Camping is a cherished activity for many Canadian families, offering a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and enjoy the great outdoors. One of the highlights of camping is gathering around the campfire to cook and share meals. Campfire cooking adds a special touch to the camping experience, making it memorable and fun.

Having great recipes is essential for a successful camping trip. Delicious meals can boost everyone’s spirits, provide necessary energy, and bring people together. Whether you are a seasoned camper or new to the experience, having a repertoire of tasty and easy-to-make camping recipes can make your trip even more enjoyable.

Why Good Food Matters While Camping

Good food is an essential part of any camping trip. Nutritious and tasty meals provide the energy needed for outdoor activities like hiking, swimming, and exploring. They help keep everyone in good spirits and can make the camping experience much more enjoyable. When you’re out in nature, a delicious meal can be a highlight of the day, bringing everyone together around the campfire.

Prepping your meals ahead of time can save you from the mental load while you’re out in nature. By planning and preparing your recipes before you leave, you can focus more on relaxing and less on what to cook next. In this post, we will share some of the best camping recipes. From hearty breakfasts to easy lunches, tasty dinners, and delightful desserts, we’ve got you covered. These recipes are perfect for camping trips and will help you create unforgettable meals that everyone will love.

Campfire Cooking Basics

Cooking over a campfire can be a delightful experience, but it’s important to have the right gear and follow safety tips. Essential campfire cooking gear includes a sturdy grill grate, long-handled utensils, heavy-duty aluminum foil, and a reliable Dutch oven. A cast-iron skillet and heat-resistant gloves are also very useful.

Setting up a safe and effective cooking area starts with choosing a clear spot away from tents and flammable materials. Build your fire within a designated fire pit or ring, and always have water and a shovel nearby to control the flames. Arrange your cooking area so that you have easy access to all your tools and ingredients, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable campfire cooking experience.

Camping Recipes for Breakfast

Campfire Breakfast Burritos

• Ingredients: Tortillas, scrambled eggs, cooked bacon or sausage, shredded cheese, diced bell peppers, salsa.
• Preparation Steps: Pre-cook the bacon or sausage. Dice the bell peppers.
• Cooking Instructions: Lay a tortilla flat, add scrambled eggs, bacon or sausage, cheese, and bell peppers. Wrap tightly in aluminum foil. Heat over the campfire for about 5-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until warm and the cheese is melted. Add salsa before serving.

Dutch Oven Pancakes

• Ingredients: Pancake mix, water, oil or butter.
• Preparation Steps: Mix pancake batter according to package instructions.
• Cooking Instructions: Heat the Dutch oven over the campfire and add oil or butter. Pour in the pancake batter. Cover and cook for about 10 minutes or until bubbles form on the surface. Flip and cook for another 5 minutes until golden brown. Serve with syrup or fresh fruit.

Campfire Omelette in a Bag

• Ingredients: Eggs, diced ham, shredded cheese, diced vegetables (bell peppers, onions, tomatoes), ziplock bags.
• Preparation Steps: Dice the ham and vegetables.
• Cooking Instructions: Crack eggs into a ziplock bag and add ham, cheese, and vegetables. Seal the bag, removing as much air as possible, and squish to mix. Boil water in a pot over the campfire, then place the bag in the water and cook for about 10-15 minutes until the omelette is set. Carefully remove and serve.

French Toast Sticks

• Ingredients: Bread slices, eggs, milk, cinnamon, sugar, butter.
• Preparation Steps: Mix eggs, milk, cinnamon, and sugar in a bowl. Cut bread slices into sticks.
• Cooking Instructions: Dip bread sticks into the egg mixture. Heat butter in a skillet over the campfire. Cook the dipped bread sticks until golden brown on all sides. Serve with syrup or powdered sugar.

Granola and Yogurt Parfaits

• Ingredients: Granola, yogurt, fresh fruit (berries, bananas).
• Preparation Steps: Slice the fresh fruit.
• Preparation Instructions: In a cup or bowl, layer yogurt, granola, and fresh fruit. Repeat the layers until the cup or bowl is full. Serve immediately for a quick and healthy breakfast.

Easy Lunch Camping Recipes

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

• Ingredients: Bread slices, butter, cheddar cheese slices.
• Preparation Steps: Butter the outside of each bread slice.
• Cooking Instructions: Place a slice of cheese between two slices of bread, with the buttered sides facing out. Heat a skillet over the campfire and cook the sandwich until golden brown on both sides and the cheese is melted, about 2-3 minutes per side.

Campfire Quesadillas

• Ingredients: Flour tortillas, shredded cheese, cooked chicken or beef, salsa.
• Preparation Steps: Shred the cooked chicken or beef.
• Cooking Instructions: Place a tortilla in a skillet over the campfire. Add cheese and meat on one half of the tortilla, then fold the other half over. Cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is golden brown. Serve with salsa.

Chicken Salad Wraps

• Ingredients: Cooked chicken, mayonnaise, celery, grapes, tortillas.
• Preparation Steps: Dice the cooked chicken and celery, halve the grapes.
• Preparation Instructions: In a bowl, mix the chicken, mayonnaise, celery, and grapes. Spoon the mixture onto a tortilla and wrap it tightly. Serve immediately.

Campfire Tacos

• Ingredients: Ground beef or turkey, taco seasoning, tortillas, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese.
• Preparation Steps: Cook and season the ground meat with taco seasoning.
• Cooking Instructions: Warm the tortillas in a skillet over the campfire. Fill each tortilla with seasoned meat, lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese. Fold and serve.

Caprese Sandwiches

• Ingredients: Ciabatta bread, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil leaves, balsamic glaze.
• Preparation Steps: Slice the ciabatta bread, mozzarella, and tomatoes.
• Preparation Instructions: Layer mozzarella, tomato slices, and basil leaves on the ciabatta bread. Drizzle with balsamic glaze. Serve as a cold sandwich for a refreshing and easy lunch.
• Options: Figs, mint, various cheeses

Tasty Dinner Recipes

Foil Packet Chicken and Veggies (or Fish and Veggies if You’re Lucky!)

• Ingredients: Chicken breasts, mixed vegetables (bell peppers, zucchini, carrots), olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder.
• Preparation Steps: Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Chop vegetables into similar-sized pieces.
• Cooking Instructions: Place chicken and vegetables on a large piece of aluminum foil. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Fold the foil to create a sealed packet. Cook over the campfire for about 20-25 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked and vegetables are tender.

Campfire Chili

• Ingredients: Ground beef, onion, garlic, canned tomatoes, kidney beans, chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper.
• Preparation Steps: Chop the onion and garlic.
• Cooking Instructions: In a Dutch oven over the campfire, brown the ground beef with chopped onion and garlic. Add canned tomatoes, kidney beans, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Stir well and let simmer for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve hot.

Dutch Oven Lasagna

• Ingredients: Lasagna noodles, ground beef, marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese.
• Preparation Steps: Brown the ground beef and mix with marinara sauce.
• Cooking Instructions: In a Dutch oven, layer lasagna noodles, meat sauce, ricotta cheese, and mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers until ingredients are used up, finishing with mozzarella and parmesan cheese on top. Cover and cook over the campfire for about 45 minutes, until the noodles are tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Campfire Mac and Cheese

• Ingredients: Elbow macaroni, cheddar cheese, milk, butter, salt, pepper.
• Preparation Steps: Cook macaroni according to package instructions.
• Cooking Instructions: In a pot over the campfire, melt butter and stir in cooked macaroni. Add milk and cheddar cheese, stirring until the cheese is melted and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

Grilled Sausages with Peppers and Onions

• Ingredients: Sausages, bell peppers, onions, olive oil, salt, pepper.
• Preparation Steps: Slice bell peppers and onions.
• Cooking Instructions: Toss sliced bell peppers and onions with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Grill sausages over the campfire until cooked through, about 10-15 minutes. At the same time, cook peppers and onions in a skillet until tender. Serve sausages with grilled peppers and onions on top.

The Ultimate Snack Recipes for Around the Campfire

Campfire Popcorn

• Ingredients: Popcorn kernels, oil, salt, heavy-duty aluminum foil.
• Preparation Steps: Prepare squares of aluminum foil and add a handful of popcorn kernels and a teaspoon of oil to each.
• Cooking Instructions: Fold the foil into a pouch, ensuring it’s sealed well but with room for the popcorn to expand. Place the pouch on a grill grate over the campfire and shake occasionally until popping slows. Season with salt and enjoy.

Trail Mix

• Ingredients: Nuts (almonds, cashews, peanuts), dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, apricots), chocolate chips or M&Ms.
• Preparation Steps: Measure out equal parts of each ingredient.
• Preparation Instructions: Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. Store in ziplock bags or airtight containers for an easy and portable snack.

Campfire Nachos

• Ingredients: Tortilla chips, shredded cheese, black beans, diced tomatoes, jalapenos, salsa.
• Preparation Steps: Dice tomatoes and jalapenos.
• Cooking Instructions: Layer tortilla chips in a cast-iron skillet. Top with shredded cheese, black beans, tomatoes, and jalapenos. Cover with foil and place over the campfire until the cheese is melted, about 10-15 minutes. Serve with salsa.

Fruit Kebabs

• Ingredients: Assorted fresh fruits (strawberries, pineapple, melon, grapes), wooden skewers.
• Preparation Steps: Cut fruits into bite-sized pieces.
• Preparation Instructions: Thread fruit pieces onto wooden skewers. Serve as a refreshing and healthy snack.

Cheese and Crackers

• Ingredients: Assorted cheeses (cheddar, brie, gouda), crackers.
• Preparation Steps: Slice cheeses into bite-sized pieces.
• Preparation Instructions: Arrange cheese slices and crackers on a plate or cutting board. Serve as a simple and satisfying snack.

Dessert Recipes

S’mores

• Ingredients: Graham crackers, marshmallows, chocolate bars.
• Preparation Steps: Break graham crackers and chocolate bars into squares.
• Cooking Instructions: Roast marshmallows over the campfire until golden brown. Place a piece of chocolate on a graham cracker square, top with the roasted marshmallow, and add another graham cracker square to create a sandwich. Press gently and enjoy the gooey treat.

Campfire Apple Crisp

• Ingredients: Apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, oats, butter.
• Preparation Steps: Slice apples and mix with brown sugar and cinnamon. Combine oats and butter to create a crumbly topping.
• Cooking Instructions: Place apple mixture in a cast-iron skillet. Sprinkle the oat mixture over the top. Cover with foil and cook over the campfire for about 20-25 minutes, until the apples are tender and the topping is golden brown.

Campfire Banana Boats

• Ingredients: Bananas, chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, aluminum foil.
• Preparation Steps: Cut a slit lengthwise in each banana, leaving the peel on. Stuff the slit with chocolate chips and mini marshmallows.
• Cooking Instructions: Wrap each banana in foil. Place on the campfire for about 10 minutes, until the chocolate and marshmallows are melted and the banana is warm. Unwrap and eat with a spoon.

Dutch Oven Peach Cobbler

• Ingredients: Canned peaches, yellow cake mix, butter.
• Preparation Steps: Drain peaches. Cut butter into small pieces.
• Cooking Instructions: In a Dutch oven, pour the peaches and sprinkle the cake mix over them. Dot with butter pieces. Cover and cook over the campfire for about 45 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and bubbly.

Grilled Pineapple Rings

• Ingredients: Pineapple rings, brown sugar, cinnamon.
• Preparation Steps: Sprinkle pineapple rings with brown sugar and cinnamon.
• Cooking Instructions: Grill pineapple rings over the campfire for about 3-4 minutes on each side, until caramelized and warm. Serve as is or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Vegetarian Meals

Grilled Veggie Skewers

• Ingredients: Bell peppers, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, red onion, olive oil, salt, pepper.
• Preparation Steps: Cut bell peppers, zucchini, and red onion into bite-sized pieces.
• Cooking Instructions: Thread vegetables onto skewers, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Grill over the campfire for about 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until veggies are tender and slightly charred.

Stuffed Bell Peppers

• Ingredients: Bell peppers, cooked quinoa, black beans, corn, shredded cheese, salsa.
• Preparation Steps: Cut tops off bell peppers and remove seeds. Mix cooked quinoa, black beans, corn, and salsa in a bowl.
• Cooking Instructions: Stuff bell peppers with the quinoa mixture and top with shredded cheese. Wrap in foil and cook over the campfire for about 20-25 minutes, until peppers are tender and cheese is melted.

Campfire Black Bean Burgers

• Ingredients: Canned black beans, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, burger buns.
• Preparation Steps: Mash black beans in a bowl and mix with breadcrumbs, egg, and seasonings to form patties.
• Cooking Instructions: Cook patties in a skillet over the campfire for about 5-7 minutes on each side, until crispy. Serve on burger buns with your favorite toppings.
• Option: Falafel (chickpea) burgers, or veggie burgers

Vegetarian Chili

• Ingredients: Canned kidney beans, black beans, diced tomatoes, onion, bell peppers, chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper.
• Preparation Steps: Chop onion and bell peppers.
• Cooking Instructions: In a Dutch oven over the campfire, sauté onion and bell peppers until soft. Add beans, tomatoes, and seasonings. Simmer for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve hot.

Campfire Veggie Fajitas

• Ingredients: Bell peppers, onions, zucchini, olive oil, fajita seasoning, tortillas.
• Preparation Steps: Slice bell peppers, onions, and zucchini.
• Cooking Instructions: Toss veggies with olive oil and fajita seasoning. Cook in a skillet over the campfire for about 10-15 minutes, until tender. Serve in tortillas with your favorite toppings.

Quick and Easy Recipes

Instant Noodles with Veggies

• Ingredients: Instant noodles, mixed frozen vegetables, soy sauce.
• Preparation Steps: Boil water.
• Cooking Instructions: Cook instant noodles according to package instructions. In the last 2-3 minutes of cooking, add mixed frozen vegetables. Drain, then stir in soy sauce. Serve hot.

Peanut Butter and Banana Wraps

• Ingredients: Tortillas, peanut butter, bananas, honey.
• Preparation Steps: Peel and slice bananas.
• Preparation Instructions: Spread peanut butter on a tortilla. Place banana slices on top and drizzle with honey. Roll up the tortilla tightly and slice into pieces for an easy, no-cook snack.

Couscous Salad

• Ingredients: Couscous, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, feta cheese, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper.
• Preparation Steps: Cook couscous according to package instructions. Chop tomatoes and cucumber.
• Preparation Instructions: In a bowl, mix cooked couscous, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and crumbled feta cheese. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice, then season with salt and pepper. Toss to combine and serve.

Campfire Nachos

• Ingredients: Tortilla chips, shredded cheese, black beans, diced tomatoes, jalapenos, salsa.
• Preparation Steps: Dice tomatoes and jalapenos.
• Cooking Instructions: Layer tortilla chips in a cast-iron skillet. Top with shredded cheese, black beans, tomatoes, and jalapenos. Cover with foil and place over the campfire until the cheese is melted, about 10-15 minutes. Serve with salsa.

Hummus and Veggie Wraps

• Ingredients: Tortillas, hummus, sliced bell peppers, cucumbers, carrots, spinach.
• Preparation Steps: Slice bell peppers, cucumbers, and carrots.
• Preparation Instructions: Spread hummus on a tortilla. Add sliced veggies and spinach. Roll up the tortilla tightly and slice in half. Serve as a fresh and healthy snack.

Kid-Friendly Recipes

Campfire Pizza

• Ingredients: Pizza dough, pizza sauce, shredded mozzarella cheese, pepperoni or other toppings.
• Preparation Steps: Roll out pizza dough and spread with pizza sauce.
• Cooking Instructions: Place the dough on a piece of aluminum foil. Add cheese and toppings. Wrap the pizza in foil and place it on a grill grate over the campfire. Cook for about 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the crust is cooked through.

Hot Dogs on a Stick

• Ingredients: Hot dogs, wooden skewers, hot dog buns, condiments.
• Preparation Steps: Skewer hot dogs onto wooden sticks.
• Cooking Instructions: Roast hot dogs over the campfire until they are heated through and slightly charred, about 5-7 minutes. Place in buns and serve with your favorite condiments.

Campfire Mac and Cheese

• Ingredients: Elbow macaroni, cheddar cheese, milk, butter, salt, pepper.
• Preparation Steps: Cook macaroni according to package instructions.
• Cooking Instructions: In a pot over the campfire, melt butter and stir in cooked macaroni. Add milk and cheddar cheese, stirring until the cheese is melted and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

Campfire Sliders

• Ingredients: Ground beef, slider buns, cheese slices, pickles, ketchup, mustard.
• Preparation Steps: Form ground beef into small patties.
• Cooking Instructions: Cook patties in a skillet over the campfire for about 3-4 minutes per side, until fully cooked. Place patties on slider buns and add cheese, pickles, ketchup, and mustard. Serve hot.

Chocolate Banana Bites

• Ingredients: Bananas, chocolate chips, aluminum foil.
• Preparation Steps: Cut bananas into chunks and slit each chunk to create a pocket.
• Cooking Instructions: Stuff each banana chunk with chocolate chips and wrap in foil. Place on the campfire for about 5 minutes, until the chocolate is melted. Unwrap and enjoy warm.
• Option: Skewer bananas and dip in melted chocolate!

Tips for Storing Food While Camping

Proper food storage is crucial to keep your meals fresh and safe while camping. Always use airtight containers to prevent spills and keep out moisture. Heavy-duty ziplock bags are excellent for dry goods and snacks. For perishable items, use a high-quality cooler with plenty of ice or ice packs to maintain a safe temperature.

Organize your cooler by packing items in layers: start with a layer of ice, then food, and finish with another ice layer. Store raw meats separately to avoid cross-contamination. Hang your food in a bear-proof bag or use a bear canister if you’re in bear country. Following these tips ensures your food stays fresh and safe throughout your camping trip.

Reader tip: “freeze ice in blocks using silicone containers, then bag those blocks. Using blocks of ice is better than cubes because it stays frozen longer, thereby saving you money on ice and keeping your food out of water!”

~ Daren, Ontario Canada

Cooking with Limited Gear

Cooking with minimal equipment while camping can be simple and enjoyable. Focus on one-pot meals and foil packet recipes, which require only basic gear like a pot, skillet, or grill grate. Having a compact camping cooking set and a dutch oven for camping is handy as well.

One-Pot Meals:

• Chili: Brown ground beef with onions, add canned beans, tomatoes, and spices. Simmer until cooked.
• Pasta: Cook pasta, drain, and mix with jarred sauce and any pre-cooked veggies or meat.

Foil Packet Recipes:

• Chicken and Veggies: Place chicken pieces and chopped vegetables in foil, season, and cook over the campfire.
• Fish Fillets: Add fish, lemon slices, and herbs to a foil packet and cook until flaky.

These methods save space and simplify cleanup, making meal prep a breeze.

Best Practices for Campfire Safety

When cooking over an open flame, safety is paramount. Always set up your campfire in a designated fire pit or ring, away from tents and flammable materials. Keep a bucket of water and a shovel nearby to control and extinguish the fire if needed.

Before starting the fire, clear the area of debris and create a safe perimeter. Never leave the fire unattended and supervise children and pets around the campfire. Use long-handled utensils to avoid burns, and wear heat-resistant gloves when handling hot cookware.

Extinguish the fire completely before leaving the site or going to sleep. Douse the fire with water, stir the ashes, and repeat until all embers are out and the area is cool to the touch. Following these tips ensures a safe and enjoyable cooking experience.

Conclusion

Good camping recipes are key to a memorable outdoor adventure. Nutritious and tasty meals boost energy and morale, making the experience more enjoyable for everyone. Whether you’re cooking a hearty breakfast, an easy lunch, or a delicious dinner, having a variety of recipes ensures that your camping trip is a culinary success.

We encourage you to try these recipes on your next camping trip and experience the joy of campfire cooking. If you have personal favorite camping recipes, we’d love to hear from you. Share your recipes in the comments below and help fellow campers make their trips even more delightful. Happy camping and happy cooking!