Great food and an evening outdoors. It is surprisingly easy to cook steak over an open fire, and well worth the effort. If you’ve never done it before, let me tell you, it’s perfect family activity as the weather starts to cool. And it’s not as tricky as it may seem!
Something we really enjoyed about our time in North Carolina, is using our fire pit. It must be growing up in California… before relocating, when I thought of a fire pit, I thought of summertime… the California endless summer. Bonfires on the beach. Hot dogs and marshmallows. I did grow up backpacking, but fires are prohibited in many state parks now, so we often cooked on a camp stove. North Carolina has changed how I think about fire pits a bit. I would never think to have a fire during the summer here. Whew… way too hot! But it is such a fun way to spend time outdoors in the cooler months!
Get your fire started
First thing is first… you’ll need to get the fire started well in advance. The fire needs some time to burn down, giving you a good pile of coals to cook over.
Anytime we have a fire, the kids throw wishes in it with our Homemade Fire Starters. This sweet craft helps keep little hands busy while Daddy and/or Mama get the fire started, lets the little ones feel like they have contributed, and cleans out your lint trap all in a few minutes! (win win win) Keep it in mind for your next fire!
Cooking over the coals
Once you have coals, you can use a grate or you can use 2 bricks or stones to elevate your pan so it is not directly on the coals.
This open-fire method will work with any stove top or grill recipe you like. If you’re following along with this recipe, start by getting the pan (a good cast iron pan is my preference)HOT and seasoning your steaks with salt and pepper.
Add your oil and butter to the hot pan along with the cloves of garlic and rosemary sprigs.
- never directly over the fire!! (please read my safety tips at the end)
Searing your steaks
When the oil and butter mixture are hot, carefully place the steaks into the pan. Then leave it alone! Sear on one side until you get a beautiful brown before flipping to the other side.
Continue to cook until you reach desired internal temperature. Spooning the juices over the top at intervals. (145°F for a medium steak)
Note:
It can be very difficult to make the pan level, as it would be on a stovetop. Not to worry. Tilt the pan when needed to gently swirl the oil and butter mixture around the pan. Find the hot areas and move the steaks around if you find you need to.
Tips for cooking steak over an open fire:
If it seems that the coals are cooling. Simply move them around a bit and, if needed, add small twigs or bits of wood to rekindle.
For your first time cooking over an open fire, I suggest a simple dish like soup, chili, or beans. Something that can be boiled. Those types of recipes are much more forgiving. With a little experience, you will soon understand how the fire behaves. Learning to cook steak over an open fire is a wonderful next step!
Safety:
Never pour oil directly over the fire or coals. Move the pan away before adding fat to minimize the risk of inadvertent flames and OF COURSE, supervise your little ones around the fire.
Make it a meal
I served these steaks with fingerling potatoes and rainbow carrots that were cooked over the fire in the same manner. YUM!!
A few other side dishes that could be cooked using this method are:
- sautéd green beans
- kale or any wilted green
- apples and parsnips
- sautéd mushrooms and onions
I hope you try a few and give them your own flare!
Enjoy friends, and Keep Smiling!
Open Fire Steaks
A quick "how to" for cooking steaks over an open fire. It's perfect family activity as the weather starts to cool.
Ingredients
- steaks
- olive oil
- butter
- salt and pepper
- cloves of garlic
- rosemary
Instructions
1. Take the steaks out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before cooking.
2. Salt and pepper both sides of the steaks generously.
3. Heat the pan over the hot coals. Be sure it is quite hot before cooking.
4. Remove the pan from the fire and add olive oil, butter, garlic, and rosemary sprigs.
5. Place the steaks into the hot pan to sear. Do not more the steaks until beautifully browned on one side.
6. Flip the steaks and sear the other side as well.
7. Continue to cook until the internal temperature reaches 145° F.
8. Allow the meat to rest for about 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Fire:
Cook over hot coals. You can use a grate or you can use 2 bricks or stones to elevate your pan so it is not directly on the coals.
It can be very difficult to make the pan level, as it would be on a stove top. Not to worry. Tilt the pan when needed to gently swirl the oil and butter mixture around the pan. Find the hot areas and move the steaks around if you find you need to.
If it seems that the coals are cooling. Simply move them around a bit and, if needed, add small twigs or bits of wood to rekindle.
Safety:
Never pour oil directly over the fire or coals. move the pan away before adding fat to minimize risk of inadvertent flames.
Tip:
For your first time cooking over an open fire, I suggest a simple dish like soup, chili, or beans. Something that can be boiled. Those types of recipes are much more forgiving. When you understand how the fire behaves, steak is a wonderful next step!
Thanks