Basics Of Cooking Over a Campfire
In “An Expert’s Best Advice for Cooking Over a Campfire,” food writer Ali Slagle shares helpful tips and personal experiences to make outdoor cooking simple, fun, and successful, even if you are a beginner. Whether you’re deep in the woods or just camping in your backyard, cooking over a live fire can make food taste extra special.
Slagle explains that meals don’t need to be complicated to be great. Even basic recipes like nachos or foil packets of sausage and veggies become more delicious when cooked over a fire. The smoke adds flavor, the fresh air makes it more enjoyable, and the process feels amazing.
Starting a fire can sound intimidating, but Slagle offers beginner advice, recommending supermarket fire starters, building the fire safely with local wood, and always keeping water nearby. Once the fire burns down into glowing coals, it’s perfect for cooking.
You don’t need a fancy outdoor kitchen. The article suggests packing things you already use at home, such as a skillet, tongs, a sheet pan, and a few basic utensils. A carbon-steel skillet is lighter than a cast-iron skillet and great for campfire use. A sheet pan can even act as a tray, table, or lid.
One important rule: Don’t cook over huge flames. Let the fire settle into hot coals first, then use a grill grate or skillet. Move food to cooler spots if it starts to burn. Slagle also shares clever tips, like cutting food with kitchen scissors to avoid using chopping boards, as they make your workspace messy.
As you just wrap your ingredients in aluminum foil and set them over the fire, foil packets are one of the easiest campfire meals. Good ingredients include already-cooked meats, canned beans, and quick-cooking veggies like corn and cherry tomatoes. Finish with fresh herbs or cheese for extra flavor.
Slagle says the best camping snacks are simple: fresh fruits, salty trail mix, or granola. And for coffee lovers, instant coffee works well at a campsite. The article ends by reminding readers that outdoor cooking doesn’t need to be perfect. Just being outside, sharing a meal, and cooking over a real fire can make even a basic dinner feel magical.
