8 Tasty, Easy Campfire Recipes

You’re tired of soggy sandwiches and bland trail mix ruining your camping trips. There’s nothing worse than spending hours in nature only to fuel up on disappointing food that leaves you craving real flavor. The good news? You don’t need a full kitchen to create satisfying, delicious meals over an open flame. With the right recipes and a few simple techniques, you’ll transform your campsite into a gourmet outdoor kitchen that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Key Points

• Campfire Breakfast Skillet combines diced potatoes, onions, peppers, and eggs cooked in one pan over coals.
• Foil Packet Salmon with vegetables cooks in 12-15 minutes using sealed pouches for easy cleanup.
• Classic Campfire Chili requires browning ground beef, adding beans and tomatoes, then simmering 45 minutes.
• Grilled Sausage & Pepper Wraps cook seasoned ingredients in foil for 15-20 minutes with minimal preparation.
• S’mores Banana Boats stuff sliced bananas with chocolate and marshmallows, wrapped in foil for 8-10 minutes.

Campfire Breakfast Skillet With Eggs and Potatoes

When you’re craving a hearty breakfast that’ll fuel your outdoor adventures, this campfire skillet delivers everything you need in one pan.

Start by dicing three medium potatoes into half-inch cubes and cooking them in a cast-iron skillet over medium coals for 8-10 minutes until golden.

Add diced onions and bell peppers, stirring occasionally for another 5 minutes.

Create wells in the mixture and crack four eggs directly into them.

Cover the skillet with foil or a lid and cook for 3-4 minutes until egg whites set but yolks remain slightly runny.

Season with salt, pepper, and paprika.

The combination of crispy potatoes, tender vegetables, and perfectly cooked eggs creates a satisfying meal that’s impossible to mess up.

Whether you’re cooking in your first RV or have years of camping experience, avoiding common RV buying mistakes ensures you’ll have the right setup and equipment for memorable outdoor cooking adventures like this one.

Foil Packet Salmon With Vegetables

While skillet meals offer one-pan convenience, foil packet cooking takes campfire simplicity to another level by eliminating cleanup entirely. You’ll create individual sealed pouches that steam perfectly over hot coals, locking in flavors and nutrients.

Foil packet cooking transforms campfire meals into mess-free culinary adventures where flavors steam to perfection in individual sealed pouches.

For your salmon packets, you’ll need:

• Fresh salmon fillets (6 oz portions work best)
• Sliced vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and red onion
• Seasonings such as lemon slices, dill, garlic, and olive oil

Place each salmon fillet on heavy-duty foil, add vegetables and seasonings, then seal tightly by crimping edges.

Cook directly on coals for 12-15 minutes, turning once halfway through. The fish flakes easily when done, and vegetables emerge tender-crisp.

You’ll have a restaurant-quality meal with zero dishes to wash.

Classic Campfire Chili in a Dutch Oven

Though foil packets excel at individual portions, a Dutch oven lets you feed your entire group with one hearty, soul-warming meal.

You’ll brown two pounds of ground beef over the coals first, then add diced onions and bell peppers.

Stir in crushed tomatoes, kidney beans, black beans, and your spice blend—chili powder, cumin, paprika, and garlic powder work perfectly.

Let it simmer for forty-five minutes, stirring occasionally and rotating your Dutch oven every fifteen minutes for even heat distribution.

The cast iron retains heat beautifully, developing rich flavors that can’t be rushed.

You’ll know it’s ready when the chili thickens and the vegetables are tender.

Serve with cornbread and shredded cheese for the ultimate campfire comfort food.

Grilled Sausage and Pepper Foil Wraps

For quick weeknight camping meals, grilled sausage and pepper foil wraps deliver maximum flavor with minimal cleanup. You’ll slice Italian sausages, bell peppers, and onions, then season everything with olive oil, garlic powder, and Italian herbs before wrapping in heavy-duty foil.

These foil packets cook directly on hot coals or grill grates for 15-20 minutes, turning once halfway through. The steam creates perfectly tender vegetables while the sausages develop a nice char.

Perfect camping convenience: toss foil packets on coals, flip once, and enjoy restaurant-quality results in under twenty minutes.

Key tips for perfect results:

• Double-wrap your packets – prevents tearing and keeps juices sealed inside
• Leave headspace – allows steam to circulate and cook ingredients evenly
• Test doneness carefully – open one corner with tongs to check sausage temperature

Serve with crusty bread or over rice for a complete meal.

One-Pot Pasta With Garlic and Herbs

When you’re craving comfort food around the campfire, one-pot pasta with garlic and herbs transforms simple ingredients into a satisfying meal that cooks entirely in your Dutch oven.

Start by heating olive oil over medium coals, then sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Add your pasta, broth, and diced tomatoes directly to the pot.

The key is maintaining steady heat—adjust your coals as needed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking, adding more liquid if the pasta looks dry.

Fresh herbs like basil, oregano, or thyme work best when added during the final minutes.

Season with salt and pepper to taste. Top with grated Parmesan cheese and serve straight from the pot for an effortless camping dinner that’ll satisfy everyone.

This recipe is part of 8 tasty options that make outdoor cooking both simple and delicious.

Campfire Quesadillas With Black Beans

After you’ve mastered pasta around the fire, campfire quesadillas with black beans offer another crowd-pleasing option that’s both filling and incredibly simple to prepare. You’ll need flour tortillas, canned black beans, shredded cheese, and your favorite seasonings.

Heat your cast iron skillet over medium coals. Drain and rinse the black beans, then mash them lightly with cumin and chili powder. Spread the mixture on half of each tortilla, add cheese, and fold.

Cook each quesadilla for 2-3 minutes per side until golden and crispy.

• Watch for even browning by rotating the skillet occasionally
• Press gently with a spatula to guarantee proper melting
• Let them cool briefly before cutting to prevent cheese spillage

Smoky BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

While quesadillas satisfy vegetarian campers, smoky BBQ chicken drumsticks deliver the hearty protein that meat-lovers crave around the campfire. You’ll need eight drumsticks, your favorite BBQ sauce, salt, pepper, and garlic powder for seasoning.

Start by seasoning the drumsticks generously. Place them on a grill grate over medium coals, turning every five minutes to prevent burning. Cook for 25-30 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Season drumsticks well, then grill over medium coals for 25-30 minutes, turning every five minutes until they reach 165°F internally.

During the last ten minutes, brush BBQ sauce on all sides, creating a caramelized glaze. The key’s maintaining consistent heat—move drumsticks to cooler spots if they’re browning too quickly.

You’ll know they’re done when the meat pulls away from the bone easily. Let them rest for five minutes before serving alongside your favorite camping sides.

S’mores Banana Boats for Dessert

Though traditional s’mores require perfect marshmallow-roasting skills, s’mores banana boats offer a foolproof dessert that’ll impress every camper at your site.

You’ll slice each banana lengthwise, keeping the peel intact to create a natural boat.

Stuff the opening with chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, and crushed graham crackers.

Wrap tightly in foil and nestle directly into hot coals for 8-10 minutes.

The magic happens when heat transforms simple ingredients into gooey perfection:

• Bananas caramelize while retaining their shape
• Chocolate melts into creamy ribbons throughout the fruit
• Marshmallows toast golden-brown without burning

You’ll know they’re ready when the foil feels hot and the banana yields slightly to gentle pressure.

Unwrap carefully—the contents will be steaming hot but absolutely irresistible.

This dessert perfectly demonstrates how traditional camping recipes can be adapted to create healthier versions without sacrificing flavor.

Sum Up

You’ll be amazed to know that 87% of campers say sharing meals around the campfire creates their most cherished outdoor memories. These eight recipes transform your camping experience from simple sustenance to memorable feasts. You don’t need fancy equipment or complicated techniques—just basic gear and these foolproof methods. Pack your ingredients, gather ’round the fire, and watch as these easy dishes bring your group together. Great food makes every camping trip unforgettable.