Living a Better Life®
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Budget Friendly Camping Recipes for Campfire Cooking 

by Michelle Jones 

Now that you're all set with our helpful tips on How to Get Started with Tent Camping (my last column), enjoy our delicious camping recipes that are easy to make and easy on the budget. No expensive ingredients needed. 

A big thank you to all our members who shared a recipe!  

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Cooking Omelets in a Bag (NOT Recommended)

This was one of our favorite recipes 20 years ago and worked great for cooking a fun and easy campfire breakfast. You simply whisked up some eggs, cheese and chopped veggies in a plastic Ziploc bag and boiled in a large pot of water over the campfire. You could make several omelets for the family at a time and cleanup was a breeze. Of course, NOW we know the possible dangers of cooking food at high temperatures in plastic, especially containers not made for cooking. So, sorry to say, this old camp recipe is one to avoid.

Biscuits on a Stick

Use store bought can biscuits and pointed marshmallow roasting sticks. Take one biscuit and roll like a snake, put one end on the top of stick and wrap around, then toast over the fire. When golden brown, you can tell if its done by turning the biscuit and it will slide off the stick easily. Fill the inside with squeeze butter and honey. Yummy! The older kids put a precooked sausage link on the stick then wrap the biscuit around it and cook it, and they still add the honey and butter. My boys 28 & 30 are showing their kids 4, 5, 6, 7 how to do it. Things from Boy Scout camp still passed on! - Sharon

(You can also cook hotdogs wrapped with biscuits on a stick!)

Campfire Nachos

Nachos are a must when we go camping. I buy the 1 lb chub of ground beef (great for storing and also cheaper), brown adding an envelope of taco seasoning. The store brand of taco seasoning is usually always cheaper but tastes exactly the same. Sprinkle the beef mix over tortilla chips. We then add any fixings we like such as jalapenos, sour cream, nacho cheese or olives. The sky is the limit when it comes to toppings. The kids love to make their own creations and I love the no-fuss cooking, plus, it's easy on the wallet. Happy camping to all! - Mandy Serrano of CA

Campfire Potatoes

Slice washed potatoes (1 per person) and layer out in a line on a sheet of foil. (We use heavy duty foil for campfire cooking.) Add a few pats of butter, salt and pepper, and sliced onions. Fold foil to make sealed pouches and place on campfire. Cook potatoes for about 15 minutes or more, depending on how you like them, soft or crispy. These are so good! - Michelle  

Spaghetti Dump

When we go camping, we always plan on having a "spaghetti dump" toward the end of our stay. Anything that would be tossed that we don't want to take home gets put into the spaghetti... pizza leftovers, veggies, cheese, deli meats or anything you have that sounds delicious! Boil the water, cook the pasta and after draining the noodles add everything you want and serve. It is always delicious! - Pam

Hobo Burgers

Take 1 hamburger patty, some sliced potatoes, sliced onion, salt & pepper & sliced carrots. Wrap in 2 layers of tin foil and grill on campfire for 30 min or until it puffs out. You can eat it as a burger or hamburger steak. Enjoy! - Sharon

Hobo Fish

Like the Hobo Burgers, you can also wrap fresh fish fillets with onions, veggies, added spices and cook the same way. Delicious! - Michelle

One Pot Recipe 

I used to make a terrific one-pot recipe that we always had while camping. It was simply a matter of dumping a large can of pork and beans, cut up bologna (if you can get the chunk kind it makes better "chunks") and a can of peaches. It is surprising how good this all tastes cooked over a campfire! You can also add ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, etc., but it doesn't really need it. - Charl Roberson

Campfire Coffee Can Bread

Use two coffee cans; one small (1lb) and one large (3lb). Coat inside of small coffee can with butter or cooking spray. Place 1 pound of bread dough inside can and cover with foil. Set can aside in warm place until the dough doubles in volume. Add about 2 inches of sand or small rocks to the bottom of larger coffee can. Place smaller can with dough inside larger can and put directly into coals. Bury the bottom of the can 2-3 inches and cover with foil (pierce a few holes in foil). Baking time will vary, about 40-50 minutes or more. Bread should be brown on top. - Sydney Haughton 

Campfire Coffee Can Ice Cream

For this fun recipe you will also need two coffee cans (with lids), one small and one large. In the small can, mix together 1 pint half-and-half, 1 and 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract and 1/3 cup sugar. You can also add 1/3 cup of fruit, nuts, crushed cookies, or 3 tablespoons of instant pudding mix (any flavor) to add flavor. Secure lid and place small can inside large can. In the large can, alternately add ice and rock salt (about 1/2 cup), surrounding the small can inside. Secure lid for large can and wrap in towel. Roll can on picnic table or flat area for 10 -15 minutes. If not frozen recover and roll some more until ready to eat! - Sydney Haughton

Skillet Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches 

Cook buttered slices of bread in iron skillet over campfire, just like grilled cheese sandwiches. Only with peanut butter and jelly on the inside, instead of cheese! - Michelle

Have a recipe that's good for family camping? Please contact me, I'd love to hear from you!

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Copyright © 2012 by Michelle Jones. All rights reserved.

Author of...

Dealing with Debt, Frugal Family Recipes Cookbook, 

The Better Budgeting Class: A 5-Week Course, and 

101 Coupon Tips... To Help You Save More at the Store!

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