Campfire Meals for the Family
When camping, there is nothing better than spending as much time outdoors as possible. The best way to enjoy a meal is to do it over a campfire. No need to get fancy, there are lots of creative ways to make a great meal!
So gather around the campfire, have a hearty meal and perhaps tell a few tales to keep the family entertained. There’s nothing better than an old-fashioned camping meal to provide that enjoyment we so love in our lives. Here are a few recipes that create casual meals that the whole family will love.
French Toast
Here is a delicious breakfast to start the day, and making a healthy choice as well.
Ingredients:
-
A loaf of your favorite bread
-
8 eggs
-
¼ cup milk
-
1 tsp cinnamon
-
1 tsp vanilla
-
¼ cup sliced almonds
-
Fresh strawberries, or fruit of your choice
-
Confectioners’ sugar
-
Your choice of syrup
Instructions:
-
Wash and slice the strawberries.
-
Take the loaf of bread and put it in an envelope of parchment paper, then place that in a “dish” of foil. The bread slices should fall open a bit.
-
Sprinkle some of the strawberry slices and all of the almond slices over the loaf, allowing some to fall between the slices. (Save some strawberry slices to use later.)
-
Mix and stir the eggs, milk, cinnamon and vanilla together until the mixture is frothy.
-
Make the foil tighter around the loaf of bread.
-
Pour the egg mixture over the whole loaf of bread.
-
Wrap the loaf tightly within the foil with a piece of foil over the top so it can’t leak.
-
Place over low to medium heat (on campfire or grill) for about 40 minutes, moving it around so it cooks evenly. Cook longer if the bread seems soggy.
-
Let it sit for about 10 minutes after removing from the heat, then serve with Confectioners’ sugar, syrup and the remaining strawberries.
-
For meat lovers, add bacon, sausage, ham or any other favorite breakfast meat.
Hot Dogs and Beans
This makes a fabulous lunch and is so easy to make!
Ingredients:
-
1 1-lb package of hot dogs
-
2 28-oz cans of pork and beans
-
½ cup ketchup
-
½ cup barbecue sauce
-
¼ cup brown sugar
-
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
-
1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
-
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
-
¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions:
-
Open each can of beans, discarding the liquid then add beans to a pan.
-
Add all other ingredients except the hot dogs and stir well.
-
Cut hot dogs into small pieces and add to the pan.
-
Heat over medium-high heat until it starts to boil.
-
Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
-
Try different toppings such as onions, cheese and/or sour cream to make it even more tasty.
Also Read: 7 Delicious Campfire Dessert Recipes Anyone Can Make
Grilled Burgers
No one in your family will complain about having some grilled burgers for lunch or dinner. They make a great meal that everyone will enjoy.
Ingredients:
-
1 ½ pounds of ground beef
-
Salt and ground black pepper
-
Spices for seasoning (optional)
-
Canola oil for oiling grate of grill
-
Hamburger buns
-
Condiments: mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup
-
Toppings: chopped onions, your favorite vegetables - fresh or grilled, experiment with different cheeses like muenster, provolone, gouda
Instructions:
-
Shape ground beef into four separate patties roughly the same size.
-
Make an indentation in the middle of each beef patty so they won’t dome while cooking.
-
Salt each side of the patty, then also season with pepper and additional spices if desired.
-
Set up your grill for direct cooking and with medium to high heat.
-
After the grill is hot, brush the grates with the canola oil. Be prepared as the oil will smoke.
-
Grill 3 to 5 minutes on each side.
-
Ensure the temperature is right by using a meat thermometer placed in the side of the burger. The following is what temperatures you are looking for:
Rare - 120°F
Medium rare - 130°F
Medium - 140°F
Medium well - 150°F
Well done - 160°F
French Dip Sandwiches
This might seem a casual meal, but your family will consider it very fancy for a camping trip. Take this opportunity to surprise them.
Ingredients:
-
Heavy-duty foil
-
1 long baguette
-
1 pound of rare deli roast beef
-
1 package of pre-sliced provolone cheese, 12 slices
-
1 package au jus gravy mix, separated
-
1/2 cup of unsalted butter, soft not melted
-
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
-
3/4 teaspoon dried minced garlic
-
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
-
A butter knife
-
A pastry brush
-
Small saucepan
Instructions:
-
Pre-heat the grill to medium to high heat.
-
In a bowl, combine the soft butter, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, 1 tablespoon of the au jus gravy mix and the dried minced garlic. Stir until completely mixed and set to the side.
-
Cut the baguette into parts about 6 to 10 inches in length.
-
Then make ½ inch wide slices through each piece, cutting ¾ of the way through the bread.
-
The butter mixture is now taken and separated into two equal parts. With half of the mixture, spread some into each slice of bread with a butter knife. (Put aside the other half of the mixture.)
-
Take a slice of cheese and a slice of roast beef and put one in between every two slices of bread. In other words you are putting them into a sandwich, not between every slice in the bread.
-
The rest of the butter mix is brushed along the tops and sides of the sandwiches using a pastry brush.
-
Wrap each section of baguette in foil so no bread is showing.
-
Place on the grill for 6 to 9 minutes and turn frequently.
-
Prepare the au jus by placing the remaining mixture in a small saucepan over medium heat.
-
Add 2 cups of cold water and stir well.
-
Bring to a boil then allow it to thicken by reducing the heat to a simmer.
-
Open the foil packages carefully so the steam can escape.
-
Pull apart the sandwiches and enjoy dipping them in the au jus sauce.
Are you ready for your adventure? Plan your camping trip!
Check with your Local Government Organization
Many policies have been established to counter and control the coronavirus outbreak. State and local officials have been taking decisive action to stop the spread. The policies vary by state, sometimes to a great degree. When you book a reservation, make sure to review the park and state's latest rules and regulations prior to your visit.
For COVID-19 updates, please visit our Impacted Park List and Reservation Guide for the latest information.