20 Camping Recipes Perfect for Cooking Over an Open Fire
No one goes hungry on this trip.
If you ask the Drummond family, one of summer’s greatest pleasures is packing up and heading out on a camping trip together. There's nothing quite like unplugging from everyday life and soaking up nature with the ones you love. Maybe you'll go hiking, catch some fish, or even spot a few birds—but whatever your adventure holds, you'll definitely need something tasty to keep you fueled up. So before you zip into those sleeping bags, check out these easy and delicious camping recipes.
Back when the Drummond kids were younger, camping trips along the creek were a yearly tradition. "They fish and play and build a fire, and they talk and lie back and look at the stars," Ree says. They'd also chow down on classic camping food like cowboy beans and grilled sausages cooked over the fire. Here, you'll find family favorites, plus plenty of new campfire dinners and foil-packet recipes perfect for cooking outdoors. Some are even easy enough to whip up right on a portable grill.
You’ll also find lots of camping snacks that you can pack in your cooler ahead of time. And to give your trip the sweet ending it deserves, there are campfire desserts like grilled fruit as well as some s'mores desserts. After all, it wouldn't be camping with roasted marshmallows, now would it?
Cedar Plank Salmon
Cooked on the grill over a soaked cedar plank, the fish stays tender and flaky while getting a smoky, woodsy flavor that fits right in with outdoor cooking. Extra points if you caught the fish yourself!
Get Ree’s Cedar Plank Salmon recipe.
Campfire Baked Brie
This brie turns warm and melty over the fire, then gets topped with dried apricots, olives, walnuts, and a generous drizzle of honey. It’s perfect for scooping up with bread, crackers, or fruit.
Get Ree’s Campfire Baked Brie recipe.
Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs
Hot dogs over the fire are a no-brainer. Pile them into buns and let everyone customize with toppings like jalapeños, red onion, ketchup, or mustard, and you’ve got a real upgrade!
Get the Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs recipe.
Pickle Cheeseburger Bites
Forget the squished buns you packed in a bag! Instead, stack mini patties with your favorite cheeseburger toppings on skewers and suddenly, you've got the perfect bite.
Get Ree's Pickle Cheeseburger Bites recipe.
Dr Pepper BBQ Chicken
Bring a few cans of Dr Pepper along on your camping trip—you’ll want one for sipping and another for this flavorful grilled chicken. The soda helps create a sticky-sweet sauce that makes the chicken especially delicious.
Get Ree's Dr Pepper BBQ Chicken recipe.
Simple Grilled Flank Steak
When you're camping, quick recipes are key. Flank steak cooks fast and tastes great with minimal huffin' and fussin' in the summer heat. Grill each side for a few minutes and pair it with beans for an easy camp dinner.
Get the Simple Grilled Flank Steak recipe.
Poblano-Potato Bundles
Why boil potatoes when grilling them is so much simpler with these poblano-potato foil packs? Toss it all together, wrap tightly, and grill for a creamy and delicious side!
Get Ree's Poblano-Potato Bundles recipe.
Beer Brats
Brats simmered in beer and onions make for a heavenly camping meal. Finish them off on the grill and they're good to go.
Get the Beer Brats recipe.
Beer Can Chicken
Crack open a cold beer, then save that can for grilling chicken. It's easy, keeps the meat tender, and gives you plenty of time to relax around the fire.
Get the Beer Can Chicken recipe.
Grilled Veggie Skewers
Camping doesn't have to mean skipping your veggies. These skewers loaded with zucchini, tomatoes, mushrooms, and peppers grill up beautifully and taste even better!
Get the Grilled Veggie Skewers recipe.
Grilled Watermelon
Toss watermelon slices onto the grill for a smoky twist, then add a sprinkle of cilantro and lime zest to make it even tastier.
Get the Grilled Watermelon recipe.
Campfire Cones
These cones stuffed with classic s'mores ingredients are easy and fun. No sticky fingers, just happy campers!
Get the Campfire Cones recipe.
Grilled Chicken Marinade
Make this marinade at home and pack it in a mason jar. It'll keep your grilled chicken juicy and delicious without any extra work at camp. (Just be sure to only marinade the chicken for up to four hours.)
Get the Grilled Chicken Marinade recipe.
Grilled Peaches
Grilled peaches are sweet and simple on their own, but you can also top them with ice cream or yogurt for a tasty campfire treat.
Get the Grilled Peaches recipe.
Grilled Shrimp Skewers
Shrimp might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to camping recipes, but this easy skewer method makes it easy to cook them up on an outdoor grill.
Get the Grilled Shrimp Skewers recipe.
Grilled Sausages and Peppers
Sausage and peppers is such a versatile dish. You can serve it on a platter and let guests help themselves or make sandwiches using toasted rolls.
Get the Grilled Sausages and Peppers recipe.
Cowboy Beans
Looking to eat like a cowboy? Just make a batch of these comforting beans. They'll warm you up even when the sun goes down on the open range.
Get the Cowboy Beans recipe.
Grilled Corn on the Cob
This method of grilling corn leaves some of the husk in place to help steam the corn, but exposes some of the kernels for that ultimate charred look.
Get the Grilled Corn on the Cob recipe.
S'mores Bars
You can't have a camping trip without s'mores! This recipe allows you to make the treats at home the night before so you can pack them up for wherever your adventure might take you.
Get the S'mores Bars recipe.
Beef Taco Skillet
Cast iron skillets are the perfect vessel for cooking over a campfire stove or open flame. They're practically indestructible and they can hold an entire one-pan meal, like this beef taco skillet.
Get Ree's Beef Taco Skillet recipe.
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