Over the last year, camping in the U.S. has grown in popularity, especially with first-time campers. The number of first-time campers in the U.S. from 2019 to 2020 has grown five-fold according to Kampgrounds of America. Thanks to the pandemic the boom in first-time campers spending their vacation time outdoors in nature at campgrounds around the country is a trend that doesn't appear to be slowing down anytime soon. 

Whether you are a seasoned camper or a newbie figuring out what to make for meals on your trip can be difficult. Cooking over a campfire is completely different than the oven or microwave cooking you do at home but that doesn't mean the quality of your meals should suffer. Campfire cooking takes a little practice and some pre-planning but the meals can be just as good, if not better than what you have been making at home. 

Making sure you have the right camping tools to cook over your campfire is important. Here are a few must-have basic tools I recommend you invest in (or borrow from a friend). 

Hot dog / Marshmallow Roasting Sticks

Pie Irons

Campfire Cooking Grate 

Cast Iron Skillet

Dutch Oven

 

Heat Resistant Grill Gloves 

 

Armed with the right tools for the job you are all set to prepare a tasty meal for your family. Building a campfire and waiting for the fire to burn down into hot coals is the perfect time to get the ingredients ready and prepped for cooking. 

5 Easy Meals To Make On Your Next Camping Trip

There are countless meals you can make over a campfire. Camping isn't all about eating just hot dogs and roasted marshmallows as many people think that is all they can cook over a campfire. There are so many great meals you can cook over a fire. As a new camper to help you get started with meal planning I am going to share 5 easy meals you can make on your first camping trip.

#1 PIE IRON PIZZA

Pizza is a popular meal that you can easily serve your family for dinner anytime. While the pie iron pizza isn't quite as fast as a Little Ceasar's Hot-n-Ready it is worth the wait. 

• two slices of buttered bread buttered or Pillsbury pizza dough in a can cut to fit the pie iron
• pizza sauce
• toppings of your choice
• mozzarella cheese

Place the buttered side of the bread against the pie iron then spread the pizza sauce over the bread. Spread your pizza toppings and cheese over the sauce then place the second piece of bread butter side up on top of the cheese. Close the pie iron and lock it in place. Scrape off any pieces of bread that are sticking outside of the pie iron. Place the pie iron into the hot campfire coals and let it cook for 3-5 minutes per side. Crack open the pie iron to check if the pizza is done. When the bread is golden brown you know the pizza is ready. 

#2 FOIL PACKET SALMON BAKE

Who says you can't have fine dining when camping? Baked salmon, especially if you catch your own out on the lake that day is a treat for anyone. Prepare your fish for the campfire by coating a piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil with cooking spray then lay your salmon skin side down in the center of the foil. Add any seasonings (Old Bay is my favorite) and a slice of lemon on top of the salmon then fold the foil around the salmon to seal it closed. Place the foil packet on a campfire grill grate over the hot coals of a campfire for indirect cooking. When the salmon is no longer pink it is ready for dinner! 

#3 CHICKEN & SAUSAGE SHISH-KABOB

If you have never made shish-kabob at home you are in for a real treat with this meal. Cut 2-3 chicken breasts and 4-5 smoked sausages (brats or kielbasa work well too) into 1-inch chunks. Thread the meat onto metal skewers then place them onto a metal cooking grate over hot campfire coals. While the meat is cooking cut up peppers, onions, mushrooms, potatoes, and zucchini into 2-inch pieces and thread them onto metal skewers then brush olive oil over the veggies. When the meat is about halfway done add the vegetables to the cooking grate. Make sure to turn and the meat and vegetable skewers regularly so they cook evenly on all sides. Slide the cooked meat and veggies off of the skewers into a serving dish and serve alongside a loaf of crusty bread. 

#4 CAST IRON SKILLET RIBEYE STEAK

The cast-iron skillet will do all the work for you to make this amazing dish. To prepare make sure your campfire coals are good and hot and that your cooking grate is placed just above the coals so the cast iron pan gets nice and hot. While you prepare the campfire season your steak with salt and pepper allowing the seasonings to marinate the meat.  Preheat your skillet, drizzle a little vegetable oil into the skillet and then place the steak into the hot pan. Let it cook for a few minutes per side until it is cooked to your liking. Remove the steak from the skillet and let it rest for 5-10 minutes covered.

 

#5 PORK CHOPS & POTATOES

Comfort food at the campfire is the best way to describe this meal. I recommend you get this meal going earlier in the afternoon since it will take about an hour to cook over the campfire before it is ready to serve for dinner. 

• 4-5 pork chops (medium thickness)
• olive oil
• butter (melted)
• 2 cups bread crumbs
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 3/4 cup water
• 3-4 potatoes cubed
• salt & pepper 

Preheat the dutch oven on the hot coals of a campfire then drizzle 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil into the bottom of the pan. Season the chops with salt and pepper then once the oil is hot lightly brown the pork chops in the oil. Melt the butter in a small pan then mix it with the bread crumbs and 1/4 cup of water. Spread the bread crumb mixture over the pork chops. Cover the pork chops with the diced potatoes. Mix the soup with the rest of the water then pour it over the potatoes. Cover top of the dutch oven with hot coals and cook the chops for one hour ensuring the hot coals remain at 350 F. 

These tasty meals should get you started for your first week of camping. Once you get comfortable using these campfire cooking tools you can really get creative with your campfire meals. 

CAMPFIRE DESSERT

After a delicious hearty campfire meal, I know your kids are going to ask what is for dessert! No problem. Campfire desserts can be just as amazing as the meal you just cooked. Get those marshmallow roasting sticks ready because here are some mouthwatering gourmet s'more recipes you should try on your camping trip:

10 Gourmet Smore Recipes

Pie Iron Fruit Pies

Before you put your pie iron away why not bake a few fruit pies in it for dessert. Butter two slices of bread placing one slice buttered side down on the pie iron. Add a few spoonfuls of canned pie filling into the center then place the second piece of bread butter side up on top of the filling. Close the pie iron and cut off the extra bread. Place the pie iron on top of hot coals flipping it every few minutes to ensure even cooking. Once the bread is golden brown your pie is ready! 
Full bellies make for happy campers! I know you will enjoy these delicious recipes and so will your family. 

Is this your first time camping? I'd love to hear how your camping vacation went as well as what meals you made to feed your crew - please share your experience in the comments.