20 of the best easy outdoor recipes to make on your next camping trip
It’s the question I get asked again and again – what can we cook over the fire on our next camping or camper van trip? There’s something really special about making and sharing delicious food cooked outdoors, but getting open fire cooking can be daunting enough that you might find yourself reaching for instant noodles. If you’re wild camping, there’s nothing wrong with relying on good dehydrated food. But if you’re somewhere you can cook, I’ve got you covered with 20 of the best easy outdoor recipes that will feed a hungry gang. And here’s how to build and light the perfect cooking campfire.
20 of the best easy outdoor recipes
1. Campfire Grilled Loaded Baked Potatoes
Who doesn’t love a hefty baked potato groaning under tasty toppings? These campfire grilled loaded baked potatoes are split into quarters for a quicker cook time and wrapped in foil so they can be popped in embers with an easy clean up afterwards.
2. Campfire Nachos
Made in one skillet or frying pan, these quick campfire nachos are the ultimate evening treat after a long day of racking up the miles on the trails. Oozy, gooey, and cheesy, this is the great outdoorsy version of fast food.
3. Camping Chicken Quesadillas
The beauty of these camping-friendly chicken quesadillas is that you can make them ahead of time, keep them in the foil, and then just pop them straight on the campfire or in the pan come evening. Packed with flavour, protein, and veggies, this is my go-to balanced outdoor recipe if I want to just relax and have a beer when I’ve pitched my tent without having to cook.
4. Lemon Pepper Campfire Salmon
Bring gourmet grub to the campsite with this lemon pepper campfire salmon, which looks a lot more fancy than it is (just in case you want to impress your tent mate). Foil holds in all the juices for great flavour and ensures that clear-up is at a minimum. Great with salad or a fire-cooked potato.
5. Corn & Tomato Gnocchi Foil Packs
Gnocchi is something that I didn’t realise was insanely easy to cook over a fire. These homemade foil packs steam as they cook, giving you soft and pillowy gnocchi alongside tasty corn and tomatoes in just a few minutes. You can even use the foil as a dish.
6. Prawn Foil Packets
Want to have beachfront holiday vibes no matter where you’ve pitched up? These prawn foil packets are tasty, simple to prepare and super quick to cook. If you are setting up camp by the sea you could even buy fresh seafood for this one. Great for livening up dried pasta.
7. Smoky Sausage and Black Bean Chilli
If you’re in need of something warming and hearty for a winter camp or for warming up after a mountain adventure, you can’t go wrong with this one-pot wonder. Just pop everything in the saucepan and wait for the smoky magic to happen. Great without the sausages for veggies, too.
8. Coconut Chickpea Curry
Looking for an easy and tasty veggie or vegan recipe to make alfresco? This coconut chickpea curry is surprisingly simple and comes together all in one pot for easy clean up after you’ve finished eating.
9. Walking Tacos
If you haven’t heard of walking tacos, you’re in for a treat. Cook off the mince and veggies in a pan, tip the contents into an individual bag of tortilla crisps, and sprinkle some cheese on top. They work for wild camping or are great for a fuss-free kids meal.
10. Camping Breakfast Sandwiches
Breakfast is definitely the most important meal of the day if you’re planning to cover miles of trails. If you usually just eat something quick and cold, try these hearty, warming breakfast sandwiches – you can wrap them up for a hillside lunch later in the day as well.
11. Tofu, Tomato, and Courgette Kebabs
Kebabs are a staple of the outdoor recipe scene for good reason – they’re great fun but fuss-free. These tofu, tomato, and courgette kebabs are vegan-friendly, easy to put together and require limited equipment.
12. Camping Chilaquiles Recipe
Spicy, saucy, and delicious, chilaquiles are my favourite brekkie when in Mexico, and I was chuffed by how easy they are to whip up over a campfire. With the tomato base, running eggs, and strips of crispy tortillas, this is a filling breakfast of champions – and it can all be done in one skillet or frying pan over the fire. Pack plenty of bread to mop it up with.
13. Grilled Mexican Street Corn (Elotes)
Continuing with my Mexican obsession, Elotes take the campfire classic of corn on the cob and add a street food twist with spices, cheese and mayonnaise. There’s a reason that these tasty bites can be found on pretty much every Mexican street corner – they’re a brilliant way to zhuzz up veggies when camping.
14. Campfire Bratwurst with Peppers and Onions
Take the classic campfire hot dog on a stick to the next level with this super simple bratwurst with peppers and onions recipe. Cooked all in one pan at the same time, the buns, sausages (vegan sausages work well too), and veggies soak up the cooking flavours for seriously tasty dogs.
15. Camping Mac and Cheese
Is there a comfort food out there as pleasing as mac and cheese? This is a prep-ahead recipe that just takes 10 minutes to warm through on the coals and is another one I reach for when it’s cold – and one I ate almost daily when trekking in the demanding Himalayas. You can add spices, hot sauce, meat or fish to liven it up, too.
16. S’mores
It’s not a campfire without a s’mores for pudding. While Americans use graham crackers, this particular recipe sticks the easier-to-find rich tea biccie to chocolate and marshmallows for a calorific treat. Obligatory.
17. Berry Crisp Foil Pack
Yes, you can have what is essentially a crumble in a foil pack! Layer berries and this oat crumble mix together and seal up the pouch for a mess-free camping dessert or a sugar hit at breakfast. You can make these foil packs up ahead of time or mix them together when you get to your campsite.
18. Barbecued Banoffee Splits
Bananas stuffed with chocolate is a Boy Scout and Girl Guide favourite – this recipe adds brown sugar and vanilla for a toffee take. If I’m cooking this for grown ups I like to add a slug of rum to the mix before barbecuing.
19. Chocolate Fondue with Toasted Marshmallows
If you’re looking for something even more decadent than s’mores (if that’s possible) but still want the same flavour, try this campfire chocolate fondue recipe. Warm up the melted chocolate fondue in a saucepan and toast the marshmallows in the flames underneath. A good one for glampers.
20. Barbecued Peaches
Craving a fruit treat? Take nectarines or peaches, coat them in sugar, and pop them on the barbecue or on a grill over the fire. Just two ingredients plus the magic of fire makes for a smoky sweet delight.
