By Christie Vanover | Published November 2, 2013 | Last Updated September 2, 2018
This is a recipe (or really more of a technique) that I discovered while camping a few weeks ago.
I vowed to make recipes using only foil and skewers, and no way was I going to give up bacon in the process. If you can put a marshmallow on a stick, by God, you can put bacon on a stick.
The secret to getting your bacon evenly crispy is to weave each strip onto a skewer, leaving a gap between weaves. Then, continue weaving more strips on the skewer, leaving a few inches empty at the end.
Prepare a campfire and set two logs or rocks on each side of the flames so you can rest the skewers on the logs/stones over the flames.
Rotate the skewers every 5 or so minutes to ensure even cooking and browning. You might get a few flare-ups…that’s just a bacon grease fireworks celebration. If it gets too out-of-hand, have a squirt bottle with water near by to put out some hot spots.
Your bacon should be crispy, ready and extra smoky in about 30 minutes.
What a happy campfire breakfast!
Lynn says
Can you make these ahead of time on the skewer at home and then just pull it out when you want to cook them? I’m trying to do as much prep as possible before we leave! Thanks!
Christie Vanover says
Sure. That should work.
The Backcountry Kitchen says
This is my FAVORITE way to cook bacon over a campfire. Your photos are so great!
Shahin says
Dear Vanover,
Really very helpful. Thanks for sharing.
Hike Gourmet says
What a smart way to cook bacon over the campfire! Nothing better to wake up to when camping!
eatfrysmith says
I wonder how you can cut such a thin piece of meat, usually I cut it very thick, so it is very long to cook, can you share the method.
Cherish this
Shelly says
Use store-bought bacon
Village Bakery says
Christie, this came out great. Thank you so much for sharing. -Joe
Christie Vanover says
Thanks Joe. So glad you enjoyed it.
Joshua says
May i ask you, where we can buy those skewers, it’s look very cool.
Cr180 says
GREAT IDEA!!!!! We love our bacon, but I very rarely make it because of all the mess on the stove and surrounding area (even with a splatter guard). I will have to give this a try on the next camping trip!!! Thanks for the tip!!!!
zestuous says
Happy Camping!
Amanda says
Try using a bacon press! It worked for me!
The heavy weight reins in most of the splatter, and the bacon comes out flat-ish. I don’t quite cook mine all the way, so I can take the press off and let it curl a little bit… Happy Baconing!!!
Trish says
CR180, I place bacon on a cookie sheet lined with foil and bake at 350 degrees for approximately 25 – 30 minutes til desired doneness is reached and turning the pieces about halfway through. I also crumble some up to keep in the frig for salads, cheesy bacon French fries, baked potatoe topping, dip mixtures, to mix in with dishes and so on as we like the cooked at home bacon much better than the store bought bacon bits. It’s also a great do ahead time saver in the kitchen. Hope this helps with your stove mess 😊
Sharon says
GREAT idea love it. Used two skewers so the bacon didn’t rotate.
mary says
I purchased 1 lb. bacon which was 10 oz fat and 6 oz. of bacon .Was this meant for rendering or eating?
zestuous says
Eat it all Mary! You can hike it off in the morning.
Mike says
Where did you find those skewers. Those are cool. I will have to try this
zestuous says
I think I got them at either Pier One or Cost Plus.
Randy says
Thanks….love camping… love BBQing, had fire dept out to my house 5 times last summer because of smoke coming from BBQer….lol again thanks for all the ideas toward cooking at BBQ and camping….
zestuous says
Yikes! I think the fire dept just came to your house because they know how good your bbq is and they want a taste.
john says
will try it next time i am camping
Joanne C says
Why are there wads of aluminum foil in the fire? Does it help it cook quicker?
zestuous says
Good question! They’re packets of oatmeal. I soaked steel cut oats in cream, milk and sugar the night before. Then, I poured the oats into foil pouches and threw them on the fire for breakfast.
Vicky Nay says
My question is: Where did you get those skewers?? And I also wanted to tell you what a GREAT idea this is 🙂 Regards, Vicky
zestuous says
Thanks Vicky! I purchased them at Pier 1 quite a few years ago.
Debbie says
Where did you get the skewers? Those are great
zestuous says
Debbie, I got them at Pier 1 quite a few years ago. If you can’t find them there, you might also try Cost Plus World Market.
Jim S. says
You might want to try draping the bacon over a rod, like a spit, over the coals about 18″ to 2′. The heat will roast the bacon and the smoke will further flavor the bacon. If you’re concerned about flare ups, position the rod or spit to one side of the fire ring or keyhole and push the coals out from under the bacon. The rendering fat will drop to the ground. When you light a fire for lunch or dinner, the fat in the ground will burn off.
zestuous says
Jim,
Sounds like you know your way around a campfire. Thanks for the tips.
donna smith says
This site will not let me post to FB. I liked you on their media site, am subscribed to email, so can you tell me the problem?
zestuous says
Thanks for the heads-up. The facebook link should work now.