How to prepare potatoes for camping? Potatoes are a great camp food. They are economical, portable, simple to prepare, and adaptable. There are several methods to consume potatoes while camping, but the following are three delectable and easy methods to cook them for camp meals. Keep in mind that you may always do the preparation at home and carefully pack the ingredients into your cooler before leaving so that your supper is ready to cook when you arrive!
The potato may then be wrapped in aluminum foil and placed in the coals, shiny side inward, for basic cooking. There is nothing wrong with plain baked potatoes at all. However, you may make them even better. The basic baked potato cooked over a campfire is wonderful with butter and salt and pepper, but it will not be much different than a baked potato prepared at home and baked the same way. So, we are not simply creating campfire potatoes using simple open flame cooking methods today. We’re raising the bar even higher!
How To Make Camping Potatoes In Foil
To begin, you’ll need potatoes, of course, some foil, and a fire with a layer of coals. Make your own Firestarters from recycled materials before your trip. Also, keep in mind that potatoes take on salt as they’re cooking to the point that they’re actually salty. Don’t forget to season them with plenty of salt and pepper. To truly taste salty, potatoes must be seasoned with a lot of salt while cooking.
Number twos are often smaller potatoes that have been grown, harvested, or picked and stored in a warehouse. Larger potatoes such as the third number threes are preferable because they take longer to cook and contain more food per potato. You’ll be pleased you chose larger potatoes when they’re done. Russets are ideal for this camping meal recipe.
If you’re preparing a vegetable-heavy menu, you’ll need to plan ahead and learn how to preserve your veggies fresh during your journey. Here are some helpful hints for planning, purchasing, and storing camping veggies.
Breakfast Hash
Making a hash is one of the most efficient methods to use potatoes for camping breakfasts. With minimal effort beyond basic chopping, you can prepare a complete meal in just one cast-iron skillet.
For a rich and hearty soup, start by boiling potatoes in water or milk until fork-tender. Drain the potatoes and return them to the cooking pot. Add butter or oil to the pan, bringing it to a simmer for 3 minutes. After that time has elapsed, add your protein of choice (ham, sausage, tofu, bacon, beans, onions, bell peppers) and veggies (zucchini, tomatoes) to the pan and combine well over low heat. When everything else in the pan is done, add the eggs and stir to combine. You may serve it with cheese on top to complete a delectable and nutritious breakfast in one skillet!
Campfire Potatoes Seasoned, Not Stirred
These potatoes are truly delicious and full of flavor. They’re a great addition to any dinner or lunch, or they make for a hearty breakfast with eggs. They’re also really easy to prepare. Simply cook them and then set them on the coals as you go about other activities.
Take your potatoes and wash them properly, then dry them and cut them into little bite-size pieces. Put enough oil on top of the potatoes to cover them completely in a bowl or ziplock bag, usually, two tablespoons are sufficient. Shake the potatoes until they are evenly coated with oil. Place the potatoes in a large mixing bowl. Add the dressing mix and give them another stir. Wrap these potatoes in tin foil and cook the rest of your meal until they are fork-tender, as you would with other varieties of potatoes.
Cheesy Campfire Potatoes
Add the sliced potatoes to a mixing bowl with diced onions, salt, pepper, and any of your favorite cheeses. Add parmesan cheese or sharp cheddar to these campfire potatoes if you like. Make a foil pouch out of heavy-duty foil and add the contents. Top each packet with one pat of butter before wrapping it up tightly and grilling for around 20-25 minutes over an open fire.
Baked Potatoes
A number of methods exist for preparing potatoes for camping meals, but this is the most popular. To cook potatoes using this method, simply poke them all over with a fork and wrap them in aluminum foil. It can then be placed right on top of the hot fire’s coals. The potatoes will typically take around 30-60 minutes to cook through based on their size.
To test the potatoes for softness, use a hot pad or an oven mitt to squeeze them. Place a knife through the thickest portion of the potato to check for doneness. Remove the potatoes from the pan and set them aside to cool for a few minutes before adding your favorite toppings.
How To Bake Potatoes In The Open Fire Cooking Campfire
Check for a solid bed of coals in your campfire. Before adding the potatoes, allow the coals to die down a bit. The outside of the potatoes might cook too fast if the coals are too hot, leaving you with charred sides and raw insides. Also, cooler coals give you more time for flavors to seep into the potatoes.
Place the potatoes directly on the coals with long-handled tongs. Long-handled tongs are ideal for putting, turning, and removing potatoes from the coals. For about 40 minutes total, turn each campfire potato every 10 minutes or so with a quarter twist each time for about 40 minutes total.
While the potatoes cook, add another 1/4 cup of cheese to each. Any variety will do, but cheddar, Colby, Swiss, or jack cheeses are particularly delicious.
Remove the cooked potatoes from the fire and allow them to rest for a few minutes. Even after they’ve been taken off the coals for a few minutes, the potatoes will be very hot. When handling them, care should be taken.
Remove all of the paper, then carefully unwrap the campfire potatoes and use a fork to pry open the deep cut. Add a pat of butter and a slice of cheese right into this before it cools. If you didn’t add any previously, you may also add oregano, basil, or cooked bacon. These additional tastes are best added after the butter but before the cheese has melted.
