Affordable outdoor cooking when at a shoot
$20 or less
20 Affordable Outdoor Cooking BBQ Meals
Enjoy these budget-friendly BBQ recipes designed for camping, perfect for feeding at least 4 people for around $20 or less. These camping BBQ meals are ideal for a BBQ, camp hotplate, or portable gas cooker, requiring minimal preparation and clean-up. Costs are approximate and assume basic pantry items such as oil, salt, pepper, and sauces are already available.
1. Classic Sausage & Onion Rolls
Feeds: 4–6
Approx. cost: $12–$15
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Ingredients
8–10 beef or pork sausages
6 bread rolls
2 onions, sliced
Tomato sauce
Optional mustard
Method
Heat the BBQ or hotplate to medium.
Cook sausages, turning regularly.
Add sliced onion to the hotplate and cook until soft and browned.
Warm the rolls briefly on the BBQ.
Add a sausage and onion to each roll.
Finish with tomato sauce or mustard.
Best drink: Cold lager
Non-alcoholic: Cola or lemonade
2. Sticky BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
Feeds: 4–6
Approx. cost: $12–$16
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 30–40 minutes
Ingredients
1.2–1.5kg chicken drumsticks
½ cup BBQ sauce
4 corn cobs
Salt and pepper
Method
Season chicken and coat lightly with BBQ sauce.
Cook over medium-low heat, turning frequently.
Brush with additional sauce during the final 10 minutes.
Cook corn beside the chicken until lightly charred.
Ensure chicken is cooked completely through before serving.
Best drink: Pale ale
Non-alcoholic: Lemon iced tea
3. Campfire Smash Cheeseburgers
Feeds: 4–6
Approx. cost: $16–$20
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Ingredients
500g beef mince
6 burger buns
6 cheese slices
1 onion
Tomato sauce or burger sauce
Method
Divide mince into six loose balls.
Place on a very hot BBQ plate.
Smash each ball flat with a spatula.
Season and cook for 2–3 minutes.
Flip and place cheese on top.
Toast buns and add sliced or fried onion.
Assemble.
Best drink: Lager
Non-alcoholic: Cola
4. BBQ Chicken Fajita Wraps
Feeds: 4
Approx. cost: $16–$20
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 12 minutes
Ingredients
600g chicken thigh or breast
8 wraps
1 capsicum
1 large onion
Taco seasoning
Salsa
Method
Slice chicken, capsicum, and onion.
Toss chicken with taco seasoning.
Cook chicken on hotplate.
Add vegetables and cook until softened.
Warm wraps.
Spoon mixture into wraps and add salsa.
Best drink: Mexican-style lager
Non-alcoholic: Lime soda
5. Bacon & Egg BBQ Rolls
Feeds: 4–6
Approx. cost: $14–$18
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Ingredients
8 eggs
250g bacon
6 rolls
BBQ or tomato sauce
Method
Fry bacon until browned.
Crack eggs onto the hotplate.
Toast rolls lightly.
Add bacon and egg to each roll.
Finish with sauce.
Best drink: Fresh coffee
Alternative: Orange juice
6. Loaded BBQ Potatoes
Feeds: 4–6
Approx. cost: $10–$15
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 35–50 minutes
Ingredients
6 medium potatoes
1 tin baked beans
150g grated cheese
Sour cream, optional
Method
Wrap potatoes individually in foil.
Cook over medium heat, turning occasionally.
Heat baked beans separately.
Cut cooked potatoes open.
Fill with beans and cheese.
Allow cheese to melt before serving.
Best drink: Amber ale
Non-alcoholic: Ginger beer
7. Bean & Cheese BBQ Quesadillas
Feeds: 4
Approx. cost: $12–$16
Prep: 8 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Ingredients
8 tortillas
1 tin kidney or black beans
200g grated cheese
Salsa
Method
Drain beans.
Place beans and cheese over half of each tortilla.
Fold tortillas in half.
Cook on BBQ plate until crisp.
Flip carefully.
Cut into wedges and serve with salsa.
Best drink: Light lager
Non-alcoholic: Sparkling water with lime
8. Sausage & Potato BBQ Hash
Feeds: 4–5
Approx. cost: $11–$15
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Ingredients
6 sausages
1kg potatoes
1 onion
Oil
Salt and pepper
Method
Dice potatoes into small pieces.
Slice sausages and onion.
Cook potatoes first with a little oil.
Add sausage and onion.
Cook until everything is browned and potatoes are tender.
Best drink: Australian pale ale
Non-alcoholic: Ginger beer
9. Ham, Pineapple & Cheese BBQ Toasties
Feeds: 4
Approx. cost: $11–$15
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 8 minutes
Ingredients
8 slices bread or 4 large rolls
Sliced ham
1 tin pineapple
Cheese
Butter
Method
Butter the outside of the bread.
Add ham, pineapple, and cheese.
Cook sandwiches on medium heat.
Flip when golden.
Cook until cheese has melted.
Best drink: Apple cider
Non-alcoholic: Pineapple juice
10. BBQ Meatball Subs
Feeds: 4–6
Approx. cost: $16–$20
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Ingredients
500g beef mince
6 rolls
1 jar or tin tomato pasta sauce
Grated cheese
Method
Roll mince into small balls.
Cook meatballs on BBQ plate.
Pour sauce over cooked meatballs.
Warm rolls.
Fill with meatballs and sauce.
Sprinkle with cheese.
Best drink: Lager
Non-alcoholic: Cola
11. Easy BBQ Beef Tacos
Feeds: 4
Approx. cost: $16–$20
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Ingredients
500g beef mince
8 tortillas
Taco seasoning
Lettuce
Salsa
Method
Brown mince on hotplate.
Add taco seasoning and a small splash of water.
Warm tortillas.
Fill with mince.
Add lettuce and salsa.
Best drink: Mexican lager
Non-alcoholic: Lime lemonade
12. Chicken & Pineapple Skewers
Feeds: 4
Approx. cost: $15–$19
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Ingredients
650g chicken
1 tin pineapple pieces
1 capsicum
1 onion
BBQ sauce
Method
Cut chicken and vegetables into chunks.
Thread chicken, pineapple, onion, and capsicum onto skewers.
Brush with BBQ sauce.
Cook over medium heat.
Turn frequently until chicken is completely cooked.
Best drink: Cider
Non-alcoholic: Pineapple soda
13. Loaded Camp Hot Dogs
Feeds: 4–6
Approx. cost: $13–$17
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 12 minutes
Ingredients
8 sausages
8 hot dog rolls
1 tin baked beans
1 onion
Tomato sauce
Method
BBQ sausages.
Cook sliced onion.
Heat baked beans.
Put sausages into rolls.
Top with onion and a spoonful of beans.
Add sauce.
Best drink: Lager
Non-alcoholic: Cola
14. BBQ Egg & Vegetable Fried Rice
Feeds: 4–5
Approx. cost: $10–$15
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Ingredients
About 4 cups cooked rice
6 eggs
500g frozen mixed vegetables
Soy sauce
Oil
Method
Heat oil on hotplate.
Cook vegetables.
Add rice.
Move rice aside and scramble eggs.
Mix everything together.
Add soy sauce to taste.
Best drink: Light lager
Non-alcoholic: Iced tea
15. BBQ Tortilla Pizzas
Feeds: 4
Approx. cost: $14–$18
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 8 minutes
Ingredients
8 tortillas
Pizza sauce
200g grated cheese
Sliced ham or salami
Optional pineapple
Method
Place tortillas on a lightly heated BBQ plate.
Spread with pizza sauce.
Add cheese and toppings.
Close BBQ lid if available.
Cook until the base is crisp and cheese melts.
Best drink: Pale ale
Non-alcoholic: Lemonade
16. Mushroom & Cheese Burgers
Feeds: 4
Approx. cost: $13–$18
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 12 minutes
Ingredients
4 large flat mushrooms
4 burger buns
4 cheese slices
1 onion
BBQ sauce
Method
Cook mushrooms on BBQ.
Grill sliced onion.
Place cheese onto mushrooms during the final minute.
Toast buns.
Assemble with onion and BBQ sauce.
Best drink: Brown or dark ale
Non-alcoholic: Ginger beer
17. Corn & Bean Nacho Foil Packs
Feeds: 4
Approx. cost: $13–$17
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Ingredients
1 large bag corn chips
1 tin beans
1 tin corn
200g cheese
Salsa
Method
Make four large foil parcels.
Place corn chips inside.
Add beans, corn, and cheese.
Fold foil loosely.
Heat on BBQ until cheese melts.
Open carefully and add salsa.
Best drink: Lager
Non-alcoholic: Lime soda
18. BBQ Chicken & Coleslaw Burgers
Feeds: 4–6
Approx. cost: $16–$20
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Ingredients
600g chicken thighs
6 burger buns
1 bag prepared coleslaw
BBQ sauce
Method
Flatten chicken slightly for even cooking.
BBQ until browned and completely cooked.
Brush with BBQ sauce.
Toast buns.
Add chicken and a generous serving of coleslaw.
Best drink: Pale ale
Non-alcoholic: Lemon iced tea
19. Sausage, Capsicum & Onion Skewers
Feeds: 4
Approx. cost: $13–$17
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Ingredients
8 sausages
2 capsicums
2 onions
BBQ sauce
Method
Cut sausages into chunks.
Cut vegetables into similar-sized pieces.
Thread onto skewers.
BBQ while turning regularly.
Brush with BBQ sauce during the final few minutes.
Best drink: Cider
Non-alcoholic: Apple soda
20. Tuna, Corn & Cheese BBQ Melts
Feeds: 4–6
Approx. cost: $13–$17
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 8 minutes
Ingredients
2 tins tuna
1 tin corn
6 rolls
150–200g grated cheese
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
Method
Drain tuna and corn.
Mix with mayonnaise.
Split rolls and fill with tuna mixture.
Add cheese.
Wrap loosely in foil.
Heat on BBQ until cheese melts.
Best drink: Crisp lager
Non-alcoholic: Lemon sparkling water
The Camping BBQ Essentials Box
Packing these inexpensive basics means you can whip up most of these budget-friendly BBQ recipes without needing to buy additional ingredients on each trip:
Cooking oil
Salt and pepper
BBQ sauce
Tomato sauce
Mustard
Soy sauce
Taco seasoning
Garlic powder
Aluminium foil
Wooden or metal skewers
Best five for feeding a crowd cheaply
Best overall: Sausage & Onion Rolls
Best value: Loaded BBQ Potatoes
Best chicken meal: Sticky BBQ Drumsticks
Best vegetarian option: Bean & Cheese Quesadillas
Least washing-up: Corn & Bean Nacho Foil Packs
Camping food safety note: Keep meat, chicken, and other perishable foods properly chilled. Keep raw meat utensils separate from cooked food, and ensure chicken is cooked completely through before serving.
$20++
10 gourmet BBQ recipes for camping, each designed for four people and budget-friendly at $50 or less.
These affordable outdoor cooking recipes are perfect for camping, caravanning, or outdoor entertaining. They use simple ingredients, minimal cookware, and a BBQ, hotplate, or portable grill. Prices are approximate Australian supermarket food costs and may vary by location, season, and specials.
1. Herb Butter Sirloin Steaks
Serves: 4
Approx. cost: $48
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 10–15 minutes
Ingredients:
4 sirloin steaks
500g baby potatoes
1 bunch broccolini
60g butter
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
Salt
Black pepper
Olive oil
Method:
Mix butter, garlic, and parsley together. Season steaks generously with salt and pepper. BBQ potatoes until tender, turning regularly. For faster cooking, parboil them before leaving home. Grill broccolini with a bit of olive oil. Cook steaks over high heat for about 3–5 minutes per side, depending on thickness and preferred doneness. Rest steaks for 5 minutes. Place a spoonful of garlic herb butter over each steak before serving.
Best drink: Cabernet Sauvignon
Non-alcoholic: Sparkling water with lime
Camping tip: Make the herb butter at home and keep it chilled in a small sealed container.
2. Garlic Prawn Skewers with Grilled Lemon
Serves: 4
Approx. cost: $42
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 8–10 minutes
Ingredients:
800g raw peeled prawns
2 lemons
3 garlic cloves
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt and pepper
4–6 skewers
Green salad or crusty bread
Method:
Combine prawns with garlic, olive oil, paprika, salt, and pepper. Thread prawns onto skewers. Cut lemons in half. Grill prawns over medium-high heat for about 2–3 minutes each side. Place lemon halves cut-side down on the BBQ until caramelised. Squeeze grilled lemon over prawns and finish with chopped parsley.
Best drink: Sauvignon Blanc
Non-alcoholic: Lemon spritz
Camping tip: Transport the prawns already marinated and skewered in a sealed container over ice.
3. Sticky BBQ Chicken Thighs with Corn
Serves: 4
Approx. cost: $28
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Ingredients:
1kg boneless chicken thighs
½ cup BBQ sauce
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon soy sauce
4 corn cobs
1 tablespoon butter
Salt and pepper
Method:
Mix BBQ sauce, honey, and soy sauce. Coat chicken thighs with half the sauce. BBQ chicken over medium heat, turning regularly and brushing with additional sauce during cooking. Grill corn beside the chicken until lightly charred. Rub hot corn with butter and season. Serve chicken with the remaining sauce.
Best drink: Pale Ale
Non-alcoholic: Iced tea
4. Lamb Kofta Skewers with Flatbread
Serves: 4
Approx. cost: $38
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 12 minutes
Ingredients:
700g lamb mince
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
½ teaspoon paprika
4 flatbreads
200g Greek yoghurt
1 cucumber
Mint
Salt and pepper
Method:
Combine lamb, onion, garlic, and spices. Divide mixture into eight portions and shape around skewers. BBQ over medium-high heat for approximately 8–10 minutes, turning regularly. Mix yoghurt with chopped cucumber and mint. Warm flatbreads on the BBQ and serve koftas in flatbread with yoghurt sauce.
Best drink: Shiraz Rosé
Non-alcoholic: Mint lemonade
5. Gourmet Beef Burgers with Caramelised Onion
Serves: 4
Approx. cost: $35
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Ingredients:
600g beef mince
4 brioche burger buns
4 cheese slices
2 onions
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon butter
Lettuce
Tomato
Burger sauce
Salt and pepper
Method:
Slice onions and cook slowly with butter until softened. Add brown sugar and cook until caramelised. Divide mince into four patties and season generously. BBQ burgers for around 4 minutes each side, adding cheese in the final minute. Toast buns and assemble with lettuce, tomato, burger sauce, and caramelised onion.
Best drink: Craft lager
Non-alcoholic: Cola
6. Portuguese Chicken with Charred Vegetables
Serves: 4
Approx. cost: $32
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
800g chicken thighs
2 tablespoons olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
2 garlic cloves
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon chilli flakes
2 capsicums
1 zucchini
1 red onion
Salt and pepper
Method:
Combine olive oil, lemon, garlic, paprika, and chilli. Coat chicken in the marinade. Slice vegetables into large pieces, BBQ chicken over medium heat until completely cooked, and grill vegetables until softened and lightly charred. Season and serve together.
Best drink: Chardonnay
Non-alcoholic: Citrus soda
For extra heat: Add additional chilli flakes or peri-peri sauce.
7. Honey Soy Salmon Fillets
Serves: 4
Approx. cost: $49
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 10–12 minutes
Ingredients:
4 salmon fillets
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon lemon or lime juice
1 garlic clove
2 spring onions
2 cups cooked rice
1 cucumber
Method:
Combine soy sauce, honey, citrus juice, and crushed garlic. Brush over salmon and place skin-side down on a lightly oiled BBQ plate. Cook for about 5–6 minutes, turn carefully, then cook another 3–4 minutes. Brush with additional marinade and serve with rice, sliced cucumber, and spring onions.
Best drink: Pinot Gris
Non-alcoholic: Sparkling apple juice
8. Smoky Pork Ribs with Slaw
Serves: 4
Approx. cost: $45
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 45–60 minutes
Ingredients:
1.5kg pork ribs
½ cup BBQ sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon garlic powder
300g prepared coleslaw
4 corn cobs or bread rolls
Method:
Combine brown sugar, paprika, and garlic powder. Rub over ribs, wrap them tightly in foil, and cook on a covered BBQ over medium-low heat for about 40 minutes. Remove foil, brush generously with BBQ sauce, and grill for another 10–15 minutes until sticky and caramelised. Serve with coleslaw.
Best drink: IPA
Non-alcoholic: Ginger beer
Camping tip: Slow-cook the ribs at home first, refrigerate them, then finish them over the campsite BBQ to reduce cooking time.
9. Moroccan Chicken Skewers with Couscous
Serves: 4
Approx. cost: $34
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 12 minutes
Ingredients:
700g chicken thigh
1 tablespoon Moroccan seasoning
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 capsicum
1 red onion
1½ cups couscous
1½ cups boiling water
Handful of parsley
1 lemon
Method:
Cut chicken into chunks and toss with Moroccan seasoning and olive oil. Cut capsicum and onion into similar-sized pieces, then thread chicken and vegetables onto skewers. BBQ for approximately 10–12 minutes, turning regularly. Put couscous into a bowl, pour over boiling water, cover, and leave for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork, stir through parsley and lemon juice, and serve skewers over couscous.
Best drink: Riesling
Non-alcoholic: Orange sparkling water.
10. Roast Vegetable & Halloumi BBQ Platter
Serves: 4
Approx. cost: $30
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Ingredients:
400g halloumi
2 capsicums
2 zucchini
1 red onion
250g cherry tomatoes
4 flatbreads
Olive oil
1 lemon
Dried oregano
Salt and pepper
Method:
Cut halloumi into thick slices and vegetables into large BBQ-friendly pieces. Toss vegetables with olive oil, oregano, salt, and pepper, then grill until tender and charred. BBQ halloumi for 1–2 minutes on each side. Warm flatbreads and arrange everything on a large sharing platter, finishing with fresh lemon juice.
Best drink: Rosé
Non-alcoholic: Pink lemonade.
The 5-Star Camping Pantry
A small pantry box makes these budget-friendly BBQ recipes considerably easier. Pack olive oil, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, Moroccan seasoning, soy sauce, honey, BBQ sauce, mustard, dried oregano, chilli flakes, and aluminium foil.
Best picks from the collection:
Best steak dinner: Herb Butter Sirloin
Best seafood: Garlic Prawn Skewers
Best value: Sticky BBQ Chicken Thighs
Best impressive meal for little work: Lamb Kofta
Best family meal: Gourmet Beef Burgers
Best around the campfire: Smoky Pork Ribs
Best vegetarian meal: Halloumi & Roast Vegetable Platter
A simple formula for a 5-star camping BBQ: Good protein + charred vegetables + simple sauce + one quality drink pairing = a restaurant-style dinner without restaurant complexity.