Hiking to your campsite can really work up an appetite, but carrying a lot of cooking gear can be a hassle. If you like to travel light but still want to eat well, then these simple camp cooking hacks are just what you’re looking for!
1. Use a paper cup to make hard boiled eggs
Place an uncooked egg inside a standard paper coffee cup and fill with water to about an inch above the egg. Set the cup on the coals of your fire. The water inside the cup will keep it from burning, though the top edges of the cup will char.
Bring the water to a boil and let the egg cook for about 10 minutes, then remove the cup from the fire and let it cool. After a few minutes, you can pour the hot water out and add cold water to the cup, which will further cool the egg enough for you to handle.
Then just peel and eat! Cooking times can be adjusted for a softer or harder egg, depending on your preference.
2. Fry a steak with a rock
Another great camp cooking hack is the use of a rock to fry a steak. If you don’t want to carry a heavy skillet or whole cook set, you can improvise onsite. Find a large, flat rock, and wipe it free of surface dirt. Rinse it with water, rubbing it clean with your hands. Repeat this a few times to get the surface of the rock clean.
Place the rock next to, but not in, your campfire. The rock will absorb the heat from the fire, giving you a griddle-like surface. Flick a few drops of water on the rock to test the heat. If they sizzle, you’re ready to go. Place your meat right on the rock and get cooking.
A delicious, primitive-style steak will be ready in just slightly more time than it takes at home on the stovetop. Try cooking large vegetables like peppers and onions to go with your meal. You can even use this method for fish, hamburgers, or sausage, but you’ll want to make sure you stuff your sausage before you head into the wild!
3. Use a simple makeshift cooking platform
Maybe you’re not too keen on using a rock as a cooking surface? You can still cook without having to pack a whole camp stove. All you need is a small piece of wire mesh, four metal tent pegs, and a small pan (like one from a toaster oven). Here’s a short video showing how this camp cooking hack can be used to fry up some delicious sausages or hot dogs for lunch.
For more camp cooking hacks, check out: 17 Camping Hacks from a Pro and 10 Simple Camping Hacks.
Featured Image from Brando Makes Branding/Unsplash
