Fun Campfire Cooking Techniques

Who Needs a Pot?

When you’re cooking outdoors, you can experiment with many different cooking methods. Here are some unique ideas for cooking without pots and pans.  These methods use hot coals.

Photo by Don Wilkie

Since different things take different lengths of time to cook, you need to experiment with the amount of coals and cooking times. Use fewer coals for foods that need to cook slowly at a lower temperature.

Try to Cook Directly on Coals!
You can use the direct heat of coals to cook food without any other dishes or equipment. Some foods are most delicious cooked directly on hot coals.

Can You Really Cook on a Rock?
A rock can be used as a fire cooking surface for your camp mealtime. The heat is conducted through a rock from coals or fire below. Campfire cooking on a rock is a unique way to prepare your camping food.

You Can Cook Food Inside of Foodd
Another unique way to cook over a campfire is to cook some food items inside of other foods. The outside food protects the inside food against the heat while at the same time, adding more delicious flavor. When you cook food inside food, you'll come up with some delicious camping meals.

Cooking on Leaves
You can use large cabbage or lettuce leaves to cook meats on your campfire. Other leaves can also be used (just make certain that the leaf is not poisonous). Try cooking on leaves next time you go camping.

Cook Food in Clay
If you are camping in an area where the soil is mostly clay, you can use a wrapping of clay to help you cook your food. The clay will protect your food as it cooks in a bed of coals. Clay cooking contains the moisture and keeps the heat in.

Cooking in Paper
Another unusual campfire cooking method is cooking in paper. As long as the paper is wet when you place it on the coals, it won’t burn. Fish can be cooked in this manner. You can also boil liquid in paper cartons or cups with this method.

Coffee Can Cooking
A simple and easy way of campfire cooking is to set a large coffee can on the coals. Layer your food into the can, cover it and use the coffee can to cook your meal.

Want some variation for your meals on your camping trip? Try this seafood and fish chowder recipe. You can still have delicious food, even on an outdoors camping trip.

Let our camping recipes liven up your campout. Whether it be over the campfire, in a Dutch oven, or on a barbeque grill... food cooked outdoors is always tasty!