all about outdoor cooking
Whether you’re at the pre-game tailgate, a picnic in the park, camping in the deep woods or just having a neighborhood block party, preparing and cooking food outside of the kitchen can be an exciting and delicious experience. Learn the tips and tricks to having a tasty, safe and properly cooked meal in the great outdoors.
Preparing the Meal
Preparing what you can before you leave the kitchen will set you up for success to cook the meal. Measure ingredients for each meal and pack in labeled zip top bags to save time and space. Pre-made seasonings and sauces in their own bags can help with saving space and time on meal preparation.
Making entire meals ahead of time is another option. Meals like stews, chili, burritos and fajitas can all be made and prepped ahead of time. Meals like soups and stews can be frozen and kept cold in a cooler until it’s time to reheat.
Storing the Meal
Having an efficient cooler is a must when cooking outdoors. Make sure that the cooler is well insulated and free of leaks to ensure the food remains at a safe temperature (35°F to 40°F). Always keep the cooler closed and latched when not in use to keep cold air inside. Pack food items in zip top bags or sealable plastic containers as the original packaging may not hold up as the ice thaws and melts.
Pack the food in the same layers as you would in your refrigerator with raw beef on the bottom, separated from cooked beef and raw vegetables. Use ice blocks instead of ice cubes as the blocks will melt slower.
Whether you’re cooking in the kitchen or outside of the home, food safety remains paramount. Prevent cross contamination by washing your hands, all cooking utensils and preparation areas with hot soapy water. Do not use anything that handled raw meat- including containers, kitchen utensils or cutting boards- with the final cooked product. When cooking over a camp stove, keep a pot of hot water available to clean after use.
Cooking the Meal
GRilling
Skillet Cooking
Cast Iron skillets and outdoor cooking are a perfect match. Quickly cook some of your favorite meals using the skillet when outdoors.
Recipes for the Outdoors
Camping Recipes
Just because you’re “roughing it” doesn’t mean you can’t eat a 5-star quality meal. These simple camping recipes are great for cooking on a grill, grill pan or cast iron pan on your camp stove.
foil packet beef and vegetable meal
Build a packet with shredded beef, beef sausage and vegetables and cook on the grill. Super easy and fun for the whole family. And … no clean up.
Rocky Mountain Grilled T-Bone Steaks with Charro-Style Beans
This recipe tastes great over the campfire or on your grill at home. Pepper-rubbed T-Bone Steaks are served with flavorful Charro-style beans.
beef jerky trail mix
Every game is “the big game” when you have a great meal during the tailgate party.
Nacho Beef Dip
Italian Beef Meatball Sandwich rolls
Cheesehead Sliders
Take your neighborhood BBQ party to the next level with these great BBQ recipes
carolina barbecue burgers
grilled t-bone steaks with bbq rub
texas bbq beef brisket
all about beef jerky
Beef Jerky can be an easy way to add extra flavor to your meal or enjoyed by itself to add additional protein to your diet throughout the day.
determining doneness
A meat thermometer and these tips on determining doneness for steaks, Ground Beef and roasts will help ensure that your beef is safe and delicious.
handling beef safely
These tips will give you a better understanding of how to decipher your choices at the meat case and how to properly store, prepare and cook beef.
beef and strength
The essential nutrients found in beef, like protein, iron, zinc and B vitamins, provide our bodies and minds with the fuel we need at all stages of life to be the strongest version of ourselves.