There is something about cooking a meal over a campfire or campfire stove that slows everything down. In the best ways. Each step feels more intentional. From gathering the ingredients, tools and camping gear, to setting up the campsite and camp kitchen, opportunities abound for connection and a chance for families and friends to gather in ways that just aren’t possible in a crowded restaurant or at home where technology and chores can be distracting. This Father’s Day, why not head out to your favorite High Desert camping spot and gather round the campfire instead? These simple, satisfying campfire recipes – from a hearty foil packet burger meal to a golden Dutch oven apple crisp – bring the kitchen outdoors, where the stories are just as good as the food, and memories are made under the stars.
Fireside Foil Packet Dinner
Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 1 lb ground beef (formed into 4 patties or crumbled)
- 3–4 medium potatoes, sliced ¼-inch thick
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Optional: shredded cheddar, sour cream, or fresh herbs
Instructions
- Preheat campfire grill to medium-high (about 400°F) or prepare campfire coals.
- Lay out four sheets of heavy-duty foil (about 12×18 inches).
- Toss potatoes, carrots, onion, and bell pepper with olive oil and seasonings.
- Divide vegetables evenly among packets, spreading into a flat layer.
- Place a beef patty on top (or crumble beef over vegetables).
- Season lightly with additional salt and pepper.
- Fold foil tightly, sealing edges while leaving a little space for steam.
- Cook on grill grates or campfire coals for 30–40 minutes, turning once, until potatoes are tender and beef is cooked through.
- Carefully open and finish with cheese, a dollop of sour cream, or fresh herbs.
Ember-Roasted Garden Veggie Packets (Vegetarian)
Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 4 medium potatoes, sliced ¼-inch thick
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 4 small ears of corn, cut into 2–3-inch pieces
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- 1 small red onion, sliced
- 2-3 cups Cremini (baby bella) mushrooms
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat grill or prepare campfire coals (medium-high heat).
- Lay out four sheets of heavy-duty foil.
- Layer potatoes first, then top with broccoli, bell pepper, zucchini, and onion.
- Drizzle each packet with olive oil.
- Sprinkle evenly with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Seal foil tightly, leaving room for steam.
- Cook for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until potatoes are fork-tender.
- Finish with fresh parsley before serving.
Optional upgrades
- Add crumbled feta or goat cheese
- Serve over rice (cooked ahead at home)
- Wrap in warm tortillas for campfire veggie tacos
Campfire Tip
Cut vegetables to similar sizes so everything cooks evenly, and always use heavy-duty foil to lock in heat and flavor. Packets can be prepped ahead—just keep them chilled until they hit the fire.
Starlight Dutch Oven Apple Crisp
Ingredients (Serves 6–8)
Filling
- 6 cups apples, peeled and sliced (about 5–6 medium apples)
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- 1 tbsp flour
- Pinch of salt
Crisp Topping
- 1 cup rolled oats
- ¾ cup flour
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ cup (1 stick) cold butter, cubed
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare a campfire and let it burn down to a bed of hot coals, or preheat a grill to medium heat.
- In a large bowl, combine apples, brown sugar, granulated sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, flour and salt. Transfer to a lightly greased 10–12" cast iron Dutch oven.
- In a separate bowl, mix oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture is crumbly.
- Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apples.
- Place the Dutch oven on a bed of coals or on a grill grate. Add a few coals to the lid if cooking over a fire.
- Cook for 30–40 minutes, rotating occasionally, until apples are tender and the topping is golden.
- Let cool slightly before serving.
Tips
- Make ahead: The topping can be prepared in advance and kept chilled in a cooler until ready to use.
- Even cooking: Rotate the Dutch oven (both base and lid) every 10 minutes to prevent hot spots.
- Shortcut option: Substitute fresh apples with two 21-ounce cans of apple pie filling (or three 15-ounce cans). Reduce added sugar slightly if desired.
Father’s Day Gift Guide: Campfire Kitchen Essentials
For the dad who’d rather cook under the open sky, these campfire-ready tools bring ease, flavor and a little extra enjoyment to every fireside meal.
Cast Iron Dutch Oven
A campfire classic for a reason. Perfect for everything from slow-simmered stews to golden apple crisp, cast iron holds heat beautifully and delivers that unmistakable fireside flavor.
Heavy-Duty Foil & Reusable Grill Packets
The secret behind easy, no-mess campfire meals. Upgrade Dad’s setup with extra-thick foil or reusable grill baskets designed for perfectly cooked packet dinners.
Heat-Resistant Gloves
From shifting coals to lifting hot lids, a sturdy pair of heat-resistant gloves makes campfire cooking safer—and a lot more comfortable.
Long-Handled Utensils
Keep a safe distance from the flames with durable, long-handled tongs, spatulas and spoons—essential tools for cooking over an open fire.
Fire Pit Cooking Grate
Turn any fire into an outdoor kitchen. A portable grate creates a stable surface for foil packets, cast iron and more.
Portable Camp Stove
For those times when campfires aren’t an option, a compact camp stove keeps the cooking going. Lightweight and easy to pack, it’s perfect for everything from morning coffee to one-pan dinners—no flames required.
Campfire Spice Kit
A small, travel-ready set of favorite spices—think smoked paprika, garlic powder and sea salt—adds big flavor without taking up space.
Because the best Father’s Day gifts aren’t just things—they’re the moments shared around the fire.