Camping trips are an excellent way to escape the stresses of everyday life, and what better way to enjoy the great outdoors than to cook over an open fire? A campfire can be a great source of warmth, light, and comfort and a fun and unique way to cook delicious meals in the wilderness.
However, it can be difficult to come up with quick and inexpensive camping recipes that are simple to prepare, require little equipment, and are also satisfying and tasty. Our collection of simple and inexpensive camping fire pit recipes comes in here.
In this guide, we've compiled a collection of simple, affordable recipes, ideal for cooking over a campfire. From breakfast to dinner, snacks to desserts, and everything in between, you'll find various delectable and simple-to-prepare recipes to make your camping trip a memorable and delicious experience.
These recipes will help you make the most of your time in the great outdoors, whether you're a seasoned camper or a first-timer. So gather around the campfire, pick a few ingredients, and get cooking.
Breakfast Recipes for a Campfire:
Campfire Omelet: In a zip lock bag, combine eggs, milk, salt, and pepper. Seal the bag and place it in boiling water for 8-10 minutes after adding the vegetables, cheese, and meat you choose.
Breakfast Burritos: Heat canned refried beans and scrambled eggs in a pan. Spread the mixture onto a tortilla, then top with cheese, salsa, and other desired toppings. Wrap the burrito and heat it over the fire.
Breakfast Sausage and Egg Sandwich: Cook breakfast sausage over the fire and top a toasted English muffin with scrambled eggs, cheese, and other toppings.
Banana Boats: Cut a banana in half lengthwise and stuff it with peanut butter and chocolate chips. Wrap the banana in foil and microwave for 5-10 minutes or until the chocolate is melted.
Pancakes: In a mixing bowl, pour the pancake batter onto a greased griddle or pan. Cook until the surface bubbles, then flip and cook until golden brown on both sides.
Campfire French Toast: Dip slices of bread in an egg and milk mixture, sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar and cook over a fire in a greased pan or skillet until golden brown.
Breakfast Skewers: Thread cubed potatoes, peppers, onions, and sausage onto skewers and cook over medium heat until the potatoes are tender and the sausage is heated.
Cinnamon Rolls: Cover pre-made cinnamon rolls with foil in a greased cast iron skillet. Cook for 20-25 minutes or until the rolls are golden brown and cooked through.
These delectable breakfast recipes are ideal for refueling before a day of camping or hiking. They are simple to prepare and cook over a fire, making them an excellent option for any camping trip.
Lunch Recipes that are Quick and Easy:
Grilled Cheese Sandwich: Place cheese between two slices of bread and cook in a cast iron skillet over the fire until bread is toasted, and cheese is melted.
Hot dogs: Skewer or grill hot dogs over a fire. Serve with ketchup, mustard, and relish on buns.
Quesadillas: Heat a tortilla in a skillet over medium heat, then top with shredded cheese, cooked chicken, or vegetables. Fold the tortilla in half and heat until the cheese melts.
Tuna Salad: Combine canned tuna, mayonnaise, diced celery, and onion. Serve with crackers or bread.
BBQ Chicken Wraps: Grill sliced chicken and coat it with BBQ sauce. Wrap the chicken in a tortilla with lettuce, tomato, and cheese.
Pasta Salad: Cook pasta and combine it with vegetables, cheese, and Italian dressing. Chill before serving.
Walking Tacos: Crush a bag of chips and layer taco meat, lettuce, cheese, and salsa on top. For a quick and easy lunch, eat straight from the bag.
Campfire Nachos: Layer tortilla chips with shredded cheese, beans, and cooked ground beef for Campfire Nachos. Cover with foil and cook over medium heat until the cheese melts.
These quick and easy lunch recipes are ideal for fueling you during a busy day of camping or exploring. They require little preparation and cooking time, making them an excellent choice for a midday meal.
Recipes for One-Pot Dinners:
Chili: In a large pot over medium heat, brown ground beef, then add canned tomatoes, beans, and spices. Simmer until thoroughly heated.
Beef Stew: Brown the beef in a pot over high heat before adding the vegetables, potatoes, and broth. Simmer until the vegetables are tender.
Chicken and Rice: Cook the chicken in a pot with the onions and garlic, then add the rice and broth. Simmer until the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through.
Campfire Tacos: In a skillet over the fire, brown ground beef, then add taco seasoning and water. Serve in tortillas with lettuce, cheese, and salsa as desired.
Spaghetti: Brown ground beef with onions and garlic in a pot, then add canned tomatoes and spaghetti noodles. Simmer until the noodles are tender and the sauce is thoroughly heated.
Jambalaya: Brown sausage in a pot over medium heat before adding rice, vegetables, and broth. Simmer until everything is cooked and thoroughly heated.
Shrimp Boil: Boil water in a pot over the fire and add shrimp, potatoes, corn, and sausage. Simmer until everything is tender and cooked.
Cowboy Stew: Brown ground beef in a pot over high heat, then add beans, canned tomatoes, and corn. Simmer until everything is thoroughly heated.
These one-pot dinner recipes are ideal for camping because they require little preparation and cleanup. They are also filling and hearty, making them suitable for a long day of outdoor activities. Over the campfire, you can make a delicious and filling meal with a few simple ingredients.
Camping Recipes for Vegetarians:
Grilled Veggie Skewers: Thread vegetables like bell peppers, onions, zucchini, and mushrooms onto skewers and grill over medium heat. Remove the seeds from the bell peppers and stuff them with cooked rice, beans, cheese, and spices. Wrap in foil and bake over an open flame.
Lentil Stew: In a pot over medium heat, cook lentils with vegetables, canned tomatoes, and spices. Serve with crackers or bread. Grilled Portobello Mushroom Burgers: Grill portobello mushroom caps and top with lettuce, tomato, and cheese on buns.
Chickpea Curry: In a pot over medium heat, cook chickpeas with coconut milk, curry powder, and vegetables. Serve alongside rice or naan bread.
Quinoa Salad: Combine cooked quinoa, chopped vegetables, beans, and vinaigrette in a mixing bowl. Chill before serving.
Veggie Foil Packets: Wrap chopped vegetables in foil with seasoning and drizzle with olive oil to make Veggie Foil Packets. Cook over high heat until the vegetables are tender.
Black Bean Tacos: Warm canned black beans in tortillas and top with lettuce, tomato, cheese, and salsa.
These vegetarian camping recipes are filling and delicious, making them ideal for a meat-free camping trip. They are also simple to prepare and cook over an open fire, making them an excellent option for outdoor cooking.
You can make tasty vegetarian meals on your camping trip with simple ingredients.
Recipes for Grilled Meats and Vegetables:
Grilled Chicken: Marinate chicken breasts in olive oil, garlic, and herbs, then examine until done.
Grilled Steak: Rub steak with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then grill over hot coals until done to your liking.
Grilled Fish: Marinate the fish in lemon juice, olive oil, and herbs before grilling it over an open flame until cooked through.
Grilled Vegetables: Brush zucchini, bell peppers, and onions with olive oil before grilling until tender and lightly charred.
Kabobs: Thread chunks of meat and vegetables onto skewers and grill over an open flame until done.
Grilled Corn: Brush corn with butter and season with salt before grilling over an open flame until lightly charred.
Grilled Eggplant: Brush eggplant with olive oil and grill over medium heat until tender and lightly charred.
Grilled Pineapple: Brush pineapple with honey and grill over medium heat until lightly caramelized.
Variations on desserts and S'mores:
S'mores: Over a fire, toast marshmallows and sandwich them between graham crackers and chocolate.
Grilled Fruit: Brush-sliced fruit with butter and grill until caramelized, such as peaches, pineapple, or bananas. Fill waffle cones with chocolate chips, marshmallows, and fruit, wrap them in foil, and grill over a fire until everything is melted and gooey.
Campfire Brownies: In a cast-iron skillet over the fire, bake brownies, then top with marshmallows and chocolate chips and grill until everything is melted.
Banana Boats: Cut a slit in a banana and stuff it with chocolate chips and marshmallows, then wrap it in foil and grill it over the fire until everything melts.
Dutch Oven Cobbler: In a dutch oven, combine the fruit, sugar, and biscuit mix and bake until the biscuit topping is cooked and golden.
Campfire Apple Crisp: In a cast-iron skillet, combine sliced apples, cinnamon, sugar, and oatmeal and bake over the fire until the topping is crispy, and the apples are tender.
Grilled Pound Cake: Brush pound cake slices with butter and grill until lightly toasted, then top with fruit and whipped cream.
Camping is an excellent way to disconnect from the stresses of everyday life and reconnect with nature. And what better way to spend time outside than cooking over an open fire? There are plenty of camping recipes to choose from, whether you want quick and easy breakfast ideas, one-pot dinner recipes, or delicious grilled meats and vegetables.
Don't forget about the dessert! S'mores and grilled fruit are a delectable way to cap off a day of hiking and exploring. You can prepare delicious and satisfying meals for your camping trip with some planning and basic cooking skills.
