11 Simple Recipes You Can Whip Up While Gathered Around A Campfire

"Let's gather 'round the campfire and sing our campfire song!"

1. Smoked salmon

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Smoking salmon is one of the easiest ways to cook it. You will need:

•A large bowl

•Salt and pepper

•A piece of aluminum foil

•Some wood chips

•A small amount of water

Start by placing the fish into the bowl with salt and pepper. Add a little bit of water to help keep the fish moist while smoking. Then place the bowl onto a grate placed above the coals. Cover the bowl with aluminum foil. Let the fish smoke until cooked through.

2. Grilled cheese sandwiches

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This recipe makes two grilled cheese sandwiches. To make them, you'll need:

•Two slices of bread

•Butter

•Cheese

•Milk

Start by spreading butter on both sides of each slice of bread. Place the buttered side down on a hot skillet. Cook until golden brown. Flip the sandwich and add cheese. Top with milk and then cover the pan with another lid. Cook until the cheese melts.

3. Baked beans

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Baking beans is a simple way to enjoy this classic comfort food. You will need: 

• One cup dried navy beans

• Two cups of water

• One onion

• Three tablespoons bacon fat

•1/4 cup molasses

• One teaspoon mustard powder

• One tablespoon sugar

• One bay leaf

•Salt and pepper to taste

Start by soaking the beans overnight. Drain and rinse the beans before adding them to a pot with the other ingredients. Bring the mixture to a boil and simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and let cool. Once cooled, transfer the beans to a baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes.

4. Fried potatoes

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Fried potatoes are a popular snack at many outdoor events. For this recipe, you will need:

• Two pounds of russet potatoes

•Oil

•Salt and pepper (optional)

•Four eggs

Start by cutting the potatoes into equal-sized pieces. Put the oil in a cast iron skillet and heat over medium high heat. When the oil starts to shimmer, put the potato pieces in the pan. Fry for five minutes. Turn the heat down to low and fry for 15 more minutes. Season with salt and pepper if desired. Crack the eggs over the top of the potatoes and cook for two minutes. Serve immediately.

5. Chicken wings

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Chicken wings are an easy appetizer to serve when camping. You will need:

•Six chicken wings

•Olive oil

•Salt and pepper

• Garlic powder

•Lemon juice

Start by removing the wing tips. Cut off the tip of the drumette. Rinse the wings under cold running water and pat dry. Rub the wings with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Mix together garlic powder and lemon juice. Brush the wings with the marinade. Grill the wings over charcoal or a grill pan. Cook for 10 minutes per side.

6. Bacon wrapped dates

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Dates are a healthy alternative to candy bars. Wrap them in bacon and bake them in the oven for 20 minutes. You will need: 

•Eight dates 

•Eight strips of bacon.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Spread out the dates on the prepared cookie sheet. Roll up the date in one strip of bacon. Repeat with remaining dates. Bake for 20 minutes.

7. Fire roasted potatoes

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Fire roasted potatoes are a great side dish to bring along when camping. You will want to have:

•Two large red potatoes

•Water

•A few drops of liquid smoke

Start by washing the potatoes. Make several slits across the tops of the potatoes. Pour some water inside the slits. Sprinkle with liquid smoke. Bake at 450 degrees for 40 minutes.

8. Smoked salmon dip

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Smoked salmon dip is a delicious appetizer that can be made ahead of time. It’s also a good option for people who don’t like raw fish. You will need:

•One pound smoked salmon

•1/2 cup sour cream

•1/2 teaspoon dill weed

•1/4 teaspoon paprika

•Salt and pepper

Mix all of the ingredients together until well combined. Refrigerate for at least three hours. Serve chilled.

9. BBQ pulled pork sandwiches

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Pulled pork sandwiches are a classic camp food. They are filling and very tasty! You will need:

•12 slices white bread

•Three tablespoons butter

•1/2 onion chopped

•1/4 cup ketchup

•1/4 cup brown sugar

•1/4 cups apple cider vinegar

•1 tablespoon mustard

•1/2 tsp chili powder

•1/2 lb boneless pork shoulder roast

•1/2 tbsp kosher salt

•1/4 tsp black pepper

•1/4 tbsp cayenne pepper

•1/2 lime

Start by preheating your smoker to 225 degrees. Place the pork shoulder in the smoker. Smoke for about seven hours or until it reaches 165 degrees. Remove from the smoker and let cool. Shred the meat using two forks. In a bowl mix together the ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, mustard, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Add the shredded pork and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate overnight. The next day remove the pork from the refrigerator and add the lime juice. Toss again. Slice the pork into bite size chunks and place on top of the buns. Top each sandwich with some barbecue sauce.

10. Campfire stew

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Campfire stew is another classic camp food. This recipe comes from the book “The Ultimate Backpacking Recipe Book”. You will need:

•One lb beef chuck steak cut into cubes

•One medium onion diced

•Four cloves minced garlic

•One small green bell pepper diced

•One jalapeño seeded and minced

•One (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes

•One (15 oz) can kidney beans drained and rinsed

•One (14.5 oz) can corn with juices

•One (16 oz) package frozen mixed vegetables

•One bay leaf

•1/4 t ground cinnamon

•1/4 ts ground nutmeg

•1/4tsp cayenne pepper

Combine everything except the frozen vegetables in a large pot. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 30-40 minutes. Stir in the frozen vegetables and cook an additional five minutes.

11. And finally, campfire brownies

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Brownies are one of those foods that you just can’t go wrong with. You will want to start out by mixing together the following:

•One cup unsalted butter

•One cup granulated sugar

•1/2 stick unsweetened chocolate melted

•One egg

•1/2 vanilla extract

•Two cups flour

•1/2 tsp baking soda

•1/2 tsp salt

Add the remaining ingredients to a bowl and beat them together until they form a smooth batter. Spray a 9x13 pan with nonstick spray and pour the batter into the pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Let cool before cutting into squares.

Do you have any recipes you like to cook over an open campfire? Let me know in the comments below!