20 Super Simple Cast Iron Camping Recipes - The Roving Foley's (2024)

We talk a lot about RV and camp cooking on this site because we love to eat. Today I want to share 24 amazing cast iron camping recipes that you can have fun making on your next camping trip.

If you are new to cooking with cast iron pans, let’s go over a few things. If you are unsure why you should think about purchasing a cast iron skillet, here is why we love ours.

My number one reason for cooking with a cast iron skillet is because it cooks the food evenly throughout. As full-time RVers, we know what an issue this can be. RV stove top cooking is not the best for cooking food evenly.

I end up pushing food around the pan trying to get everything fully cooked so I can feed it to my now starving kids! It is also really nice to be able to go right from the stove top into the oven.

Many people avoid cast iron because they fear the clean-up. I can tell you that with proper care, cleaning is super easy, and the benefits are well worth it.

Here are some of our favorite cast iron camping recipes, the only problem you will have is deciding which one to cook first! Food made in a cast iron pan is just plain special!

20 Super Simple Cast Iron Camping Recipes - The Roving Foley's (1)

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Best Breakfast Skillet Recipes

There is nothing like a delicious breakfast to start a day of hiking, fishing, or other camping fun. The nice thing is- all the ingredients go into one pan! Try these yummy breakfasts on your next trip!

1. Sweet Potato Breakfast Skillet With Bacon

I love a skillet breakfast because you can add anything you have left over from dinner. Throw in some corn, mushrooms, cabbage- whatever. Create a new dish for the menu every time!

Sweet Potato Breakfast Skillet With Bacon

“As a mom, I have a great appreciation for one-pan meals, especially ones that are full of healthy proteins and lots of veggies” – Allergy Free Alaska

2. Apple Pear Puff Pancake

This one is a terrific breakfast, but throw on a scoop of vanilla ice cream and you have a delicious dessert.

Apple Pear Puff Pancake

“Whenever I serve this fruity pancake, people think I’ve slaved for hours. They’re surprised that such an attractive, scrumptious dish could be so easy” – Carol

3. French Toast & Preserves Casserole

French Toast & Preserves Casserole

“Thankfully this recipe is the best of both worlds — it rolls everyone’s beloved breakfast flavors into one easy-to-assemble, easy-to-serve dish” – The Kitchn

4. Hash Brown Quiche With Ham and Cheddar

Hash Brown Quiche With Ham and Cheddar

“It’s hearty and delicious but not overly fussy: Just tasty food that is easy to make and fun to eat.” Culinary Hill

5. Southwest Steak and Eggs

Southwest Steak and Eggs

“Luckily this super easySouthwest Steak And Eggs Skillet is perfect for mornings when you have all the desire to eat, but with very little adulting required.” Thyme for co*cktails

6. Giant Cinnamon Roll

Giant Cinnamon Roll

“Bake and ice as soon as it comes out of the oven; you want that icing to get into all the little nooks and crannies. Cool slightly and cut like you would a cake or pie.I’d like to say we had leftovers…” Well Floured

7. Skillet Huevos Rancheros

Skillet Huevos Rancheros

“This is my favorite “breakfast for dinner” meal — and it’s pretty darn good for breakfast too! It can be made in less than 30 minutes, and it’s perfect for company or lazy weekend brunches.” – Feasting at Home

Best Cast Iron Camping Recipes

Here are some cast iron recipes for dinner that will please any crowd! These savory dishes can be served to your family as an easy meal that will not be forgotten! Campfire cooking will never be the same.

8. One Skillet Pasta Primavera

One Skillet Pasta Primavera

“Featuring lightly cooked vegetables, goat cheese and a squeeze of tart sunshiny lemon, this dish has a wonderfully bright flavor that perfectly complements the season” – Fresh Off The Grid

9. Crispy Honey Lemon Chicken Thighs

Crispy Honey Lemon Chicken Thighs

“Quick, easy, and involving a single skillet and everyday ingredients, they’re perfect for those who haven’t yet learned their way around a thigh. Serve with your favorite veggies, and you’ve got four meals’ worth of crispy, finger-lickin’ deliciousness” BritCo

10. Potato, Spinach and Red Pepper, Frittata

Potato, Spinach and Red Pepper, Frittata

“This basil-laced potato and vegetable frittata makes a satisfying lunch” – Saveur

11. Honey-Lime Chicken

Honey-Lime Chicken

The great thing about this Honey Lime Chicken is that I had all of the ingredients on hand. And it only takes a few ingredients to make the flavor of this chicken amazing! – The Recipe Critic

12. Cast Iron Skillet Cornbread Recipe

Cast Iron Skillet Cornbread Recipe

“My mom had a couple of cast iron cornbread stick pans and would make individual servings that were so perfectly crisp and wonderful.” – The Pioneer Woman

13. Mediterranean Chicken

Mediterranean Chicken

“It takes very little prep and only 15 minutes to cook! It’s healthy, bright, and packed with fresh Mediterranean flavors” – The Mediterranean Dish

14. Cheesy Ravioli

Cheesy Ravioli

“It’s a simple and fun one pan dinner that everyone will ask for again and again. This cheese ravioli recipe is sure to please the entire family!” – The Cookie Rookie

15. Shrimp Fajitas

Shrimp Fajitas

“These shrimp fajitas are tender Mexican seasoned shrimp cooked in a skillet with plenty of peppers and onions. An easy dinner that’s just as good as what you’d get at a restaurant!” – Dinner at the zoo

16.Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole

Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole

“Skillet Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole is a quick, easy, family-pleasing weeknight dinner recipe that’s made in just one pan!” – Five Heart Home

17. Unstuffed Bell Pepper Skillet

Unstuffed Bell Pepper Skillet

“Only 7 ingredients in this quick and easy unstuffed bell pepper skillet dinner! It will feed an entire family in about 30 minutes – no problem! It’s plate-lickin’ good and will satisfy your comfort food hunger big time!” Kim’s Cravings

18. Tuscan Tortellini

Tuscan Tortellini

“Just 20 minutes and one skillet is all you’ll need to get this delish Skillet Tuscan Tortellini on the table. Everything, including the tortellini, gets cooked up in one big pan.” – Chew Out Loud

19. Shepherds Pie

Shepherds Pie

“But let’s talk about my recipe for a bit because thebest compliment a cook gets is when the food is gone quickly and that’s what happened when we made this. It was gone within minutes” – Jo Cooks

20. Chicken Pot Pie

Chicken Pot Pie

“Chicken and vegetables cooked between buttery pie pastry couldn’t be anything other than a downhome skillet meal that screams comfort.” – Melissa Southern Style Kitchen

21. Campfire Nachos

Campfire Nachos

These easy campfire nachos are just the camping treat you were looking for! Broaden your horizons with a hearty Mexican-inspired dinner with this cheesy cast-iron skillet favorite cooked in the great outdoors.” – Spaceships and Laser Beams

22. Cast Iron Chicken Pot Pie

Cast Iron Chicken Pot Pie

“As hearty as the most labor-intensive of Sunday suppers, this super fast skillet chicken pot pie recipe is all bang, no buck.” – The Modern Proper

23. Campfire Pizza

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Campfire Pizza

Campfire pizza with melty cheese is a yummy kid pleaser- try any other pizza toppings for variety.

“One of my favorite things in the whole world is the woodsy, smoky scent of a campfire” -Champagne Tastes

Get The Recipe

24. Cast Iron Stuffed Peppers

Cast Iron Stuffed Peppers

“If you happen to be an Italian American, there is an undeniable dose of nostalgia served alongside a stuffed peppers recipe. If you’re not, it’s just some tasty stuff inside a pepper.” -Alex Delaney- BonAppetite.com

Bell peppers in cast iron skillets? Oh man, what a campfire meal! You can do these in the Dutch oven as well.

The Best Cast Iron Skillet Camping Recipes Ever!

So there you have our favorite cast iron skillet recipes, we hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

Here are some other RV meal ideas you might be interested in:

  • Tired of cooking? Check out these no-cook camping meals
  • Our favorite crockpot meals
  • Sheet Pan recipes the whole family will love
  • Exciting Camping Lunches
  • The Fab Five
  • Delicious S’more recipes for the campfire. Get ot your marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate for some tasty s’mores!

Please share your favorite recipe with us in the comments below.

Cast Iron Camping Skillet Recipes

We hope you enjoy these cast iron skillet camping recipes. They are some of the most delicious meals that you can find for cast iron pans. Try them out at the campsite next time you are enjoying the great outdoors.

Over the open fire, or warm coals, an easy one pot meal will never do you wrong!

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Grainne Foley

Grainne Foley grew up in Ireland and spent summers caravanning around Europe with her family. Now, as a wife and mother of 2, she spent 5 years traveling the USA as a full time RVing family. She is passionate about travel, and helping others who are considering the RV lifestyle. She has created dozens of helpful RVing checklists which are available throughout the website, and has curated hundreds of simple, flavorful meals for families on the go.

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20 Super Simple Cast Iron Camping Recipes - The Roving Foley's (2024)

FAQs

How do you cook in a cast iron while camping? ›

For higher temp cooking, place your cast iron directly on top of the coals. For low/medium heat, elevate your cast iron 3-6” above the coals. And for baking, position coals both underneath and directly on top of your cast iron set while it's in the dutch oven configuration.

Are cast iron skillets good for camping? ›

Cast iron skillets are extremely durable and don't deteriorate over time (although they may require additional seasoning), making them an excellent choice for camping.

Why do campers use cast iron? ›

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 can you cook in a Dutch oven camping? ›

Think simmering soups, steaming rice, boiling water for pasta, etc. Sear, pan-fry, sautee: A camping Dutch oven is also a great stand-in for a cast-iron skillet. Anything that can be cooked in a cast-iron skillet can be done in a Dutch oven too, like searing steaks, browning chicken thighs, sauteing vegetables, etc.

What is the secret to cooking with cast iron? ›

For one, cast iron pans aren't perfectly smooth and foods like eggs may get stuck. 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.

Can you pour boiling water into cast iron? ›

Why can't you boil water in cast iron? When you have water at a constant boil in seasoned cast iron, the boiling causes the seasoning to release. This can leave patchy seasoning or an uneven layer of seasoning left on your cast iron.

Can you leave water in a cast iron skillet overnight? ›

Can I soak my cast iron pan? No! Soaking cast iron in water is a recipe for rust. If you need to remove sticky or stubborn stuck-on food, use a nylon scrubbing brush or a pan scraper and rinse under warm water.

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.

Why do campers have formaldehyde? ›

In RVs we have found them in the varnish and paints, upholstery, interior wallboard, and quite often in materials used in cabinets such as particle board. And, of course, tobacco smoke in small homes such as an RV is a major problem in controlling formaldehyde.

Can you cook with cast iron over a fire? ›

Use cast iron cookware or other fire resistant cookware when cooking over fire. They won't warp or melt in the heat, and tend to cook food more evenly. Avoid anything with plastic handles or attachments, for obvious reasons!

Is there anything you shouldn't cook in a Dutch oven? ›

Be Mindful When Cooking Acidic Foods

In an enamel-coated Dutch oven, prolonged cooking with acidic ingredients may discolor the interior coating but doesn't erode it.

How many briquettes for 350? ›

Achieve a cooking temperature of 350°F

For an 8-inch oven, place 11 briquettes on the lid and 5 underneath the oven. For a 14-inch oven, place 21 briquettes on the lid and 11 underneath the oven. For a 16-inch oven, place 26 briquettes on the lid and 13 underneath the oven.

What to cook in cast iron Dutch oven over campfire? ›

With the lid on and nestled in coals, a Dutch oven can simmer, stew, and braise! With the lid off, it sears meat and chicken like a cast-iron pan. It's great for soups and stews, and it works with camp stoves and open fires alike.

How do you use a cast iron skillet without smoking the house? ›

As some of the other people answering your question have put it; turn the fan on before you start to cook. Second, dont use a real high heat. if your range goes to 8 use a 4 1/2 to 5. Once you put the meat in the cast iron turn it down a touch, then when you are ready to flip it, turn it down by 1/2.

How do you clean cast iron after cooking over a campfire? ›

One of my favorite tricks is to scrub those pesky bits of food away with salt. For this process, you'll actually dry off the cast iron. Then dump half a cup of coarse salt into the pan. Now, use a dish towel or some paper towels to scrub that food away!

How do you use a Dutch oven while camping? ›

For this dish, place your Dutch oven over a fire on a metal grate or rack, which will be hotter for sauteeing. If you don't have a grate, let the fire burn down, and then bury the oven well into the coals so there's plenty of heat.

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