Cooking over an open campfire is one of the true joys of camping.
The flickering flames, the crackling wood, and the mouthwatering aromas wafting through the crisp mountain air – it’s an experience that awakens the senses and connects us with nature.
Whether you’re embarking on a weekend getaway or a wilderness culinary adventure, having a repertoire of delicious and easy campfire meals can elevate your outdoor excursion to new heights.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore 35 campfire cuisine masterpieces that are not only simple to prepare but also bursting with flavor.
From hearty dutch oven cooking to foil packet meals and smokeless fire pit recipes, we’ve got you covered with camping food ideas to suit every taste and skill level.
So, grab your camp kitchen essentials, and let’s dive into a world of outdoor cooking bliss!
Foil-Wrapped Hot Dogs
Wrap hot dogs in foil with sliced onions, peppers, and your favorite toppings. Cook 10-15 minutes over campfire coals until heated through.
Tip: Use doubled-up foil for easier handling over the fire.
Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Butter outside of bread and fill with cheese slices. Cook in a pie iron or foil packet over campfire until golden brown.
Tip: Add sliced tomatoes or ham for extra flavor.
BBQ Chicken Skewers
Thread chicken, veggies, and pineapple onto skewers. Brush with BBQ sauce and grill over campfire, turning occasionally, until chicken is cooked through.
Tip: Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 mins before using to prevent burning.
Bacon and Eggs Hash
Fry chopped bacon over campfire, then add diced potatoes and cook until browned. Create a well in the center and crack in eggs. Cover and cook until eggs are done.
Tip: Use a cast iron skillet for easy one-pan cooking.
Sausage and Veggie Foil Packets
Place sausages, potatoes, peppers, onions and seasonings in the center of a foil sheet. Seal into a packet and grill over campfire for 20-25 minutes.
Tip: Spray foil with cooking oil first to prevent sticking.
Grilled Pineapple
Slice pineapple into rings and grill over campfire until caramelized, about 3-5 minutes per side.
Tip: Brush with butter, cinnamon and brown sugar before grilling.
Campfire Quesadillas
Layer tortillas with cheese, beans, salsa, etc. Cook in a pie iron or foil packet over campfire until tortilla is crispy and filling is melted.
Tip: Use non-stick cooking spray for easy removal from pie iron.
Campfire Nachos
Layer tortilla chips, cheese, beans, salsa, etc. on a sheet of foil. Seal into a packet and grill over campfire until melted and heated through.
Tip: Top with guacamole, jalapeños, sour cream after cooking.
Grilled Shrimp Skewers
Thread shrimp onto skewers and brush with olive oil, garlic, and herbs. Grill over campfire until opaque, about 2-3 minutes per side.
Tip: Use two skewers for each skewer of shrimp to make flipping easier.
Campfire Beef Stew
In a Dutch oven, brown stew meat and then add broth, potatoes, carrots, and seasonings. Simmer for 1-2 hours with campfire coals on top and bottom.
Tip: Prep veggies at home to save time at the campsite.
Campfire Chili
Brown ground beef, then add beans, tomatoes, spices, etc. to a Dutch oven. Simmer for 30-60 mins over the campfire, stirring occasionally.
Tip: Top with cheese, sour cream, green onions.
Grilled Peppers
Brush peppers with oil and season with salt & pepper. Grill over campfire, turning occasionally, until charred and tender, 10-15 mins.
Tip: Try different varieties like bell, banana, jalapeño.
Campfire Tuna Salad Sandwiches
Mix drained tuna with mayo, celery, onions, mustard, etc. Scoop onto bread, rolls or tortillas.
Tip: Make tuna salad at home and just assemble sandwiches at the campsite.
Campfire Baked Potatoes
Rub potatoes with oil and salt, then wrap in foil. Nestle in campfire coals and cook for 45-60 minutes, turning occasionally.
Tip: Try topping baked potatoes with broccoli, chili, bacon bits.
Vegetable Skewers
Thread veggies like peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes onto skewers. Brush with olive oil and grill over campfire until tender.
Tip: Pre-soak wooden skewers for 30 mins to prevent burning.
Campfire Mac and Cheese
Cook pasta al dente, then mix with milk/cream, shredded cheese, and seasonings in a cast iron skillet. Top with breadcrumbs and grill over campfire until melted.
Grilled S’mores
Thread marshmallows onto skewers and toast over campfire coals until golden brown. Sandwich between graham crackers and chocolate bars.
Tip: Use cinnamon graham crackers or add peanut butter for a twist.
Breakfast Burritos
Scramble eggs and mix with cooked potatoes, cheese, salsa etc. Roll into tortillas and cook in a pie iron or foil packet until hot.
Tip: Add diced bell peppers, onions, bacon for extra flavor.
Campfire Grilled Vegetable Sandwich
Grill thick slices of veggies like zucchini, eggplant, portobello mushrooms. Layer on bread with pesto, cheese, arugula.
Tip: Brush veggies lightly with oil first so they don’t stick.
Grilled Salmon
Brush salmon fillets with olive oil, lemon juice, dill, salt and pepper. Grill over campfire, skin side down first, until fish flakes easily.
Tip: Grill fillets by making a pouch out of foil for easy release.
Campfire Pizza
Press refrigerated dough into a cast iron skillet to form the crust. Top with sauce, cheese, toppings. Cook covered over campfire for 15-20 minutes.
Tip: Partially cook the crust first before adding toppings.
Campfire Fajitas
Grill flank steak, chicken, or shrimp with sliced bell peppers and onions over the campfire. Serve with warm tortillas, salsa, guacamole.
Campfire Pot Roast
Sear a beef roast over campfire, then place in Dutch oven with broth, veggies and seasonings. Cook for 2-3 hours with coals on top and bottom.
Campfire Grilled Tofu
Marinate tofu in a mixture of soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic. Grill over campfire, basting with marinade, until lightly charred.
Campfire Stuffed Peppers
Mix rice, beans, veggies, cheese together for filling. Core out bell peppers and stuff with the mixture. Wrap in foil and grill until peppers are tender.
Campfire Jambalaya
In a Dutch oven, sauté smoked sausage, shrimp and chicken. Add rice, broth, and Cajun seasonings. Simmer over campfire for 20-25 minutes.
Campfire Stuffed Mushrooms
Remove stems from mushroom caps. Stuff with a breadcrumb, herb, cheese mixture. Wrap in foil and grill until mushrooms are tender.
Campfire Goulash
Brown beef and onions in a Dutch oven over the fire. Add broth, diced tomatoes, paprika and egg noodles. Simmer for 20-30 minutes.
Campfire Chicken and Rice
Cook rice according to package. In a foil pack, combine cooked rice with diced chicken, vegetables and seasonings. Grill over campfire for 15-20 minutes.
Campfire Ratatouille
In a Dutch oven or foil pack, combine diced eggplant, zucchini, bell pepper, onion, garlic, tomatoes and herbs. Cook over campfire for 30-40 mins.
Campfire Pancakes
Mix up pancake batter and spoon portions onto a greased cast iron skillet or griddle over the campfire. Flip when edges look dry.
Grilled Portobello Mushrooms
Remove stems and brush caps with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Grill over campfire until tender, about 5 minutes per side.
Campfire Pulled Pork
Rub a pork shoulder with spices and liquid smoke. Wrap tightly in foil and place in campfire pit, surrounding with hot coals. Cook for 6-8 hours, shredding meat when tender.
Tip: Cook pork shoulder until it reaches an internal temp of 195°F.
Campfire Smoked Sausages
Prep a smoker box or foil packet with wood chips. Place over campfire coals until smoldering. Grill bratwurst, kielbasa or other sausages next to the smoker, turning occasionally.
Tip: Soak wood chips in water for 30 mins before using to produce more smoke.
Campfire Shish Kebabs
Thread beef, chicken, shrimp, vegetables onto skewers. Brush with olive oil and seasonings. Grill over campfire, turning frequently, until proteins are cooked through.
Tip: Cut ingredients into similarly sized pieces so they cook evenly.
Final Thoughts
Cooking over a campfire allows you to embrace the rustic charm of the outdoors while creating incredibly flavorful meals.
Use cast iron cookware, foil packets, and grills to tap into that smoky goodness.
Get creative with dutch oven cooking, skewers, andfoil pockets stuffed with your favorite foods.
With the proper camp kitchen essentials and these campfire cuisine recipes, you’ll be a wilderness cooking champ!
Don’t be afraid to improvise and have fun with different flavor combinations for an unforgettable outdoor culinary adventure.
