PC Guide: Flame-Kissed Feasts for Every Occassion

From Camping to tailgates, These fire-cooked meals offer a unique blend of simplicity and flavor

Cooking over an open flame is a timeless tradition that infuses food with deep, smoky flavors and turns every meal into a memorable experience. Whether you're camping in the wild, cooking in your backyard, or tailgating with friends, fire-cooked meals offer a unique blend of simplicity and flavor. Here are five tried-and-true meals you can prepare over a fire, along with recipe inspiration and tools from trusted brands like Traeger and Lodge Cast Iron to take your outdoor cooking to the next level.

1. Campfire Foil Packets

Foil packets are a campsite favorite for their ease, versatility, and minimal cleanup. Combine diced potatoes, sausage or ground beef, bell peppers, onions, and your favorite seasoning. Wrap it all in aluminum foil and cook over glowing coals for about 30–40 minutes, flipping occasionally.

Traeger Tip: Use their Veggie Rub or Garlic & Chili Pepper Seasoning to add bold flavor.

Lodge Tip: If you want to skip the foil, try cooking your mix in a Lodge cast iron Dutch oven for an even more robust char and flavor.

2. Skillet Breakfast Hash

Start your day off right with a campfire breakfast skillet. Sauté diced potatoes, onions, and peppers in a Lodge cast iron skillet, then add sausage or bacon. Crack a few eggs on top and cook until the whites are set but yolks are still runny.

Lodge Tip: Their pre-seasoned skillets are perfect for open-flame cooking and retain heat exceptionally well, ideal for crisping potatoes.

Traeger Tip: For a smoky twist, check out Traeger’s Smoked Mac & Cheese recipe and fold in some smoked cheddar into your hash for extra indulgence.

3. Campfire Nachos

Layer tortilla chips with black beans, cheese, jalapeños, tomatoes, and onions in a cast iron skillet. Cover with foil and set it over the fire for 10–15 minutes until the cheese melts and everything is heated through.

Traeger Tip: Their Smoked Queso Dip recipe works perfectly alongside nachos or even poured on top.

Lodge Tip: Use their 10.25” skillet to get even heat across all layers and prevent burning the bottom chips. For added fun, purchase their Dolly Parton edition!

4. Grilled Skewers (Kebabs)

Protein and veggie skewers are perfect for cooking directly over fire. Alternate marinated chunks of chicken, steak, shrimp, or tofu with peppers, onions, mushrooms, and zucchini. Grill over direct heat until the meat is cooked through and the veggies have a nice char.

Traeger Tip: Marinate your protein using their Sweet & Heat BBQ Sauce for sweet, spicy, and smoky depth.

Lodge Tip: Use their reversible cast iron grill pan on the fire to create perfect sear marks and prevent smaller items from falling through grates.

5. Elevated S’mores

No campfire meal is complete without dessert. Take your s’mores to the next level by adding banana slices, peanut butter, or even swapping milk chocolate for dark chocolate or caramel-filled squares.

Traeger Tip: Try their Smoked Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe and use the cookies as the base of your s’more instead of graham crackers—unbelievably good.

Lodge Tip: Use their mini cast iron skillet to melt chocolate and marshmallows together for a s’mores dip to share.

GENERAL Tips for Cooking Over Fire

Tip #1: Use the Right Equipment:

Make sure you have durable, pre-seasoned skillets, dutch ovens, and grill pans built specifically for high-heat, rugged environments.

Tip #2: Master Heat Zones

Create a dual-zone fire with hot coals on one side and less direct heat on the other. This allows for both searing and slow cooking.

Tip #3: Prep Ahead:

Chop vegetables, marinate proteins, and pre-measure spices before you leave home to streamline your fire-side cooking.

Tip #4: Stay Safe:

Always keep a bucket of water or sand nearby and make sure your fire is completely out when you're done.

Where to Find Recipes & Gear

Traeger Grills Recipes: For thousands of recipes, including many for open-flame and wood-fired techniques CLICK HERE.

Lodge Cast Iron Cooking Guides: Find campfire-specific recipes and learn how to season and maintain your cookware by heading OVER HERE.

Bonus Resource: Check out REI’s blog and cooking gear section for more campfire-friendly utensils and recipes.

Cooking over fire is not just a way to feed people—it's a way to connect, tell stories, and build memories. Whether you’re a seasoned grill master or a first-time camper, meals prepared over open flames are always a hit. With help from brands like Traeger, Lodge, and REI you’ll have everything you need to turn any campfire into a five-star kitchen.

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