Cooking over a campfire brings out flavours that feel different from any other meal. While classics like toasted marshmallows and grilled sausages are well known, there are plenty of other dishes that rarely make an appearance.
These recipes show how campfire cooking can be both simple and creative. Here are some dishes that are not often made but can add variety to your next outdoor meal.
This content is for general information only. Results may vary depending on ingredients, preparation, and cooking conditions. Photos may differ and the end results shown are symbolic.
1. Campfire Shakshuka
This Middle Eastern one-pan wonder starts with sautéed onions, peppers and tomatoes simmered in a cast iron skillet. Create small wells in the sauce for eggs to poach directly in the bubbling mixture.
Cover with foil until whites set but yolks remain runny. The smoky undertones from the fire add a dimension you'll never achieve on a standard hob.
2. Campfire Naan Bread
Fresh flatbreads without an oven? Absolutely. Mix yoghurt, flour and baking powder into a simple dough, then flatten into discs.
Cook directly on a hot, flat stone placed near coals, or on a cast iron pan. They puff beautifully in minutes, creating perfect pockets for scooping up curry or holding fillings for impromptu wilderness sandwiches.
3. Pine Needle Tea
Foraged wilderness refreshment that's packed with vitamin C. Gather young, bright green pine needles from safe species (avoid yew), rinse, and roughly chop.
Steep in just-boiled water for 5-10 minutes. The resulting tea has a surprisingly pleasant, citrusy flavour with resinous undertones. Native Americans have used this remedy for centuries to fight colds.
4. Coal-Roasted Garlic Bulbs
Sweet, smoky garlic transforms into spreadable gold with this technique. Simply slice the top off whole garlic bulbs, drizzle with olive oil, and wrap tightly in foil.
Bury directly in hot coals for 40 minutes. The cloves become caramelised and butter-soft – perfect for spreading on crusty bread or adding to other campfire dishes for an instant flavour upgrade.
5. Campfire Paella
Spanish flavours meet wilderness cooking in this one-pan wonder. Using a cast iron skillet, you'll create a smoky, flavourful rice dish studded with whatever proteins you fancy.
The secret is letting the bottom develop a crispy crust called "socarrat" – considered the prize of any good paella. Add seafood just minutes before serving.
6. Ember-Roasted Camembert
Luxury meets wilderness with this ridiculously simple cheese dish. Wrap a whole camembert wheel in foil with garlic and herbs.
Nestle it directly in the embers for 10 minutes until gloriously molten inside. Serve with crusty bread or crackers for dipping, creating an instant gourmet appetiser in the middle of nowhere.
7. Charred Cabbage Steaks
Humble cabbage transforms into something extraordinary with fire's magic touch. Cut a whole cabbage into thick rounds, brush with olive oil, and season generously.
Place directly on hot coals or a grill grate. The outer leaves char dramatically while inner layers become tender and sweet. Finish with a squeeze of lemon and flaky salt for a surprisingly luxurious veg option.
8. Smoked Trout In Newspaper
Freshly caught trout meets ancient cooking wisdom in this technique. Gut fish, stuff cavity with lemon slices and herbs, then wrap tightly in several layers of dampened newspaper.
Nestle directly in hot coals for about 10-15 minutes. The moist paper prevents burning while allowing smoke to penetrate. When unwrapped, the skin peels away effortlessly, revealing perfectly steamed flesh.
