Campfire potatoes: 5 irresistible recipes for your next trip

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When you think about camping, one of the first things that might pop into your mind is delicious, hearty meals cooked over a warm, crackling campfire. And what could be more satisfying than a scrumptious, easy-to-make dish perfect for any camping experience? Enter campfire potatoes! 

This versatile, crowd-pleasing side dish is delicious and fun to prepare. In this blog post, we’ll explore the world of campfire potatoes and share a fantastic campfire potatoes recipe along with other useful tips and techniques. 

Follow along as we show you how to make campfire potatoes that will wow your fellow campers.

Selecting and preparing potatoes

Before you toss them into or over a campfire, you’ll have to do some homework: buy the right potatoes, take care of their storage, and prep them for cooking. Here’s how to do that:

Choosing the right potato variety

Before heading out on your camping adventure, selecting the best type of potato for your campfire creations is important. There are numerous potato varieties, but some work better than others for campfire cooking. 

For example, Russet potatoes are great for baking, while Yukon Gold or red potatoes are excellent choices for their firm texture and even cooking.

Storing potatoes for your camping trip

When planning your trip, it’s essential to properly store your potatoes to ensure they remain fresh and flavorful. Keep them in a cool, dark place with good ventilation. 

Avoid refrigerating them, as this can cause them to become overly moist and lead to a breakdown in texture.

Learn all the ins and outs about food storage for camping to keep your meals fresh.

Preparing your potatoes

Before cooking, make sure to wash your potatoes to remove any dirt and debris thoroughly. If you prefer, you can also peel them, but many people enjoy the added flavor and nutrients found in potato skins. 

When cutting your potatoes, try to make even-sized pieces to ensure they cook uniformly over the campfire.

Campfire cooking techniques

While nearly any cookware will do for cooking your potatoes, these three well-tested techniques we believe work best for crispy, mouthwatering potatoes:

Foil-wrapped campfire potatoes

campfire potatoes in foil

One popular method for cooking campfire potatoes is wrapping them in foil. This technique helps to keep the potatoes moist and tender while they cook. Foil-wrapped campfire baked potatoes make a delicious, mess-free addition to any campfire meal.

First, lay out a large piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Place your potato pieces in the center of the foil, along with your choice of seasonings, herbs, or other ingredients.

Fold the foil over the potatoes, sealing the edges tightly to create a secure packet. Cooking potatoes in foil helps to lock in moisture and flavor, resulting in a tender and delicious dish. Campfire potatoes in foil are a popular choice for their ease of preparation and minimal cleanup.

Once you’ve prepared your potato foil packet, place it on the coals or a grill grate and let the magic happen.

Simply place the foil packets on hot coals or a grill grate to bake campfire potatoes and cook until tender. Be careful of the hot steam that may escape when opening the packs.

Flavor variations and ideas: Try adding garlic, rosemary, and a splash of olive oil for a classic flavor profile. Or, mix things up with Cajun seasoning, diced peppers, and onions for a spicy kick.

Explore more campfire foil meals.

Skewered campfire potatoes

potato skewers

Skewered potatoes are another fun and tasty way to cook them over a campfire. This method adds a nice, smoky flavor to the potatoes and creates an interactive cooking experience.

Parboil your potato pieces for 5-10 minutes until they’re slightly softened but still firm. This will make it easier to skewer them and ensure even cooking over the campfire.

Thread the potato pieces onto metal or pre-soaked wooden skewers, along with any additional ingredients you’d like, such as vegetables or meat.

Cook the skewers over the campfire, turning occasionally to ensure even cooking, until the potatoes are tender and slightly charred.

Flavor variations and ideas: Try marinating the potatoes in a mix of soy sauce, honey, and garlic for an Asian-inspired twist, or brush them with a tangy barbecue sauce for a smoky, sweet treat.

Cast iron skillet campfire potatoes

campfire potatoes in a skillet

Using a cast iron skillet is another fantastic way to cook campfire potatoes. This method allows for even heat distribution, ensuring your potatoes are perfectly cooked.

Preheat your cast iron skillet over the campfire, adding oil or butter to prevent sticking.

Add your potato pieces and additional ingredients, such as onions, peppers, or your favorite seasonings.

Stir the potatoes occasionally, allowing them to cook evenly and develop a crispy, golden-brown exterior.

Cook the potatoes over medium heat, occasionally stirring to ensure they don’t stick to the skillet.

Flavor variations and ideas: For a Southwestern flair, toss the potatoes with taco seasoning, black beans, and corn. Or, go for a comforting, cheesy version by adding shredded cheddar and cooked bacon.

5 irresistible campfire potato recipes

While campfire potatoes might sound like a plain deal, they’re so far away from that! You can easily adjust them for every preference. We recommend trying these five awesome recipes to kick off your potato game.

1. Classic campfire potatoes with garlic and herbs

  1. Toss cubed potatoes with minced garlic, chopped fresh rosemary, thyme, salt, pepper, and olive oil.
  2. Cook using your favorite fire cooking technique (foil-wrapped, skewered, or in a cast iron skillet) until the potatoes are tender and slightly crispy.
  3. Serve hot, and enjoy the combination of fragrant herbs and garlic with the comforting warmth of perfectly cooked potatoes. Once the potatoes cook through, sprinkle them with fresh parsley for a burst of color and added flavor.

2. Cheesy bacon campfire potatoes

  1. Mix cubed potatoes, cooked and crumbled bacon, chopped green onions, shredded cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce to the potato mixture for an extra savory kick.
  2. Cook using the foil-wrapped method, ensuring the cheese melts and the flavors meld together.
  3. Carefully open the foil packet, garnish with additional green onions, and dig into this gooey, savory treat.

3. Campfire potato nachos

  1. Thinly slice potatoes into rounds and toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
  2. Cook the potato slices using the cast iron skillet method until they’re crispy and golden brown.
  3. Layer the cooked potato slices with shredded cheese, black beans, diced tomatoes, jalapeños, and other desired nacho toppings.
  4. Cover the skillet with a lid or foil, and heat over the campfire until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  5. Top with a dollop of sour cream, guacamole, and a sprinkling of cilantro for fun and unique take on campfire nachos.

4. Smoky BBQ campfire potatoes

  1. Toss cubed potatoes with your favorite barbecue sauce, ensuring they’re well coated.
  2. Cook the potatoes using the skewered method, brushing them with additional barbecue sauce as they cook for extra flavor.
  3. Serve the potatoes with a side of barbecue sauce for dipping, and enjoy the smoky, sweet taste of BBQ in the great outdoors.

5. Sweet and spicy campfire potatoes

  1. Mix cubed sweet potatoes, diced red onion, a drizzle of honey, and a sprinkle of chili powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl. For added depth of flavor, you can also drizzle a small amount of chicken broth over the sweet potato mixture before cooking.
  2. Cook the sweet potato mixture using your preferred campfire cooking technique until the potatoes are tender and caramelized.
  3. Serve with a dollop of cooling sour cream or Greek yogurt to balance the sweet and spicy flavors of this unique dish.

Tips for a safe and enjoyable campfire cooking experience

Campfire is no game, so it’s a must to handle it properly. With these tips in mind, you’ll be on the right track for a safe and responsible campfire experience.

Campfire safety

When cooking over a campfire, it’s crucial to prioritize camping safety. Start and maintain your campfire in a designated fire pit or fire ring, away from any flammable materials like tents or low-hanging tree branches. 

Keep a bucket of water or a fire extinguisher nearby in emergencies, and always monitor the fire closely, especially when children are present.

Extinguishing the campfire

When you’re finished cooking and enjoying your campfire potatoes, ensure that you properly extinguish the fire. 

Douse the flames with water, stir the ashes with a shovel, and continue adding water until the ashes are cool to the touch. Never leave a campfire unattended or go to sleep before making sure it’s completely extinguished.

Always follow the leave no trace principles

Proper cooking tools and utensils

Invest in quality campfire cooking tools and utensils designed for open flame use. These include long-handled tongs, skewers, and heavy-duty foil. 

A cast iron skillet is a fantastic addition to your camping cookware, as it’s durable and versatile for various campfire meals.

Adjusting cooking times and temperatures

Remember that campfire cooking times and temperatures can vary depending on the heat of your fire and the specific cooking technique you’re using. 

Check your potatoes frequently and adjust their position over the fire to ensure even cooking and avoid burning.

Bottom line

Campfire potatoes are an undeniably delightful addition to any camping trip, offering a versatile and comforting dish that’s easy to prepare and customize. With the tips, techniques, and recipes shared in this blog post, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the art of campfire potato cooking. 

So, go ahead and experiment with different flavor combinations, and don’t forget to share your delicious creations with friends and family around the fire. Happy camping and bon appétit!

Be sure to check out our other camping recipes for more delicious and easy-to-make dishes perfect for your outdoor adventures:

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