It’s that time of year – people are hitting the road, loading the tents and gearing up for camping trips. If you’re looking for something other than boerewors rolls with tomato sauce, we’ve got 20 epic camping recipes and outdoor cooking tips that’ll get you excited.

Camp-friendly Recipes

These braai-friendly recipes are a surefire way to impress all.

Breakfast Burger Sliders

Braai for breakfast is hands-down our favourite thing about camping. English muffins are stacked with bacon, cheddar, beef patties, fried eggs and tomato & onion jam; take these babies to the next level with a side of baked beans.

Hot tip: Buy seasoned burger patties to save on time; if you don’t have enough patties, portion and reshape them into smaller ones.
Recipe for Breakfast Burger Sliders

Tex-Mex Campfire Breakfast

Load up on this protein-packed brekkie before you tackle the day. Enjoy with toasted tortillas and pickled jalapeños for a spicy kick.

Hot tip: readymade salsa is an easy way to add flavour to camping meals; it also works great as a dip for chips.
Recipe for Tex-Mex Campfire Breakfast

Mozzarella & Chakalaka Braaibroodjie

What’s a camp without braaibroodjies? These toasted savoury treats are made delicious with the addition of chakalaka – you decide whether you want it hot or mild.

Hot tip: always keep tinned goods like chakalaka and baked beans at the ready.
Recipe for Mozzarella & Chakalaka Braaibroodjie

BBQ Beef & Bacon Sloppy Joes

Tuck into these delish sloppy Joes with your mates; they’re filled with barbecue and chilli sauce, bacon and a dash of beer. Serve with cooling slaw and crisps for a satisfying meal.

Hot tip: one-pot dishes and hamburger rolls go a long way when feeding a large group.
Recipe for BBQ Beef & Bacon Sloppy Joes

Limoncello Mussel Pot

Camp food can be fancy too. Impress mates with this delicious Limoncello Mussel Pot; dip into the zesty sauce with toasted ciabatta – you won’t want to waste a drop!

Hot tip: if you don’t have limoncello, you can easily substitute it with 3 Tbsp vodka, 2 Tbsp lemon juice and 1 Tbsp sugar.
Recipe for Limoncello Mussel Pot

Camping Ramen Bowl

Grab a spork and get your slurp on with this Ramen Bowl. Stocked with ginger, chilli, Soy sauce, mushrooms and smoked pork, it’s utterly delicious and packed with umami goodness.

Hot tip: ramen noodle packets are great for camping trips; they’re easy to bulk up, plus kids love them. Cook in a pot over the gas stove or over the fire.
Recipe for Camping Ramen Bowl

Crying Tiger Steak with Nahm Jim Jaew Sauce & Pickled Cucumber

Steak never tasted so good! Serve this mouthwatering hunk of meat with a Thai-inspired sauce and cool off with pickled cucumber.

Hot tip: make your pickle and sauce beforehand and store in Mason jars for easy prep.
Recipe for Crying Tiger Steak with Nahm Jim Jaew Sauce & Pickled Cucumber

Corn Riblets with Smoky Mayo

Keep everyone’s hunger at bay with these tasty corn riblets dunked in smoky chipotle mayo, and served with crumbled feta and lime juice.

Hot tip: consider cutting the corn riblets at home, as they can be difficult to portion if you don’t have a sturdy surface to work with.
Recipe for Corn Riblets with Smoky Mayo

Crispy Potjie Potatoes with Herby Horseradish Cream

These crispy ‘taters celebrate the magic of potjie; oil and water are poured into the pot – the water cooks the potatoes and then evaporates and the remaining oil fries them to golden, fluffy and crispy perfection – you’re welcome!

Hot tip: you can cook the potatoes on a gas stove; heating oil over coals can be dangerous.
Recipe for Crispy Potjie Potatoes with Herby Horseradish Cream

Rosemary Lamb Kebabs with Tzatziki

These Greek-inspired sosaties are a real game-changer. Braai the lamb ‘til tender and slightly charred, and serve with yummy tzatziki.

Hot tip: use the rosemary stalks as skewer sticks to infuse extra flavour.
Recipe for Rosemary Lamb Kebabs with Tzatziki

Braai Whole Yellowtail with Rocket Salad

Fish braais are a right of passage for South Africans. This is honestly one of our favourite camping recipes – great for feeding a crowd and super wholesome.

Hot tip: spray the braai grid with non-stick spray to prevent the fish skin from sticking.
Recipe for Braai Whole Yellowtail with Rocket Salad

Yellowtail Fish Tacos with Green Apple Slaw

We love yellowtail and we love tacos – put them together and you get a flavour party.

Hot tip: blitz the dressing at home and store it in a squeezy bottle, then in the cooler.
Recipe for Yellowtail Fish Tacos with Green Apple Slaw

Braaied Lamb Tomato Bredie

This comforting meal is one of the best camping recipes – it’s flavourful, moreish, perfect for cooler evenings, and everything you want from potjiekos.

Hot tip: prep your spice mix beforehand, and toast store-bought rotis in the cast-iron pan.
Recipe for Braaied Lamb Tomato Bredie

Peri Peri Pork Neck Espetada with Lemon Yoghurt Dipping Sauce

If you love spicy food as much as we do, treat your taste buds to these fiery espetadas.

Hot tip: invest in a couple of stainless steel skewers instead of buying wooden ones.
Recipe for Peri Peri Pork Neck Espetada with Lemon Yoghurt Dipping Sauce

S’mores & Sweets

Sate your sweet tooth with these yummy treats and desserts.

Peanut Butter Bourbon Hot Chocolate

Enjoy this boozy and chocolaty cuppa goodness on colder evenings.

Hot tip: ditch the Bourbon to make it kid-friendly; swap the dairy for coconut milk and cream, and marshmallows for a vegan-friendly version.
Recipe for Peanut Butter Bourbon Hot Chocolate

Moerkoffie Cookies

It’s almost impossible to have coffee without a cookie. Make mornings sweeter with these heavenly treats.

Hot tip: take an extra jar of condensed milk with to sweeten your coffee.
Recipe for Moerkoffie Cookies

Ultimate S’mores with ClemenGold Marshmallows

We didn’t think s’mores could get better ‘til we tasted these treats – it’s in the name! The zesty ClemenGold marshmallows add the perfect balance of flavour.

Hot tip: make marshmallows at home; you can swap the biscuits for store-bought digestives.
Recipe for Ultimate S’mores with ClemenGold Marshmallows

Peanut Butter & Jam Jaffles

Make the most of your jaffle iron with this camp-friendly recipe; the kids will love it.

Hot tip: jaffle irons are great for making easy treats; you can also swap the peanut butter for Nutella or Biscoff spread if you prefer.
Recipe for Peanut Butter & Jam Jaffles

Cast Iron Dutch Baby Pancake

Dutch Baby Pancakes are a lot easier to make than you’d think. Seriously, give this one a go – it’s great for special occasions and any day of the week, really.

Hot tip: bring a shaker with to clot the cream.
Recipe for Cast Iron Dutch Baby Pancake

Peanut Butter Brownie & Pretzels S’mores Skillet

All your favourite snacks come together to make this s’mores-inspired dessert.

Hot tip: use foil to cover the pan and melt the chocolate.
Recipe for Peanut Butter Brownie & Pretzels S’mores Skillet

Haven’t booked your camping trip yet? Check out these best glamping spots in the Western Cape. For more recipes, try these braai mains and super sides & salads.