While we will always love the tradition of roasting a hotdog over an open fire, why not take your next campfire cookout beyond the simple stick and dog? Turns out there’s a lot you can cook over an open flame without having to fire up the barbecue—all you need is some tinfoil, a pie iron, a dutch oven, and an open imagination.
Entertaining
15 simple meals that can be cooked over a campfire
Mixed Mushroom Pack
The woody flavour of roasted mushrooms is the perfect complement for a cool evening outdoors (and if you do opt to roast a few hot dogs, you can use these seasoned mushrooms as a gourmet topping and go from a basic dog to a fancy frank). Recipe: marthastewart.com
Tomato and Basil Grilled Cheese
There’s nothing wrong with a good old-fashioned grilled cheese sandwich, but it just takes a few extra ingredients to transform that pie-iron classic into a gourmet meal. Just add in a few slices of tomato and basil leaves, upgrade your cheese from sliced cheddar to mozzarella, and swap sliced white bread for soft Italian loaf. Recipe: hickcountry.com
Camping quesadillas
Bring a bit of Tex-Mex flavour to the cottage or your campsite with these campfire quesadillas. Fill your tortillas with toppings, wrap in tinfoil, and cook atop a grill over the fire (alternately, you could use a pie iron). Best of all, no plates needed since everyone can eat their quesadilla straight from the foil, so there’s no mess to clean up! Recipe: cupcakediariesblog.com
Grilled Pineapple Ham Kabobs
The only thing better than pairing ham with pineapple is pairing grilled ham with grilled pineapple. These kabobs are super easy to make (only two ingredients required) and could work as either an appetizer or main paired alongside salad or grilled veggies. Recipe: shewearsmanyhats.com
Coconut-Lime Fish Packets
Foil packets are perfect for cooking fish over a campfire—you don’t have to worry about the fish ending up charred or stuck to a grill. This tropical fish dish requires minimal prep work, and everything gets cooked together in one packet, so there’s less mess to clean up afterward. Just remember to close up the foil packets airtight so that you don’t end up with coconut milk dripping out the seams when you flip. Recipe: thescrumptiouspumpkin.com
Paper Bag Eggs and Bacon
The kids (and anyone who hates doing dishes) are going to love this breakfast in a bag. Line the bag with bacon to create a greasy nest, then crack an egg on top and cook it all together over an open flame, hanging the bag from a roasting stick. Just be sure to watch it closely as it heats up to ensure your entire meal doesn’t go up in flames. Recipe: realfamilycamping.blogspot.ca
Orange-Thyme Grilled Shrimp
Combine shrimp with citrus and herbs, wrap in foil, and toss on a grill over an open fire for this super easy meal. Be sure to marinate the shrimp ahead of time for the best flavour, and close the foil packets tight to keep the juices inside. Pair with slices of crusty bread that you’ve toasted right on the grill. Recipe: yummyhealthyeasy.com
Sheepherder’s Breakfast
Cook your entire breakfast menu (bacon, hashbrowns, and eggs) in one dutch oven and serve up a hearty breakfast that will fill everyone up for a day outside. You’ll have to prep it in a few stages, but the finished product will be a gooey, protein-packed meal that’s perfect for serving large crowds. Recipe: tasteofhome.com
Pie Iron Calzones
Homemade pizza is a guaranteed crowd pleaser at any time, but especially when it’s enjoyed around a campfire. Prep all your toppings ahead of time (shredded cheese, pepperoni slices, chopped veggies, and tomato sauce), then set them out for people to build their perfect pie-iron ‘za. Recipe: mustardseeds.typepad.com
Grilled Paella
While you could mix up paella in a dutch oven or cast iron skillet, you can also go one step easier with nothing more than a pie plate and some foil. This easy version calls for chicken, chorizo, and shrimp, but you can change it up with any other meats or veggies that suit your tastes. Recipe: app.com
BBQ Party Pack
Vegetarians will love these packs that include every piece of produce you can think of (and if you can think of more that aren’t part of the ingredients, add away!) If your family and friends are more carnivores, you can easily add in the protein of your choice. For best results, wrap these up the night before so the veggies can absorb all of the seasonings. Recipe: veganyackattack.com
Blue Cheese Bacon-Wrapped Mushrooms
Consider these the savoury version of s’mores—a rich, gooey, smokey delight. Grill them, or cook them right on the stick over coals rather than flames (you want to make sure the bacon cooks right through without burning the mushroom). Recipe: laurenslatest.com
Onion Bombs
Forget traditional burgers! Instead, serve up these onion-wrapped beef balls that don’t require a grill. Prep the bombs in advance, then wrap them in tinfoil and store them in the fridge or cooler until you’re ready to toss them onto the coals. Serve them with ketchup or mustard to satisfy that burger craving in a totally new way. Recipe: mykitchenescapades.com
Cheesy Dutch Oven Potatoes
Campfire chefs know that a dutch oven is the ultimate cookout tool—you can just toss everything in and let your meal cook itself. This cheesy potato dish will require two steps, but is still an easy all-in-one meal. This recipe requires just a few basic ingredients (bacon, onions, cheese, and potatoes), but feel free to add a few herbs or spices for a fancier side dish. Recipe: onesweetappetite.com
Campfire Frittata
Perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, the frittata is the meal that does it all! Save this recipe for the end of a camping weekend or after a visit to the cottage from friends, when you want to use up all the leftovers. Veggies, meats, cheeses, and herbs can all be mixed and matched to suit your tastes, so use this recipe as a guideline, but don’t be afraid to experiment. Recipe: alitedesigns.com
