6 Delicious Recipes to Try in Your Camp Kitchen
Home / Articles / 6 Delicious Recipes to Try in Your Camp KitchenForgo the firewood and experiment with your favorite recipes on your next camping trip. Need inspiration? These tried-and-true recipes from your friends at Recreation.gov might become some of your go-to campground meals!
Depending on the fire danger, gas or propane camp stoves may be used in a developed campground when certain fire restrictions are in effect. Remember to only use your camp stove in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three feet of the device. As always, plan ahead, check local restrictions before arriving at your destination, and be prepared to make adjustments to your plans.
No campfire? No problem. Serve up these favorite and simple camp recipes in a jiff.
Rise and Shine with a Fresh Cup of Cowboy Coffee
Daniel Boone National Forest (Brittany Meadows, Share the Experience)
Nothing beats a fresh cup of hot coffee after a night under the stars. This simple yet delicious recipe only requires three ingredients:
- 1 outdoor coffee pot or camp stove
- ¼ cup coffee grounds
- 1 quart warm water
Let’s get brewing!
- If you’re using a coffee pot, fill with water to the bottom of the spout and warm. Depending on what size pot you are using, you can estimate 1/4 cup (32 grams) of grounds to 1 quart (0.95 liters) of water.
- Add the coffee grounds and bring to a rolling boil. To prevent the water from boiling over, you can slightly reduce the heat when boiling. Boil for about 4 minutes – the longer the boil, the stouter the coffee will be.
- Remove the pot from the heat and let rest 2 minutes. Pour about ½ to ¾ cup (118-177 mL) for smaller pots and 1 to 1½ cups (237-355 mL) of cold water for larger pots down the spout and in the top of the pot. The cold water will settle the grounds.
Serve hot and enjoy the view!
Get Up and Go with a Solar-Powered Smoothie
Recreation.gov
Set aside the camp stove and let the sun do the work for you on this one. Here’s what you’ll need for a delicious, vegan, solar-powered breakfast smoothie:
- 1 solar power generator (panel and battery with connectors)
- 1 blender (USB-powered or electric)
- 1 teaspoon (5.7 grams) powdered dehydrated soy milk
- 1 teaspoon (5.7 grams) green tea matcha powder
- 2 cups (0.47 liters) water
- 1 banana
- 1 peach
Add ingredients to the blender, plug the blender into a solar generator, mix, and then enjoy!
Bring on the Heat with this Stovetop Fajita Fun Meal
Recreation.gov
Get ready to spice up your afternoon with this flavor-filled fajita recipe. Start with these ingredients and feel free to customize the fun ‘til your tortilla is full!
- 1 cup (250 grams) pre-cooked chicken
- 1 sliced onion
- 2 sliced green peppers
- 2 tablespoons (15 mL) canola oil
- 1 avocado
- Shredded cheese
- Tortillas
- Salsa
- Pre-cooked rice
- Pre-bagged salad mix
Let’s get started!
- On the stove top, sauté the onions and green peppers until they are a little brown on the edges, then add the pre-cooked chicken.
- While cooking the chicken through, heat the tortillas on top of the food in the skillet to make them soft.
- For a one pot meal, add the pre-cooked rice and salsa to the pan or heat the rice separately.
Stack and serve to your heart’s delight!
Mix it Up with a Taco Bar
Recreation.gov
Get creative with these tasty and customizable tacos sure to please all palates.
- Before you leave home, cook ground beef, turkey, chicken, or other protein of your choice. Season to taste. Sauté onions, brown the meat, then mix in a healthy amount of chili powder, garlic, cumin, salt, pepper, and chipotle seasoning.
- Follow the same steps for beans. Try a mixture of black, pinto, and red beans, adding in spice combinations to taste.
- Once your protein sources are cooked, freeze them in plastic containers or baggies.
- You can prep the fresh items at home or at camp. Fan favorites include shredded lettuce, diced onions, olives, and anything else you like. Store these items in containers that are ready to serve.
- Once at camp, reheat your proteins and prep your tortillas! Heat them in a pan on your camp stove just before serving.
- Other items that give your taco bar a nice variety include:
- Shredded cheese
- Sour cream
- Salsa
- Tortilla chips
- Hot sauce
Think Outside the Box with these Bison Burgers and Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Recreation.gov
You may have had burgers at a camp cookout before, but have you ever tried bison burgers? Pair them with mouthwatering mashed sweet potatoes for a unique take on a classic campsite meal.
- 2 pre-baked sweet potatoes
- 2 tablespoons (28 grams) butter
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground bison, formed into patties
- Cheese slices
- Hamburger buns
- Ketchup, mayo, mustard, or your favorite condiment
Fire up the camp stove and let the magic begin:
- Add the pre-baked, unpeeled sweet potatoes to a pot with butter and some water.
- Heat and stir, mashing the sweet potatoes as you go.
- In another pan, cook the bison and add cheese towards the end to melt over top.
- Toast the buns in the frying pan with a little oil or butter.
- Stack and serve to your heart’s delight!
Go Fish for this Simple Fried Trout Dinner
Recreation.gov
It doesn’t get any better than a fresh-caught dinner when camping along a river. Your hard work and patience will sure pay off when you taste this recipe!
- Fresh caught trout, filleted with skin kept on
- Half stick (¼ cup, 57 grams) of butter
- Garlic and herb seasoning
- Lemon pepper seasoning
Prep Time – 10 Minutes
- Set the stove to medium heat.
- Season the meat side of trout fillets to taste with garlic and herb and lemon pepper seasoning.
- Melt the butter on the griddle and fry fillets for 5-7 minutes.
- ENJOY!