There’s nothing like the outdoors to put your mind at ease. Whether you’re hiking with friends, camping solo or testing out your survival skills in the woods, spending time in nature can be a great way to refresh and reset.
And what better way to bring some comfort into the wilderness than cooking up some delicious campfire food? These recipes are easy enough for beginners but will leave any seasoned camper feeling satisfied.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Tips for keeping food safe while camping |
| Delicious and easy recipes for camping meals |
| Essential tools to bring on your camping trip |
| Quick and easy breakfast ideas for camping |
| How to cook using a cast iron pan while camping |
| Additional resources for planning your camping meals |
Smoked Salmon Pasta Salad
This is a very simple recipe, but it’s delicious. The smoked salmon adds a ton of flavor and makes the dish feel like you’ve put in more effort than you actually have.
The beauty of this dish is that you can use whatever pasta shape you prefer; I prefer bowtie or rotini because they hold up well to the dressing without getting soggy or soft. You can also use any type of dill instead of fresh if needed (or just leave it out altogether).
In addition to being easy on ingredients, this salad takes less than 10 minutes to make!
For some people, camping can be hectic enough without the stress of cooking complicated meals. That’s why our guide on campfire cooking is perfect for people looking to enjoy tasty outdoor meals without all the fuss.
Desserts
Make sure to pack a cooler. A portable ice chest is one of the most important tools you can bring with you on your camping trip, but it’s also one of the most overlooked items.
If you don’t have an actual ice chest or cooler, try using a plastic storage container with frozen water bottles in it as a substitute–just make sure they’re packed tightly enough so that they don’t move around when jostled during transport (or else they’ll melt).
This will keep food fresh for longer and keep drinks cold without melting through any other bags or containers inside your car!
Bring a spatula and spoon. These two items are essential for cooking over open flame: use them to flip burgers on their grills; stir pots full of stews; scrape batter off mixing spoons; and serve warm desserts straight from their baking dishes onto plates lined with parchment paper (for easy clean-up).
You should also bring along some paring knives just in case something goes wrong while prepping ingredients–you’ll need them if anything slips out of those slippery hands!
Top Desserts to Take on Your Next Camping Trip
| Desserts | Description |
|---|---|
| S’mores | A classic campfire dessert made with graham crackers, chocolate, and toasted marshmallows. |
| Mountain House Freeze-Dried Ice Cream | A delicious treat that’s freeze-dried, making it perfect for camping trips. |
| Reese’s S’mores | A twist on the classic s’mores made with Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup instead of traditional chocolate. |
| Bananas Foster | A decadent dessert made with sliced bananas, brown sugar, and rum, cooked over the campfire. |
| Pie Iron Fruit Pies | A fun and easy dessert made by filling a pie iron with pie crust and fruit filling, then cooking it over the campfire. |
No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
- Ingredients
- 3 cups of peanut butter
- 1 cup of powdered sugar (or more to taste)
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Directions: In a large bowl, mix together the peanut butter and powdered sugar until well combined. Then add in cocoa powder and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth. Pour into an 8×8 pan lined with parchment paper or wax paper and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before cutting into bars.
Camping is all about experiencing the great outdoors, so it’s no surprise that many campers prioritize delicious food. Whether you’re a seasoned camper or a newbie trying to impress your friends, check out our list of the best camping recipes to take your culinary skills to the next level.
Brat and Bean Skillet
Brats are a type of sausage, but they’re not like your average sausage. For one thing, a brat is made from pork and then smoked before it’s cooked.
And while there are many different types of sausages out there with different flavors and textures, brats are known for being spicy with a bit of a snap when you bite into them–they’re kind of like hotdogs on steroids!
So what do you need to make this recipe? Well first off all you’ll need some potatoes (you can use whatever kind floats your boat).
Then add some green beans–I recommend either fresh or frozen ones as they’ll work just as well here–and finally throw in some onions if ya like ’em too!
Now take those ingredients along with some butter or olive oil (or both) plus salt & pepper into an oven safe pan that has been sprayed with nonstick spray so everything doesn’t stick together later on down the road when we put our meal together later today.”
Top Brat and Bean Skillet Recipes for Camping
| Recipe | Description |
|---|---|
| Johnsonville Brat & Bean Skillet | A hearty and delicious recipe made with Johnsonville brats, canned beans, and a variety of vegetables. |
| Bush’s Best Brat and Bean Skillet | Another classic recipe that combines Bush’s Best baked beans with grilled bratwurst and vegetables. |
| Campfire Bratwurst Skillet | This recipe is made with sliced bratwursts, onion, bell peppers, and canned black beans, cooked over the campfire in a cast iron skillet. |
| Carlsbad Cravings Smoked Sausage and Bean Skillet | This recipe uses smoked sausage instead of bratwurst, along with canned beans, peppers, onions, and plenty of seasonings. |
| The Country Cook’s Baked Bean Skillet with Sausage | A simple and tasty recipe that combines canned baked beans with sliced sausage and seasonings, cooked in a skillet on the campfire. |
Chicken Fajita Quesadillas
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the chicken, onion, green pepper and red pepper. Cook until tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Remove from heat; stir in chili powder and cumin until well combined.
In a 9×13 baking dish spread 1 cup of cheese over bottom of pan (this will help ensure it doesn’t stick). Layer half each of tortillas topped with half each of chicken mixture then top with remaining ingredients listed above – repeat layers ending with remaining cheese on top of last tortilla layer! Bake uncovered for 20 minutes or until golden browned around edges!
Sticking to a healthy diet is always important, even when you’re out camping. That’s why our list of healthy camping recipes is packed with nutritious yet satisfying meals, so you can fuel your adventures without sacrificing your health.
Caramelized Apple S’mores Dip
Ingredients:
1 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup caramel sauce (I used Trader Joe’s)
2 cups mini marshmallows (you can also use large ones if you prefer)
6-8 apples cut into chunks (I used Gala)
Instructions: Place all ingredients in a microwave safe bowl and mix until combined well. Microwave for 5 minutes until the dip is hot and slightly browned on top, stirring every 2 minutes so that it doesn’t burn. Serve with graham crackers or pretzels!
Baked Beans with Bacon and Brown Sugar
Baked beans are a classic camping food that can be made in a slow cooker. The combination of brown sugar, bacon, and ketchup gives baked beans a sweet and smoky flavor that pairs well with anything you’re grilling on the campfire. Make these as your side dish or add them to your burger patty!
When it comes to camping, delicious food can make or break the experience. Whether you’re a cooking pro or a complete beginner, our top 10 camping recipes for beginners will help you whip up fantastic meals that everyone will love.
Cajun Pecan Stuffed Mushrooms
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 tsp garlic powder (or 2 cloves of minced garlic)
Preheat your oven to 350F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. In a small bowl combine all ingredients except for the mushrooms and mix until well combined.
Take each mushroom cap in your hand and gently press down on it so that it breaks open slightly but doesn’t come apart completely (you want to keep as much of that wonderful gill as possible).
Scoop out some filling into each cap, then top with another pinch of salt & pepper before returning them to their original position on their stalks. Bake at 350F for 15-20 minutes until they’re golden brown & bubbling around the edges!
Top Recipes for Cajun Pecan Stuffed Mushrooms
| Recipe | Description |
|---|---|
| Tony Chachere’s Cajun Stuffed Mushrooms | A recipe that uses Tony Chachere’s Creole seasoning to give the mushrooms a spicy kick, along with cream cheese, pecans, and breadcrumbs. |
| Chef John’s Cajun Stuffed Mushrooms | Another spicier recipe that uses andouille sausage along with the traditional stuffing ingredients of cream cheese, breadcrumbs, and spices. |
| Emeril’s Cajun Stuffed Mushrooms | A classic recipe from Emeril Lagasse that uses a combination of sautéed vegetables, bread crumbs, and pecans to create a flavorful stuffing for the mushrooms. |
| Zatarain’s Cajun Stuffed Mushrooms | A simple and delicious recipe that uses Zatarain’s Creole mustard and bread crumbs to give the stuffing its Cajun flavor. |
| Louisiana Cajun Stuffed Mushrooms | This easy recipe uses crawfish tails along with spices, cream cheese, and breadcrumbs to create a tasty stuffing for the mushrooms. |
Slow Cooker Maple Cream Cheese Pound Cake (in a Jar)
This slow cooker recipe is perfect for beginners because it requires only a few ingredients and can be made in about 10 minutes.
- Mix together 1 box of cake mix with 3 eggs, 2 tablespoons water, 1 cup sour cream and 1 tablespoon maple syrup.
- Pour the mixture into two pint-sized mason jars or ramekins that are at least 2 inches deep (it’s okay if there’s extra batter). Put on their lids and shake until combined; this is your batter!
- Place both jars in a 6-quart slow cooker that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray; cover with foil if you have an older model without a glass lid.* Cook on high for 3 hours or until set in the center; serve warm or cold topped with powdered sugar or whipped cream
If you’re looking for some food inspiration to elevate your next camping trip, our list of 50 delicious camping recipes has got you covered. From breakfast to dinner, dessert to snacks, there’s a recipe for everyone – so you can spend less time worrying about food and more time enjoying the great outdoors.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed this list of camping recipes for beginners. We know that it can be overwhelming to try something new and different, but we also know that with practice and time anything is possible!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to help you plan your next camping trip meals:
Bush Cooking: 10 Recipes Over a Campfire: This article offers creative and delicious recipes you can cook over a campfire. From breakfast to dessert, there’s something for everyone.
Fresh Off the Grid: 27 Easy Camping Meals: Looking for quick and easy recipes that require minimal effort? This list has got you covered. From one-pot meals to no-cook dishes, these recipes are perfect for busy camping trips.
Eureka Camping: 25 Easy Camping Recipes Using 5 Ingredients or Less: Keep it simple with these easy recipes that feature only five ingredients or less. Don’t let a lack of ingredients or time stop you from enjoying delicious meals while camping.
FAQs
What are some essential camping cooking tools I should bring?
Some essential camping cooking tools include a portable stove, a cooler with ice, a set of cooking utensils, a spatula, a cooking pot, a frying pan, and a sharp knife.
What are some easy breakfast camping meals?
Some easy breakfast camping meals include oatmeal, breakfast burritos, pancakes, egg muffins, and simple fruit and yogurt bowls.
Can I cook using cast iron pots or pans while camping?
Cast iron pots or pans are ideal for camping and outdoor cooking since they are durable and can handle high heat. Just make sure to properly season your cast iron cookware before using it.
How can I keep my food fresh while camping?
To keep your food fresh while camping, pack it in a well-insulated cooler with plenty of ice or ice packs. Make sure raw meats are stored separately and that the cooler is kept in a shaded area out of direct sunlight.
What are some easy dessert recipes for camping?
Some easy dessert recipes for camping include s’mores, campfire cones, grilled fruit skewers, fruit and chocolate fondue, and baked apples with cinnamon.
I’m Hellen James, and I am a camping enthusiast. I’ve been camping since I was a kid and have always loved it the fresh air, the beautiful scenery, and the great outdoors. In fact, it’s one of my favorite things to do in the summer!
