Campfire cooking can seem daunting at first, but in reality, it’s not much different than cooking in your own home. Sure, the fire burns a little hotter — and cooks more efficiently than your standard electric stovetop — but with the right tools and a creative mindset, you can whip up elevated campfire cooking meals that will make everyone else at the campground jealous.
Gone are the days of settling for bland hot dogs and canned beans. Whether you’re grilling over an open flame, using a trusty cast iron skillet, or wrapping ingredients in foil for easy cleanup, the possibilities for elevated campfire recipes are endless. Imagine digging into a perfectly seared ribeye with chimichurri, savoring a rich skillet berry cobbler, or enjoying the smoky goodness of foil-packed lemon herb salmon — all cooked right at your campsite.
The key to mastering gourmet campfire cooking lies in planning, packing the right ingredients, and embracing the beauty of cooking outdoors. With a little preparation and a spirit of adventure, you can create restaurant-quality meals that not only satisfy your taste buds but also add an extra touch of magic to your outdoor experience.
So whether you’re a seasoned camper or just getting started, it’s time to level up your outdoor meals. From hearty breakfasts to indulgent desserts, these elevated campfire cooking recipes will turn your campsite into a five-star dining experience under the stars.
Elevated Campfire Cooking Recipes
Breakfast
1. Smoked Salmon and Herbed Cream Cheese Bagels – Toasted bagels with smoked salmon, dill cream cheese, and capers.
2. Cast Iron Frittata with Goat Cheese and Spinach – Eggs, spinach, cherry tomatoes, and creamy goat cheese baked over the fire.
3. Dutch Oven Cinnamon Rolls – Freshly baked cinnamon rolls with a maple glaze cooked to perfection in a Dutch oven.
4. Savory Campfire Breakfast Burritos or Tacos – Scrambled eggs with cheese, sausage or chorizo, avocado, and hashbrowns in warm tortillas topped with salsa is a marvelous way to start any day.
5. Fire-Grilled French Toast with Berries – Thick slices of bread soaked in a cinnamon-vanilla batter, topped with fresh berries and syrup.
Lunch
6. Campfire Caprese Sandwiches – Fresh mozzarella, basil, and heirloom tomatoes on toasted ciabatta with a balsamic drizzle.
7. Foil Pack Garlic Butter Shrimp and Veggies – Shrimp, zucchini, and bell peppers cooked in a garlic butter sauce over the fire.
8. Smoked Chicken Salad Wraps – Smoked chicken, dried cranberries, pecans, and a light lemon mayo wrapped in spinach tortillas. Prep these before you head to camp for an easy-to-grab lunch on the go.
9. Grilled Halloumi and Vegetable Skewers – Halloumi cheese, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes grilled with a lemon-herb marinade.
10. Rustic Campfire Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Dippers – Fire-roasted tomatoes blended into a creamy soup served with gourmet grilled cheese.
11. One Pot Creamy Sausage and Onion Pasta — The combination of sauteed onions, Italian sausage, and luscious cream is hard to beat. Get the full recipe here >
12. Grilled Caesar Salad with Steak — Have you grilled lettuce before? If not, you should. Grill your steak and lettuce, top with your favorite Caesar dressing and shaved parmesan cheese, and enjoy!
Dinner
13. Foil Packet Lemon Herb Salmon with Asparagus – Fresh salmon fillets cooked with lemon, garlic, and herbs wrapped in foil. Get the full recipe here >
14. Cast Iron Ribeye with Chimichurri – Perfectly seared ribeye steak topped with fresh chimichurri sauce. My favorite chimichurri sauce is from Sam the Cooking Guy.
15. Bourbon-Glazed Pork Chops with Sweet Potatoes – Juicy pork chops glazed with a bourbon reduction served with campfire-roasted sweet potatoes.
16. Cast Iron Pizza — Make personal pan pizzas at camp with a reliable cast iron pan! Ensure you preheat the pan before adding the dough, marinara sauce, cheese, and your favorite toppings. Grill it over the fire until the cheese is bubbly and the dough is cooked through.
17. Pesto Pasta with Prosciutto and Burrata — Delicious pesto, crispy prosciutto, and creamy burrata come together to make a quick and easy camp dinner that comes together in 15 minutes. Get the full recipe here >
Snacks & Sides
18. Grilled Artichokes with Lemon Aioli – Fire-grilled artichokes served with a tangy lemon aioli dip.
19. Charred Corn Salad with Cotija and Lime – Fire-roasted corn with cotija cheese, cilantro, and a zesty lime dressing.
20. Campfire Baked Brie with Honey and Nuts – Warm, gooey brie topped with honey, nuts, and served with crackers.
21. Sweet Potato Fries with Spicy Aioli – Crispy campfire-roasted sweet potato fries paired with a smoky aioli.
Desserts
22. Skillet Berry Cobbler with Vanilla Cream – Mixed berries topped with a buttery biscuit crust cooked in a cast iron skillet. This cobbler comes together so quickly when you use frozen mixed berries and Bisquick biscuit topping, making it the ideal elevated campfire cooking dessert.
23. Grilled Peaches with Mascarpone and Honey – Caramelized peaches served with sweet mascarpone and a drizzle of honey.
24. S’mores with a Twist – Gourmet s’mores with dark chocolate, peanut butter, and banana slices. I always pack almond dark chocolate for a quick and easy alternative to elevate my s’mores at camp.
25. Campfire Banana Boats – Bananas stuffed with chocolate chips, marshmallows, and nuts wrapped in foil and grilled.
Would you try any of these on your next camping trip?
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