10 Budget-Friendly Campfire Meals Under $6 (That Actually Taste Amazing)

You Don’t Need a Big Budget to Eat Like a Legend Outdoors

At Camp Ridge, we’ve cooked in the dirt, in the rain, with toddlers, with friends, and sometimes even with no plan—and we’ve figured out what actually works. These meals are:

• Affordable (all under $6 per serving)

• Easy to prep and cook

• Totally skewer-, foil-, or pan-friendly

• Beginner-proof and crowd-approved

Whether you’re camping solo, wrangling kids, or just trying to skip another pack of mystery hot dogs—this list is for you.

The 10 Best Budget-Friendly Campfire Meals

Each of these can be made with minimal equipment and ingredients you can find at any grocery store. Want to go even easier? We included pro tips, gear recs, and prep hacks for every meal.

1. Campfire Cheesesteak Sliders

Cost: $4.75 per serving
Roast beef, grilled onions and peppers, and provolone cheese stuffed into Hawaiian rolls, wrapped in foil, and cooked over coals.
Tip: Use heavy-duty foil and cook near—not on—the flame.

2. Foil-Pack Pesto Chicken & Potatoes

Cost: $4.95 per serving
Chicken thighs, cherry tomatoes, baby potatoes, and a dollop of pesto. Wrap in foil and bake in the coals for a simple one-pack meal.
Prep at Home: Slice veggies and marinate the chicken in a Ziploc.

3. Grilled Peach & Bacon Skewers

Cost: $4.65 per serving
Fresh peach slices wrapped in bacon and grilled on skewers until crisp and caramelized.
Gear Suggestion: Reusable metal skewers—safer and more eco-friendly.

4. Cast Iron Campfire Nachos

Cost: $3.95 per serving
Layer tortilla chips, black beans, cheese, jalapeños, and salsa in a skillet. Cover and heat until melted.
Perfect for Kids: Customize toppings and skip the spice for little ones.

Related Post: Need toddler-friendly meals? Check out [Camping with Toddlers: 15 Sanity-Saving Tips] for meal ideas, gear, and sleep tips.

5. Chorizo Breakfast Burritos

Cost: $4.50 per serving
Scrambled eggs, cooked chorizo, and shredded cheese wrapped in a tortilla and reheated in foil.
Smart Tip: Make ahead and keep chilled in your cooler.

6. Campfire Cinnamon Roll Bake

Cost: $3.75 per serving
Canned cinnamon rolls baked in a buttered cast iron skillet. Add marshmallows for a gooey campfire dessert twist.

7. BBQ Bean & Sausage Bowls

Cost: $4.10 per serving
Kielbasa sausage and baked beans simmered with a bit of BBQ sauce. One pan. Pure comfort.

8. Caprese Skewers

Cost: $4.00 per serving
Mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes, and basil on skewers, warmed lightly over coals and drizzled with balsamic.
Make It a Meal: Serve with crusty bread and salami slices.

9. Garlic Butter Shrimp Foil Packets

Cost: $5.90 per serving
Shrimp, garlic, lemon, and herbs wrapped in foil. Cook until pink and sizzling.
Keep It Cold: Store shrimp in a cooler with ice packs until ready to cook.

10. Mac & Cheese Bombs

Cost: $5.50 per serving
Pre-cooked noodles mixed with cheese and bacon bits, wrapped in foil, and heated over the fire.
Extra Crunch: Add crushed chips or breadcrumbs on top before sealing.

Campfire Cooking Essentials (Gear That’s Worth Packing)

These are the exact items we use and trust on real trips—durable, affordable, and beginner-friendly. All links are Amazon-friendly for easy checkout:

• Lodge 10.25-Inch Cast Iron Skillet – A classic for a reason. Perfect for nachos, cinnamon rolls, and just about everything else over fire.

• WolfWise Folding Campfire Grill Grate – Sets up in seconds and gives you a flat, stable surface to cook on.

• Aoocan Stainless Steel Skewers (12-Pack) – Reusable, sturdy, and great for everything from peaches to sausages.

• GRILLHOGS 16-Inch BBQ Tongs – Long-handled and heat-safe—perfect for foil packs and hot cast iron.

• Reynolds Wrap Non-Stick Heavy-Duty Aluminum Foil – This foil is fire-cooking approved. Non-stick = no mess.

• TOURIT Soft Cooler Bag (25-Can) – Keeps your food cold up to 2 days and fits easily in the car.

• Trekology Portable Camp Table (Aluminum) – Sturdy, compact, and makes campsite cooking way easier.

• Stanley Adventure Base Camp Cook Set for 4 – Nesting cook set with pots, pans, utensils, and more—great for couples and families.

Pro Camp Cooking Tips

• Let the fire die down: Coals cook more evenly than flames

• Pre-chop everything at home: Saves time and sanity

• Use your cooler smartly: Pack items by cook order

• Bring trash bags and soap: Respect the wild, leave no mess

FAQ: Budget Campfire Cooking

Q: Can I cook these without a camp stove?
A: Absolutely. These are all fire or foil-based meals designed for open flame or hot coals.

Q: What’s the easiest no-cooler meal?
A: BBQ beans and nachos can be made with pantry-only items.

Q: Are these meals good for kids?
A: Yes—mac & cheese, cinnamon rolls, and sliders are kid-tested favorites. For more kid-focused camping help, visit [Camping with Toddlers: 15 Sanity-Saving Tips].

You Might Also Like:

• [Camping with Toddlers: 15 Sanity-Saving Tips]

• [One-Night Camping Checklist: What to Pack & What to Skip] (coming soon)

• [Best Budget Camping Gear for Families Under $30] (coming soon)

Final Take: Big Flavor, Tiny Price

You don’t need a gourmet setup or $200 in dehydrated food to eat well at camp. Just some foil, fire, and a few ingredients you actually like.
Try one (or all) of these meals and see what happens when campfire cooking actually tastes like a treat.

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