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One of the greatest joys of summer is going on a camping trip. (At least for some people!) After all, sleeping under the stars and disconnecting from social media is a great way to bond with your family and enjoy a bit adventure while you’re at it! Whether you take the time to go hiking, fishing, or even bird watching, there are so many reasons to love camping. But all of these activities will require some nourishment, so before you tuck yourself into your sleeping bags, check out our list of simple, yet satisfying camping recipes. Some can be cooked over an open fire and others are easy enough to make on a portable grill. Plus, we’ve included plenty of camping snacks that you can pack in your cooler!
When the Drummond kids were little, they used to go out camping along the creek every year. “They fish and play and build a fire, and they talk and lie back and look at the stars,” says Ree Drummond. They would also eat all the staple “camp-out grub” like skillet cornbread, cowboy beans, and grilled sausages. Here, you’ll find their favorites plus campfire dinners, trail mixes, and foil-packet ideas cooked over an open fire. Some even include handy camping tips so you can get back to enjoying the great outdoors. Oh, and to give your camping trip the sweet ending it deserves, there are campfire desserts like skillet cobblers and s’mores desserts. It wouldn’t be camping with roasted marshmallows, now would it?
Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs
Elevate your camping food by taking your regular hot dogs and wrapping them in bacon. This fun meat-lover’s recipe is sure to become a new family favorite.
Get the Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs recipe.
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Grilled Veggie Skewers
Just because your camping doesn’t mean you can’t eat your veggies. This method for skewering the zucchini, tomatoes, peppers, and mushrooms makes it so easy to add a pop of color to your plate.
Get the Grilled Veggie Skewers recipe.
Beef-and-Bean Chili
This chili recipe is extra hearty thanks to the addition of both ground beef and beans. You can top it off with anything you like, but cheese, bacon and jalapeños are always a good idea.
Get Ree’s Beef-and-Bean Chili recipe.
S’mores Bars
You can’t have a camping trip without s’mores! This recipe allows you to make the treats at home the night before so you can pack them up for wherever your adventure might take you.
Get the S’mores Bars recipe.
Breakfast Burritos to Go
Filled with sausage, scrambled eggs, potatoes, and cheese—these breakfast burritos are a great way to give you energy for a day spent in the great outdoors. Make them ahead and breakfast couldn’t be easier.
Get Ree’s Breakfast Burritos to Go recipe.
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Grilled Mushrooms
Hearty, savory mushrooms are a delicious addition to any camp food grub. Plus, you’ll want to pour the garlicky soy butter over just about everything.
Get the Grilled Mushrooms recipe.
Grilled Salmon
After a day of fishing, you might want to know how to grill salmon. Enter: this easy recipe that’s ready in 5 minutes or less! It’s perfectly seared and incredibly flaky.
Get the Grilled Salmon recipe.
Tortellini Pasta Salad
This pasta salad is anything but boring. In fact, it’s downright inventive with the cheese-filled tortellini in stead of your typical noodles. There are also lots of fresh veggies, deli meats, and a sun-dried tomato vinaigrette.
Get the Tortellini Pasta Salad recipe.
Grilled Potatoes
This fun method for grilling potatoes will ensure that your spuds don’t roll right off the grill. You can even boil them ahead for easy meal prep.
Get the Grilled Potatoes recipe.
Nutella Krispie Treats
Your family will thank you when they see that you packed these chocolate treats on your next camping trip. They’re chock full of marshmallows and pecans for added crunch.
Get Ree’s Nutella Krispie Treats recipe.
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Beer Brats
When sausages, onions, and beer simmer together, it’s pure heaven. They become juicy and plump and prime for grilling.
Get the Beer Brats recipe.
Grilled Peaches
Simple and sweet grilled peaches are delicious on their own, but you can also top them with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or even greek yogurt for a campfire breakfast.
Get the Grilled Peaches recipe.
Cowboy Caviar
This quick dip is a great way to pack in the veggies and beans on your camping trip. Just serve them up with tortilla chips for scooping.
Get the Cowboy Caviar recipe.
Steakhouse Kebabs
Bring the steakhouse outdoors with this fun recipe for steak kebabs. They have potatoes, mushrooms, and a blue cheese dressing.
Get Ree’s Steakhouse Kebabs recipe.
Grilled Watermelon
Fresh slices of watermelon get smoky and caramelized when tossed on the grill. Add some fresh cilantro and lime zest for even more unique flavor.
Get the Grilled Watermelon recipe.
Beef Kebabs
A good marinade is the key to making the best beef kebabs. Stack them up with vegetables and your whole crew will come running.
Get the Beef Kebabs recipe.
Sweet Potato Hash
Using sweet potatoes in this breakfast hash is a nice change of pace from your typical potato hash. Plus, it pairs so well with the smoky flavors from the bacon.
Get the Sweet Potato Hash recipe.
Cowboy Beans
Looking to eat like a cowboy? Just make a batch of these comforting beans. They’ll warm you up even when the sun goes down on the open range.
Get the Cowboy Beans recipe.
Southwestern Pasta Salad
We love this kind of make-ahead pasta salad. It’s loaded with mix-ins, perfectly creamy, and even gets tastier over time.
Get the Southwestern Pasta Salad recipe.
Breakfast Cookies
This grab-and-go breakfast is perfect for fueling you and your family up for a long day of adventures. It’s loaded with oats, seeds, cereal, and dried fruit.
Get the Breakfast Cookies recipe.
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Black Bean Chili
It wouldn’t be a camping trip without a pot of chili. It’ll keep you warm even if the temperatures drop.
Get the Black Bean Chili recipe.
Simple Grilled Flank Steak
Flank steak is a long and thin cut of beef, so it doesn’t take forever to cook which means it’s perfect for camping. Grill the steak for three to five minutes per side and serve it up with a side of beans—it’s that easy.
Get the Simple Grilled Flank Steak recipe.
Poblano-Potato Bundles
Don’t even bother with boiling these potatoes. Just toss them with the poblano peppers, butter, heavy cream, and spices, then tightly secure the foil packets and grill.
Get Ree’s Poblano-Potato Bundles recipe.
Skillet Cornbread
This is Ree’s “all-time favorite cornbread recipe.” Make one for your camping trip and one for a snack right now—you won’t regret it!
Get Ree’s Skillet Cornbread recipe.
Campfire Cones
This trendy summer dessert combines traditional s’mores ingredients with ice cream cones for a mess-free treat that everyone in the family will love.
Get the Campfire Cones recipe.
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BBQ Hot Dogs with Cilantro Slaw
Grilled hot dogs, barbecue sauce, and crunchy slaw is the perfect flavor combination. Prepare the slaw in advance for an easy camping meal.
Get Ree’s BBQ Hot Dogs with Cilantro Slaw recipe.
Grilled Chicken Marinade
You can make this marinade up to four days in advance and store in a mason jar so you can pack it up for your next camping trip. Just be sure to only marinade the chicken for up to four hours.
Get the Grilled Chicken Marinade recipe.
Beef-Vegetable Kebabs
These handheld skewers make it easy for everyone to grill their own dinner. Serve it up with a side of pre-made orzo or your favorite pasta salad.
Get Ree’s Beef-Vegetable Kebabs recipe.
Grilled Corn on the Cob
This method of grilling corn leaves some of the husk in place to help steam the corn, but exposes some of the kernels for that ultimate charred look.
Get the Grilled Corn on the Cob recipe.
Lemon-Pepper Grilled Rib-Eyes
You can find lemon-pepper seasoning at most supermarkets, but making your own is easier than you might think. Plus, you can prep it ahead and pack it up with your camping essentials to use on rib-eyes, chicken, or even veggies.
Get Ree’s Lemon-Pepper Grilled Rib-Eyes recipe.
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Classic Cheeseburger
Homemade burger patties will make your campout feel extra-special. Then, when it comes to the toppings, keep things simple with lettuce, tomato, and red onion.
Get the Classic Cheeseburger recipe.
Chipotle Pasta Salad
Make this tangy pasta salad ahead and serve it up with your favorite mains—it goes with anything from hot dogs to steaks.
Get Ree’s Chipotle Pasta Salad recipe.
Grilled Shrimp Skewers
Shrimp might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to camping recipes. But this method for making them on skewers makes it easy to cook on an outdoor grill.
Get the Grilled Shrimp Skewers recipe.
Beef Taco Skillet
Cast iron skillets are the perfect vessel for cooking over a campfire stove or open flame. They’re practically indestructible and they can hold an entire one-pan meal, like this beef taco skillet.
Get Ree’s Beef Taco Skillet recipe.
Chipotle Chili Hot Dogs
The only thing better than homemade chili kept warm over an open fire is that chili served over hot dogs with cheese and onions.
Get Ree’s Chipotle Chili Hot Dogs recipe.
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Granola Bars
You’ll want to make this healthy snack in advance and pack them up for your weekend outdoors. They’re perfect for curbing hunger and keeping you energized while you hike, fish, or simply relax under the stars.
Get the Granola Bars recipe.
Ham Sandwiches with Quick Pickles
A simple sandwich will be a hit for any camp-side lunch. To step things up a notch, add homemade pickles and lots of mayo.
Get Ree’s Ham Sandwiches with Quick Pickles recipe.
Grilled Sausages and Peppers
Sausage and peppers is such a versatile dish. You can serve it on a platter and let guests help themselves or make sandwiches using toasted rolls.
Get the Grilled Sausages and Peppers recipe.
Doughnut Hole Kebabs
Transform store-bought glazed doughnuts into a campfire sensation with this easy grilling recipe. To make them extra-sweet, serve the doughnuts with strawberry sauce for dipping.
Get Ree’s Doughnut Hole Kebabs recipe.
Sausage Dip
Three ingredients and 10 minutes is all it takes to make this easy skillet dip. Serve it with tortilla chips or spread it into a wrap for an easy dinner.
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