Camping seafood recipes are a sure way to enjoy two of the best things Maine has to offer—the great outdoors and abundant seafood. Delicious seafood camping recipes for the campfire provide a unique outdoor cooking experience. Whether heading “upta camp” or to camp out at your favorite campground, here are 5 Maine seafood campfire recipes to enjoy this summer:
Campfire Lobster Tails
Firm and meaty, Maine lobster tails are the largest section of meat a lobster has to offer. A one-pound Maine lobster’s tail weighs around 6 or 7 oz. Lobster tails are the perfect size for cooking over a campfire and require little prepping. You will want to butterfly cut the tails lengthwise, belly up. Make an incision from the top of the shell to the tail fin without cutting through the shell. Pull apart to slightly expose the meat, then rinse thoroughly with cold water. Halving the tails, but leaving them in their shells helps cook them evenly and in their own juices.
Cook the tails over the campfire on a grill belly up. The grill should be high enough that the flames do not touch the shells, but close enough that the hot coals thoroughly cook them. It can take 8-10 minutes, depending on how close the tails are to the coals. When the lobster turns opaque, remove it from the grill and pour melted butter or garlic butter on the tails and serve.
Glazed Beer Scallops
Once your campfire is blazing, this camping seafood recipe calls for 12-15 Maine Atlantic scallops, serves two,, and takes 20 minutes to make. Place a cast iron skillet or grill pan over the campfire to preheat for 10 minutes. While the pan heats, rinse the scallops off in cold water, then place them in a bowl. Add 2 tbsp of olive oil, then season with 1 tbsp of paprika and sprinkle salt and pepper evenly. Mix thoroughly. In another dish, mince 1 tbsp of fresh garlic and a couple of slices of bacon (or as much as you want, but be reasonable—you do not want the bacon to overwhelm the flavor of the scallops), cut finely into pieces, and then mix together. Add 2 tbsp of butter with the minced garlic and bacon to the cast iron pan. Stir and let cook for about two minutes. Toss in scallops and let them cook for two minutes on either side. Then pour in 4 oz., or about a third of a 12-ounce can of your favorite lager (or pale ale), and cook for another two minutes. Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley, and enjoy.
Haddock Fillets
Haddock fillets are not only delicious but over a campfire, they’ll be ready in no time. As with most types of fish, haddock is prone to flaking apart when grilled. Use a stainless steel grill grate, grill basket, or pan designed specifically for seafood (or veggies), or wrap the fillets in a foil packet. To prep, rinse the haddock in cold water and pat dry. Rub or brush with olive oil and add your favorite seafood seasoning, then place on the grill grate or pan over the campfire for about 3 minutes per side or until the fillets start to brown and flake. If using a foil pocket, prepare the haddock with a generous amount of olive oil, and season as before. Dice half a white onion and layer over and under the fillet. Wrap up in the foil packet and toss on the grill grate. Let cook for 10 minutes, then turn and let cook for approximately 5 to 10 minutes or until the onions have browned slightly and the haddock begins to flake.
Grilled Atlantic Salmon Fillets
Cooking salmon in a foil packet over your campfire is another camping seafood dish to enjoy. The campfire helps bring out the flavor of the fish, while the foil packet allows it to cook evenly in its own natural oils. To prepare, rinse off salmon fillets with cold water and season. Wrap fillets in a foil packet greased with olive oil to prevent fillets from sticking. Place a few inches above the coals on a grill and cook for 10 to 15 minutes. When done, the salmon will turn opaque pink in color and begin to flake.
Campfire Crab Cake Patties
Maine crab is harvested year-long and is unmatched in its sweet, delicate flavor. The Gulf of Maine produces two species of crabs, the “peeky toe” or rock crab, and are perfect for creating crab cake patties for the campfire. To make, combine one-half pound of Maine crab meat with 1 cup of whole wheat bread crumbs (or panko crumbs), then 2 tbsp of mayonnaise, 1 tbsp of Dijon mustard, and one egg as binders, and then add your favorite seafood seasoning. Thoroughly mix and divide into four crab cake patties. Place in a grill pan over the campfire. Cook patties for about five or six minutes per side until golden brown. Serve on a bun or with a salad, and enjoy.
Order Fresh Maine Seafood from Klenda
These are a few examples of the delicious Maine seafood camping recipes to enjoy while exploring Maine’s great outdoors. For the best local, seasonal seafood for your camping trip, visit Klenda Seafood. Our seafood is responsibly sourced and of the highest quality and will help you get creative with your campfire cooking. We deliver fresh, live Maine lobster directly to your door, or if you’re in the area, stop by our South Portland location!