9 Fireside Recipes to Enjoy by the Fire This Fall

Whether you love to camp, or you’d rather tend to your backyard BBQ, fireside recipes are one delicious way dine alfresco. Often though, it seems like the usual suspects aren’t the healthiest of options.

I’m going to be sharing my favorite healthy by the fire recipes that are nutritious, delicious, and easy ways to satisfy your outdoor appetite. These can be easily adapted to any eating style — so I’ll be sure to include ideas for meat-eaters and meatless eaters, as well.

 

1. Pineapple Skewers

Pre-marinate your chicken or tofu and pineapple skewers, then cook over the fire. You can add other ingredients such as red pepper and onions, which pair well with pineapple. Bring lettuce to wrap it with and other fun toppings like an Asian slaw mix so you can customize your wraps bite-to-bite.

 

2. Foil Packets Cooked to Perfection

Fresh salmon cooked over a fire is one of the best things about outdoor cooking by the fire. For a meat-free option, substitute a medley of vegetables in your foil packet, with some added tofu. Try it with a mix of hoisin and fish sauce for a Thai-like experience, go Mediterranean with pesto, or keep it simple with olive oil and dill. Just wrap it with your desired flavors in foil and cook until done.

 

3. Grilled Stuffed Avocados 

Grill up garlicky shrimp and avocados, then stuff the shrimp into the avocados for a tropical take on your campout. Bring mango salsa along to unite the flavors with perfection. Skip the shrimp for a meat-free option and use grilled tofu and jicama instead.

 

4. Potato Packets 

Fill up foil packets with pieces of organic chicken sausage, potatoes, and other veggies you like for a rustic and delicious meal that nourishes with healthy ingredients. You won’t need much to season it with the bold flavors of sausage making its way through there, though it’s best if you pre-cook the chicken sausage before heading out on your trip (or before putting them on the grill). For a meat-free option, choose meatless links such as Beyond Sausage Brat.

 

5. Campout Caprese

If Caprese chicken is a favorite around your dinner table, then turning it into a campfire-friendly dish is a must! Simply slice each chicken breast in a Hasselback-style and stuff it with tomato and mozzarella, top with pesto, then seal into your foil packets. If you want to skip the chicken, use a potato for a Caprese Hasselback Potato option. To make it dairy-free, choose dairy-free mozzarella.

 

6. Fireside Fajitas 

Wherever there are fajitas, there is always a fiesta. Using lean meat, plenty of bright bell peppers and onions, you can create your Mexican restaurant favorite by wrapping it in aluminum foil. Or you can skip the meat and use a meatless option such as ground “beef” made by the Impossible brand. Don’t forget to bring tortillas along, plus a little guacamole for plenty of those healthy fats, too.

 

7. Mexican Corn

Called ‘elote,’ this Mexican street food is a delight on any campsite or in your own backyard around the fire pit. It takes just a few extras (lime, mayo, cilantro, chili powder, and cotija cheese), and you’ll have the best outdoor snack of all time. Find a dairy-free cheese if you want to skip the dairy — there’s still so much flavor to be enjoyed.

 

8. Bruschetta Pasta

When you’ve got busy adventures ahead, make a batch of whole wheat or gluten-free spaghetti beforehand and then cook it fireside with shrimp and bruschetta for a perfect Italian-inspired meal outdoors. Skip the shrimp for a vegetarian option.

 

9. Banana S’ mores

And finally, because you need a dessert when camping or soaking up the last fading wisps of warmth before seasons change, there are banana s’ mores. Split your bananas, stuff them with marshmallows and dairy-free dark chocolate chips and eat with a spoon for a healthier version of the campout classic.