10 Delicious Cast Iron Skillet Recipes To Make Your Camping Trip Wonderful (2024)

10 Delicious Cast Iron Skillet Recipes To Make Your Camping Trip Wonderful (1)Most people in the south have a few good cast iron skillet recipes that they pull out when camping season rolls around. If you’ve never used a cast iron skillet, or you just want a new list of recipes to take along on your next camping trip, I’ve got a great selection of 10 recipes that range from breakfast to dinner to dessert.
These recipes use cast iron skillets and you can either put them on a grill or on the coals from your campfire. Whether you want a great s’mores dip or you prefer brownies, or even a hearty breakfast, you’re sure to find a camping recipe that will make your trip delicious.
Let’s grab those iron skillets and get that campfire stoked. We’re going to be cooking up a storm in the great outdoors, and making some tasty treats for the whole family. While you’re at it, be sure to check out these great camping hacks.

1. Camping Breakfast

10 Delicious Cast Iron Skillet Recipes To Make Your Camping Trip Wonderful (2)A hearty breakfast is a must when you’re camping, and this iron skillet breakfast with eggs, sausage, and other tasty ingredients is sure to be a hit with everyone on your camping trip. You can put the iron skillet on a grill or directly on the coals from your fire. Be sure that you don’t get the fire too hot, or you might burn your eggs.

Recipe and directions:campingwithgus

2. Cast Iron Skillet Brownies

10 Delicious Cast Iron Skillet Recipes To Make Your Camping Trip Wonderful (3)Brownies are a must anytime, especially when you’re camping. These brownies are made in an iron skillet, and you can cook them right there on your campfire coals. Just mix up your ingredients, pour into your skillet, and “bake” until done. Add nuts, chocolate chips, or whatever else you want to make them extra-special. They’re a skillet full of ooey, gooey goodness.

Recipe and directions:simplyfoodlove

3. Baked Beans

10 Delicious Cast Iron Skillet Recipes To Make Your Camping Trip Wonderful (4)This is definitely not your typical baked bean recipe. Complete with delicious bacon, and cooked to perfection over an open fire in your cast iron skillet, these baked beans are certain to become a family favorite. You can even add your own take with your favorite barbecue sauce, or some brown sugar or molasses. However you like them, make them even better when you cook them over a campfire.

Recipe and directions:foodandwine

4. S’Mores Dip

10 Delicious Cast Iron Skillet Recipes To Make Your Camping Trip Wonderful (5)You’ve probably seen this s’mores dip recipe before, but it definitely deserves a second look. Baked in a cast iron skillet over your open campfire, this is sure to become the favorite dessert of all your future camping trips. You mix up your ingredients, layer in the iron skillet, and then “bake” over the campfire. Then use vanilla wafers, graham crackers, or even Oreos to dip into your concoction.

Recipe and directions:hungrybrownie

5. Pizza Nachos

10 Delicious Cast Iron Skillet Recipes To Make Your Camping Trip Wonderful (6)What could possibly be better than pizza and nachos? Pizza nachos cooked in an iron skillet, and over an open flame. These are so delicious, and so easy to make. You can customize them by adding whatever you want to make them taste the way you want. The best part is, the cheese gets all melty over the open fire, and the iron skillet really gives it a wonderfully tex-mex flavor that you just can’t get making them at home.

Recipe and directions:tastykitchen

6. Campfire Cornbread

10 Delicious Cast Iron Skillet Recipes To Make Your Camping Trip Wonderful (7)Cornbread is great with so many different foods, and making it in an iron skillet is my favorite way. Even if you don’t typically bake your cornbread in a skillet at home, you can definitely get onboard with this iron skillet cornbread cooked over an open flame, or in this case, over hot coals. Be sure that you keep an eye on this one so that you don’t burn your bread, and it’s best to use coals as opposed to a live fire.

Recipe and directions:freshoffthegrid

7. Triple Berry Cobbler

10 Delicious Cast Iron Skillet Recipes To Make Your Camping Trip Wonderful (8)You know you want to try this cobbler! It’s filled with luscious berries and so flavorful when it’s cooked in an iron skillet. Just a note, if you aren’t really a fan of berries, you can also do this with peaches. Peach cobbler cooked over a campfire is one of my favorite dishes, and will be yours, too! Remember to use the coals instead of an actual flame, and keep an eye to make sure that you aren’t cooking it too long, as the cobbler part can burn.

Recipe and directions:devour-blog

8. French Toast – Campfire Style

10 Delicious Cast Iron Skillet Recipes To Make Your Camping Trip Wonderful (9)Imagine waking up to the smell of french toast when you’re camping. Now, grab the ingredients and your iron skillet and stop imagining. You can make this easily, and the iron skillet gives it such a wonderful flavor. Don’t forget to pack your syrup when you’re heading out on your camping trip and you can enjoy this delicious french toast every morning. Plus, cleanup is actually a lot easier than you might think.

Recipe and directions:thekitchenmagpie

9. Easy Skillet Dinner

When I say easy, I mean it. This is one of the fastest and tastiest dinner recipes for camping, and you make it all in your iron skillet. You brown ground beef and then add spices, beans, and even potatoes if you want. This is a great recipe for those of you who like to experiment with different flavors, and it’s cooked over the open fire so you know it’s going to be delicious.

Recipe and directions:koa

10. Skillet Biscuits

What could be better than biscuits when you’re camping? Really. This is such a neat way to make breakfast biscuits, or dinner biscuits for that matter, and they taste so great cooked in an iron skillet. You can make your biscuits from scratch or even use canned ones if that’s your preference. The way you cook them is what really makes them great.

Recipe and directions:countryliving

10 Delicious Cast Iron Skillet Recipes To Make Your Camping Trip Wonderful (2024)

FAQs

What foods are best cooked in a cast iron skillet? ›

The Best Foods to Cook in Cast Iron Pans
  • Pan-seared veggies and proteins.
  • Fatty foods like bacon.
  • Burgers.
  • Grilled cheese sandwiches.
  • Pizza.
  • Eggs (yes, you read that right!)
  • Potatoes.
  • Cornbread and other breads.
Aug 30, 2022

How do you use a cast iron skillet for camping? ›

"Cast iron pans can be used on a camp stove or placed over an open flame," explains van Vliet. "They can even be placed directly on top of hot embers or coals without damage." Unlike flimsier pots and pans, cast iron is virtually indestructible.

Why are cast iron skillets good for camping? ›

Not only are cast iron pans more durable than modern makes (you can literally put one on a burning coal), they are also great at delivering extra flavorful food without packing your whole spice rack.

What foods Cannot be cooked in cast iron? ›

4 Foods You Shouldn't Cook in Cast Iron
  • Acidic foods (unless you make it snappy) ...
  • Fish (particularly delicate varieties) ...
  • Eggs. ...
  • Skillet brownies (if you just fried a batch of chicken last night) ...
  • A lot more (if your skillet isn't properly seasoned)
Mar 11, 2023

What is the first thing you should cook in cast iron? ›

We recommend starting with vegetables as they are more forgiving than most proteins - they taste delicious and won't stick to your pan! Keep in mind that using a little bit of oil is necessary to help to keep food from sticking.

What is the secret to cast iron skillet? ›

For the best results, make sure to keep your cast iron pan seasoned, and preheat the skillet for a few minutes before you add any food to it. This allows the pan to heat evenly and prevents most food from sticking. Add fat as needed.

Do you wash a cast iron skillet before use? ›

When it comes to new and used skillets — a little soap and water is a good thing. This first wash removes factory residue or rust bits. Make sure you rinse and dry the pan well after this first washing.

What are the disadvantages of a cast iron skillet? ›

The disadvantages of cast iron

Additionally, cast iron pans require regular maintenance, including seasoning and careful cleaning, to prevent rust and maintain their non-stick surface. Improper cleaning or using harsh cleaning agents can strip away the seasoning and damage the pan.

Why are older cast iron skillets better? ›

Myth 6: Vintage is Better Than New

The Reality: The material may be the same, but the production methods have changed. In the old days, cast iron pans were produced by casting in sand-based molds, and then polishing the resulting pebbly surfaces until smooth. Vintage cast iron tends to have a satiny smooth finish.

What size cast iron skillet for camping? ›

Camping families should have a cast iron skillet to sauté and fry foods needed for almost every meal - and the skillet should measure about 10-inches in diameter. This size is large enough to cook foods for 6 to 8 people but small enough to fit onto camp stove eyes and pack in small spaces.

Should I oil my cast iron skillet after each use? ›

Generally, we recommend seasoning your cast iron about once per month, but after every time you use it works as well if you find that it could use some seasoning. What type of oil is best for seasoning a cast iron skillet? Canola, vegetable, or coconut oil are best.

Should I use butter or oil in a cast iron skillet? ›

Once your pan is pre-heated, add a little oil or fat. Then simply add your food! (Note: if you want to use butter, start with oil, and then add butter right before you add your food.)

What is the best oil to season cast iron with? ›

All cooking oils and fats can be used for seasoning cast iron, but based on availability, affordability, effectiveness, and having a high smoke point, Lodge recommends vegetable oil, melted shortening, or canola oil, like our Seasoning Spray.

What to do once you get a cast iron skillet? ›

How to Season a Cast Iron Skillet Before First Use
  1. Step 1: Wash the skillet. Wash the skillet with warm soapy water to get rid of any dirt, dust or buildup. ...
  2. Step 2: Coat the skillet with oil. ...
  3. Step 3: Heat skillet in the oven for an hour. ...
  4. Step 4: Let it sit in the oven while it cools. ...
  5. Step 5: Wipe out the excess oil.
Sep 5, 2022

Is it OK to cook in cast iron everyday? ›

Cast iron is not only safe for everyday cooking but also offers several health benefits. When properly seasoned, the surface becomes virtually non-stick, reducing the need for excessive oil or fats in cooking.

Should you wash cast iron hot or cold? ›

Wash while it's still warm.

The water should be warm too, as you never want to shock cast iron with a sudden and drastic temperature change from cold water, since this could cause warping and even cracking. Wash with something that will scour but not scratch.

What to do first time using a cast iron skillet? ›

How to Season your Cast Iron for the First Time
  1. Step 1: Wash the Pan with Hot, Soapy Water and Dry Thoroughly: ...
  2. Step 2: Rub it All Over with Some Oil: ...
  3. Step 3: Bake the Seasoning into the Pan: ...
  4. Step 4: Repeat this Process 3-4 times: ...
  5. Step 5: After Each Use, Buff a Little More Oil into the Pan:
May 20, 2023

Can you just wipe out a cast iron skillet? ›

While soap is often not necessary for cleaning a skillet when a simple wipe out will do, using a small amount of dish soap is completely acceptable.

What is a cast iron skillet good for cooking? ›

Cast iron works best for browning, sautéing, baking, and frying but should be avoiding when boiling and simmering. Meats, vegetables, and baked goods work really well in cast iron but acidic foods like tomatoes should be limited.

Does food cooked in cast iron taste different? ›

Save the delicate fish for the non-stick pan, too. But salmon and other meaty fish that can stand the heat are fine. You should avoid cooking acidic sauces in cast-iron pans because the acid loosens trace amounts of molecules from the metal that can then leach into your foods, imparting a metallic flavor.

What is the secret to cooking with cast iron? ›

Pre-Heat Your Skillet

To ensure even heating, gradually pre-heat the cast iron skillet on a similar-sized burner. Since cast iron holds heat, it's not necessary to use a heat setting above medium. These steps help prevent food from sticking. Don't forget to use a hot handle mitt!

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