If you love rich, spicy, full-flavored fare, then you’ll love these Louisiana-inspired recipes. And what’s even better than a delicious recipe? One you can cook at your campsite!
3 Louisiana-Inspired Camping Recipes
Whether you’re camping in Louisiana or just want to bring that creole flavor along for the ride, these Louisiana-inspired recipes will make your next camping trip a scrumptious one.
1. Jambalaya
There are probably as many different recipes for jambalaya as there are people in Louisiana. It’s a truly classic New Orleans dish, and the opportunities for variation and innovation are endless.
Start by cooking your main protein source in some vegetable oil. The recipe traditionally uses chicken, shrimp, and andouille sausage, but you can also use cod or other seafood. (Bonus points if you catch and fillet the fish yourself using the Clark Fork Fillet Knife from CRKT).
Options for vegan/vegetarian cooks include tofu, seitan, and prepackaged vegan sausage. After that, add the veggies, rice, tomatoes, and spices. Let everything cook together slowly. (It’s best if you’re camping somewhere with charcoal grills so that you can keep a strong, even heat going.)
In Louisiana, it’s normal to leave a big pot of jambalaya cooking on low on the stove all day. Even letting it cook for an hour or so, though, will let all the flavors come together to create a hearty, spice-filled bowl of Southern goodness.
Read the full recipe here and check out a great vegan/vegetarian variation here.
2. Buttermilk Cornbread
No matter you cook for your main dish, any Louisiana-inspired meal must be accompanied by a pan of homemade cornbread. Served warm with butter and honey, cornbread is a perfect, mild contrast to the typically spicy entrees, and you’ll love how easy it is to prepare.
Made from flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt, eggs, and sugar, cornbread calls for ingredients that are probably already in your pantry. This recipe also adds buttermilk and bacon drippings to make the bread heartier. Or, if you’re looking for a lighter and healthier option, this recipe for vegan cornbread is just as moist and tasty. To make this on your next camping trip, use a dutch oven to cook the bread over a bed of coals—you’ll be amazed at how quickly it bakes!
3. Grilled Peaches with Bourbon Butter Sauce
If you love Bananas Foster, get ready for your new favorite dessert obsession: Grilled peaches. This is a truly decadent treat.
Start by slicing the peaches in half and coating them with oil, cinnamon, and sugar. Then, place them flat-side-down on a grill set to medium until they’re tender and caramelized. Make a sauce by melting together bourbon, brown sugar, and butter. When everything’s prepared, serve the peaches and drizzle the sauce on top. If you’re making this at home (or have a great cooler for camping), this dessert is even better with a scoop or two of vanilla ice cream. (For vegans, this recipe is easy to adapt—just swap out the butter and ice cream for dairy-free versions.)
Share Your Southern Menu Ideas on The Dyrt
If you cook up any fancy Louisiana feasts on your camping excursions, we want to hear about it! Leave a review of your campground on The Dyrt, and tell us about your meal. You’ll be helping to make camping better for everyone, and you could win free gear from CRKT and other great outdoor brands.
Related Campgrounds:
- Toledo Bend Camping, Anacoco, LA
