Fire Up The Grill! Quick And Easy Outdoor Recipes

It’s time to get out of the kitchen and out to the grill! We rounded up delicious recipes to help fuel your Memorial Day Weekend adventures. To maximum your summer play, these recipes were chosen for their ease of preparation, minimal clean up, and crowd-pleasing taste. Grab your skillet and let’s get started!

Pro tip: Preparing ingredients before you leave home saves time outdoors for fun and minimizes the amount of trash you need to pack out.

Cooking tools needed:

• Filet knife
• Skewers (if using wood, make sure to soak in water for at least 30 mins before placing over fire)
• Heavy-Duty Aluminum foil
• Large bowl or Ziplock bag

Campfire Potatoes

From Cupcakes and Kale Chips

Cooked potatoes in an aluminum packet.

Ingredients: 2 lb. red or white potatoes sliced about 1/2 in. thick. 1 medium onion diced. Salt & pepper to taste. 1/4 c unsalted butter. 1/4 c water. Paprika and/or chopped chives or scallions for garnish optional.

1. Start your campfire or light your grill.
2. Toss the potatoes, onion and salt & pepper in a bowl, and place onto a large piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil, or a double thickness of regular foil that has been sprayed with olive oil or cooking spray.
3. Cut the butter into small pieces and distribute across the top of the potatoes.
4. Fold over the aluminum foil to form a pouch, pour in water, and seal all the edges.
5. Place on the campfire, grill, or oven and cook for 20-30 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.

Grilled Chicken and Veggie Skewers

A man pulled cooked skewers from a fire pit. 

From Fresh Off The Grid

Marinade ingredients: ¼ cup olive oil. ¼ cup chopped basil. ¼ cup chopped parsley. 2 cloves garlic (minced). Juice of 1 lemon. 1 teaspoon salt.

Skewer ingredients: ½ lb chicken cut into 1 inch pieces (boneless, skinless thighs work best). 8 oz whole mushrooms (stems removed). 8 oz cherry tomatoes. 2-3 green onions (cut into 1 inch pieces).

1. Combine the ingredients for the marinade in a large bowl or Ziplock bag. Add the chicken pieces and thoroughly coat. Cover the bowl or seal the bag and marinate for at least an hour. This step can be done at home ahead of time, just put the sealed bag in your cooler.
2. Fire up your grill or get your campfire going. You’ll be cooking the kebabs over medium-high to high heat.
3. Build the kebabs by threading the chicken and vegetables onto your skewers.
4. Grill the kebabs over medium-high to high heat, turning occasionally so they cook evenly until the chicken is cooked through - about 10 minutes total.
5. Remove from the grill and enjoy!

Grilled Campfire Trout Diner

Bacon wrapped trout in foil with lemon.

From Taste of Home

Ingredients: 4 bacon strips. 2 dressed trout (1 pound each). 4 lemon slices. 1 small onion (halved and sliced). 1/4 teaspoon salt. 1/8 teaspoon pepper.

1. Cook bacon until partially cooked but not crisp; drain. Place each trout on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 20x18 in.). Place lemon and onion in the trout cavities; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Wrap trout with bacon. Fold foil around trout and seal tightly.
2. Add trout packets to grill; cook 20-25 minutes longer or until fish flakes easily with a fork and carrots are tender. Serve with lemon wedges.

Banana Boats

A s'mores style banana wrapped in aluminum.

From Chowhound

Ingredients: Bananas (one for each person in your group). Toppings can be whatever you dream but delicious options include mini marshmallows, mini chocolate chips, and peanut butter!

1. Slice an unpeeled banana lengthwise without cutting all the way through the top or bottom of the peel. Gently open it so it’s like a boat, then fill with the toppings of your choice, pressing them into the flesh without squishing. Wrap the banana tightly in foil.
2. Cook in the coals of the campfire, away from any active flames, for about 10 minutes. Serve hot.

Have any images or videos of your culinary adventures in Vermont State Parks? Make sure to share them to our Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter accounts with #vtstateparks. What recipe are you excited to throw on the grill first? Share in the comments below!