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This post is all about fantastic ways to cook outdoors.
Have you ever stood before an open fire and felt the warmth on your face as if it were being shared from a far-off memory?
The smell, the sound, the sight – there is something undeniably special about cooking outdoors, just like our ancestors did for centuries.
From your backyard grill to a portable camp stove, I’m sharing five fantastic ways to cook outdoors, provide delicious meals, and make some memories.
From the Beginning of Time, We Have Been Cooking Outdoors
Throughout history, humanity has been drawn to sparkling flames and crackling campfires.
From the prehistoric hunter-gatherers who cooked over open fires thousands of years ago to modern-day backyard barbecues, one thing hasn’t changed – outdoor cooking is an essential part of our human culture!
When You Cook Outside, Every Meal is Memorable
How often have you taken a summer stroll or a summer evening drive and smelled the wafting scent of a delicious meal prepared on an outdoor grill? I bet you remember a few of those times.
Perhaps you remember when you went camping as a child, the smell of your mom or dad cooking breakfast as you awoke every morning.
Something about outdoor meals sticks with you long after the fire has been put out or the grill has cooled down.
Also, cooking outside provides an opportunity to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of daily life and reconnect with the simple pleasures of good food, good company, and beautiful surroundings.
How to Cook Your Next Outdoor Meal – Why not use a grill?
When it comes to cooking outside, few things can beat the satisfaction of firing up the grill and getting to work on some delicious food.
Whether you’re looking to sear meat to perfection, prepare hot dogs or burgers, char some veggies, or even cook up some mouth-watering fish or seafood, the grill is just the ticket.
There are many different types of grills for outdoor cooking. Grills can be stand-alone, portable, charcoal, or gas and can be purchased at big box stores such as The Home Depot or Lowes or local outdoor specialty shops.
Grills provide a wonderful flavor to meats such as steaks, marinated chicken, and many types of vegetables.
Benefits of grilling:
- tastes amazing
- easy prep
- easily cleanup
Also, cooking outside in the summertime is an excellent choice because it helps keep the house cool.
Check out some great recipes here.
Use Those Hot Coals from Your Firepit – One of the Fantastic Ways to Cook Outdoors
Are you ready to take your outdoor cooking game to the next level? Look no further than those hot coals left over from your campfire or backyard firepit.
From skewered kebabs to perfectly charred vegetables, you can elevate any dinner with the smoky flavor of a real fire.
Wait until your flame has died down and the wood is glowing embers. Then place a grate over the top, and you can cook directly on the grate or place your food in a cast iron pan or cooking pot.
Cook with Charcoal Briquettes and Get that Wonderful BBQ Flavor
Step-by-Step Method for Starting and Using Charcoal Briquettes
- Soak your briquettes – This is an important step that a lot of people forget. Soaking your briquettes in water for 30 minutes before cooking will help them to light more quickly and to burn for longer.
- Light your briquettes – There are a few different ways that you can light your briquettes.You can use a chimney starter, lighter fluid, or a regular match. If you’re using lighter fluid, douse the briquettes liberally and give them time to soak up the fluid before lighting them.
- Spread out your briquettes – Once they’re lit, you’ll want to spread out the briquettes so they’re evenly heated. This will help to ensure that your food cooks evenly.
- Add your food – Now it’s time to add your recipe ingredients! Put whatever you’ve prepared directly on the grill or in a basket and let it simmer until the dish is done.
- Enjoy!
A Fantastic Way to Cook Outdoors – Cooking Over an Open Fire While Camping
Cooking over an open fire deserves a gold medal in the category of “Things That Make Camping Awesome.”
Not only is it a fantastic way to channel your inner caveman (or cavewoman), but it also adds a unique flavor and authenticity to your meal that can’t be replicated in a kitchen.
Whether you prefer to go all out and build a spit to slow roast your brisket or keep it simple with a hot dog on a stick, there’s no denying that food tastes terrific when cooked outdoors over an open fire. Plus, it’s another great excuse to gather around the fire with friends and family, telling stories and making memories.
Some Important Campfire Cooking Rules
Don’t be a firebug.
Make sure you know how to build a safe and effective fire. Keep a watchful eye on all open fires while camping.
Keep it clean.
This means no trash or debris in the fire pit or food scraps left around the cooking area. A clean fire pit and cooking area will help prevent fires from getting out of control and keep your meals from tasting like ash.
Don’t play with your food.
No poking at it with sticks, no flipping it constantly, and no trying to catch it on fire. Let it cook evenly and slowly over the flames; it will come out perfectly every time.
Know when it’s done.
One of the most essential campfire cooking rules is knowing when your meal is finished. This means paying attention to how long it’s been cooking, as well as its appearance and smell.
Undercooked meats can be dangerous, so err on the side of caution and use a thermometer to ensure that whatever you are cooking reaches a safe internal temperature before eating it.
Let it rest.
Just like with grilled foods, you need to let campfire-cooked foods rest for a few minutes before serving them. This will help them retain their heat and flavor.
Slow Cook Food With a Dutch Oven
Slow-cooking food with a Dutch oven is a fantastic way to cook outdoors and makes for some seriously mouth-watering meals.
Whether you’re camping, hosting a backyard shindig, or just looking for a new way to impress your dinner guests, a Dutch oven is your new best friend.
This long, low-cooking process can turn even the toughest cuts into tender, juicy masterpieces from savory stews to fall-off-the-bone meats. Plus, you can adjust the heat by adding or removing coals, making it a versatile cooking method for any occasion.
Cooking outside with a Dutch Oven
Choose your Dutch oven wisely.
When choosing a Dutch oven, it is crucial to consider the size and weight of the oven, as well as the material it is made from. Cast iron ovens are the best choice for cooking outdoors, as they are durable and easy to clean. However, they are also heavy, so you must make sure you can transport them to your campsite.
Season your Dutch oven.
Once you have chosen your Dutch oven, seasoning it before using it is important. Seasoning will help prevent rust and make it non-stick. To season, rub the Dutch oven with vegetable oil and bake it in a 350-degree Fahrenheit oven for 1 hour.
Choose your fuel source.
When cooking with a Dutch oven, you will need to choose a fuel source. The most common fuel sources are charcoal briquettes or wood coals. If using charcoal briquettes, you will need about 60 briquettes for a 6-quart Dutch oven. If using wood coals, you will need about 30 coals.
Build your fire.
Once you have chosen your fuel source, you will need to build a fire. If using charcoal briquettes, light them in a chimney starter and let them burn for about 20 minutes. If using wood coals, make a small fire and let it burn until the coals are covered in white ash.
Preheat your Dutch oven.
Once your fire is lit, you must preheat your Dutch oven.
To preheat the Dutch oven, place it on the fire and add ten briquettes or five coals to the top of the lid. Let the Dutch oven preheat for 10 minutes before adding your ingredients.
Choose your recipe carefully.
You’ll want to choose a well-suited recipe for this particular type of cooking. That means no delicate fish or souffle! Stick with hearty dishes such as roasts and potatoes, soups and stews, or one-pot meals.
Once the Dutch oven is preheated, you can then add your food. To ensure proper cooking be sure to add food evenly to the pot. Additionally, be sure to add some liquid (water or broth) to the Dutch oven, as this will help to prevent burning and sticking.
Place your Dutch oven over hot coals.
Once your pot is preheated and you have added ingredients, place your Dutch oven over evenly distributed hot coals or briquettes.
Monitor your fire.
You will need to monitor the fire and adjust as necessary. The amount of coal or briquettes you will need will depend on the size of the fire and the wind conditions. You may need to add more coal or briquettes every 30 minutes to maintain a consistent temperature.
Final Thoughts
With five fantastic outdoor cooking methods to choose from, you’ve still got time to put together a tremendous feast this summer!
From slow and smoking BBQ ribs over charcoal to sizzling steaks on gas grills, there are endless opportunities for crafting your excellent outdoor meal.
Don’t let the heat get you down–grab your tongs, thermometer, and cook up some fun with friends and family.
And for a truly memorable experience, invite some friends or family over and create a delightful evening all can enjoy.
Until next time, here’s wishing you good luck with whatever cooking technique you choose and even better luck with eating whatever delicious dish you created!
