan.
Drain on a paper towel and eat

*Sprinkle with dill, pepper, or lemon seasoning for extra flavor
 
 

3. CAMPER’S POTATOES

Take advantage of the great flavor you get with campfire cooking and make these easy Camper’s Potatoes. This is a simple way to add a tasty side dish to your lunch or dinner with only three steps. Who doesn’t love potatoes? And they go great with grilled burgers, chicken, or steak. You can heat up the leftovers for breakfast the next morning.

Ingredients:
4 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into 1” cubes
1 large red onion, cut into 1” cubes
1 (8 oz.) package sliced mushrooms
1 (1 oz.) envelope dry onion soup mix
¼ cup butter, melted

Directions:
Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat or use a cooking grate over campfire
Toss together the potatoes, onion, mushrooms, and soup mix in a large bowl. Drizzle in the butter and toss to coat. Divide into 4 portions, and seal each portion well in several layers of aluminum foil.
Cook potatoes on preheated grill until tender, 30-40 minutes. Turn at least once during cooking to ensure that they cook evenly.

4. CAMPFIRE PIZZAS

All you need is a couple loaves of bread, a pie iron, and a few ingredients to put between two slices, and you’ve got breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert! A favorite for most outdoor lovers, is the Campfire Pizza. Bring a variety of pizza fixings and everyone can make their own personal pie. Turn it into a dessert with apple or blueberry filling and sprinkle both sides, after cooked, with cinnamon and sugar or powdered sugar.

Ingredients:
1 jar pizza quick sauce
1 8-oz. package of mozzarella cheese
1 roll Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled
1 small package pepperoni
½ bell pepper, chopped
½ onion, chopped
1 stick butter
2 loaves bread

*Add any type of topping you like to eat on your pizza: mushrooms, black olives, pineapple, etc.

Directions:
Heat the pie iron in the fire for couple of minutes.
Open only one end of the butter and run all over the inside of the pie iron.
Place a slice of bread on each open side of iron.
Mix all other ingredients and add about 2 Tbsp. of meat mixture. Fold back together and cook in fire until toasted on each side; about 5 minutes.
Repeat process over and over!

5. CAMPFIRE APPLE PIE

And now for dessert! Put a piece of bread into a pie iron and top with 2 tablespoons of apple pie filling. Add another piece of bread on top and fold the pie iron back together and cook. When pie is golden brown, remove and sprinkle both sides with cinnamon and sugar and eat. Great for breakfast or dessert. You can use any type of pie filling. Try sprinkling the finished pie with powdered sugar.