There are two things we all know to be true about campfire cooking: The fresh air somehow makes all the food taste better (you know it’s true!), and we want it to be easy. Who wants to wash lots of dishes in the woods? Here is one of the best and easiest camping culinary techniques: Tin Foil Campfire Cooking! Cooking with tin foil is a surprisingly effortless way to get a whole meal cooked in one little bundle.
These tin foil recipes require just 3 steps:
- Mix all the ingredients together.
- Wrap them up tight in tin foil.
- Place carefully in the coals (not roaring flames!) of the fire.
Tin Foil Pro Tips:
- Always use tongs to remove hot foil from the fire.
- Make sure bundles are leak-free and secure. Consider double-wrapping.
- If you don’t want tin foil to touch your food, try lining the foil with parchment paper or using cedar wraps instead.
- Be prepared for neighboring campers to ask for samples of your delicious camp food. Plan your answer ahead of time.
The Savory
Salmon with Lemon and Dill Butter Sauce
Great when replaced with fresh-caught trout, too!
Makes 4 Packets
Ingredients:
- 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz)
- 1 tbsp butter
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- ¼ tsp garlic powder or 2 cloves of fresh garlic minced
- 1 tbsp dry dill or 4 fresh dill sprigs
- 1 large lemon cut into quarters
Directions:
- 10-12 minutes in the coals
- It’s ready when the meat is flaky
- Enjoy with fresh-squeezed lemon on top
- Consider mixing your spices at home for even easier fireside cooking
Cheesy Potatoes
Can you say, “Seconds, please?”
Serves 4 as a side
Ingredients:
- 2 large potatoes, diced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Fresh chopped chives
- Any extras that sound good: hot sauce, bacon bits, sour cream, salsa, etc.
Directions:
- 15-20 minutes in the coals
Breakfast Bundle with Sausage, Egg, and Potatoes
Forget important – how about the most delicious meal of the day?
Makes 4 Packets
Ingredients:
- 1 lb pork or turkey breakfast sausage patties
- 4 eggs
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 large diced potatoes or 4 cups frozen hash browns
Directions:
- Pour beaten eggs over the potatoes
- Place sausage patty on top
- Seal with foil
- 15-20 minutes in the coals
Roasted Vegetables
Eat your veggies so you’ll be big and strong for tomorrow’s hike.
Ingredients:
- Any chopped vegetable
- A little olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Any additional spices
A Few Favorite Combos:
- Asparagus + lemon and garlic salt
- Summer squash + S&P
- Potatoes and carrots + herbs de Provence
- Broccoli and sweet potatoes + paprika
Directions:
- 10-15 minutes for green veggies
- 15-20 minutes for root veggies
- *Pro-tip: If you’re making veggies in addition to meat or tofu, put everything in the same foil and cook at the same time!
The Sweet
Banana Boats
Best campfire food, ever! Ooey-gooey goodness.
Ingredients:
- Bananas
- Chocolate Chips
- (optional) Coconut Flakes, Granola, Maraschino Cherries, Fresh Fruit, Nutella, Nuts, Marshmallows, or any other yummy thing you might put on a sundae
Directions:
- Mush up the banana inside the peel
- Mix the fixins’ with the mashed banana inside the peel and then seal the bundle
- 3-5 minutes in the coals
Stuffed Baked Apples
You’ll feel warmed, body and spirit, with these tasty, cozy treats.
Ingredients:
- 4 Apples
- 1 tbsp melted butter
- Splash of lemon juice
- ¼ cup raisins, dried cranberries, or a mix of both
- 2 tbsp walnuts or pecans
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
Directions:
- Core the apples
- Mix other ingredients and insert into holes in apples
- Wrap each apple individually with foil
- 30-40 minutes in the coals
More Recipes and Tips
Backpacking Snacks & Meal Ideas
Food Storage & Handling Guide
Meal Prep For Backpacking
Brianna A. is a friendly local librarian turned travel/adventure writer who loves to learn about the world…and then write about it.